Tafseer Ibn Katheer Juz’ ‘Amma (Part 30)

Author: Ibn Katheer
Translator: Sameh Strauch
Publisher: International Islamic Publishing House
ISBN: 9960-672-06-9
Pages: 320
Binding: Hardcover

About the Book: The 30th part of Tafsir Ibn Katheer is comprehensive in interpretation. The meanings of the Qur’an have been interpreted by the Qur’an itself or by the traditions of the Prophet (S) and are enlightened with the thoughts and perception of the Salaf Saliheen; this is the cause that this renowned commentary is famous and favourite towards understanding the Noble Qur’an.

The phrase juz amma’ refers to the last 30th of the Qur’an, comprising suras 78-114. It is common for more casual students of Islam to memorize this final juz of the Qur’an, as opposed to becoming a complete hafiz.

About the Author: He was Hafidh Abul Fida Ismail ibn Abi Hafs Shihabuddin Omar ibn Katheer ibn Daw ibn Kathir in Zar` the Quraishite – originally from Busra (Syria) – and raised in Damascus. He followed the Shafi`ee school of thought. Ibn Kathir was born in the year 701 AH in an area called Majdal, near Busra, west of Damascus. His father died when he was only four years old and was taken in by his brother and moved to Damascus in 706. Here, he learned from great scholars such as Ibn Asakir, Ishaq ibn Yahya al-Amudi and the great Ibn Taymiyyah who was extremely close to him. He also studied under various other sheikhs who gave him permission in fiqh and Hadith. Ibn Katheer lost his sight just before his life ended. He died in Damascus in 774A.H. May Allah grant him Mercy and make him amongst the residents of Jannah.

He made many academic contributions to Islamic sciences. The following are amongst his most prominent:
1. Tafseer of the Qur’an
2. Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah: a history of Muslims from Adam until Ibn Kathir’s time
3. At-Takmeel: a book on the science of Asmaaul Rijal (profiles of transmitters of Hadith)
4. Jami`ul Masaneed: a book that collects the Hadith from ten major books of Hadith
5. The classes of Shafi`ee scholars: a list of scholars following the Imam
6. Extraction of the traditions of Tanbeeh (a Shafi`ee book of jurisprudence)
7. The commentary on al-Bukhari (which he did not finish)
8. The book of laws (again, he did not complete it)
9. The summary to the science of Hadith; a synopsis to the introduction of Ibn Saah’s work
10. Extraction of the traditions to the summary of Ibn Hajib
11. Musnad of the two sheikhs (Abu Bakr and Umar)
12. Biography of the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam
13. The epistle of Jihad