Stories of the Prophets presents an English rendering of Ibn Kath¿r's renowned Qasas Al-Anbiy¿¿, a major Islamic work devoted to the lives, missions, trials, and lessons of Allah's Prophets.
Drawing upon Qur'¿nic narratives, Hadith reports, and classical Islamic transmission, the book follows the prophetic line from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and other noble Prophets, concluding with the life of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. The manuscript emphasizes that the Prophets called humanity to worship Allah alone, abandon falsehood, uphold truth, and remain steadfast before rejection and hardship.
This edition highlights key themes of faith, repentance, patience, moral discipline, Divine guidance, rejection and deliverance, miracles, persecution, migration, covenant, and the completion of Prophethood. It also presents the stories not as entertainment alone, but as lessons, reminders, and examples for reflection, family instruction, and spiritual formation.
The work is suitable for students of Islamic studies, readers of Qur'¿nic history, mosque and madrasah libraries, family reading, and general audiences seeking a structured introduction to the prophetic narratives in the Islamic tradition.
Stories of the Prophets stands as a classical Islamic narrative work, presented in English for readers seeking an accessible yet serious engagement with Qur'¿nic prophetic history and its moral teachings.
Table of Content
Editor's Foreword ¿ Translator's Notes ¿ Notes About the Translation ¿ Transliteration of Arabic Words and Names ¿ Biography of Ibn Kath¿r (700-774 AH)
Early Prophetic Narratives
Adam (Aadam): Creation, Eve, repentance, Paradise, traditions concerning Adam, Abel and Kane, death
Enoch (Idr¿s)
The Early Messengers and Their Peoples
Noah (N¿h): call, rise of idolatry, the Ark, the Flood, deliverance and aftermath
Hud (H¿d): call, rejection, punishment
Saalih: call, the she-camel, punishment and conclusion
The Abrahamic Line
Abraham (Ibrahim): call to monotheism, debates with his people, migration, family, Makkah, sacrifice, Sacred House, virtues and death
Lot (L¿t): call, angelic visit and destruction
Shu¿aib (Jethro): call, rejection, punishment and salvation
Ishmael (Ism¿¿¿l)
Isaac (Is¿¿q) and Jacob (Yäq¿b)
Joseph and the Path of Trial
Joseph (Y¿suf): vision, betrayal, Egypt, imprisonment, interpretation, reunion and fulfillment
Prophets of Patience and Reflection
Job (Ayy¿b): illness, patience and relief
Dhul Kifl
Destroyed Nations ¿ Companions of the Rass ¿ People of the Village
Jonah (Y¿nus): repentance and the whale
Moses and the Children of Israel
Moses (M¿s¿): birth, mission to Pharaoh, miracles, Exodus, revelation, wilderness, calf episode, Sinai, Korah, Al-Khadir, commandments, merits and death
Later Prophets of Israel
Joshua (Y¿shä) ¿ Ezekiel (Hizq¿l) ¿ Elijah ¿ Elisha ¿ Samuel
David (D¿w¿d): life and death
Solomon (Sulaimaan): kingdom, signs and death
Ezra (¿Uzair): destruction and restoration of Jerusalem
Zechariah (Zakariyyah) and John (Yahya)
Jesus (¿¿sa)
Mary, birth, signs, Divine revelation, the table spread, ascension, return and virtues
The Story of Muhammad ¿
Lineage and childhood ¿ Early life ¿ Revelation and Prophethood ¿ Public call and opposition ¿ Migration and major events of Makkah ¿ Hijrah and Mad¿nah ¿ Brotherhood and community formation ¿ Major battles and treaties ¿ Conquest of Makkah ¿ Final pilgrimage ¿ Departure to his Heavenly Abode
