Stories of the Prophets

Author's name: Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir

The stories of the prophets in the Holy Quran are the stories of the elite and the best of all creation. They are the guides of the world and God's mercy to all people. God did not relate these stories in the Holy Quran for mere amusement or entertainment, but rather as lessons and admonitions for those with understanding. They are meant to inspire reflection and contemplation on the laws of life, the principles of human society, and the history of people throughout time and space. While our Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, has bestowed upon us the blessing of stories of a group of prophets and their people, He draws our attention to the fact that the most important aspect of the history of these great figures is to focus on the lessons and admonitions they offer. The renowned commentator Ibn Kathir employed a remarkable scholarly approach in presenting these Quranic stories, striving to avoid the myths of the Israelites, the fabrications of storytellers, and the falsehoods of some historians.