Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah (The Beginning and the End) is a classic work by the Sunni scholar Ibn Kathir (700H/1301 - 774H/1372). It is considered to be one of the most authoritative sources on Islamic history. Ibn Kathir uses his background as a Mufasir (Commentator) on Quran, scholar of Hadith, and historian to give a comprehensive view on the lives of the prophets.