البداية والنهاية (The Beginning and the End) is a comprehensive historic encyclopedic work written by Ibn Kathir, a renowned Islamic scholar. The book covers the history of the creation of the heavens and the earth, the angels, and the creation of Adam. It then delves into the stories of the prophets, briefly touching on them and then providing detailed accounts of the historical events since the Prophet Muhammad's time until the year 767 AH. The book lists the historical events in a tabular format, mentioning the most prominent individuals who died in that year. The end part of the book details the signs of the hour up until the day of reckoning.

Ibn Kathir's book is a sincere mirror, an authentic reference for the people of this art. It covers all aspects of the creation of the universe, the stories of the prophets, and the signs of the hour. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Islamic history and the religion's beliefs.