The Book of the History of Islam by al-Dhahabi and the Books of History

Question:
What is your opinion of the book *The History of Islam* by al-Dhahabi, and which is the best edition of it?

Answer:
In general, *The History of Islam* by al-Dhahabi, *Al-Bidaya wa al-Nihayah* by Ibn Kathir, *Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh*, and the books of history written by the imams are a fine collection. They may contain reports that are questionable or matters that are questionable. However, the historian’s task is to gather, much like the hadith scholar who scrutinizes the chains of narration. The historian records the events and reports that reach him and writes them down; some of them are authentic, and some are questionable. Therefore, we do not accept everything in the histories, nor do we accept everything mentioned in the histories. If what is mentioned in some histories contradicts the evidence, or contains a deficiency that diminishes the status of one of the Muslims, or the kings, or something more severe regarding the Companions, then it is obligatory to reject these things, because they are reports, some of which are authentic and some are not. The historian’s task is only to gather, just as the hadith scholar seeks to verify and examine the chain, and does not establish except what has a sound chain. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence the Shaykh