What are the best specialized books on tafsir and the Prophet's biography that you recommend?

The questioner: All right, Shaykh, I mean, I would like to ask Your Eminence, if you know, of good or authenticated books on tafsir and on the biography, meaning the biography of the Messenger - may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him - if you would recommend something, meaning?

The Shaykh: I recommend the tafsir of Ibn Kathir.

The questioner: The original edition?

The Shaykh: Yes.

The questioner: And regarding the biography, the biography of the Messenger - may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him -?

The Shaykh: The biography of Ibn Kathir al-Dimashqi.

The questioner: Yes, that's right. All right, Your Eminence, what do you recommend, meaning, for a beginner student of knowledge from the books in the principles of jurisprudence and the principles of hadith?

The Shaykh: Principles of hadith: al-Ba'ith al-Hathith.

The questioner: al-Ba'ith?

The Shaykh: al-Hathith.

The questioner: al-Hathith?

The Shaykh : Yes.

The questioner: Yes, who is this by, Shaykh?

The Shaykh: This is an explanation of Ikhtisar 'Ulum al-Hadith. The Ikhtisar is by Ibn Kathir, and al-Ba'ith al-Hathith is by the Shaykh Ahmad al-Qadi al-Misri: Ahmad Shakir.

The questioner: Yes, and in the principles of jurisprudence?

The Shaykh: In the principles of jurisprudence: Tahsil al-Ma'mul by Sadiq Hasan Khan.

The questioner: All right, may Allah reward you with good.

The Shaykh : And may Allah protect you, if Allah wills.

The questioner: I love you for the sake of Allah, Shaykh.

The Shaykh : May Allah love you for the sake of which you loved me.

The questioner: All right, may Allah bless you.

The Shaykh : May Allah bless you.

The questioner : Peace be upon you and Allah's mercy.

The Shaykh : And upon you be peace, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.