ibn al-kathir ad-dimashghi and fanaticism in "al-bidayah wa n-nihayah

many scholars at the present and in the past have tried to portray abulfida’ isma‘il ibn ‘umar ibn al-kathir ad-dimashghi as a truthful historian and without any fanaticism. however, the content of his “al-bidayah wa n-nihayah” indicates his utmost religious fanaticism, hiding and distorting truths, lack of politeness in writing, turning away from islamic ethics and even contradicting himself at various points. it is possible that his like for ibn al taymiyyah and his intense interest in his teachings caused him, like ibn al-taymiyyah, not to adopt a fair approach in his opposition to the shi‘ah and in particular to its imamiyyah branch hence, paving the way for his own selfcentricism and stiffness of opinion in his works. the unity of the islamic ummah has always been and still is susceptible to such extremism and that is why getting familiar with unfounded historical opinions can help prevent making the same mistakes in the future. drawing various evidences from “al-bidayah wa n-nihayah”, this article tries to prove the fanatic approach adopted by the writer of the book.