Which are the best books on Hadith, Sira, Tafsir, Islamic history, and general history?

The scholars of the Ummah have left us a treasure trove of knowledge that deserves attention, and Muslims should be aware of what it contains. Among the most important references in the various branches of knowledge are:

- Tafsir (Quranic Exegesis): Zad al-Masir by Al-Jawzi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim by Ibn Kathir, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Al-Jami li Ahkam al-Quran by Al-Qurtubi, Daqa'iq al-Tafsir by Ibn Taymiyyah, Fath al-Qadir by Al-Shawkani. Among contemporary books: Tafsir al-Sa'di, Adwa' al-Bayan by Al-Shanqiti, Aysar al-Tafasir by Al-Jazairi.

- Seerah (Prophetic Biography): Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah by Ibn Kathir, As-Seerah an-Nabawiyyah by Al-Dhahabi, Seerah Ibn Hisham, Zad al-Ma'ad by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah. Among contemporary books: Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum by Al-Mubarakpuri, Hadha al-Habib ya Muhibb by Al-Jazairi.

- History: Al-Bidayah wa an-Nihayah by Ibn Kathir, Al-Ibar by Al-Dhahabi, Al-Muntazam by Ibn al-Jawzi, An-Nujum az-Zahirah by Al-Atabiki, Tarikh al-Umam wa al-Muluk by Al-Tabari, Tarikh Baghdad by Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi, Siyar Alam an-Nubala' by Al-Dhahabi. Among contemporary books: Kitab at-Tarikh al-Islami by Mahmoud Shaker. Caution must be exercised with history books authored by Orientalists due to their containing distortions.

- Hadith Books: Refer to related fatwas for an overview of these.

It is recommended to consult the CDs that contain the Library of History and Civilization and the Millennium Library of the Prophetic Sunnah.