Islamic eschatology, the study of end times within the Islamic tradition, encompasses a rich tapestry of beliefs regarding the Last Days. Central to these beliefs is the concept of the Second Coming, particularly concerning the figure of Isa (Jesus).

In Christian, especially Catholic, tradition, the stigmata are marks corresponding to those left on Christ's body by the crucifixion. They are said to have been impressed by divine favour of the bodies of St Francis of Assisi and other stigmatics. A copy of Austin's 1883 seminal work is included as Further Reading.

The origins of Islam are often traced back to the patriarch Abraham and his son Ishmael. This connection is significant in Islamic tradition and is reflected in various religious texts and teachings.

Talmud is Hebrew for "learning," appropriate for a text people devote their lives to studying and mastering. The Talmud is a collection of writings covering the full gamut of Jewish law and tradition, compiled and edited between the 3rd and 6th centuries. Written in Hebrew and Aramaic, it records the teachings and discussions of the great academies of the Holy Land and Babylonia. With 2,711 densely packed pages and countless commentaries, learning the Talmud is a lifetime occupation.