Islamic historiography : the histories of Masʻūdī / by Tarif Khalidi

The importance of Muslim historical writing in the medieval period and the fact that few detailed studies exist, make Professor Khalidi's book of special importance both to Arabists and to medievalists. It may be read both as a source for Muslim and non-Muslim history and for the light it sheds on Arabic/Islamic civilization in its prime. ISLAMIC HISTORIOGRAPHY Acknowledgments Contents Introduction List of Abbreviations 1. Sources and Style Range of Sources The Historian’s Craft History and adab Mas'udfs Style The isnad 2. Reflections On Historical Method Reasons for Reflecting on History The Background : History, Theology . and the Natural Sciences The Value of History The Modes of Apprehension The Concept of bahth 3. Divine and Natural Factors in Human History Introductory Remarks The Creation of the World Prophecy and Prophets Natural Religion: Reason and Revelation Nature and Society Religion and Kingship The Sources of Mas'udVs Views 4. The Ancient Nations The Ancient Nations and Islam Genealogy of Ancient Nations The Seven Ancient Nations The Persians The Chaldeans The Greeks The Egyptians The Turks The Indians The Chinese Patterns in the History of Ancient Nations The Problem of Progress 5. The Pre-Islamic Arabs and Islam General Problems Pre-Islamic Arabia The Prophet's Life The First Four Caliphs The Umayyads The Abbasids MuHazxlism and ShVism Conclusion Appendix A Fragments of a Biography Appendix B Reconstruction of Lost Works