Al-Ṭabarî’s Place within the Islamic Historiographical Tradition

The field of Islamic historiography is challenging. At a first glance, the various accounts of history-writing seem to be straightforward and simple both in meaning and language. However, when one starts to examine the function and contribution of the sources within the historical framework of a particular period several difficulties arise. It is then that Islamic historical accounts become problematic.
            The issue of the degree of interrelation between the oral and written tradition in the sources is complicated yet further by issues of authenticity. Moreover, the question of the date when serious historical writing emerged, is still a matter of debate. In addition, considerations such as on the interpretative development of the ancient historical tradition in terms of how far it was altered as regards language, structure, and conceptual framework between the time they were formulated and the moment when they took their definite form obscure attempts to reach a clear understanding of the nature of the sources. Moreover, problems concerning the distinction between factors, which led to the fabrication and confusion of history-writing, and the effects of social and political currents should always be taken into consideration. Also, the existence of topoi in sources especially where there is no corroborative tradition obscures the historian’s attempts to validate the information. Consequently, the reader should hesitate to place faith in reputed historians without an examination of their given accounts. These points should be borne in mind throughout the general development of history-writing in the early period.