عنوان

Islamic historiography:

TLpq303724645

انگلیسی

Islamic historiography:

[Thesis]

A. I. Tayob

The case of al-Tabari's "Ta'rikh al-rusul wa 'l-Muluk" on the companions of the Prophet Muhammad

K. Duran

Temple University

1989

274

Ph.D.

Temple University

1989

This is a study in Islamic historiography which examines how one Muslim historian al-Tabari (d. 310/925) presented the history of the conflict among the companions of the Prophet Muhammad. It begins with a summary of the evolution of Islamic historiography which locates al-Tabaris place in the Islamic historical tradition. A critical study of al-Tabaris life then illustrates the great scholar's political, social and religious context. This biography examines the particular convictions of al-Tabari in light of the prevailing view toward the companions of the Prophet. Two conflicts are chosen for evaluation in the early history of Islam, namely, the selection of Abu Bakr to succeed the Prophet as caliph and the Battle of the Camel during the reign of 'Ali the fourth caliph. An analysis of the events shows how al-Tabari presents the conflicts and dissensions among the companions, and a comparison with a few contemporary and later Muslim historians clarifies al-Tabaris personal approach in the presentation. The analysis shows how the form of Muslim historiography admirably suited al-Tabaris attempts to reconcile the paradigm of the companions projected by the religious tradition with the reports akhbar) that apparently contradicted this image, and at the same time allowed al-Tabari to deal with a sensitive issue in his time. Taking the reports akhbar) as 'raw' materials for their presentations, al-Tabari selected, omitted, juxtaposed and carefully arranged them to present accounts of the early period. However, at almost every step of his project, al-Tabari projected or at least, preserved, the moral and spiritual integrity of the companions by alternatingly denying, upholding and defending their actions.

Biographies

Language, literature and linguistics

Middle Eastern history

Philosophy, religion and theology

Religion

Social sciences

A. I. Tayob

K. Duran

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y