Al Tabari's history covers a vast period, spanning from the creation of the world to his own time, with a focus on the Islamic world and its interactions with other civilizations. The work is notable for its meticulous scholarship, thorough research, and insightful analysis of historical events.
| Work | Relevance | |------|-----------| | (critical Arabic edition, Beirut 1973) | Full Arabic text; includes marginal notes on isnād. | | C.E. Bosworth, The New Islamic Dynasties (1975) | Provides concise background on the Umayyad‑Abbasid transition. | | Patricia Crone, The Nativist Prophets of Early Islam (1994) | Discusses the use of prophetic traditions in political legitimation. | | Michael Fishbein, “The Battle of the Zab and the End of the Umayyad Caliphate,” Journal of Early Islamic Studies , 2010 | A focused article on the military and political dynamics of the 750 CE showdown. | | M. A. Shaban, The Abbasid Revolution (1971) | A classic monograph that elaborates on the events summarized by al‑Tabarī. | al tabari volume 6 page 111
: The text records Muhammad’s realization and distress, stating: Al Tabari's history covers a vast period, spanning