The History of Al-Tabari: Biographies of the Prophet's Companions and Their Successors (Suny Series in Near Eastern Studies, Vol 39) [Paperback]

Ella Landau-Tasseron (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Suny Series in Near Eastern Studies , Vol 39 | Publication Date: January 29, 1998

In the introduction to his History, al-T'abari declared his intention to append to it a biographical work for the reader's convenience. Only a collection of excerpts has survived, however. It was first published as part of the Leiden edition of the History and is now presented as a volume in the T'abari Translation Project. It brings together biographies of Companions, successors, and scholars of subsequent generations; many chapters are devoted to women related to the Prophet who played a role in the transmission of knowledge. The biographies vary in length and style, ranging from a mere identification of a person to long accounts and anecdotes. This volume represents a long tradition characteristic of Muslim culture. Muslim scholars developed biographical literature into a rich and complex genre. It was intended to be an auxiliary branch of religious study, aimed at determining the reliability of chains of transmission through which traditions were handed down. More often than not, however, works in this genre contain valuable historical information of the kind often ignored by the authors of mainstream history books. Even though not a complete work, this volume is thus not merely a supplement to al-T'abari's History but also a source in its own right, often supplying new and rare insights into events and social conditions.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Arabic --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 438 pages
• Publisher: State University of New York Press (January 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0791428206
• ISBN-13: 978-0791428207
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,580,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.