The History of al-Tabari, Volume XVII: The First Civil War

Volume XVII of al-Tabari's History covers the First Civil War in early Islamic history, spanning the years 656-661 CE. The text follows the major political and military conflicts that emerged after the death of the third caliph Uthman. This translation by Gerald Hawting presents al-Tabari's comprehensive account of the power struggles between Ali ibn Abi Talib and his opponents, including Mu'awiya and A'isha. The narrative incorporates multiple source materials and historical traditions to document the battles, negotiations, and key figures of this pivotal period. The volume contains detailed descriptions of major confrontations like the Battle of the Camel and the Battle of Siffin, along with the political maneuvering and social dynamics that shaped these events. Al-Tabari's account includes speeches, correspondence, and eyewitness testimonies from various participants. This crucial segment of al-Tabari's work illuminates fundamental questions about legitimate authority and succession in early Islam, while demonstrating how internal conflicts transformed the developing Muslim community.

Readers value this volume for its detailed exploration of the first Islamic civil war and appreciate the clear English translation of al-Tabari's Arabic text. Several scholars and history enthusiasts note the comprehensive coverage of key events and political dynamics during this period. Likes: - Clear footnotes explaining cultural contexts and names - Inclusion of multiple historical accounts for events - Accurate translation that maintains readability Dislikes: - Dense academic writing style challenges casual readers - Some passages require background knowledge of Islamic history - High price point mentioned in multiple reviews Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 5/5 (2 reviews) One reviewer on Goodreads noted: "The extensive footnotes are invaluable for understanding the complex relationships between historical figures." An Amazon reviewer highlighted the "meticulous attention to detail in translation while keeping the narrative flow intact."

The Great Arab Conquests by Hugh Kennedy A narrative history of the Islamic empire's expansion that covers the same time period as Tabari's work and draws from many of the same primary sources.

The Early Islamic Conquests by Fred Donner An examination of the military and political dynamics during the rise of Islam and the first caliphate through Arabic historical sources.

Muhammad and the Believers by Fred McGraw Donner A study of early Islamic history that uses contemporary sources to reconstruct the development of the Islamic community during and after Muhammad's time.

Crisis and Continuity at the Abbasid Court by Maaike van Berkel A historical analysis of the political transitions and power structures in the Islamic empire using medieval Arabic chronicles and documents.

In God's Path: The Arab Conquests and the Creation of an Islamic Empire by Robert G. Hoyland A historical account of the Arab conquests that incorporates both Islamic and non-Islamic primary sources to present multiple perspectives on the period.

🔹 Al-Tabari's original historical work was so massive that it reportedly required 40 camels to transport the complete manuscript. 🔹 The author of this translation, Gerald Hawting, is a renowned scholar of early Islamic history at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS). 🔹 The First Civil War (656-661 CE) marked the first major split in the Muslim community and laid the groundwork for the later Sunni-Shia divide. 🔹 Al-Tabari's work extensively quotes now-lost earlier sources, making it an invaluable window into historical documents that would otherwise be completely unknown to modern scholars. 🔹 This volume covers the crucial Battle of Siffin, where for the first time in Islamic history, two Muslim armies faced each other in large-scale combat.