Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri and His Book Futuh al-Buldan

Abstract

This study investigates on the historian Ahmad ibn Yahya al-Baladhuri and his book Futuh al-Buldan, which is considered one of the most important Arab historical resources for the Muslim conquests. In his book, al-Baladhuri provides a unique example of clear and precise historiographical methodology. His work is distinctive in terms of historical content and in utilizing various historical resources that were derived directly from narrators, those who lived the era of the conquests, and from other historical sources. The study examines al-Baladhuri's writings in the light of attempts to rewrite the history of the Muslim conquests. It also illustrates the importance of al-Baladhuri's sources, the narrative format, and the nature of the historical content in Futuh al-Buldan.