The Umayyad Era in the Writings of Al-Waqidi(d. 207 AH / 829 CE): Compilation and Study

Abstract

Al-Waqidi is considered one of the greatest historians of the 2nd and 3rd centuries. I would not exaggerate if I said that I have not found a historian as skilled in documenting historical events as Al-Waqidi, who is renowned among historians for his accounts of the battles he recorded. However, a closer examination of his works reveals many historical narratives he undertook to document. He did not neglect to record events from the Umayyad period, as I found historical accounts from the years (43-113 AH / 665-735 CE). These accounts were scattered among various historians, with some recording one or more narratives attributed to him. However, if I found a narrative with one historian, I might not find it with another. For instance, if Al-Tabari transmitted a narrative, I might not find it with Al-Mas'udi or Ibn al-Jawzi.