The Accounts

This includes the accounts of:

• the messengers
• the histories and the matters of time
• nations and their religions
• their kings and their biographies
• the kings of the earth and their conditions
  • Hejaz
  • Yemen
  • the Arabs
  • Iraq, Persia, the Turks, and the Romans
• India and China
• past nations and earlier peoples and those dwelling at the edges of the earth
• prophets
• ancient times
• the biographies of the caliphs
• the differences among people in ancient and modern histories, in Diode and Venice, from India to the ancient kingdoms

The caliph, upon assuming power, would appoint governors over the provinces and delegate authority to them. He relied on his lieutenants to manage the affairs of distant regions, entrusting them with responsibilities in accordance with their loyalty and competence.

This delegation was essential for maintaining control over the vast territories of the Abbasid Caliphate. The caliph’s representatives were expected to uphold justice, collect taxes, and ensure security, while remaining accountable to the central authority in Baghdad.

Such appointments were often influenced by political alliances, tribal affiliations, and the strategic importance of the region. The caliph’s ability to govern effectively depended on the strength and reliability of these provincial governors.

This book is organized according to the principles of religion, and its purpose is to clarify the foundations upon which religious laws are built.

It aims to establish certainty in knowledge through rational and textual evidence, and to distinguish between what is known by necessity and what is known by inference. The author explains the rules that govern belief, and the conditions under which knowledge becomes certain and reliable.

He also discusses the importance of understanding the causes and reasons behind religious rulings, so that the believer may attain clarity and avoid confusion or doubt. This approach ensures that religious practice is grounded in firm understanding, and that the principles of jurisprudence are applied with precision and insight.

This book begins with a narration of historical events and notable accounts, presenting stories of kings, nations, and the wonders of past civilizations. It explores the customs, beliefs, and achievements of various peoples, highlighting the richness of their cultures and the lessons drawn from their experiences. The author seeks to preserve the memory of these events, so that future generations may reflect upon them and gain wisdom. The text is both informative and poetic, blending factual history with literary elegance, and offering insights into the moral and philosophical dimensions of human affairs.

The number of works that deal with history is vast, and many scholars have composed books on the subject, each according to their method, purpose, and the time in which they lived. Some have focused on the genealogies of kings and the succession of rulers, others on the events of wars, treaties, and the rise and fall of empires. There are those who have written about the customs of nations, their religious beliefs, their laws, and their ways of life. Some have emphasized the moral lessons to be drawn from history, while others have sought to preserve the memory of great deeds and noble characters. Each historian has contributed to the collective understanding of the past, and their works remain a source of insight and reflection for those who seek wisdom.

Among those who have written about history is Abū Saʿīd al-Sukkārī, who compiled accounts of kings and nations, and documented the deeds of rulers and the customs of peoples. He narrated the stories of Khāqān and other sovereigns, describing their governance, battles, and legacies. His work is distinguished by its precision and depth, and it serves as a valuable source for those seeking knowledge of past events. The author draws upon earlier sources and eyewitness reports, and presents the material with clarity and elegance. Such writings preserve the memory of civilizations, and offer lessons for those who reflect on the rise and fall of empires.

The author continues recounting the stories of kings and notable figures, mentioning their lineages, their virtues, and the events that marked their reigns. He describes the customs of various peoples, their modes of governance, and the transformations they underwent over time. The text includes references to battles, alliances, and treaties, as well as the rise and decline of cities and empires. It emphasizes the importance of wisdom, justice, and foresight in leadership, and highlights the consequences of tyranny, ignorance, and discord. Through these accounts, the reader is invited to reflect on the patterns of history, and to draw lessons from the experiences of those who came before.