Historical Writing Methods among Muslim Scholars

The Annalistic and Thematic Approaches as Models

Abstract

After the expansion and stability of the Islamic state, Muslims became interested in historical documentation. Therefore, there was a need for a systematic approach as a path towards sound documentation. Hence, the interest in this study, which is related to the annual and thematic approaches, emerged. This was the reason for choosing this study, in addition to the personal and historical motivation to explore the importance of these approaches to historical documentation at that time. The narrative historical approach was used in this paper under analysis. The study yielded several results, including Arabs' knowledge of their history and identity, as well as the emergence of many historians writing using the annual (vertical) approach, as well as the thematic (horizontal) approach. The annual approach has been criticized for fragmenting historical events into several years.