Al-Masudi's Methodological Approach to the Study of History

Abstract

This article offers a critical examination of al-Masʿūdī, one of the most eminent historians and geographers of the classical Islamic era, with a view to reassessing his distinctive contributions to the evolution of Islamic historiography. Through an analysis of the characteristics of his major works, his methods of data collection and evaluation, and his strategies of thematic organization, the study identifies the innovative dimensions of his historical thought. Employing the historical method-encompassing source retrieval, verification, and analytical interpretation-the research also adopts a biographical approach to situate al-Masʿūdī’s intellectual formation, extensive travels, and scholarly milieu within their broader contexts. The findings demonstrate that al-Masʿūdī drew upon a remarkably wide range of materials: the teachings of contemporary scholars, scriptural traditions of various religions, writings of Greek philosophers, and earlier historiographical works, alongside his own travel observations, oral accounts, and testimonies of eyewitnesses. His use of critical analysis, comparative reasoning, and systematic thematic arrangement emerges as central features of his historiographical practice, exerting a profound influence on later historians, most notably Ibn Khaldūn. Nevertheless, elements such as the incorporation of mythic narratives, his affinity with Shi‘i thought, and his occasional lack of explicit source citation have been subjects of scholarly criticism. Overall, the study argues that al-Masʿūdī’s body of work constitutes a pivotal milestone in the development of Muslim historical scholarship.