The Annals, or history of the world, of Al-Tabari (ca. 839-923) is by far the most important historical source for the early history of Islam. Later Muslim historians, such as Ibn Miskawaih and Ibn al-Athir made use of and built on Al-Tabari's Annals.

The Annals cover the history of the world from the earliest period of the patriarchs, prophets, and rulers down to July 915. It includes the history of the Sasanian period, the period of the Prophet Muhammad and the first four caliphs, the history of the Umaiyads, and lastly the history of the Abbasids. The Annals was continued by the Spanish Arabi scholar `Arib covering 903-932, also included in this edition.

Al-Tabari studied in Iraq, Syria, and Egypt, but spent most of his life in Baghdad, the capital of Islamic civilization during his lifetime. In his Annals and other works, he laid the foundations for Islamic historical sciences.