Akhbar al-Tiwal

Abu Hanifa Ahmad ibn Dawood Dinawari (died 283 AH) is one of the great Islamic historians. Akhbar al-Tiwal begins with the history of creation and includes information about prophets such as Idris, Noah, Hud, Ibrahim, as well as the reigns of David and Solomon up to the emergence of Jesus. It then discusses the emergence of Zoroaster and his religion and the salvation of the Israelites by the kings of Iran. The book covers the biographies and histories of the kings of Iran, from Jamshid and the triumph of Zahhak over him, to Manuchehr, Kay Qobad, Gushtasp, Bahman, Dara, Alexander, the local kings, and then the Sassanids until their downfall. Islamic history in this book starts with detailed accounts of battles between Arabs and Iranians during the caliphate of Umar and ends with the caliphate of al-Mu’tasim. Additionally, the battles of Amir al-Mu’minin Ali with Muawiya, the battles of Jamal, Siffin, and the Kharijites, the rule of Muawiya and Yazid, the event of Karbala and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain are extensively described. The story of the uprising of Mukhtar and his followers, the rule of the Zubayrids, the fall of the Banu Marwan, and the Iranian people’s uprisings, especially the Khorasan uprising led by Abu Muslim, are other topics covered. A clear Iranian bias is evident in Akhbar al-Tiwal.