Ibn Funduq and Historical Studies

The present study aims to provide an analysis of the historical thoughts of Ibn Funduq. The basic question in the present research is “What is the superiority of the science of history in view of Ibn Funduq?” Was he, similar to other historians of the Middle Islamic Period, influenced by the Aristotelian tradition, merely for the subjective and beneficial dignity of history? Or did he believe in the methodological dignity of history as a science? An investigation into Ibn Funduq’s writings, mainly his lengthy introduction in Tārikh, helped the author of this article reach the conclusion that Ali bin Zayd Beyhaqi did not principally believed in the methodological dignity of the science of history; rather, like all historians of the Middle Islamic Period, he merely believed in the subjective and beneficial dignity of history.