A Comparative Analysis of Classical and Contemporary Reference Sources in the Study of Islamic Civilization History

Abstract

The study of Islamic civilization history is a dynamic field of scholarship that reflects social, political, and intellectual transformations over more than fourteen centuries. In this context, historiographical methodology is highly dependent on the validity, characteristics, and critical use of reference sources in reconstructing past events. This research aims to comparatively analyze classical and contemporary reference sources in the study of Islamic civilization history in order to achieve methodological balance and scholarly relevance in the modern era. Employing a qualitative approach with a library research design, the data were collected from two main categories of literature. Primary data were derived from classical works by prominent Muslim historians, such as Tarikh al-Ṭabari and Ibn Khaldun’s Muqaddimah, while secondary data consisted of recent scholarly journal articles and modern textbooks published within the last five years. The data were analyzed using content analysis and comparative analysis through systematic stages of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings indicate that classical sources continue to hold authoritative value as providers of authentic historical data. Meanwhile, contemporary sources, including the works of Ira M. Lapidus, play a crucial role in offering sociological and structural analytical frameworks that enhance critical interpretation. The integration of classical textual authority and contemporary analytical perspectives generates a historiographical approach that transcends descriptive-chronological narration and advances toward explanatory analysis. This synthesis contributes to greater historical accuracy, objectivity, and methodological rigor in reconstructing the history of Islamic civilization.