Abstract
Islamic historiography developed as an auxiliary to theology. Records of Muhammad's deeds and sayings, together with information about their transmitters in order to confirm the tradition's authenticity, had the purpose of inspiring Muslims. The histories of the 9th and 10th centuries included important events, the beginning of creation, and the pasts of nations. This increased material determined the need for annalistic arrangement. The transition from religious to secular history started in the 9th century. In the 11th century the historian Miskawayhi did not include the miracles of the prophets in his history because they were of no use to his contemporaries in solving their problems. The dilemma of present-day Muslim historians is either to relegate the legendary and sacred elements in early Islamic tradition to a position outside history, or try a rational explanation that cannot ignore the ideologies of their time.