Tabari, al-, Abu Ja'far Muhammad ibn-Jarir (c. 839–923)

Persian scholar who wrote in Arabic. He composed the first history of the world in Arabic, a vital resource for understanding the early history of Islam, and compiled an extensive commentary on the Koran.

Tabari was born near the Caspian Sea, and travelled widely in search of learning before settling in Baghdad. He also wrote a book on law, most of which is lost.