The Book of Al-Tabari's History, known as “History of the Prophets and Kings” or “Nations and Kings”, is one of the most important source books in the field of history. It stands as a comprehensive historical work among Arab compositions, structured on a well-defined methodology.

In this work, Al-Tabari presents both authentic and fabricated accounts, relying on the reader's cultural background to distinguish between them. He completed the efforts of previous historians like Al-Ya'qubi, Al-Baladhuri, and Al-Waqidi, and paved the way for those who followed, such as Al-Masudi, Ibn Miskawayh, Ibn Al-Athir, and Ibn Khaldun.

It did not focus solely on the history of Islam but extended to pre-Islamic eras, even starting with the creation of the world.