Khalifa ibn Khayyat is the author of the earliest extant Arabic chronicle. The work principally deals with fighting between Arab groups, external conquests, and administrative matters. After the death of each caliph it lists those who held office during his reign; also notes leaders of the pilgrimage in each year and deaths of prominent persons.

Dr Carl Wurtzel is a professional translator; certified by the American Translators Association as a translator from Arabic to English. Carl is also an instructor in the New York University (NYU) School of Continuing and Professional Studies translation program.

Robert G. Hoyland is Professor of Islamic History at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, University of Oxford. Previous publications include Theophilus of Edessa's Chronicle and the Circulation of Historical Knowledge in Late Antiquity and Early Islam (LUP, 2011).