Al-Mas’udi

Historian, geographer, and traveler who lived c. 896–956 AD. Known as the “Herodotus of the Arabs” his magnum opus is Meadows of Gold and Mines of Gems, a work combining history with biography, geography, and social commentary. He wrote many additional books on theology, natural science, and philosophy.

Further Reading:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Masudi