Islam in Zirikhgeran (Kubachi) and Arab Sources
In order to specify the period of Islam adoption by the inhabitants of Zirikhgeran, the author reveals and evaluates some little-known facts from the history of Dagestan. Several sources, including Arabic ones, that describe this state formatin have been analysed. The contradictions found in them draw attention to the point of view of Academician B.A. Dorn (1805-1881), who, referring to the inscription found in the Kubachi madrasa, claimed that it was not until 807 anno Hegirae (i. e. in 1404-1405) that the inhabitants of Kubachi adopted Islam. As an indirect confirmation of his point of view, the author cites the originals of early Arabic texts, which mention Zirikhgeran. These are the works of such well-known Arab historians and geographers as al-Belazuri (circa 820-892), al-Yaqoubi (d. in 897), al-Masudi (d. in 956), Abu Hamid al-Garnati (1080-1169), al-Qazwini (1203-1283) and Ibn al-Asir (1160-1233).