Prof. Dr. Khalid bin Abdulkarim al-Bakr (*)

The "historian" is usually seen as the guardian of the human past, insightful of its transformations and becoming. This preservation and insight is achieved through the research and studies the historian writes on the history of his nation or the history of other nations and groups, in which he discovers a new idea or refutes a false one, thus correcting, refining, and approaching historical events with his scientific and methodological tools.

That is the original duty of the historian, no doubt, but it is not a complete and perfect duty. The belief that the historian is one who immerses himself in the past for the sake of the past only, and is completely devoted to it in a way that separates him from the requirements of his present and the aspirations of his future, is a belief that can correctly be applied to the (narrative historian and those like him among narrators) for whom history creates their cultural being, but it is not consistent with the work of the (thinker historian) who creates his own cultural being from history. This historian is expected to actively participate in enhancing the of loyalty and belonging to his land, and in building its societal awareness. I mean the thinker historian, the one who connects consistently between the three lines of time (past, present, and future) and who searches for (what was), looks into (what is), and contemplates (what will be). This is his practical and intellectual mission, and within it lies his societal responsibility, which usually stems from his national responsibility and its manifestations in his understanding of the historical rights of his country over its entire land, and planting these legal concepts in the minds of the rising generations to serve as the first line of defense in guarding the nation. Parallel to these legal concepts, the historian is concerned with the national history of his country and showing its ancient roots and its highlights in the stages of formation and prosperity. The thinker historian, when standing on this ground, can evoke the genius of the land, read the heroism of the place with a loud voice, and show its unique historical personality across successive time stages. This is the work of the historian on every land, so how much more if his land is the land of the Two Holy Mosques, may d protect it, where it has been and still is a pioneer in building the nation, a leader in directing its path, and influential in its regional and global surroundings. Such a documented historical presentation would motivate the residents of this blessed land to transcend, reach the clouds, and embrace glory, as they have done more than once in their bright history.

Another aspect of the historian's societal responsibility is promoting social peace among the various segments, elements, and components of society. He is aware of the concept of (fitna - civil strife) and has encountered various cases of fitna throughout history, monitoring the emergence of its dark clouds and the stages of its formation. He has seen how stable societies were hit randomly, leaving their wise men confused and their strife chaotic. Here, the thinker can enhance societal awareness against this destructive pest by recalling historical examples, measuring the present by the past, and placing similar situations next to their counterparts until the collective mind rises to a level of immunity and prevention, protecting it from slipping into the depths of destruction and shielding it from those who incite strife wherever they are, thus becoming an actor rather than a reactor, influential rather than influenced.

The thinker historian also has a known share in fighting terrorism with his thought, tongue, and pen. Terrorist movements have long relied on misunderstood historical concepts, hoping thereby to legitimize their positions and root them historically. Therefore, he bears the burden of dismantling this false understanding of certain historical positions and exposing its flaws with irrefutable arguments and guiding words, which is one of the pillars of (intellectual security).

It es without saying that the wise historian's wisdom does not end with extinguishing intellectual fires, nor is his mission limited to alerting the rational and reminding the heedless. Rather, he matches his steps with the steps of society. If he remains behind them for some time documenting their traces and path, he also walks before them and sometimes leads them, pioneering new mental horizons for himself and his society. This is achieved for him in the (concept of heroism and heroes) and what they added to their nations of gains and benefits. It is not a condition here that the hero be a knight fighting for his land; although this is of value and virtue that has its weight and impact, there are other types of heroism that historians perceive and guide those with high ambitions to their paths. The hero may be a scientist, a doctor, or an inventor who brought happiness to their nations and societies.