Why did history become so important in China, and jurisprudence in the Islamic world?

Was there something special about the characteristic of Chinese civilization that made the Chinese--certainly by the Qing, and probably since much earlier--value history above the other sciences?

Same with Islam and jurisprudence. What about the Islamic faith made law such an important field of study?
 
In China, history was given importance because the emperors needed guidance (and precautions) in their decision-making, and the imperial scribes wrote the whole history of the previous dynasty for such reason
 
I assume jurisprudence was so important in Islam because the faith was intrinsically tied with setting up a functioning state. Furthermore, Islam comes from Judaism which is also quite focused on jurisprudence. As for China and history, perhaps it's an extension of the focus on filial piety/respect for ancestors? Take my musings with a grain of salt though, since I haven't researched the subject.
 
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