The Criticism of Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi

Question

What is the opinion of our great scholars regarding Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi and what are the narratives that criticize him? [AR_ID:3069]

Answer 1

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings 

Sayyid Al-Khoei, may his soul rest in peace, mentioned a lengthy discussion about Al-Mukhtar bin Abi Ubaidah Al-Thaqafi, spanning up to 8 pages. The summary of what he mentioned is as follows:

The reports concerning Al-Mukhtar fall into two categories:

First Category: Praiseworthy Narratives about Al-Mukhtar

These are numerous, including:

What was authentically narrated from Abu Abdullah (peace be upon him) who said: “No Hashemite woman has ever combed her hair or dyed it until Al-Mukhtar sent us the heads of those who killed Al-Husayn (peace be upon him).”

And what was narrated from Abu Ja'far (peace be upon him) who said: “Do not insult Al-Mukhtar, for he killed our killers, sought our revenge, married our widows, and distributed wealth among us in times of hardship.”

Second Category: Criticizing Narratives about Al-Mukhtar

These accuse him of being a liar and of fabricating lies about Ali bin Al-Husayn (peace be upon him).

However, these narratives are very weak in their chain of transmission, and even if they were authentic, they do not exceed the criticizing narratives concerning figures like Zurara, Muhammad bin Muslim, and Burayd, among others. Thus, they do not harm Al-Mukhtar's status or his righteousness.

Indeed, Allama Al-Majlisi, may his soul rest in peace, mentioned in his book "Malaadh Al-Akhyaar" both the praiseworthy and criticizing narratives about Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi, and in the end, he expresses his noble opinion. He did not engage with either the praiseworthy or the criticizing narratives, but rather stated explicitly in this book (Volume 3, Page 315): "Perhaps it is safer and more appropriate to refrain from judgment, even though the reports praising him are more numerous." This indicates a cautious stance, even though he acknowledges the abundance of praise for Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi in the narrations reported from the Imams (peace be upon them).

In summary: Al-Mukhtar was a man who performed excellently for his cause, and his enemies sought to combat him by fabricating accusations and lies against him. Given that his opponents were the prevailing force and their influence extended after him, it is natural that these lies would be framed in supported narratives, entering history in a seemingly legitimate manner when the historian's method is to collect reports without investigation or scrutiny, or in an illegitimate manner when it aligns with the historian's biases or aids them in supporting the direction they favor or in attacking the direction they oppose.

May you be successful in all good.

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Sources:

1- Dictionary of the Narrators of Hadith - Sayyid Al-Khoei - Volume 19 - Pages 102-110.

2- Center for Ideological Research – Al-Mukhtar Al-Thaqafi