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A Critical Analysis of the Evolutionary Approaches to the Prevailing Views on the Religion of Abū Mikhnaf
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Hamid Imandar1   , Seyyed Mohammad Hasan Dadgar |
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Abstract: (11 Views) |
| The detailed account provided by Abū Mikhnaf regarding the events of Karbala has long served as a major source for researchers of the ʿĀshūrāʾ narrative, contributing to the construction of a relatively comprehensive picture of the underlying circumstances of Imam Ḥusayn’s uprising. This study examines and critiques the views of scholars who, in their historical analyses, attribute Twelver Shiʿism to Abū Mikhnaf without sufficient attention to the textual context of the classical biographical (rijāl) works. By employing a methodological analysis of rijāl literature and its writing conventions regarding the identification of an individual’s sectarian affiliation, the research evaluates how such sources describe Abū Mikhnaf. It also addresses a tendency among some researchers to assume a correlation between Abū Mikhnaf’s reliability (thiqa) and his presumed adherence to Shiʿism. The findings indicate that many of the expressions used by Shiʿi rijāl scholars merely imply that Abū Mikhnaf was regarded favorably (mamdūḥ) by them. A careful analysis demonstrates that being described as commendable or even reliable does not necessarily justify attributing a Shiʿi sectarian identity to an individual. Furthermore, by examining scholarly opinions that argue for Abū Mikhnaf’s non‑Shiʿi identity—including views that consider him Sunni—the study offers a broader perspective on his doctrinal orientation. This reassessment contributes to a clearer understanding of Abū Mikhnaf’s actual religious affiliation and the methodological assumptions that have shaped modern interpretations of his identity. |
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| Keywords: Abū Mikhnaf, Rijāl Studies, Sectarian Affiliation of Abū Mikhnaf, ʿĀmmī, Mamdūḥ. |
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Full-Text [PDF 347 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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