A Critical Study of Ibn Saʿd’s Account of al-Ḥusayn’s Uprising in the Book Kitāb al-ṭabaqāt al-Kabīr (Ashura and Afterwards)

Among the various books of "maqtal" (narratives detailing the murder of Imam al-Ḥusayn), the section dedicated to Imam al-Ḥusayn's murder in Ibn Saʿd's Kitāb al-ṭabaqāt al-kabīr stands out as one of the earliest accounts. Notably, Ibn Saʿd's maqtal shares striking similarities with Abū Mikhnaf's narrative, although it excludes some of Abū Mikhnaf's accounts, opting instead for narratives from al-Wāqidī and others. Ibn Saʿd's biased and selective approach to recounting the events of Ashura found favor among historians and rijāl scholars aligned with the Levantine school of thought. This maqtal introduces distinctive reports from alternative historical and hadith sources, at times diverging from established events or conflicting with other historical records. In certain instances, it even challenges the revered status of the Infallible Imam as upheld by Shia Muslims, creating an uncertain foundation for subsequent research conducted by both Sunni and Shia scholars over the centuries. The analysis reveals Ibn Saʿd's partiality in presenting the narrative of Imam al-Ḥusayn's uprising. Utilizing the library method and employing an analytical and critical approach, this article scrutinizes Ibn Saʿd's contentious narratives surrounding the period of Ashura and its aftermath.