The views of Mukhtār al-Thaqafī and his influence on the Shiites

Mukhtār al-Thaqafī (d. 67/687), is a significant figure in Islam who had an influence on Islamic politics, as well as, Islamic theology. Following the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Husain ibn Alī in the Battle of Karbala. Mukhtār who briefly governed the city of Kūfa, together with the Mawāli (local converts of Islam) sought for retribution against the Umayyad's and the Zubayri's. Mukhtār's theological views which later had influences on the Shiites, is the objective of this thesis. These views include the concept of imamate, prophethood, bada' (change of Divine Will) and raj'a (return of the Mahdi). Before delving into Mukhtār's theological views, in the first chapter I will initially analyse the following: a) the general background and political situation of the city of Kūfa; b) a brief background of his birth, family and key events and activities that took place during his youth; c) the chronological sequence of events that took place in the Mukhtār's political involvement with the support of Muslim ibn Aqīl – the son of the uncle of Husain ibn Alī, and; d) the various narration or narratives about his relations with the Ahl al-Bayt and the companions. The second chapter of this study will observe the approval or validity given to Mukhtār's unorthodox theological views, whose political involvement was primarily in support of the Shia/Rafidah. This section will initially define and explain the key concepts of his views, followed by the topics and discussions brought forth by Islamic historians and Islamic sects historians from various affiliations and later subject to critical evaluation. The final chapter of this study attempts to determine the influences of Mukhtār al-Thaqafī in Shia thought. In general, Mukhtār had some influence in the following Shia schools of thought: the Kaysaniyyah, the Ghulāt the Imâmiyya and Zaydiyya denominations. Particularly his views on the imamate and bada' have had a major influence on the Shia, in addition, his views on prophethood and raj'a have been applauded and highly praised.