Islamic History
Question : Was the revolt of Mukhtar bin Abu Ubaida as per the instructions of Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (peace be upon him)?
Answer : There is no historical text that states that Mukhtar began his revolution by the order of Imam Zain-ul-Abideen (peace be upon him). Yes, some narrations praised what Mukhtar did.
History
Question : I have heard that Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd al-Thaqafi started a sect called the Kaysaniyyah and that the Imams (peace be upon them) spoke against him. Is this true?
Answer : Narrations differ in the matter of Mukhtar. Some narrations praise him and others do not. In one narration, his son asked Imam Jaffer Al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) about his father. Imam replied by praising him. It appears from this that he is considered as a believer and a follower of the path of the Ahlulbait (peace be upon them).