Abū Mikhnaf, Lūṭ b. Yaḥyā b. Saʿīd b. Mikhnaf b. Sulaym, was a distinguished historian of the 2nd/8th century. In spite of his great renown, there is a surprising lack of information about his life, which makes it difficult to construct even the simplest of outlines. This has led scholars to focus attention exclusively on his narratives. These reports which, as shall be seen, were cited from his works in a particular way by later authors, shed little light on his life, and therefore one has to proceed with caution in attempting to reach any conclusions.

Abū …