In the third and fourth centuries (AH) more general historical writing flourished and most historians preserved some account of the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn AS.

The main works of this historical tradition are those of Khalifa b. Khayyat (d. 246 AH), alBaladhuri (d. 279), al-Dinawari (d. 282), al-Ya'qubi (d. 292), al-Tabari (d. 311), Ibn A'tham (d. 314), al-Mas'udi (d. 346), Abu al-Faraj al-Isfahani (d. 356), and al-Mufid (d. 413).

Al-Tabari however, who at the time of his death was nearly 300 years removed from the Prophet's death and nearly 250 years removed from the event of Karbala makes use of traditions that have reached him from other sources.

Al-Tabari's collossal work entitled 'Tarikh al-Rusul wa al-Muluk' (History of the Prophets and Kings) remains a source of history covering the period up till the early 10th century. The English translation of this work spans 40 volumes including the index and is a major source of study for historians and academics.

The earliest source is the Arab traditionalist by the name of Abu Mikhnaf who died in 774 CE who was writing at approximately the same time as Ibn Ishaq. Al-Tabari however is indeed the earliest source which makes use of Abu Mikhnaf's source comprehensively.

Maqtal al-Husayn مقتل الحسين, (lit. 'The Murder Place of Husayn') is the title of various books written by different authors throughout the centuries which narrate the story of the battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali. They were first written in the eighth century.

Maqtal | Books recounting the death of revered Muslim individuals were composed in large numbers during the eighth and ninth centuries and even today among Muslims are defined as Maqtal

Maqtal al-Husayn, Ibn Sa'd died in 230 AH (845CE)

Maqtal al-Husayn, Baladhuri died in 283 AH (892 CE)

Maqtal al-Husayn, Dinawari

Maqtal al-Husayn, Ibn A'tham died in 314AH (926-27 CE)

Maqtal al-Husayn, Abi Mikhnaf died in 157 AH (774 CE)

علامہ علی نقی نقوی نقـن

Sayyed Ali Naqi Naqvi (d.1988) (26 Rajab 1323 AH - 1 Shawal 1408 AH), also known as Naqqan Sahib, was a mujtahid from Lucknow, India who graduated from Najaf, Iraq. He is famous for his writings in Urdu, including the most famous Shaheed-e-Insaniyat and Tareekh-e-Islam. He has also written Tarjuma wa Tafseer of Quran e majeed and dozens of books in Arabic.

One of the most highly regarded scholars of his time, he wrote more than 100 books and 1000 short books. His books were published by him in 12 languages in India. He is among the most learned Islamic scholars in Indian History.