Studying the Opinions of Rijālīes about Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Kulthūm and Evaluating His Hadiths

Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Kulthūm is a common master of Ayāshī and Kashshī and an accused narrator of exaggeration (ghuluw) about whom there are different rijāl opinions. He was accused of exaggeration by Sheikh Tūsī, while was authenticated by Kashshī. Examining of Rijāli scholars’ views about Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Kulthūm and analyzing the sands and the content of his narrations, this study concludes that the available evidence strengthen the accusation of Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Kulthūm of exaggeration. In addition, the meaning of the word “Al-Qawm” in the phrase of Sheikh Kashshī about Ibn Kulthūm (kān min al-qawm), according to the evidence in Kashshī’s saying, means exaggerators. Also, a reflection on the narrations of Ibn Kulthūm points out that there is no word in his narrations that indicates to the exaggeration belief, and even it should be said that his exaggerated narrations, assuming his true attribution to exaggeration, have been well selected and refined. Moreover, among the narrations attributed to Ahmad ibn Ali ibn ibn Kulthūm, only 3 ones have confirmations that indicate to the accurate content of his news. The rest of his narrations are single (mufrad). These narrations are not acceptable, considering that all masters of Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Kulthūm have been weakened or unknown due to their accusation of exaggeration or confusion.