Assalamun Alaikum,
I was researching on this particular person, as Shias put forward him as Jew, Who twisted Jewish teachings with Islam. But, Sunnis regard him as a Tabi’i. These are the references, I found:
Jewish Encyclopedia says: One of the most prominent fathers of Moslem tradition, and one of those who introduced into this branch of Arab literature the method as well as many details of the Jewish Haggadah; died 32 or 35 a.h. (652 or 655 C.E.). Of his earlier life nothing is known except that he was a Jew, a native of Yemen. His complete name was Abu Isḥaḳ Ka'b b. Mati' b. Haisu (Hosea ?). A genealogy attributing to him a purely Arabic descent also exists; it was probably invented after he had embraced Islam. This he did during the califate of Abu Bakr (according to others, of Omar), whom he joined at Medina. On account of his theological learning he was styled "Al-Ḥibr" or "Al-Aḥbar," which is an adaptation of the Hebrew "ḥaber." He lectured on the Koran and the career of Mohammed, not from the merely exegetical and biographical points of view, but in a homiletic and haggadic manner, just as Abdallah b. Salam had done. Both these men laid the foundation for the legends which glorify Mohammed's youth and prophetic call.
The most prominent of Ka'b's disciples were Ibn 'Abbas and Abu Hurairah, prolific traditionists, who developed the art of apotheosizing the prophet's life to its utmost extent, and are therefore not very reliable authorities.........."
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/9105-ka-b-al-ahbarAl-Tabari states: After Umar’s death Ka‘ab went to Syria and became one of Mu‘awiyah’s advisers. He died in Hims during the Caliphate of Uthman. Abd Allah ibn Abbas disputed a view by Ka’ab that “on the day of the judgement the sun and the moon will be brought forth like two stupefied bulls and thrown to hell”. According to Al-Tabari, Ibn Abbas responded “Kaab is a liar!” three times, quoting the Quran that the sun and moon are obedient to Allah. He accused Ka’ab of trying to introduce Jewish myths into Islam. (Tabari – History of al-Tabari, v1, p62 – 63)
According to a tradition, Ka‘ab believed that “Every event that has taken place or will take place on any foot of the earth, is written in the Tourat (Torah), which God revealed to his Prophet Moses”. (Yusuf ibn Abd-al-Barr – al-Istiab, v3, p1287 Printed in Cairo 1380 A.H)
He is said to have predicted the death of Umar using the Torah. According to one narration, Ka‘ab told Umar “you ought to write your will because you will die in three days.” Umar responded “I do not feel any pain or sickness”. Abu Lulu assassinated Umar two days later. (Tarikh al-Tabari v4, p191 Printed by Dar al-Maarif – Cairo)
Al-Tijani also mentions him.
Syed Murtada Al-Askari also mentions him in his book : THE ROLE OF HOLY IMAMS (A.S) IN THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION
I ask, is there any refutation to these claims?
Thank you.