The definite origin of the name is not known for sure but there are two speculative possibilities:

   - The name could have originated from the word ‘Al-Haqir’, which is often used in Christian teachings to refer to someone obedient to God, especially since the area is situated between Deir El-Mkhalles (Monastery of the Holy Savior) and the Monastery of Savior Sisters.

   - The village might have been given this name because it was a small neglected area regarded with contempt.
 

Al-Muhtaqara is located in the Shouf Qada’a, near Deir El-Mkhalles, at an altitude of 450 meters above the sea level. It is 50 kilometers from Beirut and may be reached by taking one of the following two routes: 

   - Beirut →  Saida→ Alaman→ Joun→ Deir Al-Moukhalles→ Al-Muhtaqara or

   - Saida→ Jezzine→ Anan→ Bessri→ Al-Muhtaqara
  The registered population in the village is estimated at 400, of whom only 30 are permanent residents. Al-Muhtaqara has 40 dwellings, most of which are small houses built on monastic land given by Deir El-Mkhalles to those inhabitants who used to serve the monastery. The village has two small stores. 
  In 2009, there were 323 registered voters in the village; 73 from Deir El-Mkhalles and the remaining 250 from the following families:
    - Fares (Maronite): 30 voters
    - Thalj (Greek Catholic): 42
    - Shawish (Greek Catholic): 15
    - Madoor (Greek Catholic): 28
    - Qostantine (Greek Catholic): 15
    - Radi (Maronite): 12
    - Jabbour (Greek Catholic): 15
    - Assaad (Greek Catholic): 35
    - Semaan (Greek Catholic): 45
    - Bou Ali (Greek Catholic) : 8
  The town has one Mukhtar who manages the affairs of both the village and the monastery.
  Economic activities are negligible and residents ensure their livelihoods by working either at Deir El-Mkhalles or at the Monastery of Savior Sisters; some of them are engaged in agricultural or service labor and others are teachers. The village does not host any public or private schools and students attend the schools at the monasteries.
  Residents are faced with the problem of having no other ownership except of the property they live in as Deir El-Mkhalles owns the majority of land in the village.