Revisiting Ashura: Philosophical Underpinnings and Legal Implications

The tragedy of Karbala is arguably one of the most recounted, analyzed, and appraised events in human history. Whether it be in the domain of Islamic history, theology, sociology, literature, or art, the movement of ʿĀshūrāʾ as led by Sayyid al-Shuhadāʾ (a) has rightfully imparted an unmistakable and everlasting impression on humankind. Among Shia Muslims, Imam al-Ḥusayn (a) is an infallible paragon whose words and actions are religiously probative. Within this religious paradigm, the question of whether any jurisprudential implications can be derived from the tragedy of Karbala naturally imposes itself. While some Shia scholars have sought to mystify or deintellectualize the objectives of Imam al-Ḥusayn’s (a) movement, others have rationalized them and sought to reconcile them within an Islamic legal corpus. This book is unique in presenting these discussions for the first time in the English language with reference to original Arabic and Persian sources. We hope this humble work shall allow the reader to better appreciate the profound impact of Imam al-Ḥusayn’s (a) revolution upon the Shia intellectual history.