On Difference & Understanding: Al-Husayn: the Shiite Martyr, the Sunni Hero

Egyptian researcher on Islamist Movements

عنوان البريد الإلكتروني هذا محمي من روبوتات السبام. يجب عليك تفعيل الجافاسكربت لرؤيته.

The Martyr Imam, Historically and Ideologically, by Professor Salwa Al-Amd, can be considered the first religio-anthropological book-study on the concept of martyrdom in the history of Islamic thought. The book goes beyond the mere tracing of the notion’s historical or Shari `ah roots; characteristic of most of the writings that have elaborated on the concept throughout Islamic history. In her study of the concept of the martyr as viewed by the two major Islamic sects, the Sunni and the Shiite, Professor Al-Amd presents a connection between history and ideology.

The book was originally an academic paper, by which Ms. Al-Amd earned her MA in Education and Near Eastern Studies from the LebaneseUniversity at which she currently works as a religio-anthropology professor. For non-academic publishing purposes, she made some modifications and abridged the original manuscript before the first edition of the book was released in 2000 by the Arab Founation for Studies and Publishing, Beirut, Lebanon.

She noticed as well, the difference among the various sects on defining the martyr, despite their unified view of his or her sublime rank. The difference between the war-casualties posters that crowded the Lebanese streets was starkly eye-catching. If the casualty belonged to a Shiite group, the caption began with "The Martyr-Victim", if he belonged to a Sunni group the caption ran "The Martyr-Hero…."

Dr. Al-Amd's research is based on the assumption that the Sunnis [or followers of the Prophet's tradition], who represent the great majority of the Arab Islamic society, perceive in every Islamic figure a completely historical personality. The Sunni figure has often been the able statesman, the hero of conquests, or the victory-maker, including the martyr who, they believe, fell in the way toward fulfilling his or her gallant aim.

From Hero to Legend

Al-Husayn, according to Sunni tradition, is a historical personality that attained martyrdom in a special historical event. Accordingly, Sunnis deal with the tragedy of Karbala ' by investigating the historical causes that led to the martyrdom of Al-Husayn and his companions. Sunnis may at times differ in estimating its causes and results, what is right and what is wrong about it, but never ignore Al-Husayn's grandreligious rank, affirmed by religious texts and his being the Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) grandson.

On the other hand, the Imamite Twelver Shiite perception of the martyr reflects a pure ideological stance. Apart from history, Al-Husayn and his martyrdom in Karbala ' signify a symbol, an issue whose significance overwhelms any historical meaning. Whilst the historical element is dropped, the personality becomes legendary and a saintly halo is conferred on Al-Husayn, approximating him to the status of Prophets, or even holier. The Day of `Ashura' is given extreme consecration, manifested in the Shiite writings on the person of Al-Husayn and the memory of his martyrdom in the city of Karbala'.

Shiites depict Al-Husayn as the stem of prophethood, not just an offspring of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); one who is eternally present and whose more-than-prophetic miracles manifested before his birth, during his lifetime and after his martyrdom. His tragic death in Karbala ' is as ancient as earth itself, not merely an incident. The holy day of `Ashura' derives its sacredness from the fact that Al-Husayn was murdered on it. The martyrdom of Al-Husayn is itself simply the embodiment of an Eternal Divine Will.

Such writings, elaborating on his eternal presence in the world, often associate the actual history of Al-Husayn with ideas that have preoccupied the human mind since the beginning of creation. Most Shiites also believe that the adversities inflicted on Ahl al- Bayt (the Prophet’s household) are the criteria for reward and punishment in the afterlife.

Professor Al-Amd also asserts that the Shiite transference of Al-Husayn and Karbala ’ from the framework of history to the domain of ideology and everlasting legend, reflects their marginal and dissenting status in the Arab-Islamic society. Such an ideology helps Shiites maintain and reinforce their collective spirit against the Sunni multitude, because their continuous attitude of revolt and their belief in the permanent leadership of the Martyr have always refreshed their dissenting spirit.

The Husayni Scenes… Charging Sentiments

The researcher’s study of the Shiite commemoratory Husayni scenes on the Day of `Ashura’, when the symbolic legendary elements replace the historical account, is the most interesting evidence she presents to prove her book’s assumption. The commemorative rituals focus more on the event’s significance than on the actual episodes, and charge the audience’s vehemence by recalling a historical grievance, which may be employed against an unjust ruling authority, especially at times of sociopolitical turbulence.

According to the prevailing conditions at the time of the commemoration, such reminiscences may become a framework for implicit dissent or explicit protest. It was, for instance, used during the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Lebanese Civil War and the Lebanese resistance against the Israeli occupation. Sometimes the `Ashura’ celebrations associate the memory of Al-Husayn’s martyrdom with the miserable conditions of Muslims in other non-Islamic third-world nations, on the pretence that every nation and era has their own Husayn.

In 1968, when Ernesto Ché Guevara was assassinated, he was mentioned in the Husayni biographies in Karbala ’ as equal to the Martyr Imam Al-Husayn and as a symbol of human sacrifice for all mankind. The American CIA, said to have plotted the assassination, represented the soldiers of Yazid Ibn Mu`awiya in such biographies!

The Shiite legend of the Martyr Imam reveals continuous energy and vitality, nourishing the narration of the Husayni biography during the commemorative rituals and giving it an eternal significance. The Karbala’ incident is not regarded as a  one-time historical event, but an incident whose significance encompasses the perpetual conflict between good and evil and is represented by the Shiite slogan: “Karbala’ is Everywhere and `Ashura’ is Everyday.”

Al-Husayn in Shiite Writings

In addition, the author highlights the categories of Shiite writings on Al-Husayn and his Karbala ’ tragedy, to point out the diverse literature of the Shiite sect.

First Category:

The legendary character of this category associates the chronological history of Al-Husayn with notions relating to the origin of life and the Universe, that have preoccupied the human mind since the beginning of creation, and in which Al-Husayn is eternally present. This category of writing holds that a person’s stance toward Al-Husayn and Ahl al- Bayt is a criterion for reward and punishment in the afterlife. It also transforms the historical boundaries of Al-Husayn’s birth in 4 Hr. and his martyrdom in 61 Hr. to an eternal presence embracing the boundaries of history and legend.

Second Category:

This category comprises the literary works common in rituals and lamentations (poetic and prose) and is characterized by its melodramatic style, which aims to arouse pity and passion for Ahl al- Bayt’s misfortunes, and charge feelings during tempestuous political circumstances on the memory of Ashura’.

Third Category:

This category is the nearest to Sunni writings because it fully cherishes the historical personality of Al-Husayn and regards the Karbala ’ incident as a revolt against oppression; dismissing the legendary treatment, while using the language of revolt against tyranny and despotic sovereignty. A model writer of this category is Mohamed Mahdi Shams Al-Din.