The Ashura Uprising

The Ashura Uprising

The uprising of ʿĀshūrāʾ (the tenth day of Muḥarram) stands as the defining moral revolution of Islam — a stand through which Imam Ḥusayn (ʿa, an honorific meaning ʿalayhi al-salām — peace be upon him) revived faith, justice (ʿadl), and reform (iṣlāḥ, moral rectification). The Ashura Uprising examines this sacred movement as both a historical event and a living moral message that continues to shape the conscience of humanity.

About the Book

Published by the World Organization for Islamic Services, The Ashura Uprising offers a balanced and accessible study of the causes, principles, and outcomes of Imam Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī’s (ʿa) stand at Karbalāʾ. Drawing from Qurʾānic insight, ḥadīth (prophetic tradition), and classical Islamic sources, the author clarifies that the Imam’s uprising was neither political ambition nor rebellion but a divine mission of truth (ḥaqq) and renewal of moral order. The work situates ʿĀshūrāʾ within the wider mission of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa, the Prophet’s Household), linking Imam Ḥasan’s (ʿa) peace to Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) sacrifice as two expressions of one divine truth. Through historical analysis and spiritual reflection, it demonstrates how the ʿĀshūrāʾ movement embodies the eternal struggle for justice, faith, and human dignity.

What You Will Discover

• The historical and spiritual context of the ʿĀshūrāʾ uprising.
• The moral and theological principles guiding Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) decision to rise.
• Qurʾānic and ḥadīth-based discussions on truth (ḥaqq), justice (ʿadl), and reform (iṣlāḥ).
• The unity of purpose between Imam Ḥasan’s (ʿa) peace and Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) martyrdom.
• How the message of ʿĀshūrāʾ continues to inspire movements for justice and spiritual renewal.

About the Author

The World Organization for Islamic Services is a Shīʿī research and publishing institution based in Tehran, devoted to editing, translating, and presenting authentic Islamic works. Through publications such as The Ashura Uprising, it seeks to help readers understand the moral and spiritual foundations of Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) mission and the enduring relevance of ʿĀshūrāʾ in the modern world.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for students, scholars, and readers seeking a clear and spiritually grounded understanding of the ʿĀshūrāʾ uprising — a timeless model of moral courage, reform, and divine justice.