Kitab Maqtal al-Husayn

Kitab Maqtal al-Husayn

The earliest narratives of Karbalāʾ preserve not only history but the heartbeat of faith and sacrifice. Kitab Maqtal al-Husayn stands among the formative works in Islamic martyrological writing, chronicling the tragedy of ʿĀshūrāʾ (the tenth day of Muḥarram) and the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn (ʿa, an honorific meaning ʿalayhi al-salām — peace be upon him), the grandson of Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him and his Family).

About the Book

Published by the World Organization for Islamic Services, Kitab Maqtal al-Husayn presents an annotated and carefully edited edition of an early Arabic maqtal (martyrdom narrative) preserved within the classical tradition. The text compiles transmitted reports, ḥadīth (prophetic traditions), and early historical narrations that describe the events of Karbalāʾ with both emotional intensity and documentary care. This critical edition highlights how remembrance of Imam Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī (ʿa) shaped the moral consciousness of the Muslim community and became a foundation for later Shīʿī historiography. Introductory notes and commentary help readers appreciate the transmission methods, structure, and enduring influence of these accounts. The work situates Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) sacrifice within the divine mission of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa, an honorific meaning ʿalayhim al-salām — peace be upon them, the Prophet’s Household), connecting his martyrdom to Imam Ḥasan’s (ʿa) path of peace and prophetic forbearance.

What You Will Discover

• An early Arabic source documenting the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn (ʿa) and the events of ʿĀshūrāʾ.
• The development of maqtal literature in early Islam and its role in preserving collective memory.
• The use of transmitted reports and ḥadīth to convey both historical continuity and spiritual meaning.
• The relationship between Imam Ḥasan’s (ʿa) peace and Imam Ḥusayn’s (ʿa) martyrdom as one unified moral testimony.
• Reflections on the literary, theological, and ethical legacy of Karbalāʾ within Islamic civilization.

About the Author

The World Organization for Islamic Services is a Shīʿī publishing and research institution based in Tehran, devoted to editing, translating, and disseminating primary Islamic sources. Its mission is to make classical works such as Kitab Maqtal al-Husayn accessible to modern readers, preserving their textual authenticity while highlighting their spiritual and intellectual significance.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is for scholars, students, and readers seeking a reliable edition of an early maqtal text that offers both historical insight and deep spiritual resonance into the martyrdom of Imam Ḥusayn (ʿa).