The Karbala Story and Early Shi'ite Identity : Edinburgh Studies in Classical Islamic History and Culture - Torsten Hylen

The Karbala Story and Early Shi'ite Identity

By: Torsten Hylen

Hardcover | 30 April 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover


$312.50

or 4 interest-free payments of $78.13 with

 or 

Available: 30th April 2025

Preorder. Will ship when available.

In 680 CE al-usayn ibn Al, the grandson of the Prophet Muammad, was killed in a battle at Karbala. Ancient accounts describe this event as a minor skirmish, similar to the numerous battles that were waged in the early history of Islam. Among Shiites, however, the story of the event soon developed into a narrative about a cosmic battle between the powers of universe, with al-usayn personifying good and life-giving powers. The story came to epitomise the trauma that is at the heart of the Shiite ethos: the treachery of the non-Shiite community against the family of the Prophet.

This book investigates this development in the 7th to 10th centuries CE and its significance for emerging Shiite identity in early Islam. It provides an in-depth analysis and diachronic comparison of the three earliest versions of the Karbala story, analyses the story of the Penitents who attempted to avenge the death of al-usayn, and surveys the development of the image of al-usayn and the rituals associated with him in historiography, poetry and Shiite hadith.

More in Middle Eastern History

Ten Myths About Israel - Ilan Pappe

RRP $22.99

$21.90

Cactus Pear For My Beloved : A Family Story from Gaza - Samah Sabawi
World History : From the Ancient World to the Information Age - DK
If I Must Die : Poetry and Prose - Refaat Alareer

RRP $44.99

$44.75

The Routledge Handbook of Emotions in the Ancient Near East - Karen  Sonik
Night of Power : The Betrayal of the Middle East - Robert Fisk

RRP $45.00

$37.25

17%
OFF
The Invention of the Jewish People - Shlomo Sand

RRP $22.99

$22.90

Twilight Cities : Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean - Katherine Pangonis
HAMAS : The Quest for Power - Beverley Milton-Edwards
I Shall Not Hate - Izzeldin Abuelaish

RRP $22.99

$22.90