Sayyid Muḥammad Saʽīd al-Ṭabāṭabāʼī al-Ḥakīm, Fājiʽah al-Ṭaff [The Karbala Tragedy], 8th ed., 2 vols., Najaf: Dār al-Hilāl, 1443 AH/ 1401 Sh/ 2022. Vol. 1, 530 pp., vol. 2, 420 pp.
This is a coherent account of the Ashura episode that took place on the plain of Karbala in 61 AH/ 680. The author is the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muḥammad Saʽīd al-Ṭabāṭabāʼī al-Ḥakīm. The first edition of the book was published in a single volume in Najaf in 1428 AH/ 1386 Sh/ 2007. It was soon translated into Persian, Urdu, and English. Parenthetically, the English version is rather an abridged selection of the original, not a complete translation. The significance of the work lies in the fact that its author has long been one of the outstanding mujtahids in Najaf. He had access to various sources there.
The book starts with an overview of authentic and true anticipations of Imam al-Ḥusayn’s martyrdom. It then makes a flashback and reviews the Umayyads’ animosity against the Prophet Muḥammad and the true version of the Islamic religion. After that, it turns to various religio-historical significance of Imam al-Ḥusayn’s epoch-making migration from Medina to Mecca and from there to Karbala.
While adopting a historical approach, the book makes frequent references to the creed-based roots of Imam al-Ḥusayn’s movement. It concludes that as he was the righteous Infallible Imam, all his movements were in the straight line of the authentic and original version of Islam. Historically, there was no other way to secure and safe Islam from the plague of the Umayyads save through the exemplary movement carried out by him and his companions.
As no historic movement may prove fruitful save with the assistance of a team of steadfast companions, the book deals with his martyred companions and the roles they played. In doing so, it overviews the contributions of all those whose names and details have been survived throughout history.
Contrary to a great majority of such books that end with an account of the final stages of the Ashura massacre, the book continues the line in that it traces the effects of this over-influential historic movement. It surveys the effects it has exerted on the political fate of the Umayyads as well as brainstorming Muslims about the backgrounds of a true line Shii Islamic attitude and legacy throughout history.
In doing so, the book focuses on the unique role of commemorating Ashura in not only Shii, but also Islamic history. Had it had not been so, there would not have remained even the name of Islam in history.
The book deserves serious attention. An abridged English version has been published. Though useful as regards the essentials, it would be more profitable and thought-provoking if other, extra-historical aspects of the effects and impacts of Ashura have been made clear for the wider, international readership.
Dr. Muhammad-Reza Fakhr-Rohani
University of Qum
Iran
