In Imami Shi'ism, no position is more desirable than that of a martyr. Martyrdom
plays a significant role in Islam but is particularly salient in the Shi'i tradition which
deems Husayn ibn 'Ali, the third Imam, as the personification of struggle and death in the
way of God. This thesis will argue that his sister, Zaynab, also qualifies as a martyr
according to dominant theories on martyrdom in Shi'ism.
Martyrdom is the spiritual reward for the physical actions of defending truth and
constructing a model for others to emulate. Through delivering testimony, safeguarding
the Imamate, and perpetuating Husayn's model of martyrdom for generations to come,
Zaynab establishes an alternative but legitimate paradigm of martyrdom. How Zaynab
died is under contention, but whether she was killed or died naturally, she meets the
criteria of a martyr in Shi'i thought.
Popular verbal discourse often affirms Zaynab's martyrdom while written works,
although crediting her as Husayn's greatest supporter and partner, do not readily afford
her the honor. This thesis wi II argue that Zaynab undoubtedly attains the station of
martyrdom through her actions following Husayn's death at the Battle of Karbala.
Recognizing Zaynab as a martyr will not only enrich the meaning of martyrdom, but present it as a station that is attainable for all who wish to struggle and die in the way of
God, whether in the manner of Zaynab or in the manner of Husayn.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/46682 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Shaher-Bano, Yousuf |
| Publisher | Boston University |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
| Rights | This work is being made available in OpenBU by permission of its author, and is available for research purposes only. All rights are reserved to the author. |
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