This book provides an historical rendition of the events which culminated within Karbala. It is made distinct due to the fact that the rendition provided is based strictly upon narrations deemed authentic according to the conditions of the hadith scholars. The chains of narration and references have been provided for every narration.
From the author’s foreword:
The manipulation of historical facts and the distortion of the image of Islam is not a new phenomenon, especially with matters that rouse emotions in Islamic history. I am personally not aware of one that is more appealing to storytellers than the martyrdom of al-Ḥusayn. For his martyrdom was truly a tragedy that has caused tears to flow and uprisings to erupt.
However, another disaster is that the martyrdom of al-Ḥusayn has devolved into a Greek tragedy, one that pushes away those that are rational, due to the fabrications and distortions that have tarnished his great image. Does al-Ḥusayn need fabricators to make him great?! Is he not a leader of the youth of paradise?! If that is the case, then it is high time we strip ourselves from our subjective preconceptions and learn of his history through an academic lens.
This book, as short as it may be, shall be sufficient for the reader, for the lengthy versions are riddled with fabrications. If Allah wills, this book will provide the reader with a clear perspective of what exactly transpired.
