Page 262 - Pure Life 20

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258 PURE LIFE, Vol. 6, No.20 (Rajab 1441. Esfand 1398. March 2020)

The battle was followed by later uprisings namely,

Ibn al-Zubayr, Tawwabin, and Mukhtar uprising which
occurred years later.
The dead are widely regarded as martyrs by Sufi,
Sunni and Shia Muslims. The battle has a central place
in Shia history, tradition and theology and it has
frequently been recounted in Shia Islamic literature.
Mainstream Sunni Muslims, on the other hand, do not
regard the incident as one that influences the traditional
Islamic theology and traditions, but merely as a
historical tragedy.
The Battle of Karbala is commemorated during an
annual 10-day period held every Muharram by Shia
and Alevi, culminating on its tenth day, known as the
Day of Ashura. Shia Muslims commemorate these
events by mourning, holding public processions,
organizing majlis, striking the chest and in some cases
self-flagellation.
The Battle of Karbala played a central role in
shaping the identity of Shia and turned the already
distinguished sect into a sect with "its own rituals and
collective memory Hussein's suffering and death
became a symbol of sacrifice "in the struggle for right
against wrong, and for justice and truth against
wrongdoing and falsehood.
During Ali's Caliphate, the Muslim world became
divided and rebellion broke out against the ruling Ali
by Muawiyah I. When Ali was assassinated by Ibn
Muljam (a Kharijite) in 661, his eldest son, Hasan,
succeeded him but soon signed a peace treaty with
Muawiyah to avoid further bloodshed.