Inspired by Karbala: Meaning and Direction
is a profound and timely translation of a significant contemporary work on the legacy of Karbala by the late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Saeed al-Tabatabai al-Hakeem (may Allah sanctify his soul). This book is not simply a guide to commemorative practice-it is a comprehensive theological, ethical, and jurisprudential meditation on the meaning of Imam Husayn's (a) uprising and its enduring relevance in the lives of Shīʿa Muslims. As one of the foremost religious authorities of post-Saddam Iraq and a pillar of the Islamic Seminary of Najaf, Sayyid al-Hakeem's insights reflect both deep historical awareness and acute concern for contemporary believers navigating an age of globalized media, religious pluralism, and shifting communal structures. This volume stands as a rare window into how a modern marjaʿ (supreme religious authority) engages with his community-not merely through rulings, but through deep moral and spiritual instruction. It reminds readers that Karbala is not just a historical event, but a living legacy-a call to truth, sacrifice, and reform. Translated with scholarly care and spiritual reverence, this English edition preserves the rich juridical and emotive tones of the original Arabic while making its wisdom accessible to students, scholars, preachers, and all seekers of ethical clarity and devotional purpose. Perfect for the sacred season of Muharram-and essential reading for anyone committed to understanding and living the values of Karbala-this work offers a powerful lens into the soul of Shīʿī devotion and the enduring guidance of the Marjaʿiyya.