Martyrdom: Arise and Bear Witness
Translator's Preface
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
It is still too early to make a thorough study to be able to judge the
Islamic Revolution of Iran for it requires a study of all of the aspects
which were effective in its foundation, rise, development and victory.
The first point which attracts the attention of anyone who is going to
study this unique Revolution is that its ideology is essentially based
on the ideology of Islam and, in particular, that found in Shi'ism.
The principles of Shi'ite ideology as Imam Husayn ('a) (the third
Shi'ite Imam who was martyred) says is that life is nothing other than
faith (or idea, aqidah) and jihad (inner and outer spiritual and
religious struggle).
Shi'ite ideology cannot be explained in a few words, but jihad which
exists in Shi'ite ideology, is a battle which has martyrdom as one of
its goals. Martyrdom, in this school of thought, means a purposeful,
aware and willing selection.
A great deal has been said and written about martyrdom over the ages,
but no one has explained it, interpreted it and made its meaning so
clear as Ali Shariati, whose thoughts, ideas, views, books, writings and
lectures were some of the important factors in the foundation, rise
development and victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran.
We have endeavoured to present as accurate a translation as is
possible of Martyrdom: Arise and Bear Witness. We ask the reader to
forgive us any transgressions which may appear and we welcome any
suggestions for future printings.
Wassalam.
A.A. Ghassemy