Analysis and Criticism of the Researches of German Orientalists about the Ashura Movement of Imam Hussein (Peace Be Upon Him)

Document Type : Scholary

Author

Department of Comparative Studies of the Qur’ān, Qur’ān and Hadith Specialized University, Al-Mustafa International University, Qom, Iran

Abstract

Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and Ashura are among the topics that each of the Orientalists and Western Islamologists have paid attention to. The purpose of studying the opinions of the Orientalists regarding Ashura and Imam Husayn (PBUH) is to find out the goals and motives of the Orientalists. This article has been written with the aim of introducing and recognizing the research conducted on Imam Hussain (PBUH), with a focus on German Orientalists. This article, employing a descriptive-analytical method, seeks to address the question: What kind of image did the German Orientalists show to the audience of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and Ashura? The hypothesis of this article, proved to be the answer to the main question of the research, is based on this statement. The extra-religious view, prejudice and the lack of access of German Orientalists to authentic Islamic sources have influenced their analysis in this field. The findings of the research indicates that the findings from the studies of German Orientalists and Islamologists are different from the reality in some cases, and they have not been able to present a correct image of Imam Hussain (PBUH) and Ashura in the Shiite religion.

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References

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Classical and Contemporary Islamic Studies
Volume 8, Issue 1
Winter & Spring 2026
January 2026
Pages 1-10

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