Choosing the Tragedy of al-Zahra’ as a Topic
 

There are two reasons behind choosing the tragedy of al-Zahra’ (A.S.) as the subject-matter with which I will deal in a series of many topics the right wherein I would like to bring forth; they affect the issues of the creed and the sect; these are:

 

FIRST: This single issue, the tragedy of al-Zahra’ (A.S.) demands explaining and clarifying in order to remove whatever doubts may have entertained some people’s minds, procedural or scientific inquiries, as some people label them, which they have frequently encountered during scores of radio interviews, in the printed press, or in many meetings, correspondences or debates during a lengthy period of time. Many various “proofs” were provided to deny that any violence took place against al-Zahra’ (A.S.) at her home, or against Ali (A.S.) at the home of al-Zahra’ (A.S.). Such “proofs” and “evidences” were granted “modern ideological labels” such as “provocations,” “question marks,” or “doubts being researched,” up to the end of such expressions which have all become well known.

For this reason, I wanted to study this subject by dealing with such “provocations” in detail so that I may be able to absorb all issues causing such doubts, and so that I may be able then to dispel the “question marks” in their regard, perhaps I will deserve to be thanked as promised by someone who said once to me, “We appreciate the effort of those who respond to the question marks which we have made,”^[1] hoping that the subject will thus come to a conclusion and the doubts will be dispelled.

The “appreciation” promised by some people is actually distinguished in its type and is unique in its classification as we, by the will of Allah, will point out.

 

SECOND: The issue of al-Zahra’ (A.S.), due to certain circumstances, went beyond its specific scholarly nature to becoming a label pointing out to a general trend transcending history’s sphere to other aspects of Islamic concerns, such as issues relevant to the creed, scholastic theology, Usal, Hadath, Fiqh, exegesis, and even linguistics, in addition to many other doctrinal and non-doctrinal issues. Yes, the issue of al-Zahra’ (A.S.) has become the symbol, or the guiding title, that sums up its own diction and has its own specific stamp. It has its own spheres and characteristics, what it permits and what it abandons.

For the sake of all the above, I wished that my discussion of the said subject-matter be a contribution to accomplishing the duty realized by every believing Muslim, one who finds no justification in aimlessly standing by, a spectator witnessing the attempts launched against the beliefs and tenets of this creed which impact, affecting its aspects and renown personalities. I shall do so not based upon upholding the “holy legacy” of the faith of the forefathers, as some people accuse us of doing as they also accuse all the adherents of the creed of Ahl al-Bayt (A.S.) and righteous Sha`ite scholars.^[2] Rather, I shall uphold the criterion of any decisive scholarly evidence that leaves no excuse whatsoever, thus laying the firm foundations of the truth.