A Psychological Reading of Abbas Mahmoud al-Aqqad’s Narrative on the Causes, Motivations, and Consequences of Imam Husayn’s Uprising (Based on the book Abu al-Shuhada: al-Husayn ibn ‘Ali

The history of humankind is replete with figures who have shaped great events. Undoubtedly, Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) stands among the most distinguished historical personalities who brought about a unique and momentous घटना. This historical event is so profound that only through comprehensive and meticulous study can its depth and significance be fully understood. Numerous writers and historians, from past to present, have narrated this event from different perspectives. Abbas Mahmoud al-Aqqad, the renowned Egyptian Sunni writer and historian, is among those who addressed this monumental occurrence through a distinctive approach in his book Abu al-Shuhadaʾ: al-Husayn ibn ʿAli. Al-Aqqad’s method in this work is both psychological and historical.

Adopting a descriptive–analytical approach, the present article examines and analyzes his perspective on the causes of the Ashura uprising and its consequences from psychological and historical viewpoints. The findings demonstrate that, by drawing on social sciences and psychology, al-Aqqad not only interprets the events of Ashura historically but also pays particular attention to the motives and the human and psychological traits of the central figures involved. From his perspective, Imam Husayn’s uprising against Yazid symbolizes the eternal struggle between noble human qualities—such as truth-seeking, courage, and resistance to oppression—and base human traits such as greed, hypocrisy, and corruption. These characteristics, shaped by factors including temperament, innate disposition, environment of upbringing, and heredity, produced profound personality conflicts that ultimately culminated in the inevitable historical confrontation at Ashura