موتيف الدم ودلالاته في أدب مقتل الحسين بن علي عند الشّيعة

Abstract

This study examines the motif of blood in Shia literature, especially concerning the martyrdom of al-Husayn Ibn Ali. It starts with a historical overview of the Battle of Karbala, analyzing its causes and consequences, leading to the martyrdom (maqtil) of al-Husayn and his companions. The influence of this event on Shia literary tradition and the development of maqtil (martyrdom) literature among Shias are also explored. The maqtil is a Shia literary genre featuring many recurring motifs, with the blood motif particularly significant. The presence of the blood motif in maqtil literature encompasses various linguistic and religious meanings, such as the sky turning red, the idea of fresh blood, tears of blood, rain of blood, the blood of al-Husayn, blood in dreams, the sky reddening after his death, the shedding of the killers’ blood in this world, and the soil of Karbala turning into blood. The study shows that the blood motif frequently appears in stories of Hussain’s martyrdom (maqtil literature), suggesting that Shia writers use this motif to evoke community emotions.