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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
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