Addressing a theme central to Islamic History and Culture. The author writes about the death of Husayn in the Battle of Karbala (10 October 680) an event that has had the most pervasive and lasting effect on all facets of Islamic Civilization. After narrating the core historical events from the death of Hasan bin 'Ali to the death of Mus'ab bin Zubayr based on the earliest surviving accounts, the author devotes two chapters to "The Primary Sources" and "The Critical Sources" which scrutinize both early Muslim and Christian accounts. The succeeding chapters cover cultural aspects inspired by Husayn: Ideology and Literature, Doctrine and Ritual, Architecture and Art. By preferring death to dishonor, Husayn taught that the means justified the end. For this reason, the devotees of Husayn have become the most frequent targets of terrorists. This new edition has been enlarged upon.