INTRODUCTION What is Martyrdom? Martyrdom from Bible to the Qur'an Previous Studies on Martyrdom in Islam Thesis and Plan Chapter 1: The Emergence of the Shi'i Form of Martyrdom Martyrs of the Community: Sectarian Factor Shi'a Martyrdom Traditions CHAPTER 2: Martyrdom Revival in Twelver Shi'ism Diverging Paths: Martyrdom in Modern Sunnism vs. Modern Shi'ism Jihad, Martyrdom, and State Building Changing the Gears: Reviving Martyrdom Among the Shi'a Reopening of the Gates of Active Martyrdom: Historical Background CHAPTER 3: Revolution, War and Martyrdom 1979 Islamic Revolution and the Power of Martyrdom Iran-Iraq War and the Love of Martyrdom CHAPTER 4: Civic Martyrdom Lest We Forget: Iran's Post-War State of Martyrdom No-War Zone Martyrs Rainbow Martyrdom: Politics of Blood CHAPTER 5: Martyrdom Reimagined Martyrdom Out of the Borders Shrine Defenders The Shi'i Symbolism of Shrine Defenders Chapter 6: Shrine Defenders: A New Beginning The Sectarian Factor The Imagined Nation of Heroes Chapter 7: From Karbala to Damascus Appendix: Martyrdom in Classical Islam Martyrdom in Sunni Traditions Who is a Martyr? Merits of Martyrs Types of Martyrdom Rewards of Martyrdom Martyrdom in Sunni Tafsirs.