Shaheed is one of the profound works of Ayatullah Murtaza Mutahhari in which he explains the true philosophy, purpose, and spiritual station of martyrdom in Islam. Rather than viewing martyrdom merely as a tragic loss or an emotional event, Mutahhari presents it as a conscious, purposeful, and deeply intellectual act rooted in faith, resistance, and commitment to truth.
In this book, Mutahhari explores how martyrdom plays a foundational role in the preservation of divine values and the awakening of societies. He analyzes the lives of great martyrs—especially Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala—to show how sacrifice for righteousness becomes a source of eternal life for a nation. Martyrdom, he argues, is not an act of death, but an act of giving life to society by opposing oppression, injustice, and moral decay.
Mutahhari describes a shaheed as a person whose vision, courage, and sincerity elevate them beyond ordinary individuals. Their blood becomes a moral force, inspiring generations. The book also clarifies misconceptions about martyrdom, distinguishing it from fanaticism, and presenting it as a rational, ethical, and spiritually elevated struggle.
Shaheed ultimately teaches that every society needs ideals—and martyrs are the living embodiment of those ideals. By sacrificing themselves for God, they keep the path of truth alive for humanity.
