A Comparative Dogmatic Study on the Theology of Suffering, Sacrifice and Soteriology: The Martyrdom of Ḥusayn in the Light of the Passion of Christ
A Comparative Dogmatic Study on the Theology of Suffering, Sacrifice and Soteriology: The Martyrdom of Ḥusayn in the Light of the Passion of Christ

Author(s): Filotheos-Fotios Maroudas
Subject(s): Theology and Religion, Comparative Studies of Religion
Published by: Editura Doxologia
Keywords: Orthodox Christian Dogmatics; Comparative Theology; Soteriology; Martyrdom; Sacrifice; Interreligious Dialogue;
Summary/Abstract: This study explores the martyrdom of Ḥusayn ibn Ali in the light of the Passion of Christ, focusing on the dogmatic doctrines of suffering, sacrifice and soteriology as articulated within Shiite Islam and Christianity. While Sunni historians often portray Ḥusayn’s actions as impulsive and his leadership as reckless, Shiite traditions honor him as the “Prince of Martyrs” (sayyid al-shuhadā) and draw parallels between his sacrifice and that of Christ. Ḥusayn’s willingness to sacrifice his life for truth and justice has become a central theme in Shiite mourning rituals, evolving over time into a deeply emotional and culturally embedded expression of piety. Lebanese Mahmoud Ayoub (1935-2021) situates Ḥusayn’s suffering within a historical and spiritual continuum that connects Shiite piety to biblical prophets and the Gospel narratives of Christ. Shiite liturgical texts and commemorative reenactments of the event often evoke profound emotional responses, emphasizing themes of redemption and sacrifice that resonate with Christian notions of atonement through Christ’s crucifixion. This presentation examines the dogmatical dimensions of these traditions and explores them through the lens of Islamic-Christian dialogue, offering a comparative perspective on suffering, redemption, and salvation in the two faiths.

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