Martyrdom in the Shia Culture

In the Shia tradition there is a continuous legacy of martyrdom, from the belief that Islamic history was derailed when political power passed out of the hands of the holy Prophet Muhammad’s family (p.b.u.t) in the 7th century.1
The Shias believe that Imam Ali b. Abi Talib (p.b.u.h), the cousin, companion, and sonin-law of the holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) was the only rightful successor to him, and that Imam Ali’s specified descendents were the rightful heirs to the leadership of the Muslim community.