“In Shia Islam, the Imams are the infallible religious leaders. The first Imam was Ali, the second was Hasan and the martyred Husain the third. The rest of the Imams are the descendents of Husain.
In this picture we can see Ali on the left; above him is written: "He whose lord I am also has Ali as his Lord". This text is taken from a story about the prophet Muhammad: Shortly before the prophet Muhammad died he made his last pilgrimage to Mecca. On his way home to Medina, Muhammad and his companions stopped at a place called Ghadir Khumm. There, the Prophet took Ali's hand and held it up in front of his followers, saying: "He whose lord I am, also has Ali as his Lord. O lord, be a support for all who are the support of Ali, and be the enemy of all who oppose him."
This narrative is one of the texts that Shia Muslims use in the arguments that Ali is the rightful heir to the leadership, and the first imam.
On the right-hand side of the picture we see Husain. Above him is written: "His Highness Hussein, son of Ali; peace be on him."
In Shia Islam, the death of Husain is regarded as a martyrdom of redemption. Husain always knew what his fate would be, but he chose death in order to become the key to Paradise. He will intercede for everyone who believes in his acts of redemption and who mourns his death.” [x]
