Imam Nasai -shaheed for the Ahl-e-Bayt

Imam Nasai lived in the times of Abbasid empire and wrote the first book on the high rank of Imam Ali and the Ahl-e-Bayt. The Ahl-e-sunnah considers Imam Nasai to belong to the category of the highest ranking Hadith scholars, such as Imam Muslim and Imam Tirmidhi.

The reason Imam Nasai wrote such a book was becuase it was during his time that Imam Ali (may God enoble is face) was cursed in the mosques of the 'Islamic empire' every Friday by the ruling authorities and the Khwarij. Even though the Ummayads had been overthrown by the Abbasids, things had not changed in Damascus as the Khwarij held considerable influence.

Imam Nasai being a lover of the Ahl-e-bayt decided to give a public sermon in Damascus on the high status of the Ahl-e-Bayt. He narrated over a hundred hadiths pertaining to the the noble Ahl-e-Bayt.
However, the Khwarij being the instigators of fitna in the ummah asked Imam Nasai to narrate hadiths in favor of Amir Muwaiya r.a.
Opinion: This I believe is a sign of those who lack the love of Ahl-e-Bayt. Whenever the Ahl-e-Bayt are praised, these individuals will divert the discussion towards other sahaba's/companions, or declare the one praising them a Shia, or one who imitates the Shia!

Imam Nasai in response to the Khwarij question said that there are no narrations for Amir Muawiyah like the ones that exist for the Ahl-e-Bayt. Upon this the Khwarij attacked Imam Nasai, which eventually resulted in Imam Nasai's martyrdom. However, before Imam Nasai's death, he was transported to Safa al Marwah, Makkah where it was his will to be buried. An interesting observation by Shaykh Tahir ul Qadri is that this area around Safa al Marwah was where the houses of Banu Hashim (Ahl-e-Bayt) existed, including Imam Ali's house. Perhaps it was this reason why Imam Nasai chose the spot.

Interesting point to note: After this event, Hasan Basri r.a. did not mention Imam Nasai's name when narrating a hadith from him, out of fear that certain individuals will not accept the hadith.