What is The concept of Arbaeen?
Arbaeen is an Arabic word meaning forty, referring to the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Arbaeen marks the end of the official mourning period following Imam Hussain’s martyrdom on the day of Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram. The event of Arbaeen holds great religious significance for Shia Muslims around the world.
On the day of Ashura, Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers were brutally massacred by the forces of Yazid, the Umayyad caliph, in the Battle of Karbala. Imam Hussain (AS) and 72 companions were martyred in the battle after refusing to pledge allegiance to Yazid, who they considered unjust and tyrannical. Imam Hussain’s sacrifice laid the foundations of justice, truth and righteousness.
40th day after Ashura
On the 40th day after Ashura, Imam Hussain’s followers gathered at his grave in Karbala to pay homage to the Imam and honor his martyrdom. Millions of Muslims visit the shrine of Imam Hussain on Arbaeen as a mark of devotion to his cause and sacrifice. The congregation on Arbaeen is said to be the largest annual public gathering in the world. Arbaeen is one of the Shia ceremonies, but there are Shia and Sunni Muslims among this population. Arbaeen walk and presence in Karbala are more related to the friendship and interest of Muslims towards Islam. In this procession, many Muslims regardless of religion and even non-Muslims are present.
The Arbaeen observance also symbolizes Muslims unity and solidarity. Muslims from different parts of the world gather at Karbala in a show of common devotion and brotherhood beyond ethnic, linguistic and geographical divides.
Arbaeen has a deep significance for Shia Muslims as a religious ritual that commemorates Imam Hussain’s revolutionary ideals of truth and justice. The gathering on Arbaeen seeks to renew the pledge to continue Imam Hussain’s mission and uphold his virtuous values.
The ritual of visiting Imam Hussain’s grave on Arbaeen carries a profound spiritual impact for millions of devotees. It invokes a profound sense of sorrow for the injustice done to Imam Hussain and his followers, along with the strong desire to uphold righteousness in the face of tyranny and oppression.
The main rituals performed on the day of Arbaeen include visiting the Imam Hussain’s shrine in Karbala, reciting marsiyas or elegies that commemorate the martyrdom, walking on foot from Najaf to Karbala in remembrance of Imam Hussain’s companions, engaging in charitable acts to honor Imam Hussain’s message of social justice, and renewing one’s pledge to follow Imam Hussain’s example of sacrifice in the face of injustice.
Arbaeen marks an important day in Shia tradition that seeks to carry forward the eternal spirit of Imam Hussain’s sacrifice and his cause of truth, justice and righteousness. The large congregations on Arbaeen serve as a global manifestation of devotion to Imam Hussain and Muslims solidarity across ethnic and geographic divides.
