Arbaeen procession, or Arbaeen procession, is one of the Shia rituals that is held in the days ending with 20 Safar (to commemorate and visit the third authority and caliph of God on earth, Imam Hussein (AS).
Since Imam Hussein (a.s.) is the representative of God over the creatures and the third successor of the Prophet of Islam, and according to traditions, one of the signs of Imamate is infallibility and knowledge of all the worlds of existence, all knowledge and knowledge of all the languages of the world, and has miracles, so he is qualified to guide people. (1)
Also, according to a narration from the Messenger of God (pbuh), Imam Hussein (pbuh) is a beacon of guidance and a ship of salvation (2).
Since a person drowning in the dark night in the sea needs a ship to save from drowning and a lantern (lamp) to reach the shore, so Imam Hussain (AS) is an example of a guiding light and a rescue ship.
Since the goal of a drowned person is to reach the shore, Imam Hossein (a.s.) rescues and guides the person to the shore, that is, the world based on true religion and eternal paradise in the afterlife.
From the beginning of history until today, humans have always been in the darkness of oppression and corruption of rulers, ignorance and disbelief, polytheism, and under the influence of deviant differences.
But around 1400 years ago, Imam Hussain, by rising against the corrupt and oppressive ruler of his time, removed the blanket of disbelief, polytheism, and perversion of religion, and by sacrificing his life in the way of God and the martyrdom of his children and companions and the captivity of his Ahl al-Bayt, he separated right and wrong. He provided the guidance of people to save them from ignorance, wandering, and astray (3), and to guide them to the true religion.
Therefore, people can save themselves and be redeemed in the afterlife by following Imam Hussain
According to the famous narration, the head of Imam Hussain (a.s.), which was separated on the day of Ashura after fighting with the cruel ruler and his army, was joined to his body in Karbala on the day of Arbaeen. (4)
Arbaeen means 40th, and 20 Safar, which is forty days after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) on the day of Ashura, is called Arbaeen Hussaini or Arbaeen Day (5).
According to a narration from Imam Hasan Askari (AS), the Arbaeen pilgrimage is considered one of the signs of a believer (6), therefore, Shiites pay special attention to it.
Iraqi Shiites usually go to Karbala on the day of Arbaeen to visit Imam Hussain (AS).
They go to Karbala on foot from their cities and join pilgrims from other countries to organize the Arbaeen procession, which is one of the largest gatherings in the world.
This walk is carried out from different parts of Iraq towards Karbala with the participation of pilgrims from different countries of the world from different religions with the aim of Arbaeen pilgrimage.
According to reports, in addition to Shiites, groups of Sunnis, Christians, and other religions also participate in the Arbaeen procession.
Most pilgrims go to Karbala via Najaf.
Along the procession routes, there are places to rest and receive pilgrims, which are called Mookeb.
In recent years, millions of people participate in this march; In such a way that this event is known as the biggest annual religious gathering in the world.
Reports have reported the presence of 15 million pilgrims in 1392 solar year (2013 AD) (7), about 20 million in 1393 solar year (2014 AD) (8) and 27 million in 1394 solar year (2015 AD) (9).
Suorce:
1) Bahar al-Anwar, vol. 48, p. 47
2) Ayoun Akhbar al-Reza, vol. 1, p. 59
3) Mufatih al-Jannan, Ziarat Arbaeen
4) The history of the uprising and martyrdom of Seyyed al-Shohada Mosque, 1395, vol. 2, pp. 574 and 587
5) Anuri, Farhang Sokhon, 1390, vol. 1, p. 312; Muhaddi, Farhang Ashura, 1376, p. 45.
6) Tusi, Tahzeeb al-Ahkam, 1407 AH, vol.6, p.52.
7) • “Looking at the dimensions of the impact of the great walk of Arbaeen”, Watan Mozram news site
8) “20 million community in Karbala”, published in Abna news agency on (22/Azer/2013).
9) • “The number of pilgrims to Karbala during this year’s Arbaeen Hosseini passed the mark of 27 million people”, included in the news base of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization of History (12/Azer/2014).
10) Wiki Shia
