Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn (a)
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Arbaʿīn of Imam al-Ḥusayn (a) (Arabic: اربعين الحسیني) is 20th day of Safar in the Lunar Hijri Calendar and the anniversary of the fortieth day after the Battle of Karbala when Imam al-Husayn (a) and his companions were martyred on the Day of Ashura, (Muharram 10, 61 AH/October 10, 680). It is reported that the Captives of the Battle of Karbala came to visit Imam al-Husayn (a) in Karbala on Safar 20, 61/November 19, 680) on their return from Syria to Medina.
In a hadith from Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a), ziyarah of Arba'in is considered among the sings of the faithful.
This day is a national holiday in Iran. Shi'a mourn on the day of Arba'in and mourning groups rally in the streets. In recent years, great procession of Shi'a who try to arrive in Karbala on the day of Arba'in has become one of the most important mourning ceremonies of Shi'a around the world and it has even turned into one of the largest religious processions on a global scale.
Historical Background
| Mourning of Muharram |
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| Events |
| Figures |
| Places |
| Occasions |
| Rituals |
In Arabic, Arba'in means the fortieth day and the twentieth of Safar, the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a) on the Day of 'Ashura, is called Arba'in al-Husayni or simply Arba'in.[1] The importance of this day lies in the fact that based on historical accounts, Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari visited the grave of Imam al-Husayn (a) on this day as the first pilgrim to ever visit this grave.[2] In some sources, it is reported that, in addition to Jabir, remaining members of Imam al-Husayn's (a) family returned to Karbala on this day and visited the graves of Imam al-Husayn (a) and other martyrs of Karbala.[3]
Visit of Jabir
Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari, one of the companions of the Prophet (s) is known to be the first pilgrim and visitor of the grave Imam al-Husayn (a) after his martyrdom. Accompanied by 'Atiyya al-'Awfi, he arrived in Karbala on the first Arba'in of the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a) in 61/680 and visited Imam al-Husayn (a).[4]
Return of the Captives to Karbala
| Year 60/680 | |
|---|---|
| Rajab 15 (April 21) |
Death of Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan |
| Rajab 28 (May 4) |
Departure of Imam al-Husayn b. 'Ali (a) from Medina. |
| Sha'ban 3 (May 9) |
Arrival of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Mecca. |
| Ramadan 10 (June 14) |
Arrival of Kufiyans' first letter to Imam (a) |
| Ramadan 12 (June 16) |
Arrival of 150 letters from Kufa |
| Ramadan 14 (June 18) |
Arrival of the letter from leaders of Kufa |
| Ramadan 15 (June 19) |
Departure of Muslim b. 'Aqil from Mecca toward Kufa. |
| Shawwal 5 (July 9) |
Arrival of Muslim b. 'Aqil to Kufa. |
| Dhu l-Hijja 8 (September 9) |
Departure of Imam al-Husayn (a) form Mecca and uprising of Muslim b. 'Aqil in Kufa |
| Dhu l-Hijja 9 (September 10) |
Martyrdom of Muslim b. 'Aqil |
| Year 61/680 | |
| Muharram 1 (October 1) |
Asking for help of 'Ubayd Allah b. al-Hurr al-Ju'fi and 'Amr b. Qays in Qasr Bani Muqatil |
| Muharram 2 (October 2) |
Arrival of Imam (a) to Karbala |
| Muharram 3 (October 3) |
Arrival of 'Umar b. Sa'd with 4,000 people to Karbala |
| Muharram 6 (October 6) |
Habib b. Muzahir's asking for help of Banu Asad |
| Muharram 7 (October 7) |
Banding of water by 'Umar b. Sa'd and joining Muslim b. 'Awsaja al-Asadi to Imam (a) |
| Muharram 9 (October 9) |
Arrival of Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan to Karbala |
| Muharram 9 (October 9) |
Shimr's Safe conduct for Umm al-Banin's children |
| Muharram 9 (October 9) |
Announcing of the Battle by 'Umar b. Sa'd and Imam's (a) asking for a delay |
| Muharram 10 (October 10) |
Events of Ashura and the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), his Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) and his companions |
| Muharram 11 (October 11) |
Moving the captives towards Kufa and the burial of martyrs by Banu Asad |
| Muharram 12 (October 12) |
Arrival of captives to Kufa and the burial of the martyrs according to the narration |
| Muharram 19 (October 19) |
Moving the captives from Kufa towards Syria |
| Safar 1 (October 31) |
Arrival of the captives and the head of Imam al-Husayn (a) to Syria |
| Safar 20 (November 19) |
Arba'in and the return of Ahl al-Bayt (a) to Karbala and Medina (in some accounts) |
There are three opinions among Shi'a scholars about the return of the captives passing Karbala on their way to Medina
- Some scholars including al-Muhaddith al-Nuri in his al-Lu'lu' wa l-marjan,[5] and his student Shaykh 'Abbas Qumi in his Muntaha l-amal[6] believe that the mentioned visit did not happen in the first year after the Battle of Karbala and that it was not even possible at all. Before al-Muhaddith al-Nuri, al-Sayyid b. Tawus expressed his doubt about the issue as well in his Iqbal al-a'mal.
- Some scholars confirmed that the captives had visited Karbala, and considered a later time for it, end of Safar or beginning of Rabi' I or later.
- Others believe that the caravan of the captives arrived in Iraq from Syria and arrived in Karbala on the day of Arba'in and after visiting Imam al-Husayn (a) moved towards Medina. They also believe that they visited Jabir b. 'Abd Allah al-Ansari and some of Banu Hashim as well. This opinion is mentioned in the al-Luhuf of al-Sayyid b. Tawus.[7]
Due to these conflicting views, some scholars have tried to author some books to prove that the return of the remaining members of Imam al-Husayn's (a) family to Karbala on Safar 20, 61/ November 19, 680 has been, in fact, possible and that the narrations referring to this return are reliable. One of the most famous and comprehensive works is authored by Sayyid Muhammad 'Ali Qadi Tabataba'i called Tahqiq darbara-yi awwal Arba'in-i Sayyid al-Shuhada (a) (Research on the first Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn) which has been written to refute the views of al-Muhaddith al-Nuri and Shaykh 'Abbas Qummi.
Ziyarah of Arba'in
In a hadith from Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a), the faithful are described as having five signs, one of which is ziyarah of Arba'in.[8]
Also, a ziyarah text for the day of Arba'in is narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a)[9] and Shaykh 'Abbas Qummi has mentioned it in his Mafatih al-jinan in the third chapter with the title of "ziyarah Arba'in".
Qadi Tabataba'i says that Shi'a also call ziyarah of Arba'in, "Maradd al-Ra's" (return of the head), suggesting that when the captives came back to Karbala on that day, they also brought the holy head of Imam al-Husayn (a) and buried it with the body.[10]
Procession of Arba'in
Since the ziyarah of Arba'in has been strongly recommended, Shi'a, especially the Shi'a of Iraq, move towards Karbala every year on the occasion of Arba'in. This procession, which is usually made on foot, is considered one of the most crowded rallies in the world. In recent years, following the collapse of the previous regime in Iraq, the number of these pilgrims has multiplied. In 2013, some reports estimated the number of pilgrims attending Karbala to be 15 million.[11]
Qadi Tabataba'i wrote that procession of Arba'in towards Karbala has been a common practice among Shi'a since the time of Imams (a) and Shi'a used to perform it even at the time of Umayyads and Abbasids.[12]
Arba'in Intifada
Baath party had put restrictions on holding religious ceremonies. It was also forbidden to erect any stand or any form of procession on the road to Karbala.[13] However, on Safar 15, 1398/January 25, 1978, the people of Najaf prepared themselves for the Arba'in procession.[14] A caravan of 30 thousand people started to move towards Karbala. The government confronted it from the beginning, and a number of people were martyred. Finally, on the road to Karbala, the army attacked people and arrested thousands of them.[15] Many people were killed, some were sentenced to death, and some others were sentenced to life in prison.
Al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim were influential in this intifada.[16] Imam Khomeini acknowledged this public movement as well.[17]
During COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020 following a global pandemic called COVID-19 or coronavirus, the Iraqi government announced that it would not allow any foreign pilgrims to enter the country to control the spread of this disease.
See Also
Notes
- ↑ Anwarī, Farhang-i buzurg-i sukhan, vol. 1, p. 312; Muhaddithī, Farhang-i Āshūrā, p. 45.
- ↑ Qummī, Safīnat al-biḥār, vol. 8, p. 383.
- ↑ Ibn Ṭāwūs, al-Luhūf fī qatlā l-ṭufūf, p. 225.
- ↑ Qummī, Safīnat al-biḥār, vol. 8, p. 383
- ↑ Nūrī, Luʾluʾ wa marjān, p. 208-209.
- ↑ Qummī, Muntahā l-āmāl', pp. 524-525.
- ↑ Ibn Ṭāwūs, al-Luhūf, p. 225
- ↑ Ṭūsī, Tahdhīb al-aḥkām, vol. 6, p. 52
- ↑ Ṭūsī, Tahdhīb al-aḥkām, vol. 6, p. 113
- ↑ Qāḍī Ṭabāṭabāyī, Taḥqīq darbāra-yi awwal-i arbaʿīn ḥaḍrat-i sayyid al-shuhadāʾ, p. 2
- ↑ A view on the consequences of Arba'in Procession (Persian)
- ↑ Qāḍī Ṭabāṭabāyī, Taḥqīq darbāra-yi awwal-i arbaʿīn ḥaḍrat-i sayyid al-shuhadāʾ, p. 1-2.
- ↑ Muʾmin, Sanawāt al-jamar, p. 165.
- ↑ Asadī, Mujiz tārīkh al-Irāq al-siyāsī al-ḥadīth, p. 101.
- ↑ Wiley, Nihḍat-i Islāmī-yi shīʿayān-i Irāq, p. 81.
- ↑ Muʾmin, Sanawāt al-jamar, p. 169.
- ↑ Muʾmin, Sanawāt al-jamar, p. 170.
References
- Asadī, Mukhtār al-. Mujiz tārīkh al-Irāq al-siyāsī al-ḥadīth. [n.p]. Markaz al-Shahīdayn al-Ṣadrayn li-Dirāsāt wa al-Buḥūth. 2001.
- Anwarī, Ḥasan. Farhang-i buzurg-i sukhan. Tehran: Intishārāt-i Sukhan, 1390 Sh.
- Fāḍil, Muḥammad. Taḥlīl-i mabānī-yi tārīkhī-yi arbaʿīn Ḥusaynī. Rawāq-i Andīsha. No 1. Spring and Summer 1380 Sh.
- Ibn Ṭāwūs, ʿAlī b. Mūsā. Al-Iqbāl bi-l-aʿmāl al-ḥasana. Edited by Jawād Qayyūmī. 1st edition. Qom: Daftar-i Tablīghāt-i Islāmī, 1376 Sh.
- Ibn Ṭāwūs, ʿAlī b. Mūsā. Al-Luhūf fī qatlā l-ṭufūf. Qom: Uswa, 1414 AH.
- Muʾmin, ʿAlī al-. Sanawāt al-jamar. Beirut: Al-Markaz al-Islāmī al-Muʿāṣir, 2004.
- Majlisī, Muḥammad Bāqir al-. Biḥār al-anwār. Beirut: Dār Iḥyāʾ al-Turāth al-ʿArabī, [n.d].
- Muhaddithī, Javād. Farhang-i Āshūrā. Qom: Nashr-i Maʿrūf, 1376 Sh.
- Mufīd, Muḥammad b. Muḥammad al-. Masār al-Shīʿa. 1st edition. Qom: Kungira-yi Shaykh al-Mufīd, 1413 AH.
- Nūrī, Mīrzā Ḥusayn al-. Luʾluʾ wa marjān. Tehran: Āfāq, 1388 SH.
- Qāḍī Ṭabāṭabāyī, Muḥammad ʿAlī. Taḥqīq darbāra-yi awwal-i arbaʿīn ḥaḍrat-i sayyid al-shuhadāʾ. Qom: Bunyād-i Ilmī wa Farhangī-yi Qāḍī Ṭabāṭabāyī, 1368 SH.
- Qummī, Shaykh ʿAbbās. Safīnat al-biḥār. Qom: Uswa, 1414 AH.
- Qummī, Shaykh ʿAbbās. Muntahā l-āmāl. Tehran: Maṭbūʿātī-yi Ḥusaynī, 1372 SH.
- Ranjbar, Muḥsin. Pazhūhishī dar arbaʿīn Ḥusaynī. Tārīkh dar āʾīna-yi pazhūhish. No 5. Spring 1384 Sh.
- Subḥānīnīa, Muḥammad Taqī. Taḥqīqī darbara-yi arbaʿīn Ḥusaynī. Tārīkh dar āʾīna-yi pazhūhish. No 6. Summer 1384 Sh.
- Ṭūsī, Muḥamamd b. al-Ḥasan al-. Miṣbāḥ al-mutahajjid wa silāḥ al-mutaʿabbid. Beirut: Muʾassisat Fiqh al-Shīʿa, 1411 AH.
- Ṭūsī, Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan al-. Tahdhīb al-aḥkām. Tehran: Dār al-Kutub al-Islāmīyya, 1407 AH.
- Wiley, Joyce N. Nihḍat-i Islāmī-yi shīʿayān-i Irāq. Translated to Farsi by Mahwash Ghulāmī. Tehran: Iṭṭilāʿāt, 1373 Sh.
Mourning of Muharram | ||
|---|---|---|
| Traditionsand Rituals | Black Clothing • Mourning of Muharram • Basin-placing • Zanjirzani • Chest-beating • Sinj and Damam • Marthiyakhwani • Nawhakhwani • Mourning procession • Hay'at of Mourning • Ta'ziya • Rawdakhwani • Tatbir • Palm-carrying • Coffin-carrying • Torch-carrying • Tabuik • Hosay • Procession of Arba'in • Khaymasuzan • Tuwairij Mourning |  |
| Laments | ||
| Ta'ziyas | ||
| Occassions | ||
| Places | Karbala • Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) • Holy Shrine of al-Abbas (a) • Bayn al-Haramayn • al-Tall al-Zaynabi • Qatligah • Kaff al-Abbas (a) • Ruins of Damascus • al-Mukhayyam • Euphrates • al-Ghadiriyya • Alqama Stream • Husayniyya • Tekyeh • Saqqakhana • Imambara • Hussaini Dalan • Suq al-Sham | |
| Books | ||
| Related | ||