AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): On Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the gathering of popular Arbaeen activists, in the Cultural Complex of the Martyrs of the Islamic Revolution (Sarcheshmeh), Hojat al-Islam Alireza Panahian, referring to the importance of Arbaeen, stated, “Things that should be taken seriously in Islam depend on the feelings and intellect of the believers, and to commemorate them, there is no need to receive orders from a specific place. Arbaeen is a serious matter and if someone does not take it seriously, has been deceived by Iblis.”
Regarding the serious approach to Arbaeen, the religious expert said, “Taking Arbaeen seriously means that a person should work for it throughout the year, and understand its difference with all cultural, religious, and divine ritual activities. Taking Arbaeen seriously means that a person dedicates his money and time to Arbaeen more than any other issue and expands his circle of empathy and cooperation with believers. Taking Arbaeen seriously depends on our feelings. Taking the issue of Arbaeen seriously means that we consider it superior to other current activities, such as simply commemorating Hosseini rituals on Ashura in our neighborhood and region. Arbaeen is more important than all rituals. If someone thinks that Arbaeen is an ordinary pilgrimage, maybe with more reward, he has not understood many truths of Islam.”
About the reason for taking Arbaeen seriously, Panahian said, “The late Imam Khomeini (r.a.) said that if Muslims only recite Ziyarat Ashura in their homes and hold the rosary in their hands, nothing of Islam will remain. Islam also needs external presentation and manifestation. This is how Imam Khomeini (r.a.) saw Ashura in his time. Now we argue with the same logic that Islam will not remain only with mourning processions in our neighborhoods and streets. Rather, Islam needs demonstrations and marches of 20 million people. This Great Walk is no longer local and regional. Rather, you commemorate Hosseini rites in an international gathering.”
“Arbaeen has attracted the attention of the world. It is necessary to widely publish articles and interviews with international figures about Arbaeen in the virtual space. The enemy’s control over media outlets prevents the publication of many contents. Therefore, we need to work to make these contents go viral. At one time, Arbaeen gave identity to the Shiite community. Then, Arbaeen gave identity to the Islamic world. In the third phase, Arbaeen became a source of hope for the oppressed of the world, and now, in the fourth phase, creating hope for humanity is on the agenda of Arbaeen,” said Hojat al-Islam Panahian on the international aspect of Arbaeen.
About the importance of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, he said, “AhlulBayt (a.s.) has introduced Imam Hussain (a.s.) as the way to communicate with the hearts of the people. According to hadiths, the reward of pilgrimage to the shrine of Imam Ali (a.s.) is more than the reward of visiting the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.). However, the Infallibles (a.s.) have recommended the pilgrimage to Karbala of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and have mentioned the Arbaeen Pilgrimage. It is the starting point of the journey.”
“Iraqis have sacrificed their lives to commemorate Arbaeen. We Iranians have sacrificed 250,000 martyrs in the Imposed War (the 8-year war imposed by Saddam). Once, I asked one of the prominent Shiite ulama of Baghdad, “How many Iraqis were martyred by Saddam?” He replied, “More than a million people!” The fact that the activities of Iraqi Mowkeb owners influence the hearts of pilgrims is due to the support of the martyrs’ blood,” he said, emphasizing the importance of the Arbaeen pilgrimage
“As a person who was one of the first people to witness the Arbaeen pilgrimage after the overthrow of Saddam’s regime, I emphasize that the Arbaeen pilgrimage was not initiated by any religious, propagational, or cultural organization in Iran or Iraq. Rather, it is the spontaneous work of the people. It is something that Imam Hussain (a.s.) did with hearts,” Panahian said in the end.
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