Arbaeen Hussaini is itself a university—one drawn from the school of Ashura, with the difference that while Ashura displayed the jihad with the sword, Arbaeen demonstrates an intellectual and cultural jihad. In this university, people practice standing firm, resisting oppression, seeking truth, enlightening others, preserving ideals and values, and remembering martyrs and great figures. Arbaeen is a unique academic field of spiritual and cultural endeavor, and it is fitting that this unparalleled school should be examined and studied in a scholarly and analytical manner, using it as a foundation for civilization building, theoretical discussions, and a guide for action.
The Arbaeen Lifestyle Network – Hayat Tayyiba
Arbaeen Hussaini is itself a university—one drawn from the school of Ashura, with the difference that while Ashura displayed the jihad with the sword, Arbaeen demonstrates an intellectual and cultural jihad. In this university, people practice standing firm, resisting oppression, seeking truth, enlightening others, preserving ideals and values, and remembering martyrs and great figures. Arbaeen is a unique academic field of spiritual and cultural endeavor, and it is fitting that this unparalleled school should be examined and studied in a scholarly and analytical manner, using it as a foundation for civilization building, theoretical discussions, and a guide for action.
Four Characteristics of Arbaeen and the Pilgrimage to Imam Hussain (AS)
- Arbaeen as a Symbol of Allah In the words of the Supreme Leader, Arbaeen Hussaini is among the symbols of Allah. He says: “Those who tread this path and undertake this passionate and faithful journey are truly performing a good deed. This is a great symbol; ‘Do not violate the symbols of Allah.’ Without a doubt, this is among the symbols of Allah. It is fitting for those like me, who are deprived of such journeys, to say: ‘I wish I were with you so that I too could achieve a great victory.’ Therefore, the pilgrims who are honored to participate in this event and divine blessing must always remember that they have been granted the privilege of preserving one of Allah’s symbols, and this is a significant responsibility with surely great rewards from the Almighty.”
- Arbaeen: The Key to the Eternity of Hussaini Movement Every movement and school of thought, and every message, to remain protected from distortions and hostilities and to be transmitted to future generations, requires preservation of its memory and symbols. Otherwise, the greatest movements and the most authentic messages will be forgotten in the depths of history. Hence, one of the objectives of Arbaeen, according to the Supreme Leader, is to keep the Hussaini school eternal.
- The Importance of Cultural Work and Propagation as Taught by Arbaeen One of the key lessons of Arbaeen is the importance of propagation and cultural work, which is a lesson clearly derived from the path and practice of Ahlul Bayt (AS). Imam Khamenei states: “Just as the struggle of Hussain bin Ali (AS) and his companions, as the bearers of the banner, encountered difficulties, so too was the struggle of Zainab (AS) and Imam Sajjad (AS) and the other great figures, though their struggle was not military, but rather cultural and propagative.”
- Unity and the Grandeur of the Islamic World Another characteristic of Arbaeen that must be considered is the “grandeur and unity of the Islamic world.” Arbaeen not only conveys the high messages and goals of Ashura to the world but also reveals an indescribable grandeur and unity within the Islamic world. The Supreme Leader also points to this matter, saying: “The very fact that we stand beside one another in our statements bestows greatness upon the Islamic world, it bestows greatness upon the personality of the Islamic Ummah.”
A Collective Pact
In this plan, all activists, concerned individuals, and lovers of the Arbaeen lifestyle make a pact to, during the course of this journey, engage in dialogue with those around them from various nations, using various methods like media, gifts, services, etc., to instill concern for the Arbaeen lifestyle in them. In the second step, they will register forms of membership and ways to continue interaction, thereby joining the Hayat Tayyiba collective. In the third step, as a token of friendship, they will invite them to a gathering in Karbala for further and deeper discussions.
