The arabic word ‘al’arbaein  or Arbaeen’ (pronounced Arr-ba-een) translates to forty (ie fortieth day). The traditional period of mourning in Islamic culture is forty days. As such, millions of people around the world mark the Day of Arbaeen by remembering the story of Hussain ibn Ali, his family and his companions.

Arbaeen is one of the largest pilgrimage gatherings on Earth. Millions of people go to the city of Karbala in Iraq. The pilgrims include Shia, Sunnis, Christians, Yazidi and other faiths.

The Day of Arbaeen marks forty days after the Day of Ashura, the day Hussain ibn Ali was killed in the Battle of Karbala. Hussain ibn Ali was a 7th century revolutionary leader who sacrificed his life for social justice.
Ashura is one of the major holidays of Islam. It is usually celebrated on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic Calendar. In fact, the word ashura means “ten.” (In 2021, it takes place on August 18 in the Western Calendar.)

Ashura is a time of fasting and of inner thoughts. The prophet Muhammad promised the Jews of Medina who fasted on this day in remembrance of deliverance from Egypt’s Pharaoh that he would fast two days to honor this event. He died before he could fulfill his promise, however. To this day, Muslims keep the remembrance of Ashura by fasting and meditation. The main fast on Ashura is usually preceded or followed by another day of fasting, to honor the wishes of Muhammad.

Ashura is also a source of joy. Muslims also believe that it was the day on which Noah’s ark ran aground and that the prophet Abraham was born. It is also, Muslims believe, the day that the Kaaba, the most sacred building in the most sacred mosque, was built. Other events that tradition holds happened on this day include the protection of other prophets in danger by Allah and the creation of the world itself.

As with other holidays, Muslims on Ashura give to others, especially to the poor.

Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Hijri calendar and is one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says, “Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein”

Muharram is called so because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allah Almighty says, “…so wrong not yourselves therein…” which means do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months.

The sacred months are four: Dhul-Qi`dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab. Sins in these months are more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to refrain from sins and increase the good deeds during these months.

Hussain ibn Ali

Hussain ibn Ali was a 7th century revolutionary leader who made the ultimate stand for social justice against the ruler Yazid. Yazid was a corrupt ruler who was violating the basic rights and dignity of the people.
Yazid wanted Hussain to acknowledge his rule and give credibility to his corrupt leadership. However Hussain refused to do so, based on his moral values and principles, and was killed along with his companions holding onto their honor and dignity.

After the Battle of Karbala, Yazid’s men took the women and children of Hussain’s family as prisoners. They were degraded as they were forced to walk in chains through many towns and cities including Damascus and Kufa – where they were abused by crowds until they were eventually presented to Yazid and placed in prison.

Hussain may have died, but his movement lived on. His sister Zainab and son Ali ibn Hussain both gave powerful speeches against Yazid in front of his ministers, calling him out for his corrupt regime and unnerving Yazid’s ministers.

Yazid eventually realized that if he left the family of Hussain at his palace they would humiliate him in front of his ministers even further and was forced to free them. The family of Hussain would spend their lives after the Battle of Karbala teaching people about Hussain’s message and his stand against corruption.

It is said that the Day of Arbaeen is the day on which Hussain’s family returned to the land of Karbala, to properly bid farewell to the fallen heroes and finally grieve for their loved ones.

Today, almost 1400 years later, the Day of Arbaeen is remembered by millions of people around the world. It is marked as a day to pay tribute to the sacrifice of Hussain for social justice.
Typically, on this day people organize large marches in cities across the world to symbolize the eternal nature of Hussain’s revolution and to show they stand for social justice, compassion and dignity..

In recent years a tradition of walking 80km (about 50 miles) from Najaf (the resting place of Ali the father of Hussain) to Karbala has been reignited. Every year since, the number has been rising steadily from 17 million pilgrims to at least 25 million. People from all walks of life and all corners of the globe make the journey, despite the imminent threat of terrorists who have vowed to attack the pilgrims.

Along the 80km stretch from Najaf to Karbala volunteers distribute free food and drinks to those undertaking the pilgrimage, as well as offering places to relax, wash and sleep. Arbaeen Day is now the largest annual peaceful gathering in the world, with numbers set to increase significantly every year.

Social Studies for Kids

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whoishussain.org

zakeeyaali.com

aboutislam.net