Imam Hussein (PBUH), fulcrum of unity

A few days later the Arbaeen of Imam Hussein (PBUH) will arrive. But the routes leading to Karbala are full of the people who are going on foot towards this holy city to demonstrate their love and bond with the Master of the Free and Lord of the Martyrs, Hussein (PBUH).

For sure, the colossal number of the pilgrims will not allow all of them to reach the holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS). Thus, they will have to greet the Imam from a short distance and will read the special Ziyarah while fixing their eyes to the golden dome of the Prophet's younger grandson. The 20 million plus lovers of Hussein could come for pilgrimage at other times with more convenience and comfort but they have preferred to join this ocean of devotees and not lose this unique opportunity.

All along the routes towards Karbala, a short but meaningful phrase draws the attention of every looker: "Hobb ul-Hussein Yajma'una", which means, "The love of Hussein gathers us." This is quite undeniable throughout the course of the Arbaeen epic. Imam Hussein (AS) is the axis of convergence of millions of people from all Islamic and non-Islamic countries.

Imam Khomeini (God's mercy upon him) would consider the issue from a different angle. He said, "Islam has both promoted and practiced for convergence and unity of word very much; i.e. it has presented days, the very days and their motive leads to consolidation of unity, like Ashura and Arbaeen. And the noble Qur'an emphasizes on the issue that the people and Muslims should not be divided from each other. They should be a single hand holding fast to the rope of God."

 Therefore, Arabeen is one of the Days of God in which Muslims display their unity and magnanimity round the axis of Hussein in the best manner.

By the way, why are the millions of people who have come to march on foot toward Karbala and the hundreds of millions of others who have not been able to join this epic move, love Imam Hussein so fervently? No doubt, Hussein is not an ordinary person. He is the younger grandson and the third infallible successor of Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). He is the son of Imam Ali and Hazrat Fatema (Blessings of God upon them). He was the most virtuous, learned and pious person of his time. The Prophet of Islam had told about Imam, "Hussein is the Beacon of Guidance and Arc of Salvation."

Thus, martyring such a personality, and that in a cruel manner, is very heartrending for the followers of the Prophet's progeny and every audience

The veneration of Imam Hussein is not limited to Shias. Sunnis and even non-Muslims in various regions of the world glorify him and his sacrifice. During the Arbaeen epic ceremony they converge in Iraq and join the Shias with setting up of stands and rendering services to the pilgrims. They know that Imam Hussein (AS) was not in pursuit of material benefits and sacrificed his life and whatever he had in the way of God only to fulfill the divine command and enlighten the dormant souls and consciences. In his last will, he wrote, "I have not come out for vice, corruption and oppression. I have staged uprising just to seek reform in the Ummah of my grandfather. I intend to bid what is right and forbid what is evil; and I want to act according to the practice of my grandfather and my father Ali ibn Abi Taleb."

The goal of Imam Hussein was to revive Islam at the time when Yazid ibn Mua'wiya was hell-bent on obliterating it. This suffices for all Muslims to consider themselves indebted to him. Imam Hussein not only sacrificed his life but that of his children, relatives and companions. He even surrendered himself to God's will to leave the womenfolk of his family and encampment to be captivated by the ungodly hordes of Yazid. In view of this, it wouldn't be out of context to say that every free-spirited person is indebted to Hussein. Indeed, the entire mankind is indebted to him as he revived humane values.

The participation of Sunni Muslims in Arbaeen epic marching cements the bonds of amicability and brotherhood between Shias and Sunnis. Moulawi Abdul Aziz Mujahid from Afghanistan, who is the professor of Mash'al University in Kabul, says, "Veneration of Hazrat Hussein's freedom-seeking move strengthens unity of all Muslims and Imam Hussein is the source of unity of mankind and his uprising is approved by all."  

Imam Hussein (AS) taught freedom, self-sacrifice and struggle against tyranny to the entire mankind. These values do not belong to Muslims only; they are rather glorified and endeared by every human being. That's why the followers of other religions, such as Christians, Hindus, Zoroastrians and even atheists highly respect Imam Hussein and deem him as a role model. The Iraqi renowned bishop, Joseph Elias who had taken part in the Arbaeen ceremonies, said, "The mourning groups of Iraqi Christians have been marching on foot like Shias to swear allegiance to the Ahl al-Bayt. Prophet Jesus and Imam Hussein (Peace upon them) are very close to each other."

Another Iraqi Christian, Dr. Sa'ad Petrus, shows a gift which he has received because of participating in mourning for Imam Hussein and his efforts to create unity among Muslims and Christians. He said, "We didn't hold ceremonies for Jesus' birthday for three years as it coincided with the month of Moharram."

Non-Muslims have set up stands for rendering services to the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS), among which mention can be made of "Maukab Eisa ibn Maryam" majority of whose members are Christians while there are Muslims and Sabaeans, too, working along them. The Sabaeans, who adhere to Prophet Yahya (John the Baptist), live in the south of Iran and Iraq. They love Imam Hussein very much. Abu Nasar is an Iraqi Sabaean who goes to Mukab Ruqayya every day to help his wife and daughters who work with Shia women to prepare food for the pilgrims.

One of the noteworthy efforts is the enrolment and dispatching of the enthusiasts of Arbaeen marching in Europe and America via an institute called Arbaeen Europe. This NGO is going to send at least 1200 people to the epic ceremony of Arbaeen. This does not include the large number of those lovers who converge in the event individually or through tours.

This extent of fervor and love for joining the matchless epic of Arbaeen gathering stems from the boundless attraction that God has put in the personality of Imam Hussein (AS). Hussein was defeated on surface in the year 61 AH but the lofty ideals which he preached and practiced have absorbed millions of hearts towards his sacred mausoleum. This divine love and emotion reminds us of ayah 8 of surah Saff of the noble Qur'an which reads, "They desire to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah shall perfect His light though the faithless should be averse."

During the epic of Arbaeen marching, there is an indescribable friendship and cooperation among pilgrims. This colossal human gathering is administered by people and everybody competes in offering services to others.

Ayatollah Khamenei described the splendid ceremony of marching on foot toward Karbala as a divine gift and said a couple of years ago, "Look, how much propaganda is conducted in the world if it is wanted to gather 10,000 or 50,000 people in one place; and it fails in the end. Here, in spite of ample obstacles, 2 million people only from Iran, set out for Karbala- not for taking delight and lounging at hotel- but for walking on foot. And manifolds more from Iraq and other regions. This is a divine phenomenon. It shows that this path is the path of love; but not the lunatic love; rather the love combined with insight, like the love of the friends of God."

Hojjat ul-Islam Mohammad Taqi Rahbar, from Isfahan, says, "We see that the participants of this ceremony are not just Muslims; but Christians and followers of other religions take part in this rally and million-strong gathering. This issue is indicative of the universality of Imam Hussein's message. The message of his uprising has captured the nature of human beings and it is attractive for everybody in every corner of the world."

RM/ME