The Arbaeen pilgrimage represents a massive humanitarian phenomenon that gathers millions of people from different nationalities, sects, ethnicities, and religions. It embodies the values of sacrifice, altruism, cooperation, rejection of discord, peaceful coexistence, and social solidarity among peoples. Furthermore, it contributes to strengthening social ties, consolidating fraternal bonds among Muslims, promoting values of love and compassion, spreading the culture of peace and tolerance, and reviving ethical and Islamic principles as well as the unity of Muslims. In essence, Arbaeen is not merely a religious ritual, but rather a profound humanitarian manifestation that encapsulates all values of goodness, love, and resistance to injustice, corruption, deprivation, and division, making it an event of significance to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
A British writer publishing in The Independent stated: “If you want to know the true essence of Islam, you should attend the Arbaeen pilgrimage. It is a festival of ideals and humanity brought forth by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH), contrary to the actions of the extremists who embody the legacy of those who killed Husayn on Ashura.” Similarly, Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, once addressed an Arab leader by saying: “You have an exceptional revolutionary and humanitarian experience led by Husayn ibn Ali, yet you come to us seeking lessons from our revolutions.” Victor Hugo, the renowned French author, asserted: “The principles of Husayn’s revolution became a paradigm for every freedom-seeker aspiring to reclaim his rights from oppressors.” And the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi summarized this legacy succinctly: “Husayn taught me how to be oppressed and yet achieve victory.”
Despite unstable security conditions, international conspiracies, human rights violations in Gaza and elsewhere, and the continuous threats against Muslims, the Husayni uprising endures as a movement for truth and against oppression and aggression. The millions who march towards Karbala during Arbaeen—beginning from the month of Safar 1447 AH—represent an unparalleled gathering in human history, affirming their support for the mission of Imam Husayn (AS) and his eternal revolution.
This naturally raises questions: What drives these ever-growing multitudes, walking on foot, year after year? What sustains the commemoration of Ashura and Arbaeen across centuries, baffling both adversaries and allies alike? And what are the historical and theological foundations for the endurance and evolution of this movement from its inception until the present?
According to Iraqi scholar and director of the Media Center in Washington, Nizar Haidar, there are two fundamental dimensions behind the sustained commemoration of Arbaeen: a metaphysical dimension and a humanitarian dimension.
The metaphysical dimension lies in the Qur’anic principle: “Say, I do not ask of you any reward except love for the near relatives” (Qur’an 42:23), as well as in the prophetic tradition narrated from Ja‘far ibn Muhammad al-Sadiq (AS): “The Prophet (PBUH) looked upon Husayn while he approached him, embraced him, and said: ‘Surely, for the martyrdom of Husayn there is a burning heat in the hearts of the believers that shall never cool down.’” This spiritual and divinely-ordained element has preserved Husayn’s memory across centuries. Lady Zaynab (AS) reaffirmed this in her famous speech in Yazid’s court: “By Allah, you shall never erase our remembrance.”
The humanitarian dimension transcends religion and creed, inspiring people of various backgrounds to engage with the legacy of Ashura. Humanity instinctively venerates sacrifice and heroism recorded in history, especially when they leave an indelible impact on the collective conscience, as is the case with Karbala. Hence, even non-Muslim thinkers, writers, and reformers have drawn lessons from Husayn’s stand.
In short, Imam Husayn (AS) sacrificed everything he possessed to preserve the essence and survival of the Muhammadan Islam. Therefore, Karbala shall remain a qibla (spiritual center) for all seekers of freedom and dignity, and Husayn (AS) will eternally remain the Master of the Free, an everlasting tear and lesson.
Scholars generally classify the Husayni revolution into three key stages:
The First Stage: Imam Husayn’s departure from Medina to Mecca in 60 AH, his stay near the Sacred House, his refusal to jeopardize the sanctity of the Ka‘bah, and his decision to heed the calls of the people of Kufa despite imminent threats to his life. His historic sermon in Mecca—beginning with “Death has been inscribed upon the children of Adam as a necklace upon a maiden’s neck”—remains one of the most eloquent testaments to sacrifice, truth, and divine destiny.
The Second Stage: His arrival in Karbala, rejection of allegiance to Yazid, and ultimate sacrifice on Ashura. In his immortal declaration, Husayn (AS) proclaimed: “I did not rise for tyranny or corruption; I rose to seek reform in the nation of my grandfather. I want to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to follow the path of my grandfather and my father, Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS).” On the Day of Ashura, Husayn and his small band of family members and companions embodied the principles of justice, dignity, and selflessness, standing against an overwhelming army. His words—“I see death as nothing but happiness, and life with oppressors as nothing but disgrace”—resonate as universal calls for freedom and justice.
The Third Stage: The aftermath of Ashura, led by Lady Zaynab (AS) and Imam Zayn al-‘Abidin (AS), who transformed captivity into a platform for exposing tyranny and preserving Husayn’s message. Zaynab’s fearless oration in Yazid’s palace—“Plot your plots, exert your efforts, and struggle with all your might; by Allah, you shall never erase our remembrance, nor extinguish our revelation”—forever immortalized the message of Karbala and guaranteed that Husayn’s revolution would echo across generations.
Since 61 AH, Karbala has served as a luminous landmark and a turning point in Islamic and human history, inspiring revolutions and movements for justice and dignity across the globe. The repeated attempts by oppressive regimes—from the Umayyads to the Abbasids, and even modern dictators—to erase Husayn’s memory have consistently failed, as foretold by Lady Zaynab (AS). The soil of Karbala itself, described by visitors as fragrant with the scent of musk, became a sign of Husayn’s eternal presence.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage today, attended by tens of millions, stands as living evidence of the divine promise and the humanitarian appeal of Husayn’s revolution. It embodies the enduring principles of justice, reform, and human dignity—principles that continue to inspire not only Muslims but all of humanity in the pursuit of truth and resistance to tyranny.
Mustaqbal University
The first university in Iraq