Message of Arbaeen Is Struggle on Path of Truth
Arbaeen had a special status among our Infallible Imams (AS). Imam Sadiq (AS) has a supplication named Ziyarat al-Arbaeen and with it he encourages the faithful to go on the Arbaeen pilgrimage.
The first Arbaeen pilgrimage was performed when Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, who was among the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and was very old at the time and had gone blind, went to Karbala with one of his friends.
We should receive the messages of Arbaeen from the Ziyarat al-Arbaeen of Imam Sadiq (AS).
Imam Sadiq (AS) said that on the day of Arbaeen recite this part of the supplication: Assalamu Ala Walliyillah and Habibihi, Assalamu Ala Khalillillah and Najibihi, Assalamu Ala Safiallah and Ibn Saffiyih.
The first part is greeting to the Wali and friend of God. The status of Imam Hussein (AS) is made clear for us in these supplications.
Wali is one who has been given Wilayat by God and he is also Habib (friend) of God and God loves him. Najib means noble and selected. Khalil is the status of Prophet Abraham (AS). Our Imams (AS) do not exaggerate. When they say Imam Hussein (AS) is Khalil of God it means Imam Hussein (AS) has reached such a status.
Then we read in the supplication: God! I bear witness that he is your Wali and son of your Wali. He is a selected one and his selected by you. He is the one you honored and caused to reach the honor you wanted him to reach. You made him great and gave him honor with his martyrdom.
Yazid and his companions thought that by killing Imam Hussein (AS) they had managed to make people forget him but God gave Imam Hussein (AS) an honor that his name is alive and will remain high among Muslims and non-Muslims until the Day of Judgment.
Yazid and his people were deceived by the world. They sold the truth for a small sum and exchanged their life in the hereafter for a small sum. The killed Imam Hussein (AS) to get worldly positions.
It is the message of Arbaeen that we must strive for reviving and upholding the truth in all circumstances. The front of Ashura exists all the time. The front of the truth and front of falsehood exist all the time.
It is important that we should avoid going astray and distinguish the truth from falsehood. It was a tragedy that during that time people did not distinguish the truth and falsehood and those who did, failed to stand up for the truth due to their worldly desires.
