20th Safar- /Arbaeen (Chehlum - 40th day after Ashura

 ' Arbaeen '  witnesses the LARGEST gathering EVER on the earth (Wikipedia) ,

Millions visit Kerbala- Iraq , to commemorate the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, in yr 680 AD !

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Walk of free new  The Epic walk undertaken by millions to Kerbala |   Arbaeen Article ( huffington post) | Images

Why Arbaeen?  |  Jabir's words   |  Arbaeen & Ziarat Explanation  | Ayatullah Sistani's message

According to Imam Hasan bin Ali Al Askari (as) The signs of a true believer are five:-

1) Recite 51 Rak—a’t Salaat during the 24 hours of the day (17 Rak—a’ts obligatory, + 34 Rak—a’ts in Naafilah Salaats).

2) Be in Karbala for Ziyarat of Imam Husayn (as)/other martyrs, or at least recite Ziyarat of the Holy Imam as given below

3) To wear a ring in the right hand.

4) To put the forehead on the earth (preferably on the earth of Karbala) in prostration.

5) To pronounce “Bismillahir-Rah’maanir-Rah’eem” in clear and loud voice while praying the salats.


Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad Al Sadiq (as) had advised  to recite the following “Ziarat” on the day of Arba'een: Reported By Shaikh Toosi)

 MP3  |     Video    |     Powerpoint    |    Pdf   Pdf 2pgs   |   Transliteration | line by line format

The Purpose of Imams mission is very well summarised in this ziarat as  "...made every effort and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance"

First Form of Ziyarah on the Arbaeen Day MAFATIH --3 column format

Reported by Shaykh al-±£s¢, in Tahdh¢b al-A¦k¡m and Mi¥b¡¦ al-Mutahajjid, from ¯afw¡n al-Jamm¡l who said: My master al-¯¡diq, Allah’s blessings be upon him, instructed me to visit Imam al-°usayn (`a) on the Arba`¢n Day, advisably in the early forenoon, and to say the following words: Pdf

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ وَلِيِّ ٱللَّهِ وَحَبِيبِهِ

alssal¡mu `al¡ waliyyi all¡hi wa ¦ab¢bih¢

Peace be upon the intimate servant of Allah and His most-beloved.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ خَلِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَنَجِيبِهِ

alssal¡mu `al¡ khal¢li all¡hi wa naj¢bih¢

Peace be upon the friend of Allah and His elite.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ صَفِيِّ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنِ صَفِيِّهِ

alssal¡mu `al¡ ¥afiyyi all¡hi wabni ¥afiyyih¢

Peace be upon the choice of Allah and son of His choice.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَىٰ ٱلْحُسَيْنِ ٱلْمَظْلُومِ ٱلشَّهِيدِ

alssal¡mu `al¡ al¦usayni alma¨l£mi alshshah¢di

Peace be upon al-°usayn the wronged and martyred.

اَلسَّلاَمُ علىٰ اسِيرِ ٱلْكُرُبَاتِ

alssal¡mu `al¡ as¢ri alkurub¡ti

Peace be upon the captive of agonies

وَقَتِيلِ ٱلْعَبَرَاتِ

wa qat¢li al`abar¡ti

and victim of the shed tears.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِنِّي اشْهَدُ انَّهُ وَلِيُّكَ وَٱبْنُ وَلِيِّكَ

all¡humma inn¢ ashhadu annah£ waliyyuka wabnu waliyyika

O Allah, I do bear witness that he is verily Your intimate servant and son of Your intimate servant,

وَصَفِيُّكَ وَٱبْنُ صَفِيِّكَ

wa ¥afiyyuka wabnu ¥afiyyika

Your choice and son of Your choice,

ٱلْفَائِزُ بِكَرَامَتِكَ

alf¡'izu bikar¡matika

and the winner of Your honoring.

اكْرَمْتَهُ بِٱلشَّهَادَةِ

akramtah£ bilshshah¡dati

You have honored him with martyrdom,

وَحَبَوْتَهُ بِٱلسَّعَادَةِ

wa ¦abawtah£ bilssa`¡dati

endued him with happiness,

وَٱجْتَبَيْتَهُ بِطِيبِ ٱلْوِلاَدَةِ

wajtabaytah£ bi§¢bi alwil¡dati

privileged him with legitimate birth,

وَجَعَلْتَهُ سَيِّداً مِنَ ٱلسَّادَةِ

wa ja`altah£ sayyidan min alss¡dati

made him one of the chiefs,

وَقَائِداً مِنَ ٱلْقَادَةِ

wa q¡'idan min alq¡dati

one of the leaders,

وَذَائِداً مِنْ ٱلذَّادَةِ

wa dh¡'idan min aldhdh¡dati

and one of the defenders (of Your religion),

وَاعْطَيْتَهُ مَوَارِيثَ ٱلانْبِيَاءِ

wa a`§aytah£ maw¡r¢tha al-anbiy¡'i

gave him the inheritances of the Prophets,

وَجَعَلْتَهُ حُجَّةً عَلَىٰ خَلْقِكَ مِنَ ٱلاوْصِيَاءِ

wa ja`altah£ ¦ujjatan `al¡ khalqika min al-aw¥iy¡'i

and chose him as argument against Your created beings and one of the Prophets’ successors.

فَاعْذَرَ فِي ٱلدُّعَاءِ

fa a`dhara f¢ alddu`¡'i

So, he called to you flawlessly,

وَمَنَحَ ٱلنُّصْحَ

wa mana¦a alnnu¥¦a

gave advices,

وَبَذَلَ مُهْجَتَهُ فِيكَ

wa badhala muhjatah£ f¢ka

and sacrificed his soul for You

لِيَسْتَنْقِذَ عِبَادَكَ مِنَ ٱلْجَهَالَةِ

liyastanqidha `ib¡daka min aljah¡lati

to save Your servants from ignorance

وَحَيْرَةِ ٱلضَّلاَلَةِ

wa ¦ayrati al¤¤al¡lati

and perplexity of straying off.

وَقَدْ تَوَازَرَ عَلَيْهِ مَنْ غَرَّتْهُ ٱلدُّنْيَا

wa qad taw¡zara `alayhi man gharrat-hu aldduny¡

Yet, those whom were seduced by this worldly life,

وَبَاعَ حَظَّهُ بِٱلارْذَلِ ٱلادْنَىٰ

wa b¡`a ¦a¨¨ah£ bil-ardhali al-adn¡

who sold their share (of reward) with the lowliest and meanest,

وَشَرَىٰ آخِرَتَهُ بِٱلثَّمَنِ ٱلاوْكَسِ

wa shar¡ ¡khiratah£ bilththamani al-awkasi

retailed their Hereafter with the cheapest price,

وَتَغَطْرَسَ وَتَرَدَّىٰ فِي هَوَاهُ

wa tagha§rasa wa taradd¡ f¢ haw¡hu

acted haughtily, perished because of following their desires,

وَاسْخَطَكَ وَاسْخَطَ نَبِيَّكَ

wa askha§aka wa askha§a nabiyyaka

brought to themselves Your wrath and the wrath of Your Prophet,

وَاطَاعَ مِنْ عِبَادِكَ اهْلَ ٱلشِّقَاقِ وَٱلنِّفَاقِ

wa a§¡`a min `ib¡dika ahla alshshiq¡qi walnnif¡qi

and obeyed the dissident and hypocritical servants of You

وَحَمَلَةَ ٱلاوْزَارِ ٱلْمُسْتَوْجِبِينَ ٱلنَّارَ

wa ¦amalata al-awz¡ri almustawjib¢na alnn¡ra

and the bearers of the burdens (of sins) who deserve Hellfire—all those supported each other against him.

فَجَاهَدَهُمْ فِيكَ صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً

faj¡hadahum f¢ka ¥¡biran mu¦tasiban

However, he fought against them painstakingly with steadfastness expecting Your reward

حَتَّىٰ سُفِكَ فِي طَاعَتِكَ دَمُهُ

¦att¡ sufika f¢ §¡`atika damuh£

until his blood was shed on account of his obedience to You

وَٱسْتُبِيحَ حَرِيـمُهُ

wastub¢¦a ¦ar¢muh£

and his women were violated.

اَللَّهُمَّ فَٱلْعَنْهُمْ لَعْناً وَبيلاًَ

all¡humma fal`anhum la`nan wab¢lan

So, O Allah, pour heavy curses on them

وَعَذِّبْهُمْ عَذَاباً الِيماً

wa `adhdhibhum `adh¡ban al¢man

and chastise them with painful chastisement.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ

alssal¡mu `alayka yabna ras£li all¡hi

Peace be upon you, O son of Allah’s Messenger.

اَلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا بْنَ سَيِّدِ ٱلاوْصِيَاءِ

alssal¡mu `alayka yabna sayyidi al-aw¥iy¡'i

Peace be upon you, O son of the chief of the Prophets’ successors.

اشْهَدُ انَّكَ امِينُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱبْنُ امِينِهِ

ashhadu annaka am¢nu all¡hi wabnu am¢nih¢

I bear witness that you are verily the trustee of Allah and the son of His trustee.

عِشْتَ سَعيداً

`ishta sa`¢dan

You lived with happiness,

وَمَضَيْتَ حَمِيداً

wa ma¤ayta ¦am¢dan

passed away with praiseworthiness,

وَمُتَّ فَقِيداً مَظْلُوماً شَهِيداً

wa mutta faq¢dan ma¨l£man shah¢dan

and died missed, wronged, and martyred.

وَاشْهَدُ انَّ ٱللَّهَ مُنْجِزٌ مَا وَعَدَكَ

wa ashhadu anna all¡ha munjizun m¡ wa`adaka

I also bear witness that Allah shall inevitably fulfill His promise to You,

وَمُهْلِكٌ مَنْ خَذَلَكَ

wa muhlikun man khadhalaka

exterminate those who disappointed you,

وَمُعَذِّبٌ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ

wa mu`adhdhibun man qatalaka

and chastise those who slew you.

وَاشْهَدُ انَّكَ وَفَيْتَ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ

wa ashhadu annaka wafayta bi`ahdi all¡hi

I also bear witness that you fulfilled your pledge to Allah

وَجَاهَدْتَ فِي سَبِيلِهِ حَتَّىٰ اتَاكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ

wa j¡hadta f¢ sab¢lih¢ ¦att¡ at¡ka alyaq¢nu

and strove hard in His way until death came upon you.

فَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ

fala`ana all¡hu man qatalaka

So, may Allah curse those who slew you.

وَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ مَنْ ظَلَمَكَ

wa la`ana all¡hu man ¨alamaka

May Allah curse those who wronged you.

وَلَعَنَ ٱللَّهُ امَّةً سَمِعَتْ بِذٰلِكَ فَرَضِيَتْ بِهِ

wa la`ana all¡hu ummatan sami`at bidh¡lika fara¤iyat bih¢

May Allah curse the people who, when informed about that, were pleased with it.

اَللَّهُمَّ إِِنِّي اشْهِدُكَ انِّي وَلِيٌّ لِمَنْ وَالاَهُ

all¡humma inn¢ ushhiduka ann¢ waliyyun liman w¡l¡hu

O Allah, I do ask You to witness for me that I am loyalist to those who are loyalists to him

وَعَدُوٌّ لِمَنْ عَادَاهُ

wa `aduwwun liman `¡d¡hu

and enemy of those who are enemies of him.

بِابِي انْتَ وَامِّي يَا بْنَ رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ

bi'ab¢ anta wa umm¢ yabna ras£li all¡hi

May my father and mother be accepted as ransoms for you, O son of Allah’s Messenger.

اشْهَدُ انَّكَ كُنْتَ نُوراً فِي ٱلاصْلاَبِ ٱلشَّامِخَةِ

ashhadu annaka kunta n£ran f¢ al-a¥l¡bi alshsh¡mikhati

I bear witness that you were light in the sublime loins

وَٱلارْحَامِ ٱلْمُطَهَّرَةِ

wal-ar¦¡mi almu§ahharati

and purified wombs;

لَمْ تُنَجِّسْكَ ٱلْجَاهِلِيَّةُ بِانْجَاسِهَا

lam tunajjiska alj¡hiliyyatu bi'anj¡sih¡

the impurities of the Ignorance Era could not object you to filth

وَلَمْ تُلْبِسْكَ ٱلْمُدْلَهِمَّاتُ مِنْ ثِيَابِهَا

wa lam tulbiska almudlahimm¡tu min thiy¡bih¡

nor could its murky clothes dress you.

وَاشْهَدُ انَّكَ مِنْ دَعَائِمِ ٱلدِّينِ

wa ashhadu annaka min da`¡'imi aldd¢ni

I also bear witness that you are one of the mainstays of the religion,

وَارْكَانِ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

wa ark¡ni almuslim¢na

the supports of Muslims,

وَمَعْقِلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa ma`qili almu'min¢na

and the haven of the believers.

وَاشْهَدُ انَّكَ ٱلإِمَامُ ٱلْبَرُّ ٱلتَّقِيُّ

wa ashhadu annaka al-im¡mu albarru alttaqiyyu

I also bear witness that you are the God-fearing, pious,

ٱلرَّضِيُّ ٱلزَّكِيُّ

alrra¤iyyu alzzakiyyu

pleased, immaculate,

ٱلْهَادِي ٱلْمَهْدِيُّ

alh¡d¢ almahdiyyu

guide, and well-guided Imam.

وَاشْهَدُ انَّ ٱلائِمَّةَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ كَلِمَةُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ

wa ashhadu anna al-a'immata min wuldika kalimatu alttaqw¡

And I bear witness that the Imams from your progeny are the spokesmen of piety,

وَاعْلاَمُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ

wa a`l¡mu alhud¡

the signs of guidance,

وَٱلْعُرْوَةُ ٱلْوُثْقَىٰ

wal`urwatu alwuthq¡

the firmest handle (of Islam),

وَٱلْحُجَّةُ علىٰ اهْلِ ٱلدُّنْيَا

wal¦ujjatu `al¡ ahli aldduny¡

and the decisive Argument against the inhabitants of the world.

وَاشْهَدُ انِّي بِكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌ وَبِإِِيَابِكُمْ

wa ashhadu ann¢ bikum mu'minun wa bi'iy¡bikum

I also bear witness that I believe in you all and in your Return,

مُوقِنٌ بِشَرَايِعِ دِينِي وَخَوَاتِيمِ عَمَلِي

m£qinun bishar¡yi`i d¢n¢ wa khaw¡t¢mi `amal¢

I have full confidence in the laws of my religion and in the seals of my deeds,

وَقَلْبِي لِقَلْبِكُمْ سِلْمٌ

wa qalb¢ liqalbikum silmun

my heart is at peace with you all,

وَامْرِي لاِمْرِكُمْ مُتَّبِعٌ

wa amr¢ li'amrikum muttabi`un

all my affairs are based on your commands,

وَنُصْرَتِي لَكُمْ مُعَدَّةٌ

wa nu¥rat¢ lakum mu`addatun

and my support for you all is already all set

حَتَّىٰ يَاذَنَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ

¦att¡ ya'dhana all¡hu lakum

until Allah permits you.

فَمَعَكُمْ مَعَكُمْ

fama`akum ma`akum

So, I am with you. I am with you,

لاََ مَعَ عَدُوِّكُمْ

ma`a `adduwwikum

not with your enemies.

صَلَوَاتُ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ

¥alaw¡tu all¡hi `alaykum

Allah’s blessings be upon you,

وَعَلَىٰ ارْوَاحِكُمْ وَاجْسَادِكُمْ

wa `al¡ arw¡¦ikum wa ajs¡dikum

upon your souls, upon your bodies,

وَشَاهِدِكُمْ وَغَائِبِكُمْ

wa sh¡hidikum wa gh¡'ibikum

upon the present and the absent from you,

وَظَاهِرِكُمْ وَبَاطِنِكُمْ

wa ¨¡hirikum wa b¡§inikum

and upon the apparent and the invisible from you.

آمِينَ رَبَّ ٱلْعَالَمِينَ

¡m¢na rabba al`¡lam¢na

Respond to us, O Lord of the Worlds.

You may then offer a two-unit prayer and then pray Almighty Allah for anything you like. Then, you may return.

 

2 Column format Arabic image

 

Peace be on the favorite of Allah,  Peace be on the beloved friend of Allah, His distinguished hero! Peace be on the choicest confidant of Allah, sincerely attached precisely like his father! Peace be on Hussain, who gave his life in the way of Allah, a martyr, underwent untold hardships Peace be on the hostage surrounded by the-tightening circle of sorrow and grief, killed by a horde of savages.

O my Allah I give witness that beyond a shadow of doubt he is Thy favorite and choicest confidant, who enjoys Thy confidence and favor, precisely like his father!
Thou looked upto him and elected him in Thy cause, picked and chose him for the good fortune, selected for him the best purified parents, appointed him guardian, leader, and defender of rights, a true representative (inheritor and progenitor) of guardians, leaders and defenders of rights, gave him much and more from the inheritance of the Prophets, put him forward as a decisive argument, along with the other successors (of the Holy Prophet-the twelve lmams) to the mankind. He met with deadly dangers, acted justly and fairly, made use of everything belonging to him to pay full attention to give sincere advice, took pains,
made every effort and put his heart, mind, soul and life at the disposal of Thy mission to liberate the people from the yoke of ignorance and evil of bewilderment, but an evildoer, deceived with empty hopes of mean and worthless worldly gains, had pressed heavily on him, and sold out his share (eternal bliss) for the meanest and lowest bargain, betrayed his "day of judgment" for a vulgar return, took pride in insolence, fell into the fathom- well of silly stupid follies, provoked Thee and Thy Prophet to anger, did as the harsh discordant, the hypocrite, the heavily burdened bearers of sin, condemned to Hellfire, advised to him, however, he (the Holy lmam), steadily, rightly and justly coped With them, till, in Thy obedience, gave his life after which his family was set adrift.

 

 

O my Allah, therefore, condemn them to hell as a denunciation and conviction; and crack-down on them with a painful Punishment. Peace be on you O the son of the Messenger of Allah! Peace be on you O the son of the first of the successors (of the Holy Prophet)! I bear witness that Allah put faith in you like He had full confidence in your father, and that you always looked for and collected good and virtue, lived a highly praiseworthy life and departed from this world a martyr, forsaken and abused; I bear witness that Allah will promptly fulfill the promise, He made to you, and destroy those who left you helpless and punish those who killed you; I bear witness that you kept your promise made with Allah, and strived in His way till what was certain came upon you, so curse of Allah be an those who killed you, curse of Allah be on those who oppressed you, curse of Allah be on the people who came to know and approved.

 

O my Allah be my witness that I make friends with those who love him and oppose those who deny him. I, my father and mother, are at your disposal 0 the son of the Messenger of Allah. I know and bear witness that you were "light" in the sublime loins and in the pure wombs, never touched you the dirt of ignorance, nor ever obscurity concealed you in its folds;I bear witness that you are the pillar of "Deen", support of the Muslims, refuge of the faithful; I bear witness that you are a truthful, well-aware, content, intelligent, rightly guided guide (Imam); I bear witness that the Imams among your descendants are the symbols of "conscious piety" and signs of "true guidance",

  the "safe handle"-Islam, and the decisive arguments over mankind; I declare positively that I have full faith in you and I know for certain that you shall return. I am, fully committed to the laws of my religion, certain of my deeds, my mind and heart ready for your return, and my affairs carried out in the light of your instructions, till Allah gives you permission, together with you, along with you, not at the same time with your enemies. Blessings of Allah be on you, on your souls, on your bodies when you are visible, when you are invisible, on your perceivable aspects, on your innermost genius be it so, O Lord of the worlds

Transliteration only

ASSALAAMO A’LAA WALIYYILLAAHE WA HABEEBEHI..

ASSALAAMO A’LAA KHALEELILLAAHE WA NAJEEBEHI

ASSALAAMO A’LAA SAFIYYILLAAHE WABNA SAFIYYEHI

ASSALAAMO A’LAL HUSYANIL MAZLOOMISH SHAHEEDE

ASAAALAAMO A’LAA ASEERIL KOROBAATE WA QATEELIL A’BARAATE

ALLAAHUMMAA INNEE ASH-HADO ANNAHU WALIYYOKA WABNO

WALIYYEKA WA SAFIYYOKA WABNO SAFIYYEKAL…

FAAA-EZO BE-KARAAMATEKA AKRAMTAHU BISH SHAHAADATE WA

HABAWTAHU BIS SA-A’DATE WAJ-TABAYTAHU BE-TEEBIL

WELAADATE WA JA-A’LTAHU SAYYEDAN MENAS SAADATE WA

QAAA-EDAN MENAL QAADATE WA ZAAA-EDAN MINAZ ZAADATE WA

 AA’-TAYTAHU MAWAAREESUL AMBEYAAA-E WA JA-A’LTAHU

HUJJATAN A’LAA KHALQEKA MENAL AWSEYAAA-E FA-AA’-ZARA FID

DO-AAA-E WA MANAHAN NUSHA WA BAZALA MOHJATAHU FEEKA LE-

YASTANQEZA E’BAADEKA MENAL JAHAALATI WA HAYRATIZ

ZALAALATE WA QAD TAWAAZARA A’LAYHE MAN GHARRAT-HUD

DUNYAA WA BAA-A’ HAZZAHU BIL-ARZALIL ADNAA WA SHARAA

AAKHERATAHU BIS-SAMANIL AWKASE WA TA-GHAT-RASA WA…

TARADDAA FEE HAWAAHO WA ASKHATAKA WA ASKHATA NABIYYAKA

WA ATAA-A’ MIN E’BAADEKA AHLASH SHEQAAQE WAN NEFAAQE WA

HAMALATAL AWZAARIL MUSTAWJEBEENAN NAARA FA-JAAHADA

HUM FEEKA SAABERAN MOHTASEBAN HATTAA SOFEKA FEE TAA-

A’TEKA DAMOHU WASTOBEEHA HAREEMOHU ALLAAHUMMA FAL-

A’NHUM LA’-NAN WABEELAN WA A’ZZIBHUM A’ZAABAN ALEEMAN…

ASSALAAMO A’LAYKA YABNA RASOOLILLAAHE

ASSALAAMO A’LAYKA YABNA SAYYEDIL AWSEYAAA-E ASH-HADO

ANNAKA AMEENULLAAHE WABNO AMEENEHI I’SHTA SA-E’EDAN WA

MAZAYTA HAMEEDAN WA MUTTA FAQEEDAN MAZLOOMAN SHAHEEDAN ….

WA ASH-HADO ANNALLAAHA MUNJEZUN MAA WA-A’DAKA WA

MOHLEKUN MAN KHAZALAKA WA MO-A’ZZEBUN MAN QATALAKA WA

ASH-HADO ANNAKA WAFAYTA BE-A’HDILLAAHE WA JAAHADTA FEE

SABEELEHI HATTAA AATAYRKAL  YAQEENO FA-LA-A’NALLAAHO MAN

QATALAKA WA LA-A’NALLAAHO MAN ZALAMAKA WA LA-

A’NALLAAHO UMMATAN SAME-A’T BE-ZAALEKA FARAZEYAT BEHI ..

ALLAHUMA INNEE USH-HEDOKA ANNEE WALIYYUN LEMAN WALAAHO

WA A’DUWWUN LEMAN A’ADAAHO BE-ABEE ANTA WA UMMEE YABNA

RASOOLILLAAHE ASH-HADO ANNAAKA KUNTA NOORAN FIL ..

ASLAABISH SHAAMEKHATE WAL ARHAAMIL MOTAHHARATE LAM

TONAJJISKAL JAAHELIYYATO BE-ANJAASEHAA WA LAM TULBISKAL

MUDLAHIMMAATO MIN SEYAABEHAA WA ASH-HADO ANNAKA MIN DA-

A’AA-EMID DEENE WA ARKAANIL MUSLEMEENA WA MA’-QELIL MO-

MINEENA WA ASH-HADO ANNAKAL EMAAMUL BARRUT TAQQIYYUR

RAZIYYUZ ZAKIYYUL HAADIL MAHDIYYO WA ASH-HADO ANNAL A-

IMMATA MIN WULDEKA KALEMATUT TAQWAA WA AA’-LAAMUL

HODAA WAL U’RWATUL WUSQAA WAL HUJJATO A’LAA AHLID

DUNYAA WA ASH-HADO ANNEE BEKUM MO-MENUN WA BE-

EYAABEKUM MOOQENUN BE-SHARAA-YE-E’DEENEE WA

KHAWAATEEME A’MALEE WA QALBEE LE-QALBEKUM SILMUN WA

AMREE LE-AMREKUM MUTTABE-U’N WA NUSRATEE LAKUM MO-

A’DDATUN HATTAA YAAZANALLAAHO LUKUM FA-MA-A’KUM LAA MA-A’ A’DDUWWEKUM SALAWAATULLAAHE A’LAYKUM

WA A’LAA ARWAAHEKUM WA AJSAADEKUM WA SHAAHEDEKUM WA

GHAAA-EBEKUM WA ZAAHEREKUM WA BAATENEKUM AAMEENA

RABBAL A’ALAAMEENA …

 

Second Form of Ziyarah on the Arbaeen Day

The second form of ziy¡rah of Imam al-°usayn (`a) on the Arba`¢n Day is reported from J¡bir. `A§¡ has reported the following:I was accompanying J¡bir ibn `Abdull¡h al-An¥¡r¢ on the twentieth of ¯afar (the Arba`¢n Day). When we arrived at al-Gh¡¤iriyyah,([1]) he bathed himself from the water of its river and then put a pure (i.e. clean and ceremonially pure) shirt that he had carried with him. After that, he asked me, “Do you carry with you any fragrance, `A§¡?” As I answered in the affirmative, I handed some fragrance over to him and he put some of it on his head and other organs. He then walked barefooted until he stopped at the side of Imam al-°usayn’s head. He then repeated three times the Takb¢r statement. He then fell to the ground fainted. When he recovered consciousness, I could hear him saying these words:

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا آلَ ٱللَّهِ

alssal¡mu `alaykum y¡ ¡la all¡hi

Peace be upon you all, O Household of Allah.

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ يَا صَفْوَةَ ٱللَّهِ…

alssal¡mu `alaykum y¡ ¥afwata all¡hi…

Peace be upon you all, O elite of Allah…

This is the very form of ziy¡rah previously cited under the title “Form of Ziy¡rah on the Fifteenth of Rajab.”

Yet, there is a difference in a very few statements, which, as maintained by Shaykh al-±£s¢, came from the difference in the manuscripts of this form of ziy¡rah.Hence, one can say the previously mentioned form of ziy¡rah on the fifteenth of Rajab.


 

([1]) Taking its name from Gh¡¤irah ibn Bagh¤, one of the forefathers of the Bani-Asad, a famous Arab tribe, al-Gh¡¤iriyyah is a village near Karbal¡'. More specifically, it is the very place where Imam al-°usayn (`a) was martyred and buried.

Ab£-Mikhnaf, in his famous book of Maqtal al-°usayn, has reported on the authority of al-Kalb¢ that when the caravan of Imam al-°usayn (`a) arrived in the land of Karbal¡' on Wednesday, the horse of the Imam stopped. The Imam (`a) therefore rode off it and then rode on another horse. Yet, this horse, too, did not move any further step. The Imam (`a) therefore rode other seven horses all of which did not move. Having noticed this strange matter, the Imam (`a) asked, “O people, what is the name of this place?”

“It is called al-Gh¡¤iriyyah,” they answered. “Does it have another name?” the Imam (`a) asked. “Yes, it is also called N¢naw¡ (Nineveh),” they answered.

“Does it have a third name?” the Imam (`a) asked. “Yes, it is also called Sh¡§i' al-Fur¡t (the shore of the Euphrates),” they answered.

“Does it have a fourth name?” the Imam (`a) asked. “Yes,” they answered, “It is called Karbal¡'.”

Upon hearing this name, the Imam (`a) sighed deeply and said, “This is the land of agony (karb) and ordeal (bal¡')! Halt here and never leave. This is, by Allah (I swear), the place where we will make our riding animals lie. This is, by Allah, the very place were our blood will be shed. This is, by Allah, the very place where our women will be despoiled. This is, by Allah, the very place where our men will be killed. This is, by Allah, the very place where our children will be slain. In this very place, our graves will be visited. This is the very soil of which my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah, promised me (to be slain on it). Never failing is his promise—Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.”

Refer to al-Dam`ah al-S¡kibah (by B¡qir ibn `Abd al-Kar¢m al-Dahdasht¢ al-Bahbah¡n¢) 4:256; N¡sikh al-Taw¡r¢kh (by Mu¦ammad Taq¢ al-Saphar) 2:168; Dhar¢`at al-Naj¡t (by M¢rz¡ Raf¢` Garmr£d¢), pp.76.

Imam al-B¡qir (`a) is reported to have said, “Al-Gh¡¤iriyyah is the very spot on which Almighty Allah spoke to (Prophet) Moses the son of `Imr¡n and talked confidentially to (Prophet) Noah. It is the most honorable of all of His lands to Him. Had it not been so, He would not have entrusted with it the bodies of His most intimate servants and the descendants of His Prophets. So, visit our graves at al-Gh¡¤iriyyah.”

Refer to Bi¦¡r al-Anw¡r (by `All¡mah al-Majlis¢) 98:108. [Translator]


Why Arba'een?
Significance of Arba'een and the Performance of the Ziyarat of Arba'een

Imam Hasan Al-Askari (a.s.) includes the performance of Ziyarat-e-Arba’een as one of the five marks for a believer, in addition to reciting 51 raka of sala, audible recitation of Bismillah, wearing a ring on one’s right hand, and doing sajda on dust.  (This hadith has been narrated by Sheikh Tusi in the book Tahthib).

Why is so much importance given to the performance of the Ziyarat of Arba’een and the observance of Arba’een (40 days of mourning)?

Ziyarat, as we all know is a visitation, which in essence, is the act of speaking with and visiting our role models.  Of course the physical manifestation of the ziyarat is actually being present in Kerbala to perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een, but, in reality, that is not possible for every believer.  So does making ziyarat while not in Kerbala give one the same benefits?  Ahadith tell us that performing the Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (a.s.) far from Kerbala would hold the same significance as being in the land of Kerbala, as long as the person performing the Ziyarat has truly understood the status of the Imam and seeks to emulate him.

Imam Muhamed al-Baqir (a.s.) states that the heavens wept over Imam Hussain (a.s.) for forty mornings, rising red and setting red.  As we complete 40 days of remembrance of our Imam, we re-assert our pledge of obedience and loyalty to him,

“I bear witness that you are the Imam (who is) the upright, the pious, well-pleased (with Allah), the pure, the guide and the rightly-guided.
I bear witness that you fulfilled the pledge of Allah and you struggled in His way…I am a friend of whoever befriends him ...”

By performing the Ziyarat of Arba’een, we pledge that we will continue to follow the path of justice and righteousness and will reject injustice and speak up against the oppressors of the time,

I am an enemy of whoever is his enemy

In essence, we make a promise to continue to mold our lives according to the teaching of Imam Hussain (a.s.). 

But why is it that we mourn and remember Imam Hussain (a.s.) for a period of forty days and then move on? 

Our Prophet has said, “The earth mourns the death of a believer for forty mornings.”   Therefore it appears that the deceased should be remembered and mourned over for a period of forty days.  Performing an act for a continuous period of forty days is also known to help one to not just form a habit, but also to carry on the practice for the rest of his life. 

If we look at studies dealing with bringing a lifestyle change, we notice the time period emphasized to bring about a change is usually 6 weeks which is about the same time period as 40 days (to be exact it is 42 days).

In the book 40 Days to Personal Revolution: A Breakthrough Program to Radically Change Your Body and Awaken the Sacred Within Your Soul, the author Baron Baptiste explains the significance of forty days:

Why forty days? Because the number 40 holds tremendous spiritual significance in the realm of transformation. Jesus wandered in the desert for forty days in order to experience purification and come to a greater understanding of himself and his mission. Moses and his people traveled through the desert for forty years before arriving at their home in the holy land. Noah preserved the sacredness of life by sailing his ark for forty days and forty nights. According to the Kabbalah, the ancient Jewish mystical text, it takes forty days to ingrain any new way of being into our system….

Reciting particular duas for a period of 40 days is highly recommended in our practices as well. 
The unit 40 (forty) is said to be very effective. If a particular Duaa is recited 40 times, or 40 people gather to recite it, or it is recited for 40 days then its effectiveness is highly increased. (Duas.org)

It is reported from Imam Ja'fer Sadiq (a.s.) that whoever recites Dua-e-Ahad for forty days, after morning prayers will be amongst the helpers of the 12th Imam (a). Visitation of the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s.) as well as Masjid-e-Sahla for 40 consecutive Thursdays is also very highly recommended and is one of the acts that promises a visit from the 12th Imam (ajtf).

Thus, as we perform the Ziyarat of Arba’een and commemorate the Arba’een, 40 days of mourning of Imam Hussain (a.s.), we hope and pray that this forty days of remembrance of Imam Hussain (a.s.), brings about a transformation in us by which we can continue to follow the path of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and carry on his message of upholding justice with true faith and a strong sense of sacrifice!

Refs:
A’maal of Muharram and Safar (Tayyiba Publishers)
Kerbala and Beyond by Yasin T. Al-Jabouri
The Miracle of Ziyarat-e-Ashoora
Commentary on Ziyarat Ashura, translated by Saleem Bhimji from the work of Ali Asghar Azizi Tehrani
Kitab al-Irshad, translated by IKA Howard, authored by Sheikh Al-Mufeed

Jabir's powerful words to 'Atiyyah on the Arba'in of Imam al-Husayn ('A)

Al-A’mash narrates from ‘Atiyyah al-‘Awfi, who said: 

I left with Jabir bin ‘Abdillah al-Ansari (may Allah have mercy on him) to visit the grave of al-Husayn bin ‘Ali (‘a) bin Abi Talib (upon whom be peace); and when we entered Karbala, Jabir came near the bank of River Euphrates, performed the major ablution (ghusl) and wore his clothes; then he opened his purse which contained su’d [a plant with sweet odor]. He spread the perfume over his body; thereafter he did not take a step save in the remembrance of Allah, until he neared the grave [of al-Husayn ‘a]. 

[Then] he said to me:Make me touch the grave, and I made him do so. Thereupon he fell over the grave unconscious. 

I sprinkled some water on him, and he gained consciousness. 

Then he cried three times ‘Ya Husayn....’ 

Addressing al-Husayn (‘a) he said:  

Why is the beloved not responding to the call of the lover? And how can you respond, while your veins have been severed, and your body has been separated from your head? I bear witness that you are the offspring of Prophets, and the son of the master of believers, and the offspring of the companion of piety, and the offspring of guidance, and the fifth member of the people of the cloak, and the son of the master of chiefs, and the son of Fatimah, the mistress of women; how can you not be so, while the hand of the Leader of Apostles (s) fed you, and you were breast fed from the breast of belief, and trained in the bosoms of pious people, your weaning accompanied the state of utter submission; hence you enjoyed a pleasant state both during your life and death; however, the hearts of the believers are sorrowful due to your separation, and do not doubt about your good position. So upon you be Allah’s Peace and Approval. And I bear witness that you faced what your brother [Prophet] Yahya ('a) had faced. 

Thereafter Jabir felt the presence around the grave and said:

Peace be unto you and the spirits that have descended in the neighborhood of al-Husayn (‘a)…I bear witness that you kept prayer steadfast and gave the zakat and you commanded the good and prohibited the forbidden and struggled against the deniers of religion and you worshipped Allah until conviction came to you. 

I swear by the One Who sent Muhammad as a Prophet with truth; surely we participated with you in what you encountered.

 ‘Atiyyah (not understanding this powerful statement made by Jabir) says: I asked Jabir: How can that be possible, while we did not descend on any valley, nor did we climb any mountainous area, nor did we fight with the sword, whereas the heads of the group of al-Husayn (‘a) have been separated from their bodies, their children made orphans and their women made widows? 

 Jabir said:O ‘Atiyyah, I heard from my beloved, the Apostle of Allah (S), say:  ‘Whosoever loves a nation, would be resurrected with them, and whosoever loves the deed of a nation, would be considered one who has participated in the deed. I swear by the One Who Sent Muhammad as a Prophet in truth, surely my intention and the intention of my companions is according to the intention of al-Husayn and his companions.

 [Then Jabir says to ‘Atiyyah]: take me towards the houses of Kufa[n]. ‘Atiyyah says: when we reached a certain point on the way, Jabir said to me: ‘O ‘Atiyyah, may I advise you, for I do not think that I shall meet you after this short journey? Love the lover of Aali Muhammad as long as he/shes loves them, and have aversion for one who has aversion for Aali Muhammad as long as he/she has aversion for them, even if he/she were to fast and stand in prayer frequently; and befriend the lover of Aali Muhammad, for surely if one of their feet were to slip due to excess of sin, the other foot would be firm due to love for Aali Muhammad, for verily the lover of Aali Muhammad would return to Paradise and one who have aversion for them would return to Hell Fire.

 [Ref: 'Allamah Majlisi, Bihar al-Anwaar, v.65, p.131]


 

Message of Ayatullah Sistani for Arbaeen Pilgrims   WF

Question: Question:  
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful
To, Grand Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah grant him long life): 
Salamun alaikum warahmatullah wa barakatuh
We are a number of pilgrims setting out to Karbala to attend the Arbaeen and pay tribute to Imam Hussein, peace be upon him. In order for us to benefit from this spiritual journey and earn the reward of visiting the tomb of the Chief of Martyrs as well as to know what we do not know, we are in need of your fatherly advice which we hope to spread across all segments of the community. May Allah grant you long life. We earnestly call on you to furnish us with your advice and pray for us. 
A group of Momeneen
 
Answer: Answer by Grand Ayatollah Sistani (may Allah grant him long life): 
In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate the Merciful
Praise belongs to Allah and peace and benedictions of Allah be upon our master, Muhammad and his pure progeny. 
It is befitting for the momeneen (believers) whom Allah has granted success to perform pilgrimage, to note that Allah, the Exalted, selected prophets and their noble successors from amongst His servants to be divine proofs and authority over people and that whose teachings people should follow to be guided aright. Allah has encouraged people to visit the sacred sites so that those infallible leaders are continuously remembered and held in reverence. Since those nobles are the best examples of servitude to Allah, the Glorified and jihad in His way and sacrifice for the cause of His everlasting religion, visiting their shrines, commemorating them and narrating their stories will remind the memeneen of Allah, the Exalted, His doctrines and injunctions. 
Hence, it is one of the essentials of this pilgrimage that the pilgrim, in addition to remembering Imam Hussein's sacrifices and devotion in the way of Allah, the Exalted, observes the teachings of Islam including those relating to prayer, hijab, self-reform, selflessness and moral etiquettes etc. so that his pilgrimage may be a step towards developing and training the soul for accepting these and consolidating their effects until the next pilgrimage. It is only by so doing that attending these ceremonies will be practically the same as attending the lessons of the Imam, peace be upon him. 
In fact, we have not been in the time of the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) to learn from them directly and be educated by them, but Allah, the Exalted, has preserved their conducts for us and has persuaded us to visit them as our role models. As the contemporaries of the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) lived with them and were put to test, Allah also wants to test us as to how far we are sincere in our desire to live with them and follow their teachings. Hence, we must be careful lest we should not falsely desire to see them. We must know that if we act as per their advice, it is hoped that we shall be resurrected along with their friends. Because it has been reported that Imam Ali (A.S) said in the Battle of Jamal: 
"Today we are accompanied by those who are still in the loins of their fathers and uteruses of their mothers." 
Therefore, it is not difficult for each of us who cherishes the hope to act according to the teachings of the Ahlul-Bayt and obey them to be educated in accord with their educational methods and benefit from their manners.
Fear Allah in relation to your prayers. As stated in the hadith, it is the pillar of your religion and the ascension of the believer, if it is accepted, all other acts will be accepted and if it is rejected, all other acts of worship will also be rejected. 
It is befitting for believers to offer their prayers on time because Allah loves those who rush to prayer as soon as they hear the call for it. It is not appropriate for a believer to engage in any other acts of worship in the prime for prayer because prayer is the best form of obedience to Allah. It is has been narrated from the Ahlul-Bayt, peace be upon them, that they said:
"Our intercession (with Allah) will not be won or attained by that person who depreciates or undervalues the prayer". 
About Imam Hussein's special attention to prayer on the Day of Ashura, it has been reported that he told his companion who reminded him of the prime time for the prayer: 
"You reminded me of prayer, may Allah include you amongst those who are conscious of (their duty to) prayer." 
Then and there he established prayer under a rain of arrows. 
Fear Allah in sincerity inasmuch as the value and barakah of one's deeds depends on how far he is sincere in performing them for Allah's sake. Because Allah will not accept any deeds which are not purely for Him. It has been narrated from the Holy Prophet (S) that he said during Muslims' emigration from Mecca to Medina: "Whoever migrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger, he has migrated to Him and whoever migrates to make worldly gains, he has migrated to the world. Allah will reward sincere deeds to the extent that it will increase to seven hundred folds and He doubles the rewards for whomsoever He wants."
Hence, it is necessary on the pilgrims to remember Allah and recite zikr of Allah and be mindful of every step and every deed to be for Allah's sake. They should know that Allah has not bestowed anyone with a blessing so precious as sincerity in belief, sayings and conducts. An act which is devoid of sincerity ends with the end of life in this world whereas a since act will be lasting and blessed in this world and the hereafter.
Fear Allah in observing modest clothing which is amongst the most important thing that the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) heeded to even in the most difficult circumstances and they were the best role models in terms of observing modest clothing. Imam Hussein (A.S) was not hurt as much as he was hurt by the enemy due to violation of his dignity and respect. It is, therefore, necessary for all pilgrims especially ladies to observe modesty in their conducts, clothing and appearance and to avoid whatever is deemed a violation of this e.g. wearing close-fitting clothes, mixing up in an abominable way with members of the opposite gender and wearing inadmissible jewelry. In fact, it is befitting for believers that in order for them to keep the sacred ceremony untainted, they have to, as far as possible, adhere to the highest levels of modesty. 
We pray to Almighty Allah to elevate the position of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his descendants, and his pure family (A.S), due to the sacrifices they made in the way of Allah and their efforts to guide His creatures. May He increase salawat (greeting) and blessings on them as He has sent greetings to previous prophets especially Ibrahim and his family.
We also pray to Allah to bestow barakah upon the pilgrimage of the pilgrims of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him and accept it in the best way as He accepts the deeds of His noble servants so that they may, through their lifestyle and deeds in this pilgrimage, be a role model for others for the rest of their lives and be rewarded for their love of and obedience to the household of the Prophet (A.S) and for preaching his mission. 
Let's hope that on the Day of Judgment when everyone of the people are called with his Imam, they (pilgrims) are called with the Ahlul-Bayt (A.S) and that those who are martyred in this way, they are, due to their sacrifices and the sufferings which they have gone through, resurrected with Hussein, peace be upon him and his friends. Verily, He is all Hearing, Ever Responsive.