The Day of Arbaeen Arbaeen (اربعین) means the 40th or 40. In Islamic culture and mystical teachings, the number 40 holds a special place. Performing an act of worship for 40 days or devoting oneself to worship for that number of days is common for attaining one’s desires or achieving mystical stations. In the Ashura culture, Arbaeen is the 40th day of the martyrdom of the 3rd Shiʿite Imam, Imam al-Husain (peace be …