What is the link between the observance of Arbaeen and the anticipation of the Imam Mahdi’s advent?
In fact, the Arbaeen, the world’s largest pilgrimages, promotes the culture of awaiting Imam Mahdi and lays the groundwork for the Imam’s appearance. Arbaeen walk in modern history has gone beyond a Shiite ritual, and every year it draws people from different faiths, languages, and ethnicities. The presence of Sunni Muslims and Christians and their preachers in the Arbaeen march and even converting to Islam are indisputable instances that have been seen abundantly in these years, illustrating the importance of the Arbaeen.
Furthermore, religious narrations predict that during the Imam’s appearance, He would not only be accompanied by Shiites but also by the Prophet Jesus, as the latter will fight shoulder to shoulder with the Imam against al-Dajjal (the Antichrist).
The uprising of Imam Ḥussain against the tyrannical rule of Yazid was the most tragic manifestation of the human resistance against injustice in Islam history. On the other hand, Imam Mahdi is considered the greatest hope for humanity’s emancipation from oppression and suffering; the Arbaeen pilgrimage can be understood as an eternal path that will eventually lead to the return of the Promised Mahdi.
There is an unbreakable bond between Imam Ḥussain’s uprising and the appearance of his descendant, the Promised Mahdi. The intrinsic need of all humans is to attain social justice and equality. Imam Mahdi’s establishment of a universal rule will also have justice as its central goal, a point that was unfortunately ignored by society during the perpetual revolution of Imam Ḥussain.
Arbaeen is a forum for spiritual and civilizational harmony and bedrock for promoting the urgent need for the Promised one. To put it in other words, Arbaeen is the final bastion of confronting today’s politico-cultural evils.
In conclusion, the Arbaeen pilgrimage is the focal point for all men and women who desire an end to ceaseless calamities, conflicts, and injustice.
Source: https://iuvmarchive.org
