How Arbaeen March Relates to Quranic Teachings
The relation between the Arbaeen procession and the Quranic teachings can be studied at several levels:
1- Worshiping and getting closer to God
- Visiting the graves of men of God. The Holy Quran emphasizes visiting the graves of men of God and the Arbaeen march is acting upon this Quranic teaching.
- Worshipping God in holy places. Visiting Karbala as a holy place provides an opportunity for worshiping God and getting closer to Him, which is in line with Quranic verses about worshiping God in holy sites.
2- Patience and fortitude
- A test of patience. Arbaeen pilgrims face many difficulties and problems on the path, which test their steadfastness and fortitude. This is in line with verses of the Quran like Verse 10 of Surah Al-Zumar that highlight great reward for the patient ones: “God will recompense the deeds of those who have exercised patience, without keeping an account”
3- Purity of Intention
Worshiping God with pure intention. The Holy Quran stresses the importance of Ikhlas (purity of intention) in acts of worship. Arbaeen pilgrims march toward Karbala with pure intention to reach the status of Qurb (closeness to God).
4- Unity and equality
- Muslim unity. The Arbaeen march is a symbol of unity and fraternity of Muslims. This is in line with verses of the Quran that call for Islamic unity, like Verse 103 of Surah Al Imran: “And hold fast to the Bond of Allah, together, and do not scatter.”
5- Fighting oppression and injustice
- The uprising of Imam Hussein (AS) was against injustice and oppression and the Arbaeen march is a renewal of allegiance with this uprising, which is in line with the verses of the Quran that call for standing up against injustice and oppression.
6- Love of Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS)
- The Holy Quran underscores the need for loving Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) and the Arbaeen march is a manifestation of this love in line with the verses of the Quran.
7- Self-improvement and purification of soul
-Abandoning sins and getting closer to God. The Arbaeen procession is an opportunity for repentance, abandoning sins and getting closer to God, in line with the Quranic verses that are about repentance.
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Therefore, the Arbaeen march is a comprehensive act of worship that has deep bonds with the teachings of the Quran. It is the manifestation of many Quranic concepts like faith, patience, Ikhlas, unity and fighting oppression and injustice.
