RNA – Speaking to Rasa News, Hujjat al-Islam Sayyed Mohammad Hoseyni-Qazvini explained that the gathering of enthusiastic pilgrims who have gathered today in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala for the commemoration of Arbaeen offer many messages. "One of the messages," he added, "presented by the pilgrims who have journeyed on foot toward the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn is their loyalty to the Imam and the expression of their religion is a tribute to this loyalty.
The Iranian scholar stated that there are many narrations from the Ahlul-Bayt that explain that Shi’ites have a covenant with their Imam and whoever wants to fulfill this covenant should make a pilgrimage to the grave of their Imam and there are also many narrations which recommend visiting the grave of Imam Husayn.
The director of Velayat TV explained that one of the benefits of the Arbaeen pilgrimage is self-building, adding that the best way to reach the Ahlul-Bayt is to perform a pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn and many narrations state that whoever leaves his house intending to perform a pilgrimage to Imam Husayn’s grave, God will forgive one of his sins for each step he takes.
Hujjat al-Islam Hoseyni-Qazvini said that the Arbaeen pilgrimage is a call for solidarity and unity among various ethnic groups and different religions, noting that millions of people from various economic classes, cities, countries and ethnicities and even religions participate together in this walk with a common passion for Imam Husayn. This epic event brings a form of awareness in regard to political, economic, cultural and social issues among Shi'ite Muslims.
“This pilgrimage shows the solidarity between people of different countries, tribes, religions and ethnic groups due to their love of the Master of the Martyrs,” he said.
He said that the Arbaeen pilgrimage is a gathering against oppression centred on Imam Husayn and said on this day, Muslims, with their passionate presence, present a message to the enemies and aggressors that if one day, the honour of their religion is compromised, they will stand up against them as they have been inspired by Imam Husayn’s message of resistance against oppression.
The Iranian scholar added that many Western countries have realized the dangers of distorting the religion of Islam and are now afraid of the continuation of terrorist activities and that today we have golden opportunities to promote the culture of pure Muhammadan Islam and the Ahlul-Bayt to the world, which is based on peace and friendship.
Hujjat al-Islam Hoseyni-Qazvini stated that this year, more than 850 young European pilgrims participated in the Arbaeen pilgrimage and that about 50 prominent Sunni scholars made the pilgrimage on foot to the Holy Shrine of Imam Husayn.
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