Salamun alaykum,
The number 40: its significance
“Whoever dedicates himself to God for arba’een - forty days, will find
springs of wisdom sprout out of his heart and flow on his tongue.”
Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW.
From the traditions of Ahlul Bayt a.s. it is noted that the number arba’een -
forty- has significance to the spiritual development of the nafs-self- of a
person.
In the books of supplications there are certain recitations of duas or ziyarah
which are recommended to be recited or undertaken for forty days. Some
recitations are recommended to be completed forty times or for forty people
to gather to recite. A reason for this may be that the effectiveness of the
deed of supplication is highly increased for Divine response.
Interestingly psychological studies have established that performing an act
for a continuous period of forty days /occasions is known to help one to form
a habit and one is able to carry on the practice for the rest of his life.
40 days of mourning:
The Noble Prophet is reported to have said: “The earth mourns the death of
a believer for forty mornings”. Therefore, Sayyidu Shuhada-the chief of
martyrs- Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s. who is the best of Believers was
mourned for 40 days and 40 nights.
Likewise, 6 th Imam J’afar as Sadiq a.s. said, “Indeed, the sky cried for 40
days over (martyrdom) of Imam Husayn a.s.”
40 days of Azadari:
During the period of mourning in the months of Muharram and Safar, a
believer performs various deeds of Azadari of Chief of the martyrs Imam
Husayn a.s. and his companions. In this period of forty days, one has
sacrificed time, efforts and resources to devotedly mourn over the martyrs
of Karbala. All this is done for the sake of attaining nearness to Allah SWT.
Reflection:
15 th August, 2025
Issue No: 474 20 th Safar, 1447 A.H.
Has one’s azadari for these 40 days been fruitful? How can one know? Can
you identify a change in your life? Over these 40 days has one developed a
habit to commit to upholding the values for which Imam Husayn a.s. and
his noble companions achieved martyrdom?
Whilst Allah SWT is the best Knower of our intentions, we have sacrificed our
time, efforts and resources to mourn over the martyrs of Karbala for the
sake of attaining nearness to Allah SWT. Having been involved in azadari for
this period of forty days, examine how successful have we been to condition
ourselves in leading one’s life as a committed Muslim.
Have we developed ONE habit to uphold and practise the values of Islam
that were revived by the martyrdom of Ashura?
Indeed, Allah SWT is the Best Knower of our intentions.
20 th Safar: Arba’een:
Today we commemorate the Arba’een-forty days- since the martyrdom of
the Chief of martyrs Imam Husayn a.s. on the Day of Ashura. It is also the
day when, having been released from Sham prison, the survivors of the
tragedy of Karbala led by the 4 th Imam Ali Zaynul Aabideen a.s. arrived in
Karbala to perform the ziyara of Chief of Martyrs Imam Husayn a.s. and his
noble companions whilst on their return journey to Madina.
With the observance of Arba’een the formal period of azadari is gradually
drawing to a close. However, the BIG question:
Is Arba’een the end of all?
Is Imam Husayn and his message to be recalled and upheld only during
these 40 days of azadari?
Has the vision of Imam Husayn a.s. when exiting Madina to bring about
Islah -reformation- in the Ummah been achieved?
Do not the values and message of Imam Husayn for Islah need to be upheld
by us at all times? Does it end with observing Arba’een ceremonies?
What is our role to achieving the vision?
Raise the Husayni alam- flag- high in your hearts. Labbayk Ya Husayn.
أَعظَمَ اللهُ أُجُورَنا و أُجُورَكُم بِمُصابِنا بِالحُسَين ع
May Allah make our and your reward great for our mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as)
May He place us and you from those who help his cause with His
representative, the guided Imam from the family of Muhammad, peace be
on them.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat