Some important Arba‘een parameters include:
Manifestation of the concept of Salam, loving others for God’s sake, patience during hardships, giving heed to the Proof of Allah, unanimity of hearts, financial giving, providing sustenance, self-sacrifice, etc. which we are going to briefly touch:
• Manifestation of the concept of Salam
The word Salam in Arabic has different meanings but one of these meanings, which actually comprises all other meanings, is declaration of peace. When we say Salam to a person, we are really declaring peace and security to him and we are telling him that we are in peace with him and he is safe and secure with us.
As an expression, the word Salam has been understood as a form of greeting, thus sometimes other words are used in its place such as hello in English and Dorood in Persian. But this is only an expression, and for non-Arabs the application of Salam does not include the full concept of the word Salam.
A non-Arab using the word Salam is different from an Arab using it. The extent of the word Salam used by an Arab is much greater than a non-Arab.
The Iraqis hosting the Arba‘een pilgrims manifest the concept of Salam in the best
possible way, and in spite of certain cultural gaps they host the non-Arab Muslims, even followers of other religions, under their light of peace, security and safety.
Although there are some immoderate people in all nations who may sadly manifest biased opinions in regard to race, nationality, social class, language, etc., yet it is observed that during the Walk the Iraqi Shi’ah patiently welcome and receive such people too.
• Loving others for God’s sake
Based on the Holy Qur’an, it is incumbent upon All Muslims to love the AhlulBayt of the Prophet (PBUH & HP); thus, anyone who loves God surely loves the Prophet’s AhlulBayt (PBUT) too. He who loves others for the AhlulBayt’s sake has actually done so for God’s sake.
For the Iraqi hosts or even for the pilgrims it makes no difference who is present at the Walk and where he has come from, no one withholds his love from others, and with attention paid to Islamic ground rules, love and friendships are established. It must be confessed that this manifestation of love is much more from the Iraqi side.
Loving and expressing love for God’s sake, in the manner God Himself has expressed through His Book and His Hujjats (PBUT), is a requisite for being a Muslim, and ultimately will lead to blissfulness. Actually, this particularity, as explained by the Prophet of Allah, can be considered as a sign of belief as the Prophet (PBUH & HP) has asserted:
“Friendship of believer with believer for God’s sake is of the greatest branches of faith.
Behold! He whose loving is for God’s sake, his enmity is for God, his giving for Him, and his withholding is for God’s sake, he is of those selected by God.” (Al-Kāfī, Vol. 2, p. 125)
• Patience during hardships
This journey is a hard journey. Although the Iraqis welcome and host their guests with all they have, but Iraq is a war-torn country thus reduced to poverty and has lost many of its infrastructures. On the other hand, traveling on foot for such long distances in the heat and cold is not easy at all and is quite difficult. In addition, necessary personal stuff and back packs must be carried by each individual which makes the travel even more difficult. Furthermore, a sickness or an injury may also happen to the pilgrim, in a place where medical care is quite limited.
Also many incidents may happen in this trip. Indeed, AhlulBayt’s adversaries have not been and are not pleased with this event. Especially the extensive media coverage in recent years has resulted in certain jealousies.
Such particularity is not comprehendible for today’s human- who under the influence of Humanism and with a materialistic view- only seeks comfort, welfare, pleasure and security in the world. This lack of understanding sometimes may even become a cause for mocking at the pilgrim and attributing unpleasant remarks to him. But the pilgrim while being aware of all these, with reliance upon God steps in a path which he knows Allah’s Pleasedness is in it.
He, with hope and fear, relies upon Allah and continues on his way.
