Why 40 Days of mourning? Arbaeen of Imam Hossein (A.S)

We condolence on the Arbaeen anniversary, marking end of a 40-day mourning period after the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Hussein ibn Ali (AS), the third Imam of prophet Mohammad"s (SAWA) infallible household.

Number forty is mystic in Theosophy. According to the Islamic culture if someone practices a good deed constantly during forty days, it would be his inseparable attribute and lead to descending of God"s blessing. In some religions forty days and forty nights praying has been special position.

When Moses (AS) prayed forty nights; found the ability to hear the words of God.

"And remember when we appointed for Moses forty nights, and (in his absence) you took the calf (for worship), and you were polytheists and wrong-doers." [Holy Quran1:51]

The holy prophet Muhammad (SW) said:

"If someone devotes him only to god forty days; the springs of wisdom found in his words.

Commemorating of the fortieth day of deeds by their family and giving alms is one of the common custom among some of the Muslims. The fortieth day of Imam Hussein (AS)"s martyrdom is called Arbaeen. In this day Shiites commemorate Imam Hussein"s revolution. These forty days are a suitable opportunity for people to develop the love of Hussein (AS) and hate his murderers, in their hearts. Forty consecutive days, from Ashura up to Arbaeen, also is a national ceremony of aversion announcement from oppressors of the history.

In the first Arbaeen, Jabir Ibn Adollah and "Atieh "Ufi were the persons who pilgrimaged the holy tombs of Imam Hussein (AS). According to some narrations, captive family of Imam Hussein (AS) In the way of returning to Medina from Sham, visited Jabir and pilgrimaged tombs of Ashura"s martyrdoms.

Imam Hussein (AS) sacrificed himself along with his children and relatives to enforce Islam.