پژوهش نامه معارف حسینی
سال دوم شماره 7 (پاییز 1396)

The Arbaeen ziarat-text is an authoritative yext such that one of the markers of a true Muslim believer is reading it on the day of Arbaeen. It is a pack of noble teachings in the field of Shiite imamate thought.The present paper seeks to unfold some of the teachings available in this ziarat-text.

Despite its bitterness, the Ashura episode has been a significant event in the Shiite history, hence it has proved of immense value and contribution to the development of the Shiite denomination. The mission of conveying the message and narrative of this event to the Muslim ummah has since led to the emergence of another kind of historiography that is generally called 'martyrdom account' (Arabic: maqtal). Therefore, writing maqtal generally conveys a sense of being related to the Ashura event
Granted that maqtals describe the tyranny that a cruel ruler committed against the Infallibles, this kind of writing generically pertains to Imam al-Husayn and his companions, all because of the tragic influence of the Ashura massacre. In the same way, the maqtal-authors have usually viewed it as a religious duty to develop such accounts, especially those which bring about the sharpest and most profound emotive influence on the audience. This tragic-cum-cathartic effect in turn led to much more popular support in favor of the Ahl al-Bayt. The present paper deals with the maqtals produced in the first two centuries of the Islamic history.

The present paper seeks to determine the precise locations of the places mentioned in the events and episodes associated with Imam al-Husayn's movement, as indicated in the late Sheikh al-Mufid's Kitab al-Irshad. A prime reason for writing the present paper is simply that some places have received only marginal notes, hence inadequate attention. It is hoped that it would also contribute substantial geographical information to Ashura research literature. Noteworthy is that some places that are mentioned in ancient sources are no longer available, hence absent from modern maps.

The Prophet Muhammad left two precious entities, i.e., the Holy Quran and the Ahl al-Bayt, amongst people. As a member of the Ahl al-Bayt, Imam al-Husayn has been of special significance to the Prophet Muhammad. Since certain Quranic verses were revealed in favor of and in relation to Imam al-Husayn, Sunni exegetes of the Holy Quran paid attention to him. In this way, such exegetes rendered their interpretations of such verses. The result is that the sublime personality of Imam al-Husayn has received the same high status in Sunni exegetes of the Holy Quran.

The movement of Imam al-Husayn has since inspired many researchers reflect on his aims and motifs. Typical Western researchers, e.g., the Belgian Henri Lammens, ascribe a merely power-seeking aim to this movement. Despite such shallow analysis, the words and deeds of Imam al-Husayn prove that his movent and speeches were all for the sake of Allah. Moreover, he intended to direct people to the right path. As such, he never succumbed to the whims and wills of the then tyrant ruler. He knew well that his movement was going to make the beginning of a yet greater movement in history.

The general characteristics of the Kufans have long been regarded as a factor in the formation of the Karbala episode. Despite this disloyalty had been highlighted in the pre-Ashura periods, its more prominent manifestation was certainly in the Karbala episode. As for the Arabic literature, the Karbala episode received the highest attention in the Abbasid Arabic literature. For Persian literature, it marked a restoration period, too.
Based on an American literary school, the present paper compares and contrasts common features in Arabic and Persian Ashura literature, as it deals with the role of the Kufans.
The analysis shows that such moral characteristics as excessive attention to this worldly life, animosity, duplicity, and hypocrisy make the main features of the Kufan's behavior. Arab poets seem more outspoken, while Persian poets make allusions, rather than making explicit references. Arab poets seem more exact in their diction.