Introducing Imam Hussain (pbuh) to the world means introducing Islam
Today, we need to get the world to know Hussein ibn Ali. The world – which is suffering from oppression, corruption, malevolence and vice – needs to know the Husseini liberation spirit and sentiment. Today, the hearts of people throughout the world and the hearts of youth and innocent nations beat for such a truth. If Imam Hussein (greetings be upon him) is introduced to the world, it is actually Islam and the Quran which have been introduced.

Today, they propagandize against Islam and Islamic teachings with hundreds of means. Against this hostile move made by the camp of kufr and arrogance, it is the movement of Husseini understanding which can single-handedly resist, stand firm and introduce the truth of Islam and of the Quran to the world.

The logic of Hussein ibn Ali (greetings be upon him) is the logic of defending the truth and resistance against oppression, transgression, deviation and arrogance. This is the logic of Imam Hussein. Today, the world needs this logic. Today, the world is witness to the rule of kufr, arrogance and corruption. The world is witness to the rule of oppression. The message of Imam Hussein is the salvation of the world. The great movement of Arbaeen conveys this message to the whole world and by Allah’s favor and grace, this movement should be strengthened on a daily basis. [Sep 18, 2019]

The significance of the historical event of Arbaeen in Imam Hussain's (pbuh) uprising
Arba'een, which took place after the Battle of Karbala, was only a start. That event marked the beginning. After the great tragedy in Karbala and the sacrifice that Imam Hussein (a.s.), his companions, and his family members made, those who were taken captive had to propagate the message of Karbala. The sermons and disclosures of Zaynab (s.a.) and Imam Sajjad (a.s.) had to act like a powerful medium and propagate the thought, goals, and positions of the martyrs of Karbala. That was what happened later on. Suppression by its very nature takes away the courage and opportunities that people need to speak about the realities they have found out. When they are suppressed, people cannot show what they know in action. That is because oppressive governments refuse to let the people find out the truth and even if the people do find out the truth, they refuse to let them practice what they know. Many people - who had listened to Zaynab (s.a.) or Imam Sajjad in Kufa and Shaam - found out a lot of things. They found out a lot of things when they saw the conditions of the captives of Karbala. But they did not have enough courage or capabilities to stand up to the oppressive and arrogant government of the time and show what they had found out. Believers suppressed their feelings. Arba'een provided the first outlet for the suppressed truth and feelings. The first revolt took place on Arba'een. [Feb 16, 2009]

Arbaeen: The 40-day storm created by the Prophet's Household (pbut) against the Umayyad oppressive rulers
From Ashura to Arbaeen – according to one narration, Arbaeen was the day when the Ahlul Bayt (as)  returned to Karbala – those forty days were forty days of the authority of the truth amidst the dark world of the Bani Umayyad and Sufiyani dynasty. The true medium is the cry of Zaynab al-Kubra and the cry of Hazrat Sajjad. In which place? In Kufa, in Shaam where darkness existed in its fullness. These were the greatest media.

It was these media that preserved Ashura. It was these media that helped Ashura reach the present time. This is the history and the origin of Arbaeen and the Arbaeen movement. On that day, the Ahlul Bayt (greetings be upon them) raised a storm with their 40-day movement. A storm was raised amidst that extraordinary suppression. On that day, suppression was so fierce that there were no more than 72 individuals around Imam Hussein – the grandson of the Holy Prophet and the flesh and blood of the Immaculate Zahra.

In such an era, the event of the Tawwabeen arose in Kufa. Madinah and Shaam were moved deeply in a way that the Sufiyani regime was overthrown. Such was the great movement of Zaynab al-Kubra and the Ahlul Bayt (greetings be upon them). [Oct 13, 2019]

Lady Zaynab’s (pbuh) important action on Arbaeen
Oppressors and tyrants wanted to eliminate the event of the Husseini Ashura as well, but Zaynab al-Kubra (God's greetings be upon her) did not allow this to happen. Lady - Zaynab al-Kubra - made two moves in order to do this: one was made during her capture and her transfer to Kufa and Shaam where she made illuminating and enlightening speeches. The other move was making a pilgrimage to Karbala in Arbaeen. This move means that we should not allow the malevolent motives which intend to erase dear, influential and important eras from memories to be successful.

Of course, they will not be successful. As long as nations are alive, as long as truthful tongues speak and as long as religious hearts are motivated, they will not be able to erase these eras and events, as they have not been successful until today. [Jan 7, 2015]

Which of the Prophet's companions visited Imam Hussain's (pbuh) shrine on Arbaeen?

Whether it is true that the Holy Prophet's (swa) household went to Karbala on Arbaeen--which has been narrated by a number of people--or not, apparently, there is no doubt that Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, alongside another great personality from the Tabi‘un*, visited the shrine of the Martyr of Karbala [Hussein (as)] during Arbaeen.

Some people said that the name of this great personality was Atiyyah, and some others said that his name was Ata. It is possible that he was Atiyyah ibn Harith al-Kufi al-Hamadani. In any case, he was a great personality from the Tabi‘un who lived in Kufa.

Arbaeen was the day on which the magnetism of Hussein (as) was felt around the world. This magnetism compelled Jabir ibn Abdullah to travel from Medina to Karbala. This is the same magnetism that attracts the hearts and souls of people like you and me, even today, although many centuries have passed since the day of Ashura. Those people who are sympathetic towards the Holy Prophet's (swa) household, forever, retain the love of Karbala in their hearts. The love of Hussein (as), the Master of Martyrs, and his shrine began on that day.

Jabir ibn Abdullah was one of the mujahedeen during the Islamic era. That is to say, before Imam Hussein (as) was born, he was serving the Holy Prophet (swa), and he was fighting beside him. He had seen Imam Hussein's (as) birth and childhood, with his own eyes; and, he had witnessed how he [Hussein (as)] grew to maturity. Jabir ibn Abdullah had definitely seen how the Holy Prophet (swa) coddled Hussein ibn Ali (as): kissed his eyes, kissed his face, fed him with his own hands and gave him water.

Jabir ibn Abdullah had most certainly witnessed these moments with his own eyes; and, Jabir ibn Abdullah had definitely heard, with his own ears, that the Holy Prophet (swa) referred to Hassan and Hussein (pbut) as the "Masters of Youth in Paradise." 

After the Holy Prophet's (swa) demise, he bore witness to Imam Hussein's (as) position and character, whether during the time of the caliphs or during the time of the Commander of the Faithful (as), when he was in Medina or when he was in Kufa.

Now, Jabir has heard that Hussein ibn Ali (as) has been martyred. The Holy Prophet's (swa) dear grandchild was martyred while he was thirsty. Jabir set off from Medina--Atiyyah has joined him from Kufa. Atiyyah narrates, "Jabir ibn Abdullah arrived alongside the Euphrates: he performed ghusl there; he wore a clean, white garment; and, then he walked in a slow and respectful manner towards the grave of Imam Hussein (as)." 

The narration, which I saw, says: "When he reached the grave, he said three times, loudly, 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.' That is to say, when he saw how the Holy Prophet's (swa) and Hazrat Zahra's (sa) dear one was innocently martyred, by oppressive and savage people, he says, "Allahu Akbar." The narration goes on to say: "Jabir ibn Abdullah became unconscious over the grave of Imam Hussein (as) and fell as a result of deep sorrow." We do not know what occurred beyond that moment, but this narration says, when he regained consciousness, he started to speak to Imam Hussein. He said: "Greetings be upon you God's household. Greetings be upon you God's chosen people." [Mar 21, 2006]