Arba’een-Level 1-1st Year
Topic Overview: Introducing Lady Zainab and Rughayeh (Peace Be Upon Them)-The Meaning of Patience-Becoming Familiar with the Rituals of Mass Pilgrimage of Arba’een
Objective(s):
1.Since children arrive at different times it is suggested that before the start of the official program, any sort of craft/coloring that is related to the occasion is planned for those who come earlier to the program.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Glue
2.Toothpick
3.A piece of fabric for decoration
4. A few patterns to be printed out
Duration:
25 Minutes
Instructions for Craft: The Shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH)
- a thick poster-board: you may decorate the frame of the poster with flower and other decorative accessories so it looks like a frame and you may also glue a think black ribbon to the corner for it to show a sign of grief. You may use recycled poster-board.
- print a few palm trees given at the end of this file
- print out the given picture of the shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH), and decorate accordingly. You can use fabric, ribbon or any decorative accessories to beatify the shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH).
- Toothpick to be used to make the flag on top of the dome of the shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH).
Objective(s):
1.Seeking means to the Holy Qur’an to illuminate our hearts that is means to salvation.
2.Becoming familiar with Surah al-Asr and its meaning.
3.The importance of knowing the meaning of Quranic verses.
4.A brief introduction about Arba’een before entering the discussion.
5.The meaning and importance of patience in accordance with surah al-Asr.
6. Introducing lady Zainab (peace be upon her) as the embodiment of patience.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Use a few pictures from the pilgrims marching on their foot towards Karbala on the day of Arba’een.
Duration:
20 Minutes
Beginning:
Salaam my dears, how are you all? Welcome to our gathering! I hope you all learn something new today and tell others about it when you leave here today.
Like always let’s start our program by reciting a surah from the Holy Quran; so, we can illuminate our hearts with the remembrance of dear God and ask Him to help us to have a great program today. Now tell me, who here knows surah al-Asr? Great Job! Those of you who might not know this surah, it’s no big deal. Just try to repeat it with us now and then I think it would be a great idea for you to practice this surah at home.
بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَالْعَصْرِ ﴿١﴾ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ﴿٢﴾ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ﴿٣﴾
In the Name of God
By time, (1) Indeed, mankind is in loss, (2) Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (3)
(Note the translation given above is for mentors only)
My dears, who here knows when swearing is useful? Or when does one might swear? Yes, that’s right. When someone wants to tell us something very important and prove us, they might swear. In this surah dear God swears, to tells us something very important. What’s that important point he wants to make? That is, O’ people know and pay careful attention that if one does not do these 4 things they will suffer in this world and hereafter, and their life in this world will be useless. Do you guys know what “suffer” means? Great job, you are right. Suffer, means something that does not benefit us and is not good for us. Now what are the four things that are not good for us? First that we should believe in dear God, which means that we should be aware that He is the one who has created us and has given us so many blessings; second, we should always do good things, use the blessings from God the right way, and listen to Him. Third, that we should try to tell the truth to others. For example, try to tell our friends and people around us to the extent that we know is true. For example, tell them that our dear God has created us, we should only do things that he says is right and is right for us. Lastly, the fourth point is that, we should be patient, as well as encourage others to be patient. Now who knows what patient means? Yes, you are all right! Now I will explain this to guys a bit more:
My dears, no matter how cold winter is, it will eventually end, and spring will come. No matter how long the night is it will come to an end and morning will come. No matter how long a hardship lasts, one day it will end. So, if you get sick for a few days and are alone don’t worry! Or if your family doesn’t have that much money that you may like, don’t get upset and worry, but also tell others to not worry, be patient, and have their trust in God; because he always helps his servants. My dears, know that no one has become successful without being patient and trying hard. For example, do you think a farmer, student, or an athlete will become successful if they don’t try and not be patient? Yes, that’s right they won’t be successful.
My dears, our Imam’s and our beloved Prophet who were and are the best humans, are the best role models for us. What does that mean? It means that we can look up to them and try to do the same thing as they have done, listen to what they have said. Just like the time when we want to draw something circular, we try to find a circular pattern and trace around it. Our beloved Prophet and his dear Ahlul-Bayt showed us that they were patient, and had a strong trust in God. One example that all of you know, is lady Zainab (Peace be Upon Her). Though, with all the hardships she went through on the Day of Ashura, like the loss of her beloved brother, who she really, really loved and there was not a day that she was not with him, as well as the loss of her children, and then her captivity and the captivity of the daughters of her family, she never lost her patience. She never complained and was pleased with what God had planned. lady Zainab knew well, that dear God will test people, to see who has a stronger faith in God, and the responsibility of us humans is that we should believe in God, be patient, do good things, and don’t get upset at dear God.
Lady Zainab (sa) is the best role model for us. She is a reminder for us, that whenever we have a small problem to not get upset soon, don’t make a big deal about it, and worry too much about it. For example, when we want something so bad, but we can’t have it, or if we want to go somewhere but we don’t or many other instances. Patience is the best thing for us!
Alright my dears, many of you may have heard something about the events of Ashura, and the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS); but have you ever heard anything about the Arba’een of Imam Hussein? My dears, after the events that happened on the Day of Ashura to the Ahlul-Bayt of the Prophet (Peace be Upon him and his family), meaning Imam Hussein (as), his children, friends and followers; Yazid who was the enemy of the religion of God, orders to take Imam Sajjad who was very sick, and was unable to fight and by God’s order he stayed alive, the women and the children of the caravan of Imam Hussein as prisoners. Meaning, to tie their hands and take them by force to Shaam (Damascus), where the castle of Yazid was. After the people who were left from the caravan of Imam Hussein (AS) reached the city of Shaam, lady Zeinab and Imam Sajjad, gave several speeches to everyone. They told them what really happened, and said that those who were martyred were the children of the Prophet (sawa) and they were the best people living on the earth. So, this way, people slowly understood the truth and the right story. This made them to no longer like Yazid, and realize that they have been tricked by him all this time. So, after all these events and the strength of lady Zainab al-Kubra the dear sister of Imam Hussain (AS) and his dear child Imam Sajjad (AS) in guiding people; Yazid decides to send them to the city of Madinah, the city that Imam lived in. In the middle of the journey, lady Zainab (peace be upon her) wanted to go to Karbala, so she could visit the pure shrines of the people of the caravan of Imam Hussein and her loved ones, who she had lost in Karbala. They reached the city of Karbala, 40 days after the Day of Ashura, which in Arabic it is called Arba’een.
So, my dear children, Arba’een is a day that lady Zainab, and other prisoners returned to Karbala, 40 days after the Day of Ashura to go for the ziarat of the shrines of Imam Hussain (Peace be Upon Him) and his followers. On that day, when lady Zainab Peace be Upon her reached the shrine of her brother Imam Hussain (AS), she was reminded of the Day of Ashura and, so she started talking her heart out to her brother about all the hardships they went through, and the oppressions people and enemies did to her.
My dear children! Every year on the Day of Ashura and Arba’een, we hold better programs everywhere than before, to keep alive the message and the name of Imam Hussein (PBUH). So, everyone in the world would know what a great Imam we had and who our role models are. I am sure many of you have seen and heard the news about the Ziarat of Arba’een and have seen men and women, old and young walking on their foot towards the city of Karbala and the shrine of Imam Hussein (Peace be Upon Him). The love of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) is in the hearts of children, elders and even non-Muslims, and it takes them to his ziarat. How lucky are those who go to the ziyarat of Imam Hussein (PBUH) on the day of Arba’een. (show images of the pilgrims walking on foot towards Karbala on the day of Arba’een)
Now, let’s head to see the other segments of today’s program.
Objective(s):
1.Becoming familiar with Ziarat of Imam Hussain on the day of Arba’een and its rituals.
2.Creating a heartfelt bond with Aba-Abdillah and his pilgrims.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Acquire the necessary skills to become a good story-teller and to be able to appeal to children by conveying the goal and meaning of the story.
Duration:
10 Minutes
Story: The Best Trip
Yesterday, we left the city of Najaf. We took a small backpack, and packed a shirt, pants and a light-weight jacket. We also put a water-bottle in the side pocket of the backpack. I also pinned a flag that said “Ya-Hussain” on the back of my backpack. Now everything was ready!
My brother and I, begged our parents to allow us to go o Karbala with grandpa, but we finally convinced them. This morning, we started our journey on foot to the Holy city of Karbala. On our way, we could see old, and young, men and women and even children who were walking towards the city of Karbala to be there on the day of Arba’een.
My brother Muhammad, is much stronger than me, and he was easily walking this distance, however I was slowly becoming tired. We walked until sunset. As we were walking, suddenly an Arab woman blocked our way. She started crying and sobbing, and said something. Muhammad told her: what’s going on? Can we do anything for you? But she couldn’t understand our language. Grandpa who was walking on the other side of the road, came to our side and started talking to the woman. We did not know that grandpa knew Arabic so well, we were shocked and loved seeing him talk. Grandpa said that this woman wants us to go and sleep overnight at her house. That poor woman, kept begging us and said: you are the pilgrims (Zowar) of Imam Hussain and I would like to do you a favor.
We were stuck. Grandfather didn’t mind, however Muhammad wanted to walk for another few kilometers and then stop at a place to sleep. However, this woman would not stop begging us to stay. Her grandchild could also be seen on the other side of the road inviting other pilgrims to come over to their house.
I told Muhammad that we should go. This poor lady is begging us. Let’s sleep at her house overnight. Finally, Muhammad was convinced. When the old lady found out that we are going to stay at her house, she exclaimed and screamed in happiness and joyfully took us to her house.
When we entered the yard of her house. On one side, you could see a small pool with cluster of sky-high palm trees bending over it. On the other side of the yard, there were two benches, and three men along with a small child who were sitting on them. You could see a 15-year-old who was giving a foot massage to one of the men. We later found out, that young boy was one of the grandchildren of the old lady.
She took us to a small room and brought us a cup of tea along with yummy Arabic sweets. Then in broken Farsi and Arabic she was trying to welcome us and tell us how much we have made her happy!
That night, the old lady and her family entertained us and a few other people, with all they had. They shared with us their stories and the good memories of the days of Arba’een and serving the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS). The old lady told us, that it has been 20 years since they bought this house at this place, so they could serve the pilgrims every year during Arba’een. She said that these days, she and her family are in the service of the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS) and don’t do anything else.
That night was one of the most adventurous nights of my life. A night that a family sincerely served us, the pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS). The love of Imam Hussein on the day of Arba’een on the road towards Karbala, is by far one of the most beautiful scenes to see and feel in this world. I will always pray, that I can go and partake in this luminous and magical journey every year.
Objective(s):
1.Becoming familiar with the events of Ashura from the perspective of lady Rughayah (Peace be Upon Her) in a form of poetry.
Duration:
15 Minutes
Prezi: Lady Rughayah (PBUH)
Someone was there, someone was not
God was there, while others were not
under the green domeThey wrote out this story
There was a little girl
Her name was Rughayah
Until she was with her family
She had no worries
From her father she learned, the lesson of goodness
She learned new things
She listened carefully to the stories
Image 2:
She learned to thank
The dear God
Never forgot
To pray on time
Since rughaya was only three
Praying was not obligatory for her
However, behind her father
She would stand and pray
Image 3:
However, now my dear children
Hear about the bad king
He was the enemy of the kids
As well as the enemy of the elders
An ugly and bad king
He would not allow people to go to heaven
He would keep hitting them
Badness was written all over his name
Image 4:
The blind and ugly Yazid
Gave letters to his soldiers
To separate the man who prayed https://ed-danmark.com/koeb-…ra-online/
From her little girl
Because all the Devils
Are scared of prayers
They don’t like for us
To be loyal to our God
Image 5:
When dad and daughter
Were separated by force
Rughayah became a prisoner
Along with her mom and sisters
Rughayah of our story
Would cry and say God
Yazid and his people are bad
Please take me to my dad
Image 6:
The dear and kind God
Since, he is friendly with all
He listened to Rughayah
Gave a gift to her
When Imam Hussain flew up to the skies
Rughayah went up to her dad
My children, she was martyred
Objective(s):
1.A glimpse into the world’s largest peaceful haman gathering.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Laptop, projector, and projector screen.
Duration:
5 Minutes
Objective(s):
1.Becoming familiar with the culture of poem and poetry in a religious setting.
2.Becoming familiar with lady Zeinab and Rughayyah (SA).
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Excitement in the tone of the mentor is a requirement for a great performance.
Duration:
20-25 Minutes
BIBI ZAINAB (AS)
Oh, I know about Damascus
Where Zainab’s star shines
“Zainab” glorious daughter of “Ali”
Who has nursed humanity
From Karbala throughout times
To keep Islam alive
Humanity sings peace and joy at once
To everyone who seems still in love
To see the trees of truth bloom
And the world be rid of gloom
If there is one thing the entire universe shares
It is the life of Zainab to read and care
Dreams and hopes will come true
When Zainab and her goals are understood
Inside us is the warmth of Allah’s love
When we think of Zainab “The patient princess”
That is why the Ahlul-Bait of Rasulallah
Are the light of saviors here and after this life.
Lady of Strength:
Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength,
They killed your sons, your brother, your friends
and then they came and burned your tents.
Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength,
Oh my what courage you did show
Even as those fires did glow.
Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength,
To Yazid’s palace were you dragged
With our sick Imam who was bound and silenced.
Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength,
Face to face with Yazid you said
How dare you treat the Ahlul Bayt so bad?
Lady of Faith, Lady of Strength,
Your role was clear, there was no choice
To save Islam you used your voice.
To this day we remember in the majlis,
That it was you who gave the start to all this
So we can never forget, you went to great lengths
Our Lady of Faith, Our Lady of Strength.
When I Walked to Karbala
I left my house for a divine walk,
My mother prayed as it was Iraq.
Wonder remains as I see no fear,
Lovers of husain, walk without a cover,
In millions they gather, for one common goal,
It is nothing but only for husain and his sole.Trembling legs with tearful eyes,
I walked and walked for miles and miles,
Once I stopped and thought for a while!!
Value of zawwar is beyond any price.Then I found few hundreds of locals,
Offering food, massage and hotels,
And it’s not for money or materialistic gains,
Full of surprises in each possible lanes.I cried for instance when I met a kid,
He did all he could to serve his bit.
And when I asked him why do you do all this?
He said, ‘For Hussein, his daughter and his kid’.As I moved with the tearful eyes,
Heart full of pain of Hussein and his ties,
Chanting throughout with the top of my voice,
“I’m going to Husain” all that suffice.Nearing the border of the holy land,
My head tend to bow on the saintly sand,
Feeling ashamed to show my face,
As it has done thousands of evil chase.No sooner than I could see the tomb,
Seeing the shrine of Hussain & its form,
Tears came out like the rains of the storm,
Look O! Hussain, Here I have come!!!
Look O! Hussain, Here I have come!!!Objective(s):
1.Introducing lady Zainab (Peace be Upon her) and her role in addressing all the people during these 40 days, condemning the heinous acts committed by Yazid and his companions.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Actors: Three girls/boys.
Duration:
15 Minutes
Play: After the Day of Ashura
Sarah and Zahra were busy talking to each other and are on their way in coming towards Leila. Leila is sitting at a corner, looking sad and has placed her hands under her chin, gazing at one place.
Zahra: Sarah, is that Leila?
Sarah: Yes, why is she sitting like that?
Zahra: Let’s go to see what’s wrong!
Sara: Salaam Leila, what’s wrong?
Zahra: Leila, has something happened to someone that you are sad?
Leila: Suddenly turns her head over and sighs and says: No, nothing is wrong. I am just thinking.
Zahra: What are you thinking about that’s so important???
Leila: We are approaching the day of Arba’een of Imam Hussain. I just learned what arbaeen means. Do you know what it means?
Sarah: No
Zahra: Yeah, I just learned about it too. It means that 40 days has passed since the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS).
Leila: That’s right. And I was thinking of lady Zainab (peace be upon her), the sister of Imam Hussain (Peace be upon him). Like how was she able to tolerate these 40 days. How hard it must have been for her. You know that lady Zainab loved Imam Hussain (AS) very much. She would never separate from Imam Hussain.
Sarah: You are right. I remember, few years ago when my uncle died, my mom and aunts, were not feeling well at all. And everyone tried to be around them. Guests would always come, and kept them busy. Everyone made sure that my mom and aunts were not alone and worry.
Leila: Exactly, I was thinking about this. I felt sympathetic towards the sister and the children of Imam Hussain as well as his wife. All those people, instead of comforting them and looking after them, they tied chains around their feet and made them walk through the streets. Like it is even possible for people to be this stone-hearted!
Zahra: Yeah, I’ve often heard about this stuff, and it has made me very sad. I wish I was there to help them out. But, as far as I understand, besides all the hardships and sadness, other important stuff has happened during these 40 days.
Sarah (surprised): Like what?
Zahra: lady Zainab was able to show that her mother and father is lady Zahra and Imam Ali (PBUT). You know how? She showed this through her strength, and how well she could talk. During these 40 days while on the road, lady Zainab gave speeches in front of people and her enemies. This way, she told people about truth and about the events of Karbala.
Sarah: really!!! Are you serious!! It’s interesting to see a woman this strong! How lucky was she!!! If It was me, I would have probably just cried. I am proud of lady Zainab (SA).
Leila: Yeah, yesterday my mom was telling me, that by the speeches given by her and Imam Sajjad (AS), it helped people to know that Yazid was lying. And these people who are walking around streets, from city to city like prisoners are in fact the family and the Ahlul-Bayt of Prophet (SAWA), which the Prophet and dear God loved them very much. My mom said that it was through the speeches of lady Zeinab that many people understood that Yazid has fought against whom. and Yazid had never told them that he was fighting with the grandson of the Prophet. Like how cruel was Yazid but, on the other hand why didn’t people ever go and research about what’s going on around them, so they wouldn’t be tricked like that! How unbelievable! (surprised and upset)
Zahra: Yesterday we went to the mosque. That sheikh who does the prayers, in between Maghrib and Ishaa prayers he said some interesting things. When we returned home, my mom was begging my dad, to let her go to Karbala.
Leila: What was the sheikh saying?
Zahra: He said one of the signs a believer is doing ziyarat on the day of Arba’een. Meaning that a person goes to Karbala on the day of Arbaeen and goes to the ziyarat of Imam Hussain (PBUH). He talked a lot about the importance and the reward of going to the ziyarat of Imam Hussain (PBUH). I think that is why my mom wanted to go to Karbala so badly!
Leila: I also love to go to Karbala that is why after my prayers I make dua so my mom and dad can take me to Karbala. I know for sure that one day my dua will be answered; and with the utmost enthusiasm I will go and visit the shrine of dear Imam Hussain.
Sara: hey! I have a nice clip from people who are marching on the day of Arbaeen to go to the ziyarat of Imam Hussain (AS). Do you all want to come to my house, so I can show it to you?
Leila and Zahra: Ooooh how wonderful! Let’s first go and ask our moms for permission and then come.
Sarah: Alright, you guys go and ask. I will also head home to let my mom know that you guys might come over. See you all later!
Leila and Zahra: Bye!
Duration:
10 Minutes
Clip:
https://youtube/oTvXxTjGcbI (Akeel Ant sings for Imam Hussain)
or
https://youtube/rNHzyOnh140 (Tales of Tears about Bibi Zainab)
Objective(s):
1.Maximizing children’s ability in memorization and learning by doing related work at home.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.Print the given table at the end of this file per number of participants.
Take Home Activity:
The activity “practicing patience at home” can be found at the end of this file. It needs to be printed out per number of participants and given to children or their parents. This activity needs parental guidance and parents need to actively follow through on this assignment.
Loading...Objective(s):
1.Concluding and reiterating the overall concepts mentioned in this file.
2.Creating a heartfelt bond with Imam of Our Age and Time and praying for his reappearance.
3. Reminding of the Holy presence of the Imam of our Time (May God hasten his return) as our teacher and as the Imam of our Age.
Procedures-Supplies Needed:
1.It is important for this segment of the program to be done in a quiet and calm environment while paying utmost attention the prayers.
2.Starting the dua, after reminding the kids about the importance of praying for the Imam of Our Time (PBUH).
3.It is suggested that that while the dua is being recited, the Arabic version of the dua along with the translation in the local language to be projected simultaneously.
Duration:
5 Minutes
The End/Conclusion and Dua
Alright my dear friends, there goes our program for Arba’een of Imam Hussain (PBUH). I hope you all have learned new and interesting facts, and that you may tell others about it.
For example, how important it is to be patient. Being patient in other words means that we believe and have faith in God. This was something that our Prophets, our Imam and their ahlul-bayt would do. They are the best role models for us in life. So, we learned that if we don’t have much of something, or if something bad happens, we should be patient, don’t cry out, and ask God to help us for our problem to be solved. Because dear God is Great, and He is the one who helps us in life and for our problems to be solved. For example, the patience that lady Zainab showed despite all those bad and sad events that happened on the Day of Ashura, is the greatest lesson for us in life, that we should also try to practice in our life to be more patient and have our trust in God. When we leave here today, it would be great if we could pay more attention to this important matter; so try not to forget about it. And do something so our parents see that we have learned from lady Zainab (AS) and our manners have gotten so much better.
Well, we became familiar with the day of Arba’een and what exactly is this day. (40 days passed since the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and lady Zainab came back to Karbala and mourned for the martyrs). And that every year on the day of Arba’een, Shia’s go to the Ziyarat of Imam Hussein on foot.
My dears, these days are hard times for the Imam of Our Time. In the remembrance of lady Zainab, and the little daughters of Imam Hussain who went through a lot of hardships and the enemies bothered them very much; the Imam of Our Time is in grief and is sad about all of this. For sure we too become sad when we hear and know about these things. That is why we should try to comfort our dear Imam and would like to do something to make the heart of our dear Imam happy, and to lessen his sadness. We can become stronger Muslims by increasing our patience, so this way the devil can’t trick us that easily in doing things that dear God and our dear Imam don’t like for us to do. For example, when we become upset, or when we want something and don’t have it, or when our parents want something from us but the devil wants to trick us to not do it, or when we should tell the truth but then again, the devil wants to trick us to lie and so manyyyy other examples that shows we must be patient and if we ask for the help of God and the Imam of Our Time (aj) at that moment, it will help us to become stronger, and more patient. Now that we have made a deal to try to practice this and talk with our Imam more often, let’s all stand up, face the Qiblah and recite dua al-Faraj. In the hopes, that our great Imam returns as soon as possible, to remove oppression and cruelty, make our world empty of any badness, oppression and wars, and instead make everywhere full of happiness, kindness, and beauty!
- Reciting Dua al-Faraj while standing up and facing toward the Qibla, out of love and respect for His Eminence.
- http://film.tebyan.net/film/151746
or
Translation of Dua’ al Faraj
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
O’ God, send your blessing upon Muhammad and the Household
of Muhammad
O’ God, at this moment and every moment
Be a guardian, a protector, a leader, a helper
a proof, and an eye for Your representative &; proof, Mahdi son of Al-
Hassan,
Your blessings be upon him and his ancestors
guard him as long as he lives on this earth as a ruler
benefit him and bless him with everything You and this
Earth has to offer