By: Hamidreza Ayatollahi
Abstract
This article consists of three parts. In the first part, some of the mechanisms of certain beliefs, which are often non-religious, are shown, and their relationship to reality and reasoning, and their ups and downs, are briefly examined. In the second part, the 22 factors that strengthen beliefs are discussed. In the third part, religious beliefs are discussed, and it is shown how these 22 factors are present in the Arba’in procession and how these factors elevate our religious beliefs. A summary of this article was presented and broadcast on October 19, 2019, in a television program – on the occasion of Imam Husayn’s Arba’in – and can be viewed at:
https://www.aparat.com/v/nXMo8
A – The mechanism and ups and downs of various beliefs:
Our lives and behavior are filled with beliefs, many of which we do not pay attention to. These beliefs are the cause of our behaviors at different times. Some of these beliefs are our religious beliefs. In this section, we intend to analyze the set of our beliefs and see what mechanism is involved in forming, strengthening, or weakening our beliefs, what is the connection between beliefs, and briefly examine their relationship with other fields of knowledge.
The Characteristics of Beliefs:
1 – They have filled all aspects of our lives, and in many cases, they form the basis of our actions and behavior.
2 – Even though realities can confirm or contradict beliefs, at times, realities are devoid of the power to change beliefs.
3 – In some cases, beliefs are not based on facts.
4 – Many a time, despite being in conflict with facts and realities, they tend to resist and maintain themselves (such as the belief of some people that the Earth is flat).
5 – Reasoning can help strengthen or weaken beliefs, but they do not necessarily influence beliefs.
6 – Reasoning can only help strengthen belief to some extent, and many other elements are also involved in strengthening belief.
7 – Some beliefs are not, in any way, supported by reasoning or reality (such as the belief in the superiority of one football team over another one).
8 – Beliefs are subject to gaining strength and weakness.
9 – There is a serious conflict between certain beliefs, and some beliefs win or lose against other beliefs.
10 – Victorious beliefs need to constantly gain the power to confront other beliefs; otherwise, they will decline.
11 – At times, the conflict between beliefs causes despair, meaninglessness, and exhaustion in a person.
12 – Beliefs are assessable.
13 – We can always resort to the pathology of our beliefs.
14 – There are ways to improve our beliefs, and we can find the shortcomings in some of our beliefs and take the required steps to correct them.
B – Factors that strengthen various beliefs:
In this section, reference is briefly made to those factors that can be effective in strengthening our beliefs. Obviously, the factors that weaken beliefs or the methods of diagnosing and correcting beliefs should be analyzed in another study. What follows is the titles of the factors that are effective in strengthening beliefs – without any explanations – and only an example of them:
1 – Compatibility with facts: Such as the belief in the movement of the Earth around itself and around the Sun, which is consistent with empirical facts; or the belief in death, which we witness in our lives.
2 – Usefulness: Such as the belief in the fruitfulness of agriculture. Apart from being consistent with reality, this belief makes us adhere to it. Similarly, the belief in the symbol of a flag for a country, which – despite the fact that the flag itself does not indicate any reality – can be useful and effective for believing in national solidarity.
3 – Being consistent with ethical standards: Such as believing in the need to help others, which is also confirmed by ethical standards, and this belief can lead to valuable behaviors on our part.
4 – Being associated with inner pleasure: Like believing in the pleasure of being with friends. The inner pleasure we experience increases our belief in this issue.
5 – Finding internal coherence with other human beliefs: If a belief can be compatible with the beliefs institutionalized in humans and these beliefs do not reject it, this belief will be well-formed and established in us. For example, the belief in striving for a better life, which is compatible with a set of our beliefs. On the other hand, if some beliefs cannot find internal coherence with some of our other beliefs, a conflict between beliefs will occur, and in this conflict, some beliefs are set aside in favor of others.
6 – Confirmation of a belief by reference groups and individuals: Such as believing that a physician’s prescriptions are effective in curing a disease. Since we believe in physicians as authorities, we also believe in their prescriptions. Of course, the very belief in physicians is the effect of a process of a set of other beliefs.
7 – Having historical support: If a belief has been actualized many times in the past, we will also believe in it because of its historical background. For instance, believing in the rewards for actions in this worldly life, or believing in historical events.
8 – Arising from a set of beliefs that encompasses the entire world of human life: Such as the belief in the order and lawfulness of the universe, which is about the entire world and affects our set of beliefs. Or the belief in some kind of meaning for life, belief in the existence of God, the wise and creator, and also belief in resurrection. In this type of belief, the role of religious beliefs is very prominent.
9 – Internal conflict about certain beliefs and finding answers to some concerns: Such as believing in becoming a champion and believing in a kind of success in life that resolves personal concerns.
10 – Hopefulness: Such as believing in the value of education, where hope for good results makes us more determined to believe in studying; or believing in Mahdism.
11 – Being attached to emotions or beliefs influenced by psychological factors: Such as believing in exciting games, the combination of which with emotions increases our belief in these types of games.
12 – Inspiring inner love and affection: Such as believing in helping others or believing in the goodness of the people we care about, or believing in the noble and valuable personalities of society.
13 – Connecting with other believers: Such as believing in the superiority of the ideals of a political party at party gatherings.
14 – Being in synergy with other believers: Such as believing in the progress of the country. Although different countrymen may have different beliefs, seeing that the beliefs of a countryman are in line with our own makes us stronger in our beliefs.
15 – Belief in a human action and activity: Such as the belief of partisans in suffering and activity in armed struggle, or the performance of religious rituals according to religious beliefs.
16 – Believing in helping others and accepting the costs involved: Such as believing in helping flood victims and allocating a portion of one’s own wealth for this purpose, after which our belief in it increases, and we become a stronger believer in such activities through repetition.
17 – Having a real and transcendent example for the belief: For example, believing in the struggle against American imperialism by following the example of people like Che Guevara, or believing in the struggle against British colonialism by following the example of Mahatma Gandhi.
18 – Having a lofty belief, although one may have to pay a big price for it: Such as believing in the struggle against apartheid, because the lofty example of it was Nelson Mandela, who spent many years in prison for this ideal.
19 – Believing in the spiritual growth of man: For example, believing in performing religious rituals that increase spirituality in man.
20 – Inclusiveness: Such as believing in the ideals of communism at a time when it was accepted by many people in all parts of the world and in different countries.
21 – Affirming love for the supreme example: The leaders and pioneers of some beliefs who are the exemplars of that belief often advise their people to follow their path, and the people accept it, but there have rarely been some leaders to be the exemplar of a belief which ignites an indelible personal love in the hearts of their followers. An outstanding example of this characteristic is the Shiites’ belief in love for the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) and his household, which is manifested in the ceremonies and mourning programs they hold for them to express their feelings.
22 – Affirming the inner love for the love of other believers: A belief that is elevated in this way takes root so deeply in the human soul that no other factor can elevate the belief to this extent. It seems that the best and perhaps the only example of this way of strengthening belief occurs in the Arba’in procession.
C – Religious beliefs and the process of elevating them in the Arba’in procession
The points mentioned in the previous section are related to the factors that strengthen each and every belief of ours. One type of these beliefs is our religious beliefs. The factors involved in our religious beliefs are the same as other beliefs, and they can be strengthened, just like the twenty-two aforementioned cases. Obviously, there are other factors that can weaken our religious beliefs or create incorrect religious beliefs for us, but the aim of this section is not to discuss these factors. The pilgrimage and procession of Arba’in are filled with many factors that can be effective in strengthening and enhancing religious beliefs. In this section, we will examine the above twenty-two factors about the Arba’in procession to see how all these factors are present in this event and how they strengthen and enhance religious beliefs:
1 – The Arba’in procession is inspired by a historical fact that has been narrated in detail.
2- Because the Arba’in procession results in social cohesion among Shiites and free people, it has many benefits and effects.
3 – The Arba’in procession demonstrates many moral standards such as sacrifice, patience, altruism, and anti-cruelty.
4 – According to the testimony of most of those who have participated in it, the Arba’in procession creates an inner joy that even non-believers admit to and have considered participating in it necessary to experience this joy for themselves.
5 – The Arba’in procession is compatible with other beliefs of the participants, such as personal, social, political, economic, and cultural beliefs, and other beliefs do not violate it. Of course, there are some inconsistencies that are harmful to this procession. Interestingly, the Arba’in procession also helps correct some incorrect beliefs.
6 – The Arba’in procession has received numerous endorsements from religious authority groups such as the infallible Imams (AS) from the household of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH), scholars, and religious authorities, and these groups have strongly recommended it.
7 – The Arba’in procession has a 1400-year-old historical background.
8 – The Arba’in procession increases our beliefs in God Almighty and the resurrection, like our beliefs in the entire universe and human life.
9 – The Arba’in procession provides answers to some of the individual and personal concerns, especially regarding the meaning of life.
10 – The Arba’in procession strengthens our religious beliefs by giving us hope for a bright future in the uprising of Imam Mahdi (AS) at the end of time.
11 – The Arba’in procession is accompanied by a sea of personal emotions.
12 – The Arba’in procession inspires love for Imam Hussein (AS), Hazrat Zainab (SA), and their companions, and crying for them is the manifestation of this love.
13 – The Arba’in procession provides an opportunity to connect with other believers.
14 – During the Arba’in procession, each believer is in direct contact with other believers, and through repeated encounters with behaviors that are influenced by the beliefs of other believers, a type of synergy is created in his/her beliefs.
15 – Religions recommend many beliefs, but if a belief is merely a theoretical belief in a divine matter, it will lack profundity. Therefore, religious rituals are activities that help the believer in reviving and maintaining his/her belief. Generally, religious rituals comprise certain dos and don’ts, but if a religious activity is not obligatory and is done out of love (mustahab), the belief will become more profound. Although it is possible to use vehicles to reach Karbala during the Arba’in procession, the exhausting activity of walking tens of kilometers will have the deepest impact on the religious beliefs of individuals.
16 – Participation in the Arba’in procession involves major expenses for believers, so much so that participants cut off their living expenses for one year to save for participating in this procession.
17 – It is quite unlikely that a belief such as the belief in Imam Husayn (AS) – as the highest exemplar of religious belief – can demonstrate such a transcendent devotion. This is a fact that even Mahatma Gandhi had emphasized that Imam Hussein is a role model for him.
18 – It is unlikely that one can find a greater example of faith than Imam Husayn (AS), who sacrificed his children, his companions, and his family and endured many hardships. Sacrifice in the way of God has the greatest impact on a person’s religious beliefs.
19 – The Arba’in procession creates such a profound spiritual experience in participants, which cannot be experienced in other religious practices.
20 – The participation of millions of believers from various countries and cities around the world together in this event demonstrates its universality, which in turn elevates the religious belief of the believers.
21 – In the Arba’in procession, Imam Husayn (AS) is not merely considered an exemplary leader, but also an exemplar of extreme religious belief for whom people show the depth of their love.
22 – The most sublime feature of the Arba’in procession is that the love for Imam Husayn (AS) makes all the participants in this ceremony become compassionate to each other. This kind of feeling between hosts and guests and guests and hosts has no parallel anywhere in the world, so it causes the highest level of elevation to the religious beliefs of the individuals.
