Arbaeen and its Spritual Significance

Marching to Reach Karbala on Arbaeen 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Annual Arbaeen ceremony is indeed a unique and unprecedented phenomenon. Braving threats of terrorist outfits, millions of devotees from over 60 countries have converged at Karbala to visit the shrine Imam Hussain on 40^th day of his martyrdom. But it is not the number of devotees but the sincere love exhibited by them for martyrs of Karbala that turns the ceremony as the largest peaceful religious gathering of the world. The first visitor to the holy grave of Imam Hussain was Jabir ibn Abdullah- a well-known companion of the Prophet. He was therefore aware of the love of Prophet for his grandsons and their exalted status. No wonder he proceeded to Karbala despite of his ripe age after he heard of Imam Hussain‘s martyrdom. Al-Amash has narrated the visit of Jabir in ‘Atiyyah al-‘Awfi. He says : “I left with Jabir to visit the grave of Al-Hussain and when we entered Karbala, Jabir came near the bank of Euphrates, performed  ablutions and wore his clothes; then he spread perfume over his body; near the grave Al-Hussain, Jabir said to me: “Make me touch the grave, and I made him do so. He fell over the grave unconscious. I sprinkled some water on him, and he gained consciousness. Then he cried three times-Ya Hussain … Ya Hussain … Ya Hussain.

Ocean of Devotees Outside the Shrine of Imam Hussain at Night

The arrival of Jabir at Karbala on 20th Safar was “by chance” or a “coincidence” may be debatable but there is little doubt that this day actually has mystical and spiritual importance? The holy Quran also supports significance of number 40 in Surah Baqarah, Maidah, Araaf and Ahqaf. In addition, numerous traditions also highlight the importance of number “40”.The holy Prophet is reported to have said ““Indeed the Earth laments over the death of a true believer for the period of 40 days.” Imam Jafar Sadiq said: “The heavens cried for forty days with blood (weeping) over Imam Husain; the earth cried for forty days by being covered with darkness; the sun cried for forty days by being in eclipse and turning red; the mountains were torn apart and dispersed; the seas gushed out and the angles cried for forty days over him. After Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, all of our women stopped coloring their hair, using kohl, applying oil, and styling their hair until the head of Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was sent to us; and even after that we (all) continued to weep over him.”

The verses in Quran and traditions indicate that the visitation to Karbala 40 days after the tragic massacre of Imam Husain and his family is of utmost importance and every true believer should try to be at Karbala during Arbaeen at least once in his life time to derive benefit from the spiritual bounties contained in the spiritual journey initiated by Jabir Ibn Abdullah in 61 Hijri. It is ironical that terrorists backed by the enemies of Prophet and his progeny try and threat to attack the peaceful mourners. They do so to discourage them from visiting Karbala on Chehlum of Imam and his companions. But their efforts have been frustrated by swelling number of devotees with each successive year. Saddam Hussain had stopped Arbaeen walk in his regime. After his ouster, devotees have been flocking to Karbala without any fear of death. In the past 5-years, their number has swelled from 20 to 40 million. Does it not indicate that nothing can deter them from visiting the shrine of Imam on his Chehlum? Instead of staying away from reciting Ziyarat-e-Arbaeen at the blessed grave of Imam out of fear, they prefer to brave all risks. They attach great importance to recitation of Ziyarat as it was recommended by Imam Jafar Sadiq to his companion Safwan al-Jamal. The Imam had told him to visit shrine of Imam Husain and recite a specific visitation formula (Ziyarat) on the afternoon of the Arbaeen. Imam Hasan Al Askari has also considered the recitation of Ziyarat as sign of true believer. (Photo Courtesy Google Image)