I.1 Introduction Every year, millions of Muslims [1] and even some Non-Muslims walk to the city of Karbala, Iraq, the final restin...
I.1 Introduction
Every year, millions of Muslims[1]
and even some Non-Muslims walk to the city of Karbala, Iraq, the final resting
place of Imam Hussain (AS), son of Ameer al-Mumineen Ali ibn Abi-Talib(AS) and
Sayyidah Fatimah Az-Zahra(AS), the daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Their aim is to reach Imam Hussain’s grave by no later than the day of Arbaeen.[2]
The question that may come to mind is what makes people shut down
their businesses and leave their houses to perform a walk, which takes days and
even weeks to complete.
The Arabic word of Arbaeen is translated in English as forty (40) or fortieth (40th). It is used to indicate the 40th day since the martyrdom of Imam Hussain at Karbala. Usually, every deceased Muslim has his own day of Arbaeen. In many Muslim communities, the family and friends will gather on the 40th day after their loved one’s death to recite Quran, dua, and dhikr on their behalf with the hope that the reward will go to the deceased. Unless the deceased has left behind sadaqah jariyah, there is no way for him to perform good deeds. This is the rationale behind performing good deeds by the relatives and other loved ones on behalf of the deceased with hope that the rewards will be conveyed to the deceased by the Merciful Allah in the grave.
It is important to state that the number 40 is significant in the
provisions of the Quran and Sunnah. For
instance, prophet Musa (AS) Spends 40 Days and Nights at Mount Sinai. Allah (SWT) originally intended for Prophet
Musa to remain at Mount Sinai for 30 nights, and later extended it to 40 nights.
While he was at Mount Sinai, he fasted and performed other acts of worship and
was given the Taurat. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
And
We Made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights, and completed them with
ten more; thus, the trust of his Lord was completed in forty nights.[3]
According to the Quran, the prime age for any individual is 40:
We
have commanded people to honour their parents. Their mothers bore them in
hardship and delivered them in hardship. Their ˹period of˺ bearing and weaning
is thirty months. In time, when the child reaches their prime at the age of
forty, they pray, “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favours
which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You…..[4]
This means that a person hits their peak in terms of maturity and
wisdom at 40, which inspires them to recite a dua for their parents and (maybe)
become more religious after that age. Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) was 40 when he was divinely commissioned as the messenger of
Allah and started receiving revelation to convey to the world. This adds
further weighting to people hitting their ‘best years’ at 40.
Going back to the story of Musa. After he completed his 40 days, he
returned and found his people returning to polytheism and other deviant
practices. On behalf of himself and his brother, Harun, Musa asks Allah (SWT)
to be exempt from punishment as they have nothing to do with such rebellious
practices. Allah (SWT) responds by forbidding the land for forty years.
Further, in the sunnah, it was reported that Prophet Muhammad (SAW)says anyone who memorises 40 of his hadith will be resurrected as a scholar on the Day of Judgement.[5] It was also reported that He mentioned that if a person reaches 40 years of his/her life and still hasn’t repented, Satan will consider his work complete. Once again, with the age of 40 being the peak age, this hadith indicates it would be the prime time to make changes.[6]
1.2 Historical Background
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari was the first individual to travel to
the grave of Imam Hussain. Jabir lived to a very old age. He was alive from the
time of the birth of Islam and the first revelation of the Quran all the way to
the conquest of Mecca and lived for decades after the death of the Prophet. He
had seen it all and had an immense amount of love for the Prophet. When he
found out that the Prophet’s grandchild had been martyred, he went to visit his
grave. In actuality, it was not a grave at this time. Some traditions say Imam
Hussain was left unburied for three days. Jabir arrived at the same time as
Imam Hussain’s son, Ali As-Sajjad. Ali
ibn Hussain was returning from Syria, where he was imprisoned in the aftermath
of Karbala. Ali ibn Hussain buried his father and the other martyrs.
The first Arbaeen visit was a powerful media message on the tragedy
of Ashura. Those forty days were the days when the logic of Truth reigned among
the dark world of the Umayyads.
Ahlul-Bayt (AS) [the progeny of the Prophet (SAW) created a catalyst
through a forty-day movement.
The tradition of visiting the grave of Imam Hussain (as) crystallised in the subsequent years. This was due to two reasons.
Firstly, the word spread about the events of Karbala. People were
shocked by the way Imam Hussain was killed. The crimes of Yazid and the Umayyad
empire were exposed.
Secondly, the progeny of Imam Hussain kept the tradition alive.
They would frequently encourage people to visit the grave of Imam Hussain.
Subsequently, the tradition has been passed down to the present day. Over many
centuries, the shrine of Imam Hussain has been expanded and renovated to
accommodate the growing number of visitors. The visits increase at the start of
Muharram and hit their peak on the day of Arbaeen as many set the objective to
visit the shrine by then.
1.3 Some Salient Lessons
Indeed, there are so many lessons and values to be learnt from the Arbaeen Walk, in which people from all over the world participate irrespective
of their sect, profession, social status, and religion. The lessons we learn
from the Arbaeen Walk are important to use in our lives.[7]
1.3.1 Standing for Truth and Justice:
Imam Hussein's stand against injustice and tyranny in
Karbala serves as a timeless reminder to uphold truth and justice, even when
facing powerful opposition. His revolution was about promoting good, truth and justice and not only standing against but
forbidding evil and injustice. As rightly put by Imam Hussain (AS) himself: “I
seek to enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil and follow the traditions
of my grandfather (the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and my father (Imam Ali (AS)).”
To thinks of truth, to speak of truth and to stand by the truth and for the
truth is a courageous act. This is a peak of courage in the face of tyrants.
Courage is one of the most vital human virtues. For Plato, courage is “what
allows reason to rule, both in the individual and in society.” It takes a lot
of courage to live by principles and moral values in this world. Because if you
are alive, then it is criminal on your part if you do not raise your voice
against the oppressors and their atrocities and for the oppressed.
Unfortunately, many people do not care about the oppressive
practices in Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon and even in Nigeria. Most people are
afraid and are waiting for some superhero to come as the saviour to salvage all from the existing social
injustices. The least a person can do is raise a voice, for it has the potential to
make a difference.
Accordingly, Arbaeen trek symbolises the power of
truth. It is the power of the camp of Islamic Resistance that causes millions
of people to walk toward Karbala and toward Imam Hussain (AS), who is the peak
of honour as well as self-sacrifice and martyrdom.
1.3.2 Sacrifice
The
sacrifices made by Imam Hussein and his companions exemplify unwavering
devotion to God and the willingness to give everything for their beliefs.
This is indeed a story of unwavering faith and resistance against injustice
and tyranny, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Imam Hussain (AS)
chose to stand against the unjust ruler who was spreading corruption in land. This
led to the tragedy of Karbala, where Imam Hussain (AS), along with a small group
of his family and companions, were martyred. This is a great lesson that sacrifice and
resistance are the only successful ways
to freedom and liberation.
1.3.3 Patience
The Arbaeen walk is long and arduous, with the weather of Iraq not making it any easier. What’s more, people are entirely outside their comfort zone, away from the comforts and amenities at home. One who completes the walk is able to truly empathise with the less fortunate and feels increased gratitude for what they have. Difficult situations often demand patience. The walk reminds people of the patience Imam Hussain and his family and companions had to endure on the day of the Battle of Karbala and the ensuing imprisonment. In other words, the Arbaeen trek reminds participants of the patience and resilience demonstrated by Imam Hussein and his family during the events in Karbala.
1.3.4 Generosity
The spirit of
giving and service among the people of Iraq, who offer free food, lodging, and
assistance to pilgrims, reflects the selflessness and generosity encouraged by
the Karbala narrative. It is a fact that Iraqis
are people of generosity and hospitality. This is because they always serve the
guests of Imam Hussein (AS) without any segregation. They serve them irrespective of their tribe,
religion, skin colour, country, region or continent. They serve them on
humanitarian grounds. They serve them with
love and passion.
1.3.5 Unity and Solidarity
The massive
gathering of people from diverse backgrounds in Karbala underscores the unity
and solidarity that can be found in shared faith and purpose. An infinite
sea of pilgrims during the Arbaeen march is a reminder of the strength and
solidarity of Muslims, and what distinguishes this spectacular socio-religious
movement is the ultimate sense of brotherhood and solidarity.[8] Despite the fact that the Arbaeen walk is predominantly performed by Shia Muslims,
nevertheless, Sunni and non-Muslims also take part in the walk. Theological
differences are set aside as humans come together on the basic principle of
fighting evil and enjoying good. Furthermore, Mawkibs do not look at your race, religion,
ethnicity, or passport before letting you in.
1.3.6 Defiance of Oppression
Arbaeen is a powerful symbol of defiance against oppression and tyranny, inspiring people to stand up against injustice in their own lives and communities. It is the epitome of a life endowed with liberty, dignity, and defiance against oppression and tyranny. Imam Hussein is indeed the liberator of humanity from all mundane concerns, whose shining path teaches sacrifice and altruism, particularly in today’s world, which is embroiled in wars and atrocities.[9]
1.3.7 Maintaining the Spirit of Truth and
Resistance
The walk
towards the grave of Imam Hussain is a walk towards a man who is the epitome of
resistance against injustice. This refuels us and re-emphasises the importance
of standing against injustice, wherever one may be. In spite all forms of pain they had witnessed
during their journey of captivity, Imam Ali Zain Sajjad (AS) and Sayyida Zainab
(AS) lost neither faith nor hope, they remained firm in face of Yazid and his
forces,"
The annual Arbaeen ensures that
the sacrifices of Imam Hussein and his companions are not forgotten and
continue to inspire future generations. We must keep alive the memory of truth and the memory
of martyrdom in the face of the storm of the enemy’s propaganda.
1.4 Conclusion
commemorating
the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, offers profound lessons in faith, sacrifice, and
standing up for truth. It emphasises the importance of patience, resilience,
and unwavering devotion to God, even in the face of adversity. The event also
highlights the values of generosity, selflessness, and unity among believers,
as millions participate in a spirit of communal support and service.
[1] Particularly
Shiites and Sunnis / other muslim sects.
[2] The History and
Significance of The Arbaeen Walk < https://themuslimvibe.com/faith-islam/the-history-and-significance-of-the-arbaeen-walk > accessed
6 August 2025.
[3] Qur’an Surat 7
: Verse 142.
[4] Qur’an Surat
46 : Verse 15 [46:15]
[5] Al-Kafi
[6] Wasail
al-Shia.
[7] Ali Teymoori.,
Fiqh & Socitey. <http://ijtihadnet.com/lessons-from-arbaeen-walk/ > accessed
6 August 2025.
[8] What valuable lessons can we learn from
the Arbaeen march? <https://iuvmarchive.org/en/article/what-valuable
lessons-can-we-learn-from-the-arbaeen-march> accessed 6 August 2025.
[9] Ibid.
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