Arbaeen refers to the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) and his companions in the tragedy of Karbala in the year 61 AH, which is commemorated every year on the 20th of Safar al-Muzaffar

Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari (ra) and the Day of Arbaeen

The renowned companion of the Messenger of Allah (saww), Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansar (ra), was the very first to be honored with visiting Sayyid al-Shuhada, Imam Hussain (as), on the 20th of Safar al-Muzaffar, after his martyrdom.

When Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari (ra) came to Karbala for the pilgrimage accompanied by Atiyya ibn Awfi, he was blind and elderly. Therefore, after performing ghusl (ritual bath) in the Euphrates River, Atiyya helped him reach the sacred grave. Upon arrival, Jabir fell unconscious, and when he regained his senses, he cried out three times, “O Hussain (as)!” After that, he was also honored with visiting the graves of the other martyrs.¹

Captives of Karbala and the Day of Arbaeen

Some scholars hold the view that the captives of Karbala, after being released from Syria in 61 AH, traveled to Iraq before returning to Medina. On the 20th of Safar al-Muzaffar (the Day of Arbaeen of Imam Hussain (as) and the companions of Imam Hussain (as), they reached the land of Karbala. When this caravan arrived, Hazrat Jabir and some members of Banu Hashim were already present there. All of them met each other in a state of mourning and lamentation, beating their faces in grief. On that day, all were honored with the visitation of the graves of Imam Hussain (as) and the other martyrs.²

According to Sheikh Saduq (ra), Sayyid Ibn Tawus (ra), Sheikh Baha’i (ra), Allama Majlisi (ra), and other Shia scholars, it is established that the heads of Imam Hussain (as) and the other companions were taken by the captives from Syria. When they went to Karbala before heading to Medina, the sacred heads were reunited with their pure bodies.

Ziyarat of Arbaeen

The visitation (ziyarat) of Imam Hussain (as) on the Day of Arbaeen holds great significance, as it is considered one of the signs of a true believer. Imam Hasan al-Askari (as) stated:

The Five Signs of a Believer:

1. Performing 51 rak‘ats of prayer (daily obligatory and recommended prayers).
2. Visiting Imam Hussain (a.s.) on the Day of Arbaeen.
3. Wearing a ring on the right hand.
4. Prostrating on earth (natural clay/soil).
5. Reciting “Bismillah” aloud.³

There are two versions of Ziyarat Arbaeen: one transmitted by Shaykh al-Tusi (ra) through Safwan al-Jammal (ra) from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as), and the other narrated from ‘Ata (the same Atiyya ibn ‘Awfi al-Kufi mentioned earlier in this text). It is said that when Atiyya accompanied Jabir (ra) to Karbala on the 20th of Safar, 61 A.H., Jabir reached the grave of Imam Hussain (as) barefoot. Standing at the head of Imam Hussain’s (as) grave, he recited Takbir (Allahu Akbar) three times, then fell unconscious. As soon as he regained consciousness, he began reciting the Ziyarat, the opening phrase of which is:

Themes Present in Ziyarat Arbaeen

1. In the first part of the Ziyarat, salutations and blessings are sent upon Imam Hussain (as), along with a description of his great martyrdom and the hardships he endured.
2. The next part sheds light on some beliefs of the Shia Imamiya creed, testifying to the guardianship (Wilayah) of the Fourteen Infallibles (as), affirming that Imam Hussain (as) is the heir of the Prophets (as) and a Divine Proof (Hujjah) over all of God’s creation.
3. The Ziyarat further emphasizes that the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as) was for the salvation of humanity from ignorance and misguidance.
4. In one section, disassociation (bara’ah) from the killers of Imam Hussain (as) is expressed.
5. Along with highlighting some of Imam Hussain’s (as) virtues, it is also stated that the progeny of Sayyid al-Shuhada are the Divine Proofs of Allah.
6. In this Ziyarat, the visitor declares their allegiance to following the commands of the Fourteen Infallibles (as), supporting them, and at the same time disassociating from their enemies.

The Reward of Walking (Performing Ziyarat of Imam Hussain (as) on Foot)

The pilgrims of Imam Hussain (as) travel on foot to visit their oppressed Imam (as). Walking towards the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) is not limited to the Arbaeen pilgrimage alone; rather, in Iraq, the noble pilgrims also undertake walking journeys for Ziyarat on the 15th of Sha‘ban, the Day of Arafah, the Day of Ashura, and similarly on the eve of Fridays. If this practice is examined in the light of traditions, it becomes clear that it carries immense reward and merit. Even apart from narrations, the fact that a pilgrim chooses to walk for Ziyarat despite having access to transportation demonstrates his boundless love for Imam Hussain (as).

The pilgrims of Imam Hussain (as) travel on foot to visit their oppressed Imam (as). Walking towards the shrine of Imam Hussain (as) is not limited to the Arbaeen pilgrimage alone; rather, in Iraq, the noble pilgrims also undertake walking journeys for Ziyarat on the 15th of Sha‘ban, the Day of Arafah, the Day of Ashura, and similarly on the eve of Fridays. If this practice is examined in the light of traditions, it becomes clear that it carries immense reward and merit. Even apart from narrations, the fact that a pilgrim chooses to walk for Ziyarat despite having access to transportation demonstrates his boundless love for Imam Hussain (as).

In this brief writing, I will present to the respected readers some of these narrations.

1. Hussain ibn ‘Ali ibn Thuwair says that Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) said to me: يَا حُسَيْنُ مَنْ خَرَجَ مِنْ مَنْزِلِهِ يُرِيدُ زِيَارَةَ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ إِنْ كَانَ مَاشِياً كَتَبَ اَللّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ حَطَّ بِهَا عَنْهُ سَيِّئَةً O Hussain (as)! Whoever sets out from his home to visit Imam Hussain (as), if he goes on foot, then for every step he takes, Allah will record one good deed in his book of deeds and erase one sin from him.⁴
2. Basheer Dhahan narrates a tradition from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as), who said: إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يَخْرُجُ إِلَى قَبْرِ الْحُسَيْنِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ فَلَهُ إِذَا خَرَجَ مِنْ أَهْلِهِ بِأَوَّلِ خُطْوَةٍ مَغْفِرَةُ ذُنُوبِهِ The person who sets out to visit the grave of Imam Hussain (as) as soon as he bids farewell to his family and takes the first step, that step becomes a means for the forgiveness of his sins. ثُمَّ لَمْ يَزَلْ يُقَدَّسُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَهُ And in the same way, each of his steps will remain blessed until he reaches the grave of Imam Hussain (as). فَإِذَا أَتَاهُ نَاجَاهُ اللّهُ عَبْدِي سَلْنِي أُعْطِكَ اُدْعُنِي أُجِبْكَ اُطْلُبْ مِنِّي أُعْطِكَ سَلْنِي حَاجَةً أَقْضِهَا لَكَ Then immediately, the Lord will say to that person: ‘My servant! Ask from Me, and I shall grant you. Call upon Me, and I shall respond to you. Request from Me, and I shall bestow upon you. Present your needs to Me, and I shall fulfill them.⁵
3. Ali ibn Maymun al-Sa’igh narrates a tradition from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as), that the Imam (as) said: يَا عَلِيُّ زُرِ اَلْحُسَيْنَ وَ لاَ تَدَعْهُ O Ali! Visit Imam Hussain (as) and do not abandon it.

   Upon hearing this, Ali ibn Maymun asked the Imam (as), ‘What is the reward of the visitor of Imam Hussain (as)?’ The Imam (as) replied:

   مَنْ أَتَاهُ مَاشِياً كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ حَسَنَةً وَ مَحىٰ عَنْهُ سَيِّئَةً وَ رَفَعَ لَهُ دَرَجَةً Whoever reaches the visitation of Imam Hussain (as) on foot, Allah will, for every step he takes, record a good deed in his book of deeds, erase one sin, and raise him one degree in rank. فَإِذَا أَتَاهُ وَكَّلَ اللّهُ بِهِ مَلَكَيْنِ يَكْتُبَانِ مَا خَرَجَ مِنْ فِيهِ مِنْ خَيْرٍ وَ لاَ يَكْتُبَانِ مَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْ فِيهِ مِنْ شَرٍّ وَ لاَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ And when the pilgrim reaches the visitation, Allah sends two angels who record only his good deeds and overlook his sins. فَإِذَا اِنْصَرَفَ وَدَّعُوهُ وَ قَالُوا يَا وَلِيَّ اللّهِ مَغْفُوراً لَكَ أَنْتَ مِنْ حِزْبِ اللّهِ وَ حِزْبِ رَسُولِهِ وَ حِزْبِ أَهْلِ بَيْتِ رَسُولِهِ And when the pilgrim is returning from the visitation, the angels bid him farewell saying: ‘O friend of Allah! You have been forgiven, and you are now counted among the group of Allah, His Messenger (saww), and the Messenger’s Household’. وَ اَللَّهِ لاَ تَرَى اَلنَّارَ بِعَيْنِكَ أَبَداً وَ لاَ تَرَاكَ وَ لاَ تَطْعَمُكَ أَبَداً By Allah! You shall never see the fire of Hell, nor shall the fire of Hell see you, nor will it ever make you its prey.⁶

Deeds of the Day of Arbaeen

Safwan ibn Mehran (ra) narrates that Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (as) said: ‘When the day of (20th Safar al-Muzaffar) rises, recite this.

Text of Ziyarat Arbaeen

اَلسَّلامُ عَلَی وَلِی اللهِ وَ حَبِیبِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَی خَلِیلِ اللهِ وَ نَجِیبِهِ السَّلامُ عَلَی صَفِی اللهِ وَ ابْنِ صَفِیه السَّلامُ عَلَی الْحُسَینِ الْمَظْلُومِ الشَّهِیدِ السَّلامُ عَلَی أَسِیرِ الْكُرُبَاتِ وَ قَتِیلِ الْعَبَرَاتِ اللهُمَّ إِنِّی أَشْهَدُ أَنَّهُ وَلِیُّكَ وَ ابْنُ وَلِیِّك وَ صَفِیُّك وَ ابْنُ صَفِیِّكَ الْفَائِزُ بِكرَامَتِكَ أَكرَمْتَهُ بِالشَّهَادَةِ وَ حَبَوْتَهُ بِالسَّعَادَةِ وَ اجْتَبَیْتَهُ بِطِیبِ الْوِلادَةِ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ سَیِّدًا مِنَ السَّادَةِ وَ قَائِداً مِنَ الْقَادَةِ وَ ذَائِداً مِنَ الذَّادَةِ وَ أَعْطَیْتَهُ مَوَارِیثَ الْأَنْبِیَاءِ وَ جَعَلْتَهُ حُجَّةً عَلَی خَلْقِكَ مِنَ الْأَوْصِیَاءِ فَأَعْذَرَ فِی الدُّعَاءِ وَ مَنَحَ النُّصْحَ وَ بَذَلَ مُهْجَتَهُ فِیكَ لِیَسْتَنْقِذَ عِبَادَك مِنَ الْجَهَالَةِ وَ حَیرَةِ الضَّلَالَةِ وَ قَدْ تَوَازَرَ عَلَیهِ مَنْ غَرَّتْهُ الدُّنْیَا وَ بَاعَ حَظَّهُ بِالْأَرْذَلِ الْأَدْنَی وَ شَرَی آخِرَتَهُ بِالثَّمَنِ الْأَوْكَسِ وَ تَغَطْرَسَ وَ تَرَدَّی فِی هَوَاهُوَ أَسْخَطَكَ وَ أَسْخَطَ نَبِیِّكَ، وَ أَطَاعَ مِنْ عِبَادِك أَهْلَ الشِّقَاقِ وَ النِّفَاقِ وَ حَمَلَةَ الْأَوْزَارِ الْمُسْتَوْجِبِینَ النَّارَ [لِلنَّارِ] فَجَاهَدَهُمْ فِیكَ صَابِرًا مُحْتَسِبًا حَتّٰی سُفِكَ فِی طَاعَتِكَ دَمُهُ وَ اسْتُبِیْحَ حَرِیمُهُ اللّٰهُمَّ فَالْعَنْهُمْ لَعْناً وَبِیلاً وَ عَذِّبْهُمْ عَذَاباً أَلِیماً السَّلامُ عَلَیكَ یا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ السَّلامُ عَلَیك یَا ابْنَ سَیدِ الْأَوْصِیاءِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّك أَمِینُ اللهِ وَ ابْنُ أَمِینِهِ عِشْتَ سَعِیداً وَ مَضَیْتَ حَمِیداً وَ مُتَّ فَقِیْداً مَظْلُوماً شَهِیْداً وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ اللهَ مُنْجِزٌ مَا وَعَدَكَ وَ مُهْلِكٌ مَنْ خَذَلَكَ وَ مُعَذِّبٌ مَنْ قَتَلَكَ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ وَفَیْتَ بِعَهْدِ اللهِ وَ جَاهَدْتَ فِی سَبِیلِهِ حَتّٰی أَتَاكَ الْیَقِینُ فَلَعَنَ اللهُ مَنْ قَتَلَك وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ مَنْ ظَلَمَك وَ لَعَنَ اللهُ أُمَّةً سَمِعَتْ بِذَلِك فَرَضِیَتْ بِهِ، اللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّی أُشْهِدُكَ أَنِّی وَلِیَ لِمَنْ وَالاهُ وَ عَدُّوٌ لِمَنْ عَادَاهُ بِأَبِی أَنْتَ وَ أُمِّی یا ابْنَ رَسُولِ اللهِ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّك كنْتَ نُورا فِی الْأَصْلابِ الشَّامِخَةِ وَ الْأَرْحَامِ الْمُطَهَّرَةِ [الطَّاهِرَةِ] لَمْ تُنَجِّسْك الْجَاهِلِیةُ بِأَنْجَاسِهَا وَ لَمْ تُلْبِسْك الْمُدْلَهِمَّاتُ مِنْ ثِیابِهَا وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّك مِنْ دَعَائِمِ الدِّینِ وَ أَرْكانِ الْمُسْلِمِینَ وَ مَعْقِلِ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّكَ الْإِمَامُ الْبَرُّ التَّقِی الرَّضِی الزَّكی الْهَادِی الْمَهْدِی وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ الْأَئِمَّةَ مِنْ وُلْدِكَ كلِمَةُ التَّقْوَی وَ أَعْلامُ الْهُدَی وَ الْعُرْوَةُ الْوُثْقَی وَ الْحُجَّةُ عَلَی أَهْلِ الدُّنْیا وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنِّی بِكمْ مُؤْمِنٌ وَ بِإِیَّابِكمْ مُوقِنٌ بِشَرَائِعِ دِینِی وَ خَوَاتِیمِ عَمَلِی وَ قَلْبِی لِقَلْبِكمْ سِلْمٌ وَ أَمْرِی لِأَمْرِكمْ مُتَّبِعٌ وَ نُصْرَتِی لَكمْ مُعَدَّةٌ حَتَّی یأْذَنَ اللهُ لَكمْ فَمَعَكمْ مَعَكمْ لا مَعَ عَدُوِّكمْ صَلَوَاتُ اللهِ عَلَیكمْ وَ عَلَی أَرْوَاحِكمْ وَأَجْسَادِكمْ[أَجْسَامِكمْ] وَ شَاهِدِكمْ وَ غَائِبِكمْ وَ ظَاهِرِكمْ وَ بَاطِنِكمْ آمِینَ رَبَّ الْعَالَمِینَ ۔

Translation of Ziyarat Arbaeen

Peace be upon the Friend of Allah and His Beloved. Peace be upon the True Friend of Allah and His Chosen One. Peace be upon the Beloved of Allah and the son of His Beloved. Peace be upon Hussain (as), the oppressed martyr. Peace be upon Hussain (as), the one beset with hardships, for whom tears are shed. O Lord! I bear witness that he is indeed Your Wali (guardian) and the son of Your Wali, Your Beloved and the son of Your Beloved. You honored him, granted him the dignity of martyrdom, bestowed upon him blessedness, and caused him to be born in a purified household. You made him the Chief among chiefs, the Leader among leaders, the Warrior among warriors, and the inheritor of the legacy of the Prophets. You appointed him among the trustees (awsiya) and a Proof over Your creation. He fulfilled the duty of delivering the message, offered the best counsel, and sacrificed his life for Your sake so that Your servants might be freed from ignorance and misguidance. But the oppressors rose against him those who were deluded by worldly arrogance, who sold their souls for petty gain, and bartered their Hereafter for loss. They turned rebellious, followed their greed, angered You, and displeased Your Prophet (saww). They obeyed those among Your servants who were stubborn and faithless, carrying the burden of their sins as they rushed towards Hellfire. Hussain (as) rose against them for Your sake, with firmness and wisdom, until his blood was shed in obedience to You and his sacred family was plundered. O Lord! Send Your curse upon those oppressors with severity, and inflict upon them a painful punishment. Peace be upon you, O son of the Messenger of Allah (saww). Peace be upon you, O son of the Chief of Successors. I bear witness that you are the Trustee of Allah and the son of His Trustee. You lived in blessedness, passed in praiseworthy conduct, and were martyred in oppression, away from home. I testify that Allah will reward you with what He has promised, and He will destroy those who abandoned you and punish those who killed you. I bear witness that you fulfilled the responsibility entrusted to you by Allah, strove in His path until you attained martyrdom. May Allah curse the one who killed you, curse the one who wronged you, and curse the people who rejoiced upon hearing of your martyrdom. O Lord! I call You to witness that I am the friend of their friends and the enemy of their enemies. May my parents be sacrificed for you, O son of the Messenger of Allah (saww)! I testify that you were a shining light, carried in noble loins and pure wombs, unsullied by the filth of ignorance, and untainted by its garments of disgrace. I bear witness that you are the pillar of religion, the leader of Muslims, and the refuge of the believers. I bear witness that you are an Imam (as) righteous, pure, chosen, and rightly guided. I bear witness that the Imams from your progeny are the exemplars of piety, the signs of guidance, the firm chain of succession, and the divine proof upon the people of the world. I testify that I am your follower, and the follower of your forefathers, firmly believing in the laws of my faith and the recompense of my deeds. My heart is bound to your heart, my actions aligned with your actions, and my support pledged to you until Allah grants you permission to rise so that I may be with you, not with your enemies. May the mercy of Allah be upon you, upon your pure souls, upon your bodies, upon your present and your absent ones, upon your manifest and hidden selves. So be it, O Lord of the worlds.

Reference

¹Nafs al-Mahmoom, p. 322
²Lahoof, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, p. 225
³Khisal, Shaykh Saduq (ra), p. 269
⁴Tahdhib al-Aḥkam, p. 43
⁵Bihar al-Anwar, Majlisi, vol. 97, p. 24
⁶Kamil al-Ziyarat, Ibn Qulawayh, vol. 1, p. 133
⁷Iqbal al-Aʿmal, vol. 2, p. 589