Karbala is technically a piece of land situated in Iraq but actually, it is something more than a mere city. Karbala is a symbol of faith and sacrifice. It holds significant importance for Muslims as it is the burial place of Imam Hussain and many of his companions. Hussain is not only loved by Muslims but by the non-Muslims as well. His life is a light and a way of living for many others. He was born and raised in Medina, the city of Saudia Arabia but later he came to Karbala where the tragedy occurs with him and is still remembered by many as the tragedy of Karbala. Many pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Imam Hussain throughout the year but on the day of Arbaeen which is marked as the 40th day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the whole scenario seems to have changed. It seemed something magical when the flood of people was observed walking from Najaf to Karbala which is estimated to be an 80km walk. The followers of Imam Hussain walk this prolonged bearing hardships in solidarity with the imam. They convey the message that if they had been there at the time of the tragedy of Karbala, they would have sacrificed their lives for Imam Hussain.
Table of Contents
Tragedy of Karbala
The historical event known as the “Tragedy of Karbala” holds immense significance in Islamic history and culture. This tragic incident took place in the 7th century AD, specifically on the 10th of Muharram, during the Islamic month of Ashura. It revolves around the martyrdom of Imam Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his loyal companions. The tragic events that unfolded in Karbala have left a lasting impact on the Muslim world and continue to resonate with believers today.
The heart-wrenching climax of the tragedy occurred on the plains of Karbala, where a small band of Imam Hussain’s supporters faced a formidable army. Despite their outnumbered status, Imam Hussain and his companions displayed unwavering courage and determination in the face of adversity. The battle resulted in the martyrdom of Imam Hussain and his companions. This act of supreme sacrifice and martyrdom for the sake of principles and justice has become a cornerstone of Islamic teachings and serves as an example of steadfastness in the face of oppression.
Hussain the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H)
Hussain s/o Ali is the third Imam of Shia Islam after Ali and his brother Hassan. He was the maternal grandson of the holy prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). He was the son of Lady Fatima and Ali ibn e Abi Talib. When Hussain became the Imam(head) after his brother Hassan, the so-called loyals of Imam Hussain sent a letter to him to come to Kufa(a city in Iraq) to be their imam over there. On his way to Kufa, his caravan was stopped by the strong army of the governor of Kufa and was forced to go to Karbala. The large number of armies about 40,000 horsemen and infantry arrived soon afterwards. There the battle of Karbala took place but it was the most unjust war ever seen in history. Imam Hussain along with his companions and family members including six months old son was martyred brutally with three days of hunger and thirst. Afterward, his family members were imprisoned and treated very badly.
Today the followers of Imam Hussain are huge in number and are spread everywhere. Now even after almost 1400 years of his martyrdom the Shia people are full of anger and hatred for the enemy of Imam and have immense love for their master. The only thing that makes people travel a long distance to Iraq and come out of their comfort zone is the “Love of Imam Hussain”.
Arbaeen Walk
The holy pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca was seen to be the largest Muslim gathering in history. But in the past few decades, there has been a shift in the trend and a huge number of pilgrims are reported in Iraq, which surpasses the former number of pilgrims in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This spiritual journey is known as the Arbaeen Walk. It is from Najaf(the tomb of Imam Ali, the fourth caliph of Sunni Muslims and first imam of Shia Muslims) to Karbala(the tomb of Imam Hussain s/o Imam Ali). It is a holy experience throughout the walk.
Local people are seen hosting the pilgrims with a variety of food, shelter, and other several things. 30 million pilgrims are reported in the year 2017 and 21 million in the previous year 2022. The weather conditions are harsh and warm. In the previous year, the temperature was 45 degrees Celsius. This year it is said to be around 50 degrees Celsius. The surprising fact is that despite this heat and rough weather the number of pilgrims keeps increasing yearly. People don’t mind walking in the scorching sun. There are people of various backgrounds, from the elite class to the lower class, all come on the same ground and walk for the love of Hussain. The ones who used to sleep in air-conditioned rooms willingly walked in the direct sun and slept in portable tents. This zeal and zest is spectacular on the occasion of Arbaeen.
The Arbaeen walk is held in the second month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Safar. On the 20th of Safar, the pilgrims have to reach the shrine of Imam Hussain. It marks the 40th day of martyrdom of Imam Hussain and companions which is very significant for the Shia Muslims. The most surprising fact about this spiritual journey is that the government has no financial involvement. They provide the security and basic route plan; the rest of the arrangements are from the local Arabs and their neighbor Iranians. The area of the walk is not a residential area yet these days they arrange it in the best possible way to facilitate the pilgrims who are also known as Zaireen(people who visit). The 80km path is fully dedicated to walkers and there is no traffic on the frontage road. You can witness the longest food street with various food items offered free of any cost. You can get the best of the best accommodation to sleep, the masseurs and all the possible facilities. Throughout the journey, there are groups of people lamenting and mourning over the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. It is for Imam Hussain for whom these massive arrangements are being made every year.
Najaf – A city in central Iraq
Al-Najaf also famous as An-Najaf-al-Ashraf is a city in central Iraq and is about 160km South of Baghdad (The Capital of Iraq). It is said to be the holiest and the most spiritual city for the Shia Muslims. The largest graveyard of the world known as Wadi-us Salam is located in this City. It used to be the hub of Shia and Islamic studies. It is reported to have the shrine of Ali ibn-e Abi Talib, the cousin and the son-in-law of the holy prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). It is the major pilgrimage destination and many miracles have been reported here. Many patients get cures from this spiritual shrine. People come here and their wishes are granted.
The city of Najaf was founded in 791AD by Harun-ar-Rashid who was the caliph of the Abbasid dynasty. The city accommodates multicultural and religious people. This city also has the largest cemetery of Christians which is about the area of 1416 acres. The significance of this city started with Imam Ali. He was the ruler of Kufa. He ordered to keep his burial place a secret because he had a lot of enemies and did not want anyone to harm his body. It is reported that his body was placed on a camel and the camel went and secretly buried his body in Najaf. At that point, there was no tomb and mark of his grave. After many years Harun-ar-Rashid built the tomb of Imam Ali. Since then, the city of Najaf has become the center of Shia Muslim attractions.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the love of Imam Hussain is in the hearts of many Muslims and non-Muslims. As a result, the Karbala is alive to date. The Tragedy of Karbala stands as a testament to the enduring values of justice, sacrifice, and resilience. Imam Hussain’s sacrifice continues to inspire Muslims and people of various backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of standing up for principles even in the face of adversity. As we reflect on the lessons of Karbala, may we draw strength from its message of unwavering faith and courage. A walk from Najaf to Karbala is a holy journey comprising thousands of followers of Imam Hussain. The only thing common among these pilgrims is “the love of Hussain”.