In the Arabic language, Arbaeen refers to forty, or the fortieth. Arbaeen, observed by Shia Muslims, is a major religious event that draws millions of worshippers to Karbala, the holy city in Iraq. The occasion marks the conclusion of forty days of mourning for Hussein ibn Ali, the third Shia imam and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. Because the Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, this year the day of Arbaeen falls on August 26 in India.
Arbaeen is also referred to as Chehlum in the Indian subcontinent. It is observed yearly on the twentieth day of Safar, the second month of the Islamic calendar.
The pilgrims travel hundreds of kilometres — mostly on foot and over 20 days—from places in Iran and Iraq to the holy city of Karbala, where they honour Imam Hussein’s martyrdom.
Hussein, the son of Imam Ali and the grandchild of the Prophet Muhammad was slain in battle against Yazid’s army in 680 AD in Karbala.
Yazid wished for Hussain to accept his authority and lend legitimacy to his cruel leadership.
But Hussain refused to do so because of his morals and principles. As a result, he was killed alongside his companions while still maintaining their dignity and honour.
The ladies and children of Hussain’s household were captured by Yazid’s troops following the Battle of Karbala.
They were made to march through several towns and cities, including Damascus and Kufa. Shackled, they suffered from mob abuse until they were finally brought before Yazid and condemned to prison.
Hussain’s son Ali ibn Hussain and sister Zainab delivered powerful speeches criticising Yazid in the presence of his ministers, exposing his despicable rule and frightening Yazid’s counsellors.
Ultimately, Yazid recognised that if he left Hussain’s family at his palace, they would further embarrass him before all of his ministers, so he had to let them go.
Following the Battle of Karbala, Hussain’s family dedicated their lives to spreading his ideology and fighting corruption.
As per the Shiite school of thought, Hussain’s family visited Karbala on the Day of Arbaeen to honour the slain warriors and allow themselves to mourn for their loved ones.
In the present day, many pilgrims choose to travel 80 km by foot from Imam Ali’s grave in the adjacent city of Najaf to Karbala.
Those who travel from far-off cities opt to drive.
Along the way, pilgrims are fed and provided with water at stalls set up by other believers.
For millions of Shia believers, the occasion is one of the most important in the Shia calendar because they show their respect for Hussein and his sacrifice at Karbala, even if participation is not required in the Shia faith.
The Arbaeen pilgrimage is regarded as one of the world’s largest religious gatherings and the largest congregation of Muslims.
According to the Institute for Political and International Studies, over a week in 2019, about 20 million pilgrims from Iraq and about 5 million pilgrims from other nations—including 3.3 million Iranians—attended the Arbaeen pilgrimage at Karbala.
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