Exploring the History of the Arbaeen Walk: The Reason behind the Pilgrimage and the First Pilgrims of Imam Hussain (PBUH)
Following the tragic event of Ashura in 61 AH (680 CE), which led to the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH) and his loyal companions, significant events took place that shaped the Arbaeen walk as a tradition.
Two questions arise: Two key questions arise here: Who were the founders of the Arbaeen walk, and who was the first pilgrim of Imam Hussain (PBUH)? It is well-known among Shia Muslims that on the day of Arbaeen, Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, a companion of the Prophet (PBUH), along with a group from the Banu Hashim and relatives of the Prophet, traveled on foot to Karbala to perform the pilgrimage. They met the caravan of Imam Hussein’s household (Ahl al-Bayt) in Karbala.
Thus, the first Arbaeen walk can be traced back to 61 AH, forty days after Ashura, when two caravans set out toward Karbala from different routes. Some skeptics have questioned the arrival of Imam Hussein’s household in Karbala on the exact day of Arbaeen due to the events and the length of the captives’ journey. However, credible Shia sources, such as Maqtal al-Luhuf by Ibn Tawus, A Research on the First Arbaeen of Sayyid al-Shuhada by Sayyid Muhammad Ali Qazi Tabatabaei, Kamil al-Ziyarat by Ibn Qulawayh Qummi, and the works of Sheikh Mufid and Sheikh Tusi, emphasize that the Ahl al-Bayt arrived in Karbala on the 20th of Safar, the day of Arbaeen.
Why Did the Caravan of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) Return to Karbala?
One day after the tragic Ashura of 61 AH, Umar ibn Sa’d, following the orders of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the ruler at the time, sent the sacred heads of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions, along with the women, children, and Ahl al-Bayt—including Lady Zainab (SA), Imam Sajjad (AS), Lady Umm Kulthum (SA), the daughters of the Imam, Lady Rabab (SA), and others—to Damascus. After some time, Yazid permitted the Imam’s household to return to Medina. The caravan of Karbala captives, led by Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS) and Lady Zainab (SA), reached Iraq on their way back to Medina. They requested their guide to take them through Karbala, the site of Imam Hussein’s (AS) martyrdom and that of his companions. Consequently, the caravan of Karbala survivors arrived in Karbala on the fortieth day after Ashura, becoming the first pilgrim of Imam Hussain (PBUH).
According to some historical and narrational sources, such as Maqtal al-Luhuf, on the day of Arbaeen, the first pilgrim of Imam Hussain (PBUH), namely his Ahl al-Bayt, returned to Karbala. They mourned the Imam and the martyrs and reunited the sacred heads, which they had brought with them, with the bodies. The return of Lady Zainab (SA) and the other captives to Karbala was a deeply meaningful and strategic decision with multiple objectives. These objectives can address the question of the significance of the Arbaeen walk. In this section of the article, we aim to briefly explore some of the reasons for the caravan’s return to Karbala and the philosophy behind reuniting the heads with the martyrs’ bodies.
The Opportunity for Mourning the Martyrs of Karbala
The household of the Imam, who were all one of the first pilgrim of Imam Hussain (PBUH), were sent to Damascus one day after the tragedy of Ashura, leaving them no time to mourn. Thus, the return of the captives’ caravan to Karbala provided a proper opportunity to hold a mourning ceremony for the martyrs. Consequently, the first mourning ceremony for the martyrs of Karbala was conducted by the first pilgrim of Imam Hussein (AS) on the occasion of the first Arbaeen in Karbala.
This ceremony marked the initial step in keeping alive the memory of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions and introducing the Ashura uprising to the world. It can be unequivocally stated that mourning for the Imam and his companions provides a profound answer to the question of the significance of the Arbaeen walk. Lady Zainab (SA) and Imam Sajjad (AS), through this ceremony, fulfilled their goal of preserving the message of Ashura, establishing and promoting the Ashura culture, and reminding future generations of the sacrifices of Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions.
Visiting the Imam’s Shrine to Pay Respect and Reverence to the Martyrs of Karbala
It is evident that one of the primary reasons for the return of the Imam’s household to Karbala was to express respect and devotion to the martyrs. In response to the question of the significance of the Arbaeen walk, it can be said that one reason people of pure disposition are drawn to the Imam—the infallible export who is the only legitimate representative of God on earth—is to honor his sacred presence.
By returning to Karbala, the Imam’s household aimed to reaffirm their respect and love for the Imam, his martyred companions, and their ideals. This act served not only to remind themselves but also to convey to others the values of the Ashura uprising and the sacrifices of Imam Hussein (AS), ensuring their memory remains alive.
Countering Distortions and Clarifying the Truth
Another reason for the caravan’s return to Karbala was to confront the distortions and lies spread by enemies regarding the Ashura event. Exposing the falsehoods of those who sought to obscure the truth is another compelling answer to the significance of the Arbaeen pilgrimage, to the extent that it led the Ahl al-Bayt, as the first pilgrims of Imam Hussein (AS), to journey to Karbala under extremely challenging conditions.
Yazid and the Umayyad dynasty attempted to misrepresent the Ashura uprising as a mere rebellion or tribal conflict against their “legitimate” caliphate. Lady Zainab (SA), as the leader of the captives’ caravan and the first pilgrim of Imam Hussain (AS) on the day of Arbaeen, returned to Karbala and, through her speeches—especially her renowned sermon in Yazid’s court—revealed the truth of Ashura to the people. She described Karbala as a center of resistance against oppression and corruption, challenging the enemies by clarifying the reality of Ashura. This action by Lady Zainab (SA) and Imam Sajjad (AS) has inspired millions to embark on this enlightening and spiritual journey in search of truth.
After returning to Karbala, Lady Zainab (SA), as a spiritual and cultural leader, exemplified resilience and resistance against oppression and corruption. The return to Karbala demonstrated that, despite all the hardships and suffering, the resolve of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS) to stand against tyranny remained unwavering. In her sermons, Lady Zainab (SA) reminded people that the Ashura uprising was not a fleeting act of vengeance but a lasting symbol of standing against oppression and corruption, one that will remain alive in hearts forever.
Rejoining the Heads to the Bodies of the Martyrs
Another reason for the significance of the first Arbaeen walk was the reunification of the martyrs’ heads with their bodies, a profoundly meaningful act. Among the Ahl al-Bayt, Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS) took on this responsibility. Rejoining the heads to the bodies was not merely about completing the physical forms of the martyrs; beyond its apparent meaning, it may serve as a metaphor for the completion of human beings when they join the “Perfect Human” (the Imam) after enduring a challenging period (forty days of separation from the Imam) and being in his presence. The soul and heart of a person reach perfection only when they follow the path of spiritual growth and resemblance to their creator by emulating his sole legitimate representative on earth—the infallible Imam—and submitting to his guardianship. The sanctity of the number 40 in Islam, combined with the Shia belief in the Principle of the Primacy of Expertise, supports this understanding.
The Arbaeen walk is not only a religious pilgrimage but also a symbol of commitment to human values, resistance against oppression, and the preservation of the message of Ashura. This ceremony began in its earliest days with the return of Imam Hussein’s (AS) household as the first pilgrims, alongside Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari, and has since grown into one of the largest spiritual gatherings in the world. Understanding the history and philosophy of Arbaeen brings greater clarity to the depth and significance of this monumental movement.
