The battle of Karbala is the most tragic event in the history of the Islamic world. The battle in which the third Shia Imam Hussein ibn Ali (AS) sacrificed his life and all his belongings, including his family and dearest friends, to stand against oppression and injustice. 

Now, after nearly 1400 years, not only Shia and Sunni Muslims but all pure-hearted individuals still appreciate and mark what Imam Hussein (AS) did in Karbala. 

One of the ways of marking Imam Hussein's memory and showing respect to him among Shias is to pay a visit (ziyarat) to his holy shrine which is located in Iraq's Karbala.

Generally in Islam, ziyara or ziyarat is a form of pilgrimage to sites associated with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), his family members and descendants, his companions, and other venerated figures in Islam such as the prophets and Islamic scholars. 

The greatest and biggest form of ziyarat is held 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) in Iraq which is known as the Arbaeen Pilgrimage or Arbaeen Walk.

Arbaeen pilgrims start their journey by visiting the shrine of Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam and the father of Imam Hussein (AS), in Najaf and then they walk 50 miles toward the city of Karbala, where was the scene of Karbala Battle and the shrine of Imam Hussein and his beloved brother Hazrat Abbas (AS) are located.

The philosophy of Arbaeen Walk

The Arabic word for the number 40 is Arbaeen and signifies the end of a 40-day mourning period for Hussein (AS) and others martyred in the Karbala desert.

According to most Islamic schools of law, a person who dies is mourned for 40 days by loved ones.

The aim of the Arbaeen pilgrimage is not just about visiting the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS). The ziyarat symbolizes the commitment to the Imam's beliefs and manner of living. Arbaeen pilgrims renew their allegiance with Imam Hussein (AS) as they visit his shrine. 

They also chant "Labaik ya Hussain" in front of the shrine of the Imam. The expression is generally associated with the commemorations of Muharram. It means, "I am answering you, O Hussain!" 

The reason for chanting this slogan is Imam Hussein's call for help in the last seconds of his life. When all his companions were martyred and he, himself, was suffering from severe injuries, he shouted, "Isn't there anyone to help me?” Imam wanted to make the Yazidi Army aware of their mistake by saying this sentence.

Now today, the pilgrims of Karbala chant "Labaik ya Hussain" to show that although they were not present in the Battle of Karbala, now they are ready to help Imam by keeping his memory alive and continuing his path.

The importance of Karbala Battle and loving Imam Hussein (AS)

"Think not of those who are slain in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the Presence of their Lord; they rejoice in the Bounty provided by Allah; and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), they (the martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they cause to grieve. They glory in the grace of Allah and the bounty in the fact that Allah suffereth not the reward of the faithful to be lost (in the least)," these are the words of God in Surah Al-Imran Ayat 169.

Sacrifice is an important concept in Islam that is categorized into different levels and martyrdom is considered one of their greatest. The sacrifice is to symbolize submission to the will of God. Fasting for 30 days during the month of Ramadan can be an example of sacrifice in Islam. It is not eating or drinking for a certain period of time in obeying the order of Allah.

One of the most beautiful examples we have of sacrifice is that of Imam Hussein, the Lord of Martyrs. In the desert of Karbala, Imam Hussein’s small party, which included his relatives and a few close companions, was surrounded by the forces of Yazid which comprised 40,000 soldiers. They cut off the water to the Imam’s camp on the seventh day of Muharram and tortured them with thirst and hunger.

Imam Hussain (AS) believed that allegiance to Yazid is not in the interest of Islam and if the Muslim nation suffers from a person like Yazid, there will be no Islam. Therefore, he decided not to accept allegiance to Yazid under any circumstances.