Jaber Ibn Abdullah Ansari, along with his student Atiyah Oofi, were the first pilgrims of Imam Hussein’s shrine, who traveled from Madinah to Iraq after the Ashura of the year 61 AH and on the twentieth day of Safar they reached Karbala. The pilgrimage of Arbaeen Seyyed al-Shohada (AS) is his relic.

Since the 61th AH, there has been more or less, the tradition of Arba’een walking in Iraq, though the type of sovereignty has had an important effect on the establishment of this tradition. 

As during the rule of Saddam Hussein, Iraqi Shiites faced with a lot of difficulties in attending to Karbala Moa’ala on the 40th day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS) and mostly they crossed the deserts and palm trees to reach Karbala.

There are images showing the revival of the tradition of Arba’een Hossaini in the early years of the 20th century and showing the several hundred years age of this tradition.

After the collapse of the dictatorial regime of Saddam, Iraqi Shiites and some other countries and even followers of other religions such as Sunnis, Christians, the Sabe’eens, etc, participate at this incredible spiritual event.

Some of the lovers of Imam Hussein (A.S)are walking a few hundred kilometers and despite the dangers and terrorist threats that pilgrims have had in recent years, with this kind of love and purity, they will be on the path to Karbala.

Source: en.shafaqna.com