Why Arbaeen (The Fortieth Day) is Observed in the Shia Calendar

The Imam’s words were so powerful that Yazid faced objections from the Syrians. Thus, Yazid had to change his policy towards the Imam to save his own government. He delivered a speech for the Syrians and said, “I did not kill nor did I order to kill (Imam) Hossein” and then he blamed his governor Ibn Ziyad for the horrific tragedy. During the Imam’s short stay in Damascus, someone asked the Imam about his life. The Imam responded by comparing his life to that of the children of Israel, when the pharaoh killed their sons and enslaved their women. Arba’een (the Fortieth Day) Yazid asked the captives from the family and relatives of Imam Hossein if they wanted to stay in Syria or return to their homes in Medina. They asked him to allow them to gather and mourn for the loss of their loved ones. Thus, one of the first gatherings of mourning for Imam Hossein was set up in the heart of the Umayyad government. The captives wore black, gathered people, and mourned for one week. Then, they decided to return to Medina. Yazid gathered a caravan to respectfully return the captives to Medina so the people would think he was innocent. On their way to Medina, the captives requested the caravan to stop in Karbala. Exactly 40 days after the martyrdom of Imam Hossein, the caravan arrived in Karbala. They met Jabir ibn Abdullah, one of the Prophet’s close companions and the first visitor to pay his respects to the grave of Imam Hossein. This day was called Arba’een, or Fortieth (Day), and became an important day on the Shia calendar. Many believe that, during this visit, Imam Sajjad returned the head of Imam Hossein to Karbala and buried it with the rest of his body. After a few days of mourning, the caravan continued its journey to Medina.

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