The Arba’een walk is held between Najaf and Karbala, where Imam Hussain, and his 72 companions, including his six-month-old son, was martyred by the army of then Ummayad king, Yazid in 680.
This is the first time Hussain Sadikot, a Dawoodi Bohra (part of Shiah sect of the Muslim community), will be taking part in the Arba'een walk.
"I have booked my tickets, hopefully I will be able to make it," said Sadikot who works as a property manager and lives in Kandivli.
While going for Haj is one of the most common things known about Muslims, the Arba'een walk, which is considered similar to a Haj for Shias will be starting from October-end this year. The walk marks the end of the 40-day mourning period of Imam Hussain, who was martyred in the battle of Karbala. Devouts start the walk from the 30th day, that marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, and ends on the 40th day or so.
The Arba'een walk is held between Najaf and Karbala, which is a 90 km distance. Karbala is the place where Imam Hussain, along with his 72 companions, including his six-month-old son, was martyred by the army of then Ummayad king, Yazid in 680. Arba'een marks the 40th day of the mourning of Imam Hussain.
The martyrdom of Imam Hussain is considered one of the darkest chapters in the history of Islam. "There are walks held in several places, even Mumbai. But now, a lot of people have started going to Karbala for it," said Kausar Zaidi, former president of Anjuman Imamia, a 135-year-old organisation that arranges Mohurrum juloos stalls that provide water and food during this time.
"The walk is of sentimental value to us. Imam Hussain died to save our religion. So we want to undertake this walk in his memory," said Sadikot, who is planning to go with his wife and looks to take his children from next year onwards. This year, he is also planning to reach there early, so that he can visit the grave of Imam Hussain when there is less crowd.
"At Najaf, we first pay our salaam to Hazrat Ali, who is Imam Hussain's father. We then undertake the two-day walk that ends at Karbala that has Imam Hussain's tomb," said Afzal Hussain Badami, resident of Dongri and an advocate who has been for several walks and will be going with his family.
"It is a 90-km walk that we try to cover in two to two and a half days. During this period, we also try to help whoever is around. I have given people massages, and also served tea and water," said Badami, who looks to serve in the memory of Imam Hussain.
The walk
The Arba’een walk is held between Najaf and Karbala, where Imam Hussain, and his 72 companions, including his six-month-old son, was martyred by the army of then Ummayad king, Yazid in 680. Arba’een marks the 40th day of mourning of Imam Hussain
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