Some points about the history of Arbaeen
Tehran(KNA) : This pilgrimage is called Arbaeen because it represents the passage of forty days from the martyrdom of Imam Husayn on Muharram 10.
This pilgrimage coincides with Safar 21st, the day on which Jaber_Ibn_Abdullah al-Ansari came from Medina to Kerbela to visit the tomb of Imam Hussein . He was the first pilgrim of Kerbela and Imam Hussein's shrine.
On this day, Imam Hussein family led by Imam Zine al-Abidin returned from Levant to Kerbela again, and met with Jabir. From that time, the visit and pilgrimage of Arbaeen are being held by Shiites. And, today, people from different countries participate in this march.
The elites of Islam and Shia have emphasized the importance of this pilgrimage and march. Imam Hassan Al_Askari has expressed that a faithfull muslim has five signs and one of them is participating in Arbaeen pilgrimage.