Millions of devoted pilgrims of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him) observe Day of Arafa, Eid al-Azha in Holy Karbala

Millions of Shiites from different cities of Iraq and other countries have come to the holy city of Karbala to perform the special Ziyarah of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him) on the day of Arafa and Eid al-Azha, and to observe other rituals of these auspicious events, including the Arafa Prayer.

With the arrival of the Day of Arafa in Iraq, millions of Muslim and Shiite pilgrims converged in Karbala to honour this occasion Arafa Day ceremony and pilgrimage to the martyrs in Imam Hussain’s shrine.

A large group of eager Iranian pilgrims have also entered Iraq through Mehran and Shalamcheh border points in order to perform the rituals and the special Ziyarah on this day in the holy city of Karbala on the Day of Arafa.

According to reports from local sources, all necessary security and service measures have been taken to receive and welcome the pilgrims of the holy city of Karbala, and the attendants of the sacred Shrines of Imam al-Hussein and Abal-Fazl al-Abbas, peace be upon them, are in full readiness to serve the pilgrims.

The Arafa Prayer ceremony is being held in the holy city of Karbala, and a large number of pilgrims from different countries have come to this holy place so that they can recite the Arafa Prayer next to the holy Shrines of Sayyed al-Shuhada and Abal-Fazl al-Abbas, peace be upon them, and seek forgiveness from God.

According to traditions, the day of Arafa is one of the most virtuous days of the year to ask for forgiveness and seek answers to prayers. Most importantly, visiting the Master of the Martyrs, Aba Abdillah al-Hussein, peace be upon him, is one of the best deeds to perform on this day.

Arafa Prayer is an opportunity to ask God for a need, a prayer to solve the problems and troubles of Muslims and Shiites in the world, and above all needs, the grace of the Honourable Imam of the Time, may Allah hasten his reappearance.

In addition to the Prayer of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him) on Arafa, the Ziyarah of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him) is highly recommended on this day. The hadith says that if one performs the Ziyarah of Imam al-Hussein on this day while possessing Ma’rifa of the Imam in heart, they will be rewarded the Sawab of one thousand approved Umrah and one thousand Hajj as well as a thousand jihads with the Messenger of God or the Righteous Imam.

The general atmosphere of the holy city of Karbala these days is spectacular. The pilgrims are not only sitting in the vicinity of the Shrines of Imam al-Hussein and Abal-Fazl al-Abbas, peace be upon them, but also on the paths leading to the shrines. They are engaged in Ziyarah, and pray while standing and, knowing the importance of this day, are busy asking for forgiveness.

Perhaps the day of Arafa is a manifestation of the name and remembrance of Imam al-Hussain, peace be upon him, because whether a person is in the land of Arafat or in Karbala on this day, the name and remembrance of Sayyid al-Shuhada, whether by reciting his special Arafa Prayer or by visiting his holy shrine, cleanses the soul and polishes the spirit. Many Hadiths with utmost credibility state that on the day of Arafa, the God Almighty, before looking in mercy at the people of Arafat, first looks in mercy at the pilgrims of Imam al-Hussein’s grave.

In one of his scholarly sessions, Grand Ayatollah Shirazi emphasized the greatness assigned to the land of Karbala based on the hadith, and said: The significance of the land of Karbala is even superior to the Kaaba, and the Almighty God attributes the pilgrims of Imam al-Hussain, peace be upon him, to himself on the day of Arafa, as they are called the pilgrims of God. Also on this day, Allah, will first look in mercy at the pilgrims of Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him) and then at the pilgrims of Hajj in Arafat, favouring the former to the latter.

Millions of devotees of Aba Abdillah al-Hussein, peace be upon him, also marked the auspicious event of Eid al-Azha in holy Karbala by holding vigil overnight at the Shrines and engaging in prayers and supplications until morning, which culminated in the great Prayer of Eid in Beynal-Harameyn.