Mujeeb Ali Samo
Karbala is a place where the great sacrifice of Imam Hussain (a.s) is commemorated. Every year on chillum the devotees of Imam Hussain (a.s) cover the distance of 86 kilometers through the walk from Najaf to Karbala. The devotees perform this sacred walk by coming across the world irrespective of their religion. I have seen the peak of their faith. They are thousands who walk barefoot all long-distance without rest. There is no person who is prevented from joining the journey. There are thousands who also come on foot across the world. He joins the crowd of million devotees of imam Hussain (a.s) on the way to Karbala. He is whether the good in health or suffering from any physical disability cares not about his compulsion. Before showing their presence in Karbala, the zairean travel a long journey from Najaf on foot. In this 3-4 day long walk thousands of people gather on the entire route to help these zaireen. Who try that no zair should face the smallest difficulty and even if there is a moment of exhaustion or distress at any point. The zair does not find himself alone and without help at that moment. If anyone is tired and wants to rest, all houses on the way are opened for him. And their owners of the houses happily become servants of zairean. These homes have the best of facilities to fulfill all the needs of zair. Breakfast, tea, beds, blankets, and even special arrangements to charge the zaireens phones, the satisfaction on their faces after serving the zaireen, the satisfaction has to be seen on their faces. Here, no one asks you about your religion or your sect, here every zair is honourable and every zair is treated like a royal if someone wants to the harmony and unity among the Muslim he can endure the journey of Karbala. If he wants to see the teaching of the Holy Prophet being followed, he can take part in this walk of Arbaeen and watch. After watching all this I have realized that when every Muslim is honored highly irrespective of his religion or sect, there can be no deep divisions within Islam. After looking at everything here I am now very sure that the imagery of violence and hate are only a result of foreign conspiracies, over here I clearly saw the truth that the huge respect for all humans in a big part of Islam and this kind of service and respect is not found anywhere else. Giving shelter to all the zaireen along the way giving them tea, coffee, water, juice, and even tissue paper to this community that opens its doors and hearts for the service of zaireen, I pay salutations. People who have neither a house to give the zaireen, nor food nor anything else is also engaged in serving the Zaireen. Some times by pressing their feet and other times by encouraging them for the holy journey and serving the best to their personal capacity. The servants of the zaireen, as they call themselves, must serve visitors to the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s) as if they were getting some huge treasure to do so. They do not leave a single opportunity to serve the important guests of the Imam. And do not take any money or favours from the zaireen for their service, if someone wants to give money, they get upset and ask the zaireen not to keep them away from the rewards given by Imam Hussain (a.s) the huge respect given to a zair of Imam Hussain (a.s) is probably more than that ever given to any improper. The height of extending respect is such people take the dirt under the zaireen feet out on their faces, put on their heads, and even keep this dirt in their homes as charm! I have seen people assist the zair of Imam Hussain (a.s) and Hazrat Abbas (a.s) with a lot of humbleness. I have seen the people in service of the zaireen with full zeal and the zest. Throughout the entire journey, shouts of “Ya Zair, Ya Zair” and Labaik Ya Hussain, Labaik Ya Hussain echoes in the air. Everywhere the servants of the zair of Imam Hussain (a.s) show availability and ask with humblity that ‘Oh Zair, Imam Hussain(a.s), take something from us. Such requests are heard by the servants of Imam Hussain (a.s) so that my Imam Hussain (a.s) is pleased with my service and I seek his pleasure here and hereafter . Oh zair give us a chance too! Eat something, drink something, rest for some time at our place. You are the lover of the Prophet and his progeny you are going for the ziarat of the grandchild of the prophet Muhammad (saw). If you are happy with us, even in the smallest manner, it would be the greatest achievement of our life, so much respect, and honour! For what? Only because he is zair Imam Hussain (A.S), of that oppressed Imam who was martyred thirsty in desert. This respect is actually of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (saw) and the loyal brother Hazrat Abbas (a.s), the flag bearer of the martyrs of Karbala. Karbala’s walk is the epitome of love, devotion, and faith. The true follower of Prophet Muhammad (saw) observes this sacred walk on the Chellum of Immam Hussain (a.s) every year. The long walk love starts from the Najaf the resting place of Imam Ali (a.s), Father of the Martyred Imam Hussain (a.s), and the loyal Hazrat Abbas(a.s). This journey ends with the ziarat of Hazrat Abbas (a.s) and then Imam Hussain(a.s) on the day of Chellum. The supplication recited and prayer of ziarat offered on the day of Chellum. Then after all the zareen procced for their homes by sobbing and entreating that Mola Hussain (a.s) call us next year to your shrine so that we mourn over you for the sacred sacrifice that you give for the sake of Allah and preserved the Deen Islam. May Allah guide us to follow the righteous path on that which imam Hussain(a.s) has preached and sacrificed his life to save the entire mankind.
(-The writer is a freelance columnist, based in Larkana.)
