New words can be a wall. Across this site, whenever a term like AshuraAshuraThe 10th day of the month of Muharram — the day in 680 CE when Imam Hussain (as) and his companions were killed at Karbala., duaduaA personal prayer — speaking to God in your own words: asking, thanking, or simply reflecting. or ziyarahziyarahA visit of devotion to a holy person’s shrine, or the words of greeting recited there — an act of love and respect. first appears, you can hover over it (or tap it on a phone) to see a quick meaning — no need to leave the page. Here, gathered in one place, are the words you will meet most often.
The essentials
- ArbaeenArbaeenArabic for “forty”: the 40th day after Ashura, when up to twenty million people walk to Karbala — the world’s largest annual gathering. — Arabic for “forty”: the fortieth day after Ashura, and the great walk to KarbalaKarbalaA city in modern Iraq, and the site of the events of 680 CE. Today it is home to the shrines of Imam Hussain (as) and al-Abbas (as)..
- Ashura — the tenth day of MuharramMuharramThe first month of the Islamic calendar, and the month of Ashura — a time of mourning for Imam Hussain (as)., when Imam HussainImam HussainThe grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), killed at Karbala in 680 CE for refusing to endorse a tyrant. Honoured as a symbol of standing for justice. was killed at Karbala.
- Karbala — the city in Iraq where the events of 680 CE took place, and where Hussain’s shrine now stands.
- NaynawaNaynawaAn old name for the land of Karbala (also written Nineveh) — sometimes used poetically for the place of Hussain’s stand. — an old name for the land of Karbala.
People
- Imam Hussain — grandson of the Prophet MuhammadProphet MuhammadThe founder of Islam (c. 570–632 CE), believed by Muslims to be the final prophet of God., and the figure Arbaeen honours.
- Ahlul BaytAhlul Bayt“The People of the House” — the family of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh): his daughter Fatima, her husband Ali, and their descendants. — “the People of the House”: the family of the Prophet.
- al-Abbasal-AbbasThe devoted half-brother of Imam Hussain (as) and the standard-bearer at Karbala. His shrine stands beside Hussain’s. — Hussain’s loyal half-brother, the standard-bearer at Karbala.
Acts and words
- dua — a personal prayer, in your own words.
- ziyarah — a visit of devotion to a shrine, or the greeting recited there.
- mawakibmawakibThe volunteer service camps that line the road to Karbala, feeding and sheltering millions of pilgrims for free. — the volunteer camps that feed and shelter pilgrims for free.
Curious about the story behind the words? Begin with what Arbaeen is.
