Preparation of Mowkebs in Iraq for the Arbaeen Pilgrimage

Every year, as the month of Muharram approaches, an indescribable passion arises in the hearts of the lovers of the Master of Martyrs (Imam Hussein (a.s.)). Millions of pilgrims from all over the world prepare themselves to participate in the great Arbaeen Hussaini pilgrimage. This spiritual journey is an unparalleled opportunity to renew the covenant with Imam Hussein (a.s.) and his loyal companions.

Mowkebs are places that are set up along the Arbaeen pilgrimage route and provide pilgrims with various services, including food, water, accommodation, and medical care. Establishing and running a mowkeb is not an easy task, and it requires careful planning, coordination, and night and day efforts from the servants of Hussein.

In this year’s Arbaeen, around 2,000 Iranian mowkebs were set up in Iraq. These mowkebs were located in various parts of Iraq, including Najaf, Karbala, Kazemieh, Samarra, and the Arbaeen pilgrimage routes.

Of course, the exact number of Iranian mowkebs may vary slightly, as some mowkebs operate spontaneously and without official licenses.

**In addition to Iranian mowkebs, there were also mowkebs from other countries in Iraq. In total, around 25,000 mowkebs were set up in Iraq this Arbaeen to provide services to pilgrims.

The reward of visiting Imam Hussein on the day of Arbaeen in the hadiths of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.):

1. The reward of visiting Arbaeen:

Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on the day of Arbaeen, Allah writes for him a good deed with every step and erases a sin from him until he reaches the Holy Shrine. Then, after reaching that noble place, Allah Almighty makes him among the survivors until he finishes the ceremonies and acts of visitation, at which time he considers him among the winners until he decides to return. At this time, an angel comes to him and says: The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.S.) sends you greetings and says to you: “Start the work anew, all your past sins are forgiven.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 101)”
Imam Baqir (a.s.): “Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on the day of Arbaeen is like one who fought with him in Karbala and was martyred.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 98)

2. The virtue of visiting Arbaeen:

Imam Hadi (a.s.): “The pilgrimage of Arbaeen is one of the signs of the believer.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 99)
Imam Jawad (a.s.): “None of our Shi’a should abandon Arbaeen, because Arbaeen is a day in which many virtues have been determined for us and for our Shi’a.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 100)

3. The importance of walking in Arbaeen: Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “Whoever walks to visit the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.), Allah writes for him a good deed with every step and erases a sin from him.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 97)
   Imam Reza (a.s.): “Whoever walks to visit the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on foot, Allah makes Paradise obligatory upon him.” (Oyun al-Ma’arif, Vol. 2, p. 258)
4. The blessings of visiting Arbaeen:

Imam Sadiq (a.s.): “Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on the day of Arbaeen, Allah Almighty will fulfill his needs in this world and the hereafter.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 101)
Imam Baqir (a.s.): “Whoever visits the grave of Imam Hussein (a.s.) on the day of Arbaeen, Allah writes for him the reward of a thousand Hajj pilgrimages, a thousand Umrahs, and a thousand jihads in the way of Allah.” (Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 42, p. 98)