It is the fortieth day (20th of Safar) after Imam Hussain (asws)'s martyrdom. According to both Sheikh Tusi and Sheikh Saduq it is the day when the household members of Imam Hussain (asws) came back to Medina from Shaam, and it is the day when Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari went to Karbala to make ziarat to Imam Hussain (asws)'s holy grave. Actually, he was the Imam (asws)'s first pilgrim. So it is recommended to go on ziarat to his holy shrine on this day.
Imam Hasan `Askari (asws) was quoted as saying, "A believer holds five characteristics: saying 51 rak`ats of obligatory and recommended prayers within 24 hours, reciting the ziyarat of al-Arba`in, wearing ring in the right hand, putting one's forehead on earth when observing prostration, and saying "In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful" (bismillahir rahmanir rahim) loudly. “
The manner of performing the ziarat of Imam Hussian (asws) is cited in Tahdhib al-Ahkam and Misbah al-Mutahajjid from Safwan al-Jammal: Safwan said that regarding the ziarat of Arba`een his master, Imam Sadiq (asws) had told him, "Perform the ziarat in the middle hour of the forenoon by reciting:"
