Some people said that the name of this great personality was Atiyyah, and some
others said that his name was Ata. It is possible that he was Atiyyah ibn Harith
al-Kufi al-Hamadani. In any case, he was a great personality from the Tabi‘un
who lived in Kufa.
Arbaeen was the day on which the magnetism of Hussein (as) was felt around the
world. This magnetism compelled Jabir ibn Abdullah to travel from Medina to
Karbala. This is the same magnetism that attracts the hearts and souls of people
like you and me, even today, although many centuries have passed since the day
of Ashura. Those people who are sympathetic towards the Holy Prophet's (swa)
household, forever, retain the love of Karbala in their hearts. The love of
Hussein (as), the Master of Martyrs, and his shrine began on that day.
Jabir ibn Abdullah was one of the mujahedeen during the Islamic era. That is to
say, before Imam Hussein (as) was born, he was serving the Holy Prophet (swa),
and he was fighting beside him. He had seen Imam Hussein's (as) birth and
childhood, with his own eyes; and, he had witnessed how he [Hussein (as)] grew
to maturity. Jabir ibn Abdullah had definitely seen how the Holy Prophet (swa)
coddled Hussein ibn Ali (as): kissed his eyes, kissed his face, fed him with his
own hands and gave him water.
Jabir ibn Abdullah had most certainly witnessed these moments with his own eyes;
and, Jabir ibn Abdullah had definitely heard, with his own ears, that the Holy
Prophet (swa) referred to Hassan and Hussein (pbut) as the "Masters of Youth in
Paradise."
After the Holy Prophet's (swa) demise, he bore witness to Imam Hussein's (as)
position and character, whether during the time of the caliphs or during the
time of the Commander of the Faithful (as), when he was in Medina or when he was
in Kufa.
Now, Jabir has heard that Hussein ibn Ali (as) has been martyred. The Holy
Prophet's (swa) dear grandchild was martyred while he was thirsty. Jabir set off
from Medina--Atiyyah has joined him from Kufa. Atiyyah narrates, "Jabir ibn
Abdullah arrived alongside the Euphrates: he performed ghusl there; he wore a
clean, white garment; and, then he walked in a slow and respectful manner
towards the grave of Imam Hussein (as)."
The narration, which I saw, says: "When he reached the grave, he said three
times, loudly, 'Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.' That is to say, when
he saw how the Holy Prophet's (swa) and Hazrat Zahra's (sa) dear one was
innocently martyred, by oppressive and savage people, he says, "Allahu Akbar."
The narration goes on to say: "Jabir ibn Abdullah became unconscious over the
grave of Imam Hussein (as) and fell as a result of deep sorrow." We do not know
what occurred beyond that moment, but this narration says, when he regained
consciousness, he started to speak to Imam Hussein. He said: "Greetings be upon
you God's household. Greetings be upon you God's chosen people."
Ayatollah Khamenei, Mar 21, 2006