Iraq

Al-NAJAF Al-ASHRAF

The city of Najaf is about 160 km (roughly 100 miles) south of Baghdad. It's estimated population in 2014 was approximately 1.4 million. It is the capital of Najaf Province and widely considered the third holiest city of Shia Islam and the center of Shia political power in Iraq.
The city is a great center of pilgrimage from throughout the Shia Islamic world. It is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims. As the burial site of Shia Islam's second most important figure, the Imam Ali Mosque is considered by Shiites as the third holiest Islamic site.
The Najaf seminary is one of the most important teaching centers in the lslamic world. Ayatollah Khomeini lectured there from 1964-1978. Many of the leading figures of the new Islamic movement that emerged in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon in the 1970s had studied at Najaf.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  1. Mausoleum of 1st Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Taalib (a.s.). There are 3 graves in one Zarih:
    • Grave of Imam Ali (a.s.)
    • Grave of Prophet Adam (a.s.) - 1st prophet and man on earth
    • Grave of Prophet Nuh (a.s.)
  2. Wadi-us-Salaam
    • Tomb of Prophet Hud (a.s.)
    • Tomb of Prophet Saleh (a.s.)
    • Maqam of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.)
    • Maqam of Saheb al-Asr, Imam Al-Mahdi (a.s.)
    • Mosalla of Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin (a.s.)
  3. Tomb of Hazrat Kumayl - companion of Imam Ali (a.s.).
  4. Masjid Hannana

    This mosque is between Kufa and Najaf. The significance of this mosque is that when Imam Hasan (a.s). and Imam Hussain (a.s.) were carrying the janaza of Imam Ali (a.s.) from Kufa to Najaf, they passed near this mosque, and as they were passing, the pillars of the mosque inclined towards Imam Ali (a.s.) as if paying it's last respects. This mosque is also called Masjid ar-Ra's, because according to a narration attributed to Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a.s.), the head of Imam Hussain (a.s.) was kept in its middle, when being brought to Malun Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad, lanat allah alaihe.

  5. Grave of Sayyid al-Khui, Grand-mujtahid (marja) to 450 milli on Muslims since 1970 (Passed away 8th August 1992).

KUFA

Kufa is one of the most important Islamic cities that the Muslims established since the beginning of their conquests. This city, which was going to be the capital of the Islamic state, shelters the oldest mosque of Iraq, after that of Basra, as well as the Mimbar of Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Taalib (a.s.), the house in which he resided, and the place of prayer where he was martyred.
In this city, there is also the school where Jaber Ben Hayan studied. Westerners call him "The father of Chemistry". Kufa was the city of the most beautiful Arab calligraphy, in which the Koran was written, as well as the broad outline of Arab grammar - thanks to Abu EI-Assouad Addaouali, whose grammatical school competed with the Basra school.
Approximately 70 companions of the Prophet who participated in the battle of Badr lived there, among them Ammar Ben Vasser and Abdullah Ben Massaoud. It was the birthplace of the great Arab poet AI-Motannabi. Imam Ali described it as: the "head of the Arab, arrow of God's, treasure of faith and the house of exodus of the Muslims". Kufa is all this and much more.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  1. Masjid Kufa
    • Mehrab-e-lbadat. The place where Imam Ali (a.s.) was martyred
    • Court room of Imam Ali (a.s.)
    • Mausoleum of Muslim Ben Aqil (a.s.), cousin and ambassador of Imam Hussain (a.s.) to Kufa
    • Mausoleum of Mukhtar, the avenger of Imam Hussain (a.s.)'s massacre
    • Mausoleum of Hani Ben Urwa, companion of Imam Hussain (a.s.) who was killed by Ubaydullah Ben Ziyad for sheltering and supporting Muslim Ben Aqil (a.s.)
    • Mosallas of several prophets
    • Tanoor. The place from where the deluge (toofan) of Prophet Nuh (a.s.) began.
  2. House of Imam Ali (a.s.)
  3. Mausoleum of Sayyida Khadijat ul Sughra (s.a.), daughter of Imam Ali (a.s.) - outside Masjid Kufa
  4. Mausoleum of Prophet Yunus (a.s.) - near the river
  5. Masjid Sahla. Recommended to be in this mosque at the maghrib time of a Wednesday i.e. at the end of Tuesday
    • Mosallah of 6th Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.)
    • Mosallah of Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.)
    • Mosallah of Prophet Idris (a.s.)
    • Mosallah of Prophet Khizar (a.s.)
    • Maqam of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.)
  6. Kooba of Ebrahim Ben Hasan al-Musanna Ben Imam Hasan (a.s.)
  7. Mausoleum of Maytham al-Tammar, companion of Imam Ali (a.s.)
  8. Mosque of Zaid - near Masjid Sahla
  9. Mosque of Saasa ben Sauhan, companion of Imam Ali (a.s.)

KARBALA

Karbala is the holy city of Iraq situated about 100 Km from Baghdad. This city is best known as the place of the 'Battle of Karbala' and is amongst the holiest cities for Shia Muslims after Mecca and Madina. It is located at the edge of the desert, surrounded with beautiful greenery of fruit orchards and palm groves around it. The city has its own Islamic charm with about more than 100 mosques and 23 religious schools, with Imam Hussain's shrine as the city's center piece. The city is built around the twin shrines of Imam Hussain (a.s.)and his brother Ghazi Abbas (a.s.), which marks a pilgrimage of all Shia Muslims today.
Karbala has imparted a new meaning to the term struggle and left an example for humankind to strive with patience and constancy in the face of extreme situation without losing standards and self-esteem. It has given a meaning that comfort and safety should not be an obstruction in the higher struggle for the rewards of the hereafter. Imam Hussain (a.s.) did not give up his struggle even though he was abandoned by the multitudes that had offered him support at the start, nor did he surrender while facing unbeatable odd consequences. He not only gave his life in the name of Islam but also sacrifices all his family for the cause of Allah. Imam Hussain (a.s.) had declared his noble mission right from the birth to fight for Islam and save its value and traditions all over the world.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  1. Mausoleum of 3rd Imam - Hussain (a.s.). There are 3 graves in one darih:
    • Grave of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
    • Grave of Ali Akbar (a.s.), son of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
    • Grave of Ali Asgher (a.s.), son of Imam Hussain (a.s.)
  2. Mausoleum of Hazrat Abbas ibne Ali (a.s.), brother and flag (Alam) bearer of Imam Hussain (a.s.).
  3. Grave of Habib ibn Mazaher (a.s.).
  4. Ganj-e-Shohada - graves of the rest of the martyrs of Karbala.
  5. Maqtal-ghah-e-Imam Hussain (a.s.).
  6. Grave of Ibrahim son of 7th Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.).
  7. Til-e-Zaynabiya.
  8. Khaima ghah e Hussaini.
  9. Garden of 6th Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.).
  10. Garden of 12th Imam Sahib al-Asr, Al-Mahdi (a.s.).
  11. Mausoleum of Hazrat Hur (companion of Imam Husayn (a.s.) in Karbala) - three miles from Karbala.
  12. Mausoleum of Aun, son of Sayyida Zaynab (a.s.) - Six miles from Karbala.

MUSAIYEB

Musaiyeb is on the way to Kazmain while going from Karbala.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

Mausoleum of the two sons of Hazrat Muslim ibne Aqeel (a.s.)
  • Muhammad ibn Muslim ibne Aqeel (a.s.), and
  • Ibrahim ibn Muslim ibne Aqeel (a.s.). They are also known as Tiflan-e-Muslim.

KAZMAIN

Kazmain is a northern neighborhood of the city of Baghdad. It is about 5 kilometres from the city's center, on the west bank of the Tigris.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

Kazmain is one of the five holy cities in Iraq. Millions of Zaireen visit the city every year and pay tribute to the two imams resting there. This small city is known mainly for the shrine of
  • The seventh infallible imam, Hazrat Musa Al-Kazim (a.s.) and his grandson
  • The ninth imam, Hazrat Taqi Al-Jawwad (a.s.).

Imam Reza has narrated many Ahadis regarding the importance of visiting the holy shrine in Kazmain.
The eighth Imam said,

“One who performs the Ziarat of the grave of my father (a.s.) in Baghdad is like one performed the Ziarat of Allah’s Messenger and that of Amirul Momineen (a.s.), except that Allah’s Messenger and Amirul Momineen (a.s.) have their own specific ranks.”

Other Graves in the Holy Shrine:
  • Sheikh Al-Mufid

    He authored more than 200 books. Kitab Al-Irshad, which is said to be the most complete and authentic book on the history of the twelve Imams, was also written by Sheikh Mufid.

  • Khuwaja Nasiruddin Tusi

    The prestigious Dua e Tawassul was narrated to Khawaja Nasiruddin Tusi by the twelfth Imam, in his dream.

  • Syed Murtaza

    He was the great grandson of Imam Musa Kazim, and his name was Ali bin Husayn bin Ebrahim bin Musa Kazim (a.s). Syed Murtaza was given the title of ‘The Flag of Guidance’ by Maula Ali (a.s) and is known to have authored many brilliant books. Syed was the student of Sheikh Mufid and the teacher of Sheikh Tusi.

  • Syed Razi

    Syed Razi was the brother of Syed Murtaza and hence, also the great grandson of the seventh Imam. Also, the student of Sheikh Mufid, Syed Razi is the compiler of the brilliant book of Imam Ali’s sermons – Nahj-ul-Balagha (the peak of eloquence).

BAGHDAD

Baghdad is the capital of the Republic of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Province. The population of Baghdad as of 2018 was approximately 8.1 million, making it the largest city in Iraq, the second largest city in the Arab World (after Cairo, Egypt), and the second largest city in Western Asia (after Tehran, Iran).
Located along the Tigris River, the city was founded in the 8th century and became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate. Within a short time of its inception, Baghdad evolved into a significant cultural, commercial, and intellectual center for the Islamic World. This in addition to housing several key academic institutions (e.g. House of Wisdom) garnered the city a worldwide reputation as the "Centre of Learning".

Baghdad and Madain are very close to Kazmain.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  1. The four representatives of the 12th Imam (a.s.) during the minor occultation (ghaybat-al-sughra) are buried here
    • Uthman Ben Sayeed
    • Muhammad Ben Uthman
    • Ali Ben Muhammad Foor
    • Husayn Ben Rooh
  2. Tomb of Qambar, the slave of Imam Ali (a.s.).
  3. Tomb of Shaykh Muhammad Ben Yaqub al-Kulayni.
  4. Madain/Salman Park Pilgrimage sites
    • Tomb of Salman Farsi, companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.a.w.).
    • Tomb of Hudhaifa al-Yamani, companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.a.w.).
    • Tomb of Jabir ibne Abdullah al-Ansari, companion of the Holy Prophet (s.a.a.w.).
    • Masjid Jum'a - near the tomb of Salman Farsi.
  5. Shrine of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani.

SAMARRAH


Samarrah stands on the east bank of the Tigris in the Saladin Governorate, 125 kilometers north of Baghdad. In 2003 the city had an estimated population of 348,700. During the Iraqi Civil War, Samarra was in the "Sunni Triangle" of violence. The metro area population of Samarra was 318,000 in the year 2020.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  1. Mausoleum of 10th and 11th Imams, Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) and Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.). The main darih has four graves:
    • Grave of 10th Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.)
    • Grave of 11th Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.)
    • Grave of Sayyida Halima Khatoon (a.s.), daughter of Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) and sister of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.). Her narration of the birth of the 12th Imam (a.s.) is reported extensively as she was a midwife to Sayyida Nargis Khatoon (a.a.), the mother of the 12th Imam (a.s.).
    • Grave of Sayyida Nargis Khatoon (a.s.), mother of the 12th Imam Al-Mahdi (a.s.).
  2. Cellar (sardab) of 12th Imam Al-Mahdi (a.s.) - where he was last seen. Also called Maqam Ghaybat (i.e. the place of occultation).
  3. Masjid Jamia.

BALAD

Balad, also transliterated Beled or Belad, is a city in Saladin Governorate, Iraq, 80 kilometres north of the national capital, Baghdad. It is the capital of Balad District.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

Mausoleum of Syed Muhammad ibn Imam Ali al-Naqi (a.s.) Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Muhammed ibn Ali ibn Musa ibn Ja'far was the son of Imam Ali al-Hadi (a.s.) and the brother of Imam Hasan al-Askari (a.s.), the 10th and 11th Imams, respectively.

HILLAH

Hilla branch of the Euphrates River, 100 km south of Baghdad. The population was estimated at 455,700 in 2018. It is the capital of Babylon Province and is located adjacent to the ancient city of Babylon, and close to the ancient cities of Borsippa and Kish.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  • Tomb of Hamza (a.s.)
  • Tomb of Qasim Ben Imam Musa al-Kadhim (a.s.) 3 Tomb of Pro phet Ayyub(a.s.
  • Tomb of Prophet Daniel (a.s).
  • Tomb of Prophet Dhul Kifl (a.s.).Known as"Chifl" 6 Maqam Sahib al-Zamaan (a.s.)

BASRA


Basra is located on the Shatt al-Arab. It had an estimated population of 1.4 million in 2018. Basra is also Iraq's main port, although it does not have deep water access, which is handled at the port of Umm Qasr. The city is one of the ports from which the fictional Sinbad the Sailor journeyed.

PILGRIMAGE SITES

  • Masjid Ali (a.s.)
The Imam Ali Mosque stands beside the grimy Ashar River in the center of Basra. Once known as the "Venice of the East", Basra is still reeling from the many wars fought here over the past few decades.