Haideriyam Qalandaram Mastam
Banda e Murtaza Ali Hastam
(Lost in ecstasy, I am a lover of Ali, I am a devoted slave of Ali)
Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s), the first of the twelve Shi’a Imams, the brother and closest companion of prophet (p.b.u.h), the brave soldier, compassionate leader, faithful believer and the man of utmost charisma and superiority. One can write pages full of Imam Ali’s (a.s) praise and still would not be able to do justice to his personality. Imam‘s devotees step inside Najaf Ashraf with tears in their eyes. The experience of being in close company of the Imam is beautiful as well as overwhelming. Standing in from Maula’s shrine and feeling his presence around you is an experience so unique that it cannot be explained through mere words.
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Shrine of Imam Ali (a.s.):
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Present at the center of Najaf, Imam Ali’s shrine stands gracefully with its golden tomb. The location of Imam Ali (a.s)’s shrine was kept hidden for a very long time after his death due to the Umayyad rule and their hatred for Imam. It was decades later when the sixth Imam, Imam Jafar e Sadiq (a.s) revealed and marked Imam Ali (a.s)’s grave when the Umayyads were overthrown. It has been destroyed, built and rebuilt multiple times due to the ups and downs of Iraq’s political scenarios.
Other Figures in Imam Ali’s Shrine:
Alongwith two prophets, numerous Marjas and Momineens also have had the honor of being buried within this holy shrine. It is indeed due to their services to the Ahlulbayt and Islam that they were blessed with this prestige. Following are some graves you must identify and visit inside the shrine:
Hazrat Adam (a.s): The holy shrine of Najaf Ashraf is blessed with another honor in addition to being the burial place of the first imam. It is also the final resting place of the first Nabi, Hazrat Adam (a.s).
Hazrat Noah (a.s): Alongwith Hazrat Adam (a.s), Hazrat Noah is also believed by the Shi’a scholars to have been buried in the holy shrine of Najaf.
Sayyed Al-Khui: One of the greatest marjas of the twentieth century, Al-Khui was a man no discussion in Shi’a scholarship is complete without. Hs extensive work on Shi’a laws, jurisprudence as well as tafsir of the Quran are much acclaimed. He taught students like Sayyid Ali Sistani, Hussain Waheed Khurasani amongst others.
Mohammad Baqir Al-Hakim: Son of Ayatollah Mohsin Al-Hakim, Baqir Al-Hakim was a senior Shia Cleric in Islam and the Chair of Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. In 2003, Al-Hakim was assassinated in a bomb attack in Iraq.
Sheikh Abbas Qomi: A Shia historian, scholar as well as most trusted narrator of Hadith, Abbas Qomi wrote forty-five most acclaimed books in the Shia scholarship. Mafaatih Al-Janaan, a book present in every mosque and household of the Shi’a community, was also authored by the Sheikh.
Allama Hilli: Believed to be the proponent of spread of Shi’ism in Iran, Allama Hilli was one of the most notable Shia scholars of the 14th century. His works on fiqh, theology, philosophy and logic were so brilliant and his knowledge so vast that Allama Hilli was named the first Ayatollah of the Shia.
Sayyed Mohammad Hassan Shirazi: Mirza Shirazi was a famous Shia cleric of the 19th century and the student of Sheikh Murtaza Ansari. He established the first Shia seminary in Samarrah.
Mulla Sadra: The most important philosopher, mystic and scholar not just of the Shia but muslims in general, Mulla Sadra has to be the single most influential muslim philosophy in the past four centuries.
Muaqaddas Ardbeli: Also present within the Shrine of Ali (a.s) is the grave of Muqaddas Ardbeli. Given the title of ‘Muhaqqiq’ due to his research expertise, Ardbeli was an expert Shia jurist of the 16th century. His piety and purity got him the title of ‘Muqaddas’ as well.
Mulla Mahdi Naraqi: Another well known, acclaimed scholar of the Shia, Mahdi Naraqi was a philosopher and theologian of the 18th century with vast knowledge on astronomy, mathematics, philosophy amongst other subjects.
Masjid Al-Hanana:
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The mosque with slightly bent pillars, Masjid Al-Hanana is said to have bowed in honor of the Ahlulbayt twice in history. The first time this happened was when Imam Hasan (a.s) and Imam Hussain (a.s) carried the body of Imam Ali (a.s) from Kufa to Najaf and passed by Al-Hanana on the way. The pillars of this mosque, it is believed, bent in honor and sorrow of the martyr. This happened again after Karbala, when Imam Hussain’s head was brought in and kept inside it on the way to Kufa.
Shrine of Kumail bin Ziad (a.s):
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Hazrat Kumail bin Ziad was one of the most trusted and loyal companions of Hazrat Imam Ali (a.s). There are various narrations in history that talk about Imam (a.s) taking Kumail out of Kufa to share secrets of the world with him. After the martyrdom of Imam Ali (a.s), Kumail (a.s) is said to have disappeared in history and reappear during Hajjaj bin Yousuf’s reign after which he was killed on Hajjaj’s orders.
Masjid Al-Kufa:
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After Masjid Al-Haram and Masjid Al-Nabi, Masjid Al-Kufa is the most important mosque in the world for the Shia according to Marajeen. It was founded by Hazrat Adam (a) and has been visited by numerous prophets including Hazrat Khidr (a), Hazrat Noah (a), Hazrat Ibrahim (a) and Hazrat Muhammad (p.b.u.h). Right next to the mosque is Bayt e Ali (Imam Ali’s home). When Imam became the caliph and shifted the capital to Kufa, the mosque gained even more significance as Imam Ali (a.s) would not just lead prayers and deliver sermons over there but also fulfill governmental tasks and judiciary from here. It was while leading the Fajr prayer in this mosque that Imam was struck on the head by a poisonous sword that eventually lead to his martyrdom.
Figures buried in Masjid Al-Kufa:
The mosque of Kufa is deemed important and holy because of the many prophets that visited it. This mosque has numerous locations marked on it where praying namaz is considered to be very rewarding. Other than the prophets who visited it and the presence of Hazrat Ali (a.s) here, the mosque is also significant as it encompasses the graves of some of the closest companions of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (a.s).
Muslim bin Aqil (a.s): After receiving numerous letters from the people of Kufa in support of Imam Hussain (a.s), Imam sent his cousin and a dear companion, Muslim bin Aqil to ensure that the city is ready for his presence. However, soon after Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad was appointed as governor and because of his fear the Kuf’i left Muslim alone. He was captured and assassinated by the Ziyad’s men and his body was dragged through the streets of Kufa along with Hani bin Urwa’s body.
Hani bin Urwa (a.s): When Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad began his search for Muslim (a.s), Muslim had to be moved from the house of Mukhtar Al-Saqafi to Hani bin Urwa’s house. This was because Hani belonged to a group socially higher than Mukhtar and safer for Imam’s cousin. It is said that before Muslim arrived at his home, Hani was not too happy to be the host. However since the moment of his arrival, Hani defended Muslim with everything he had. He refused to hand him over to Ziyad, who in turn attacked Hani and captured him. After assasinating Muslim, Ziyad’s forces murdered Hani as well and dragged him on the streets of Suq Al-Kunasa before hanging them in the city center. Both Hani bin Urwa (a.s) and Muslim bin Aqil (a.s) lie beside eachother in the blessed mosque of Kufa.
Mukhtar Al-Saqafi (a.s): Mukhtar was in Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad’s prison during the event of Karbala and martyrdom of Hussain (a.s). Upon his release, he vowed to avenge the death of Hussain (a.s) and his family. Mukhtar cried each time he heard about what happened in Karbala and killed many of the murders including Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad, Umar bin Saad, Shimr bin Dhil-Jawshan and Hurmala bin Kahil Al-Asadi.
Masjid Al-Sahla:
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Another extremely important mosque for Shias in Kufa, is Masjid Al-Sahla. It is said to be the house of Prophet Idris (a.s), Prophet Abraham (a.s) and Prophet Khidr (a.s). According to some authentic Hadith and traditions, Sahla will also be the house of Imam Mahdi (ajtf) after his Zuhoor. The sixth Imam, Jafar Al-Sadiq (a.s) is quoted to have said to his companion, “Abu Muhammad, I see coming that Al-Qaim Imam (a.s), accompanied by his family members and dependents, shall reside at Masjid Al-Sahlah….verily, anyone who offers a prayer in this mosque and beseeches Almighty Allah with sincerity shall have his needs settled…”
Shrine of Meesam e Tammar:
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Also present in Najaf Ashraf, is the shrine of Hazrat Meesam e Tammar (a.s). Meesam or Maisam (according to some traditions), was one of the most loyal and closest companions of Ali (a.s). Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) sent words of praise many times for him. Imam Ali (a.s) is also said to have had numerous enlightening conversations with this companion of his but the one that strikes us the most is when Imam dictated to Meesam the scene of his death. After being captured when Meesam (a.s) was brought to Ziyad, he was asked to curse Imam Ali (a.s). Meesam refused, angering Ziyad and accepting martyrdom. Even though Ibn Ziyad tried to disprove Imam’s prediction, Meesam died exactly as Imam Ali (a.s) had narrated to him years ago.
Sa’sa’ah bin Sawhan Mosque:
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Given the title of ‘Khateeb Al-Shahsha’ (the most skillful orator) by his Imam, Sa’sa’ah bin Safwan was also one of the closest companions of Amir ul Momineen. On the funeral of Ali (a.s), it is said that when Imam’s body was buried Sa’sa’ah took a handful of sand and put it on his head. He then said masa’ib for Imam Ali (a.s) and everyone present at the funeral wept heavily and condoled with Imam Hasan (a.s) and Imam Hussain (a.s).
Shrine of Rasheed e Hijri:
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Another one of the closest companions of Imam Ali (a.s), Rasheed e Hijri or Rushayd e Hajari as some traditions prefer, was given Ilm Al-Balaya wal-Manaya by the imam. He could predict the happenings of the future and the calamities that were nearing. Similar to Meesam e Tammar, Rasheed e Hijri was also told the details of his death by the Imam and even though Ibn e Ziyaad tried to disprove Imam’s words, he ended up assassinating Rasheed e Hijri exactly how the first imam had narrated he would.
Safi Safa:
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A stopover for caravans who are traveling by, Safi Safa is the place where Imam Ali (a.s) stayed at and rested in enroute his pilgrimage to Wadi us Salaam from Kufa. This also holds great importance because another one of Imam’s closest companions Hazrat Othaib bin Osaid Yamani was buried here. Othaib has the honor of receiving ‘yamani’s prayer’ from the Imam (a.s) himself. In his life Imam had told Othaib (a.s) of his burial site at Safi Safa in Najaf, where he would be closer to his Maula.
Wadi Us Salaam:
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Wadi Us Salaam can be literally translated as the Valley of Peace. Not only is it the largest cemetery in the world expanding to a total of 1485 acres space but it also holds a lot of importance of the Shia due to many Hadith and narrations for it. Imam Ali (a.s) states, “No pious man passes away on any part of the earth unless his spirit is ordered to come to Wadi us Salaam. Here, is a part of Heaven”.
Maqam Imam Sadiq & Imam Zamana:
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Present within Wasi Us Salam along with the martyrs, is the Maqam of Imam Sadiq and Imam Zamana. Marked by a blue dome above an old construction, this location is believed to be the place where the sixth Imam, Jafar As Sadiq (a.s) and the last Imam, Mahdi Az-Zaman (a.s) prayed.
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