Imam Husayn Shrine

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The Shrine of Imam Hussain ibn Ali (Arabic: ‫مقام‬

‫ الامام الحسين‬Urdu: ‫ )آستان عالیہ حضرت امام حسین‬is
the mosque and burial site of Imam Husayn Ibn Ali, the
third Imam of Shia Islam, in the city of Karbala, Iraq.
It stands on the site of the Mausoleum of Imam Husayn
ibn Ali, the second grandson of Muhammad, near the
place where he was martyred during the Battle of Kar-
bala in 680 C.E..[1][2] The tomb of Imam Husayn ibn Ali
is one of the holiest places for Shias outside of Mecca and
Medina, and many make pilgrimages to the site. Every The old zarih of the shrine
year, millions of pilgrims visit the city to observe Ashura,
which marks the anniversary of Imam Husayn ibn Ali's
death.[3]
The Umayyad and Abbasid caliphs prevented construc-
tion of the shrines and discouraged pilgrimage to the
sites.[4] The tomb and its annexes were destroyed by Ab-
basid caliph Al-Mutawakkil in 850-851 and Shi'a pil-
grimage was prohibited, but shrines in Karbala and Najaf
were built by the Buwayhid emir 'Adud al-Daula in 979-
80.[5]
The boundary wall of the shrine surrounds wooden gates
covered with glass decorations. The gates open into
a courtyard separated into smaller rooms or precincts
with many "Iwans" along the walls. The grave of Imam
Husayn ibn Ali is enclosed within a metal-mesh like struc-
Imam Hussain Mosque in 1932
ture, found directly beneath the golden dome. On 5
March 2013 the process of replacing the zarih (metal
mesh like structure) over the tomb of Imam Husayn Ibn
Ali (a.s.) was completed and the new zarih inaugurated.[6] Karbala. Imam Husain spontaneously declared: land of
Al Abbas Mosque is located nearby. Karb and Bal’a meaning (land of) “torture and trial”. In
the time of Imam Husain, the place was also known as al
Ghadiriyah, Nainawa, and Shat ul Furat. Imam Husain
bought a piece of land, after his arrival at Karbala from
1 History of Karbala Bani Asad. He and his Ahl al Bait are buried in that por-
tion, known by as Hair, where the Shrines are presently
Karbala, a city in Iraq is located about 100 km southwest located. The history of destruction and reconstruction of
of Baghdad at 32.61°N, 44.08°E. It was at first a des- the Shrines of Karbala is long. Both the Shrines were
olate place and did not witness any noteworthy activity, greatly extended by successive Muslim rulers, but suf-
although it was rich in water and its soil was fertile. When fered repeated destruction from attacking armies. Kar-
Imam Husayn arrived at Karbala and was surrounded by bala’s development was strongly influenced by the Per-
the forces of Ubaidullah bin Ziyad, he inquired about the sians.
name of the place. Someone replied it is Aqr - meaning History has recorded the names of several rulers who
‘harsh’. Imam Husain then said: we seek refuge with Al- shared the honor of extending, decorating and keeping
lah from Al Aqr. He once again asked the name of the the Shrines and its precincts in good condition. Among
village. Then one of the attendants replied, its name is them is Fateh Ali Qajar, who in 1250 (A.H) ordered

1
2 4 KARBALA: ORIGIN AND MEANING

the construction of two Shrines, one over Imam Husain’s will shine among the gardens of Paradise, like
grave and the other over the grave of his brother, Imam a shining star shines among the stars for the
Abul Fazlil Abbas ibn Ali. The first dome is 27 meters people of Earth.”[10]
high and completely covered with gold. At the bottom, — ‘Alī Zaynul ‘Ābidīn
it is surrounded with 12 windows, each of which is about
1.25 m away from the other, from the inside, and 1.30
m from the outside. The Shrine has an area of 59 m /
“Not one night passes in which Gabriel and
75 m with ten gates, and about 65 rooms, well decorated
Michael do not go to visit him [Husayn].”[11]
from the inside and outside, and used as class rooms for
— Ja‘far as-Sādiq
studying. As for the grave itself, which is in the middle of
the precinct, it is called the Rawzah or garden and it has
several doors. The most famous one is called al Qiblah
or Bab al Zah’ab. Also there are many Sunni traditions which narrate the
status of Husayn ibn Ali :
Karbala consists of some places like Ganj E Shaheedah
where all the Followers of Imam Hussain were buried and Abu Huraira narrated: The Prophet looked toward Ali,
Qatl Gaah where Imam Hussain and his followers fought Hasan, Husain, and Fatimah, and then said: “I am in war
with the Syrian Army with those who will fight you, and in peace with those who
are peaceful to you.”[12][13]
Also it is narrated that: “The Messenger of Allah said:
2 Quran “Husain is from me and I am from Husain.”[14][15]
Also: The Messenger of Allah said: “He who loves al-
Some Shias consider this verse to refer to Shia sacred sites Hasan and al-Husain, has loved me, and he who makes
of Najaf and Karbala since the Islamic view of Lot claims them angry has made me angry.”[16][17][18][19]
Lot lived in Ur which lies in present-day Iraq.[7]
Thus the tomb of the martyred Imam has acquired this
great significance in Shia tradition because the Imam and
But we delivered him and his nephew Lut his fellow martyrs are seen as models of jihad in the way
and directed them to the land which we have of God.
blessed.
— Qur'an, [Quran 21:71]

4 Karbala: origin and meaning

3 Hadith
The mosque stands on the site of the grave of Imam
Husayn ibn Ali, where he was martyred during the Battle
of Karbalā in 680.[1][2] Up to 8 million pilgrims visit the
city to observe ‘Āshūrā, which marks the anniversary of
Imam Husayn ibn ‘Alī's death. But the main event is
40th of Arba'een of Imam Husayn ibn Ali where up to
22 million visit the holy graves and most of the pilgrims
travel barefooted from all around Iraq and more than 56
countries.[8] There are many Shī‘ah traditions which nar-
rate the status of Karbalā:

“Karbalā, where your grandson and his
family will be killed, is the most blessed and
the most sacred land on Earth and it is one of
the valleys of Paradise.”[9]
— The archangel Gabriel
“God chose the land of Karbala as a safe
and blessed sanctuary twenty-four thousand
years before He created the land of the Kaaba
and chose it as a sanctuary. Verily it [Karbalā]
Imam Husayn Mosque (before the renovations in 2008)
There are many opinions among different investigators,
as to the origin of the word “Karbala”. Some have pointed
out that “Karbala” has a connection to the “Karbalato”
language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of
word “Karbala” by analyzing its spelling and language.
They conclude that it originates from the Arabic word
“Kar Babel” which was a group of ancient Babylonian
villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya, Karbella
(Karb Illu. as in Arba Illu [Arbil]), Al-Nawaweess, and
 3

tions, one of which is that the place where Imam Hus-

sain ibn Ali was martyred is made of soft earth - “Al-
Karbalat”.
According to Shia belief, the true meaning of the name
Karbalā was narrated to Muhammad by the archangel
Gabriel as being, “the land which will cause many ago-
nies (karb) and afflictions (balā).”[20]

Entry gate to the grave of Husayn within the mosque.
Shia pilgrims make their way to the Imam Husayn Shrine in 2008.
5 Buried within the Mosque
The grave of Imam Husayn is found in the middle of the
precinct, and is called the “Rawda” or “Garden” and it
has several entry gates. The most famous one is called
“Al-Qibla” or “Bāb al-Dhahab”. When it is entered, one
can see the tomb of Habīb ibn Madhahir al-Asadī, to the
right hand side. Habīb was a friend and companion of
Imam Husayn since their childhood and was honored with
martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala.
Within the shrine of Imam Husayn can also be found a
grave of all the 72 martyrs of Karbalā. They were buried
in a mass grave which was then covered with soil to the
ground level. This mass grave is at the foot of Imam
Husayn's grave. As well, beside Imam Husayn's grave
are the graves of his two sons: ‘Alī al-Akbar and the 6-
month old, ‘Alī al-Asghar. Also buried within the mosque
Ibrāhīm Mujab (son of the seventh Twelver Shī‘ah Imām,
Imam Mūsā al-Kādhim), who spent his life preaching
about Karbalā.

6 Martyrdom and popularity

Karbalā was at first an uninhabited place and did not wit-
ness any constructional activity, although it was rich in
water and its soil fertile.
From the time of Imam Husayn ibn ‘Alī's death in 680,
pilgrimages to commemorate the massacre have often
been repressed.[4]
Despite many attempts by successive rulers, such as Al-
Rashīd and Al-Mutawakkil, to put a restriction on the de-
velopment of this area, it has nonetheless spread with time
to become a city.

7 Early development and specifica-

Inside the mosque
tions
The historian Ibn Kuluwayh mentioned that those who
Al-Heer. This last name is today known as Al-Hair and buried Imam Husayn ibn ‘Alī, made a special and rigid
is where Imam Imam Hussain ibn Ali’s grave is located. construction with signs above the grave.
The investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that Higher and bigger constructions above the grave started
the meaning of “Karbala” could have several explana- during the ruling of al-Saffah, but heavy restrictions were
4 10 NOTES

put in place to prevent people from visiting the grave dur-
ing the rule of Hārūn al-Rashīd.
At the time of al-Mā'mūn, construction around the grave
resumed until the year 850, when al-Mutawakkil ordered
the destruction and digging of the grave, and then fill-
ing the pit with water. His son who succeeded him al-
Muntasir, allowed people to visit the grave site, and since
then building the precinct to the grave increased and de-
veloped step by step.
On the other hand, the historian Ibn al-Athir, stated that
in the year 371 AH, ‘Adhud ad-Dawlah became the first
to largely lay the foundations for large scale construction,
and generously decorated the place. He also built houses
and markets around the precinct, and surrounded Karbalā
with a high boundary wall turning it into a strong castle.
[3] Interactive Maps: Sunni & Shia: The Worlds of Islam
Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine.,
PBS, accessed 9 June 2007.
[4] al Musawi, 2006, p. 51.
[5] Litvak, 1998, p. 16.
[6] http://www.abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&Id=394665
[7] History of Islam by Professor Masudul Hasan
[8] “Interactive Maps: Sunni & Shia: The Worlds of Islam”.
PBS. Retrieved June 9, 2007.
[9] al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). “Addendum be-
fore chapter 89”. Kāmil al-Ziyārāt. trans. Sayyid Mohsen
al-Husaini al-Mīlāni. Shiabooks.ca Press. p. 545.

In the year 407 AH, the precinct caught fire due to the [10] al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). “88”. Kāmil al-
dropping of two large candles on the wooden decorations. Ziyārāt. trans. Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni. Shi-
The state minister at the time, Hasan ibn Fadl, rebuilt the abooks.ca Press. p. 534.
damaged sections.
[11] al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). “88”. Kāmil al-
History has recorded the names of several ruler who Ziyārāt. trans. Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Milani. Shi-
shared the honor of widening, decorating or keeping the abooks.ca Press. p. 536.
precinct in good condition. Amongst them is Fat'h ‘Alī
[12] Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p699
Shāh Qājār, who in 1250 AH ordered the construction of
two domes, one over Imam Husayn ibn ‘Alī's grave and [13] Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52
the other over his brother Imam ‘Abbās ibn ‘Alī.
[14] Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v4, p172
The first dome is 27 m high and completely covered with
gold. At the bottom, it is surrounded with 12 windows, [15] Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p772, Tradi-
each of which is about 1.25 m away from the outside. tion #1361
The mausoleum has an area of 59 m / 75 m with ten gates, [16] Sunan Ibn Majah,
and about 65 rooms, well decorated from the inside and
outside, used as classrooms for studying. [17] al-Mustadrak, by al-Hakim, from Abu Hurairah

[18] Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in:

8 Timeline [19] al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11,

section 3, p292
The following events are in chronological order, stating [20] al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). Kāmil al-Ziyārāt.
instances that widely involved the shrine, impressing its trans. Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni. Shiabooks.ca
construction, renovation and series of extremist activities Press. p. 545.
that reduced its structure and killed pilgrims from time to
time. [21] Martin, edited by Richard C. (2003). Encyclopedia of Is-
lam and the Muslim world ([Online-Ausg.]. ed.). New
York: Macmillan Reference USA. ISBN 0-02-865603-2.
Retrieved 14 July 2016.
9 See also
[22] Paul Lewis (August 13, 1994). “Karbala Journal; Who Hit
• Arba'een the Mosques? Not Us, Baghdad Says”. New York Times.
Retrieved 15 November 2008.
• Al-‘Abbās Mosque
[23] “In pictures: Karbala blasts”. BBC News. 2 March 2004.
• Holiest sites in Islam (Shia) Retrieved 15 November 2008.

[24] “Iraq Shias massacred on holy day”. BBC News. 2 March

2004. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
10 Notes
[25] “Deadly attacks rock Baghdad, Karbala”. CNN.com.
[1] Shimoni & Levine, 1974, p. 160. Tuesday, March 2, 2004 Posted: 2:41 PM EST (1941
GMT). Retrieved 15 November 2008. Check date values
[2] Aghaie, 2004, pp. 10-11. in: |date= (help)
 5

[26] “Bomb at Shiite shrine kills seven on first day of Iraq’s
election campaign”. USA Today. 2004-12-15. Retrieved
27 April 2009.
[27] “Bomb at Shiite shrine kills seven in violence, wounds
31 on first day of Iraq’s election campaign”. SignOn-
SanDiego.com. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
[28] “Iraq suicide bomb blasts kill 120”. BBC News. 5 January
2006. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
• al Musawi, Muhsin (2006). Reading Iraq: Culture
and Power and Conflict. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 1-84511-
070-6
• Shimoni, Yaacov & Levine, Evyatar (1974). Politi-
cal Dictionary of the Middle East in the 20th Century.
Quadrangle/New York Times Book Co.

[29] OPPEL Jr, RICHARD A. (January 6, 2006). “Up to 130

12 External links
Killed in Iraq, Drawing a Shiite Warning”. The New York
Times. Retrieved 15 November 2008. • In pictures: Pilgrims in Karbala - BBC News Online.

[30] “Iraq suicide bomb blasts kill 120”. BBC News. Satur- • Shia Shrines of Karbala - Sacred Destinations
day, 14 April 2007, 15:00 GMT 16:00 UK. Retrieved 16
November 2008. Check date values in: |date= (help)

[31] “Dozens slain as car bomb hits Iraqi bus station”. msnbc.
8:53 p.m. ET, Sat., April. 14, 2007. Retrieved 16
November 2008. Check date values in: |date= (help)

[32] “Sri Sri Spreads the Message of Peace in Iraq”. artofliv-

ing.org. Retrieved 27 March 2015.

[33] ‫تطورات مشروعي توسيع الحرم الحسيني المقدس وبناء المنشآت‬

‫(للطابق الثاني‬ .in Arabic).
December 18, 2007. Retrieved 6 February 2010.

[34] “Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine”. BBC News. 17 March

2008. Retrieved 16 November 2008.

[35] “Death toll from Karbala suicide bombing rises to 35”.

xinhuanet. 2008-03-18. Retrieved 16 November 2008.

[36] Jomana Karadsheh (September 11, 2008). “3 killed in

Iraq shrine bombings”. CNN.com. Retrieved 15 Novem-
ber 2008.

[37] “Iraq Violence”. Associated Press. February 13, 2009.

Retrieved 6 February 2010.

[38] “Iraq - International Religious Freedom Report 2009”.

U.S. Department of State. October 26, 2009. Retrieved
6 February 2010.

[39] “Deadly blasts hit Iraq Karbala city”. Aljazeera.net.

February 6, 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.

[40] “Karbala blast leaves 42 killed, hundreds wounded”.

PressTV. 5 Feb 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.

[41] “Shrine of Husain ibn Ali”. theshiapedia.com. Retrieved

27 March 2015.

11 References
• Aghaie, Kamran Scot (2004). The Martyrs of Kar-
bala: Shi'i Symbols and Rituals in Modern Iran. Uni-
versity of Washington Press. ISBN 0-295-98448-1

• Litvak, Meir (1998). Shi'i Scholars of Nineteenth-

Century Iraq: The Ulama of Najaf and Karbala.
Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-89296-1
6 13 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

13 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

13.1 Text
• Imam Husayn Shrine Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imam_Husayn_Shrine?oldid=744196400 Contributors: IZAK, Academic
Challenger, HaeB, Zora, Cam, Gyrofrog, Neutrality, Zaidiwaqas, Darwinek, Grutness, Hijiri88, Woohookitty, Carcharoth, Amerique,
Rjwilmsi, Vegaswikian, Ian Pitchford, Deeptrivia, HVH, Cunado19, Welsh, Davemck, Khalid!, Attilios, SmackBot, Iancaddy, WSaindon,
Arab Hafez, Mtmelendez, Princeofpersia1, Rigadoun, Salman01, Bursitis, Afghana~enwiki, CmdrObot, KyraVixen, Cydebot, Sa.vakilian,
Dawnseeker2000, Dr. Blofeld, Faizhaider, The Anomebot2, Aziz1005, Hawra, Edward321, Fipplet, Oneworld25, KazakhPol, Neu-
tron Jack, Anas Salloum, Nwbeeson, Idioma-bot, TXiKiBoT, Emo muzik sux, Deconstructhis, WannabeAmatureHistorian, Maha Odeh,
Khvalamde, ImageRemovalBot, Alam82, Shiite, Plastikspork, Coinmanj, Arjayay, MatthewVanitas, Addbot, Ittihadawi, Favonian, Sp-
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