History of the Shrine of Imam Ali (AS)

          The city of Najaf which is considered as one of the most famous and holiest cities in Iraq, houses the blessed shrine of Imam Ali (AS). Najaf is an Arabic word that means "a high land where water cannot reach", and the city of Najaf is located on a high plateau over a sandy ground, overlooking the "Valley of Peace", Wadi us-Salaam, where many important Islamic tombs and mosques are located. Imam Ali's (AS) tomb is located in a mosque in the city center.

          The mausoleum itself is breathtaking, to say the least. There is one large central dome which stands out of a square-shaped ornate structure at the two sides of which are two minarets. The predominant color of the exterior is gold, bright shining gold and the entire exterior of the mausoleum is in-laid with a mosaic pattern of light powder blue and white marble and gold, with an occasional splash of Middle East rust. All those who have visited Imam Ali's (AS) shrine have been awe-stuck by its magnificence and gorgeous splendor. It is said that all the great kings of the world put together could not have a tomb as magnificent as this, for this tomb has been constructed with the love and contribution of both kings and peasants, to enshrine the mortal remains of their beloved Imam Ali (AS). The shrine of Imam Ali (AS) houses many rare treasures, jewels, silken carpets and ornaments, gifted by famous Indian, Persian and Middle-Eastern kings. The griff of the tomb is made of pure silver and is covered with a golden dome, decorated by fantastic colored mosaic mirrors and other valuables like the golden candles presented by the Persian king, Nadir Shah.

          Those who have visited Najaf will recall vividly that to the north and east of the city there are acres of graves and myriads of domes of various colors, many of which are unfortunately at various stages of disrepair. Besides Imam Ali (AS), the mortal remains of many great divine Prophets, like Adam (AS), Nuh (AS), Hud (AS), Yunus (AS) and Ilyas (AS) are also buried in Najaf.

          A visitor to Najaf will need to follow a road that approaches the town through a vast cemetery. As the story goes, Prophet Abraham (AS) had come to this place along with his son Isaac (AS). This place, until then was well-known to be very earthquake prone and many earthquakes had occurred here, but while Abraham (AS) remained here, there were no tremors. On the night, however, when Abraham (AS) and Isaac (AS) had left for another village, sure enough Najaf was struck by another earthquake. Thus when they returned, the people of Najaf were most eager for Abraham (AS) and Isaac (AS) to make Najaf their permanent dwelling-place. Abraham (AS) agreed to do so on condition that they would sell him the valley behind the village, for cultivation. At first Isaac (AS) could not see the wisdom behind this strange proposal made by his father since according to him, this land was fit neither for farming nor for grazing; but Abraham (AS) insisted, assuring Isaac (AS) that the time would come when there would be a tomb located in this region, because of which 70,000 people would gain absolutely undisputed entrance into Paradise. Besides, Hazrat Abraham (AS) also predicted that these dwellers of Paradise would also be able to intercede for many others. The valley that Prophet Abraham (AS) expressed desire to buy, is the Valley of Peace (Wadi us Salaam) and it is related on the authority of Imam Sajjad Zaynul-Abidin (AS) that Imam Ali (AS) had said that the Valley of Peace is part of heaven and that there is not a single believer in the world, whether he dies in the east or west, whose soul would not come to this Paradise to rest. "As there is nothing hidden in this world from my eyes,"  Imam Ali (AS) went on to say, "I see all the believers seated here in groups and talking with one another."

          How Najaf was given its name is explained in another Hadith that explains that at one time, there used to be a big mountain in this region and when one of the sons of Prophet Nuh (AS) refused to enter the Ark, to be protected from the devastating flood; instead, seeking safety and refuge atop the mountain, Allah revealed thus to the mountain, through Nuh (AS):

          "Do you undertake to protect this son of mine from punishment?"
          All at once, the huge mountain fell to pieces and the unbelieving son of Nuh (AS) was drowned. In place of the mountain, a large river appeared, but after a few years, this river dried up, and this region came to be called "Nay-jaft" - meaning, "the dried river". Consequently, "Nay-jaft" came to be pronounced as its present name - NAJAF.

          As per the prediction of Prophet Abraham (AS), the mortal remains of Imam Ali (AS) came to be buried in Najaf.  Imam Ali (AS) is absent today from our midst, only physically. His great soul, will always remain as one of the greatest resorts for everyone to seek the help of Allah through his mediation.

          Countless numbers of people from all over the world flock to this magnificent shrine, day after day, to pay their respects and to offer their salutations and to pray to Allah, seeking the intercession of this great lover of Allah. However, unfortunately, even for decades after the martyrdom of Imam Ali (AS), the location of his grave remained unknown to the common people because in those times, the enemies of Allah, His Prophets (PBUT) and the Ahlul-Bait (AS), were so cruel and savage that they not only tortured these great people in countless ways and even martyred most of them, but their ignorance and fear did not allow them to spare the graves of these friends and lovers of Allah. The enemies of Islam were known even to destroy the graves of the Imams (AS) and their family-members and to mutilate their sacred remains. Keeping this in view, many of the graves of these great beings remained undisclosed by Allah, to their enemies.

          Thus, since during the reigns of the Umayyad caliphs, Imam Ali's (AS) blessed resting-place could not be disclosed, it remained unknown for decades after his martyrdom. It was during the reign of an Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid that in the year 175 A.H. (791 AD) that the sacred site of burial of Imam Ali (AS) was discovered. Traditions (Ahadith) have recorded that Harun al-Rashid happened to go hunting in this region, when he found that the deer that he was chasing, took refuge on a small piece of raised ground. However much he commanded his hunting dogs to capture the deer, they refused to go near the strange spot. Then Harun al-Rashid urged his horse to this spot but the horse too, refused to budge. Consequently, a great awe took possession of the Oppressive Caliph's heart, and he immediately set out to make inquiries regarding this mysterious incident and started questioning people in the neighborhood regarding the raised piece of ground. It was then that he discovered that it was the grave of Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS), the great cousin, son-in-law and successor of the Prophet of Islam (SAW).

          Deeply-inspired by this amazing incident, Harun al-Rashid ordered for a tomb to be erected over the grave, and soon people began to settle down in its vicinity. Gradually, Najaf came to be well-known as an Islamic center for scientific, literary and theological studies and has attracted large numbers of believers, poets, mystics, authors and seekers of all kinds of knowledge and learning from far and wide. Well over half a million people visit Najaf annually from countries like Afghanistan, China, India, Lebanon, Pakistan, Tibet, and the Republics of the erstwhile Soviet Union as well as Iran.