Imam Ali Shrine in
Najaf, Iraq. It contains the tomb of
Ali, who was Muhammad's cousin, his son-in-law, and the first Shia Imam. Born inside the Kaaba and raised in Muhammad's household, he was among the first to accept Islam, with his status said to be second only behind Muhammad. Revered for his courage, justice, honesty, and magnanimity, Ali has become the archetype of uncorrupted Islam and pre-Islamic chivalry. Sunni Muslims regard him as the last of the
Rashidun ('rightly-guided'), while Shia Muslims venerate him as
Muhammad’s rightful successor.|240x240px The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, Iraq, is the holiest site in Shia Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. It contains the tomb of Ali, the first Shia Imam who was also Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law. According to Shia belief, the site also contains the remains of Adam and Noah. The shrine's significance in Shia Islam is profound. All Muslims revere Imam Ali, but the Shia in particular, as a paragon of justice, knowledge, and piety. His burial site has thus become a symbol of Shia identity and faith. Every year, the shrine is visited by millions of pilgrims, with attendance peaking during Arba'in, the largest peaceful gathering in the world. Pilgrims often travel on foot from various parts of Iraq and even from neighboring countries to participate in the commemorations. In addition to Ali, the shrine complex is the resting place for several notable figures. Among them are many revered Shia scholars, jurists, and theologians. Some of the prominent figures buried here include: Murtada Ansari, a leading Shia jurist of the 19th century,
Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, a renowned Iraqi Shia cleric and philosopher, and
Abu al-Qasim al-Khoei, one of the most influential Shia
marjas of the 20th century. The shrine is also surrounded by the world's largest cemetery,
Wadi al-Salam. It is believed that being buried near Imam Ali brings spiritual benefits, and many Shia Muslims request to be interred in this sacred ground. Ali was buried in Najaf following
his assassination. However, the location of his grave remained a closely-guarded secret for many years. It wasn't until the Abbasid caliph
Harun al-Rashid discovered the grave during a hunting expedition in the 8th century that a shrine was built at the site. Over the centuries, the shrine has undergone numerous renovations and expansions. In the 10th century, the
Buyid dynasty made significant contributions by building a large dome over the grave and adding other structures. The
Safavid Empire in the 16th century also played a crucial role in further developing the shrine, adding ornate decorations, and expanding the complex. The shrine is an architectural masterpiece. It is distinguished by its golden dome and minarets, which are covered with approximately 7,777 gold tiles. The complex also includes courtyards, prayer halls, and a museum. The central hall, where the tomb is located, is adorned with intricate mirror work, mosaics, and calligraphy. The mosque features a large courtyard, which is surrounded by arched colonnades. The main entrances, such as Bab al-Qibla and Bab al-Reza, are impressive gateways that lead directly to the inner sanctum. Many hadiths from the Shia Imams and from Muhammad highlight the importance of pilgrimage to the shrine. Muhammad:
"There is no sword but Zulfiqar, and there is no hero but Ali. Whoever visits Ali while he is alive, it is as if he has visited me; and whoever visits him after his death, it is as if he has visited me during my lifetime." Imam Husayn Shrine in
Karbala, Iraq. It contains the tomb of
Husayn, who was the son of Ali, the grandson of Muhammad, the third Shia Imam, and is regarded as a
martyr by all Muslims. Husayn's suffering and martyrdom at the
Battle of Karbala became a symbol of sacrifice in the struggle for right against wrong, and for justice and truth against injustice and falsehood. Each year, millions of people around the world observe
Ashura during
Muharram and later undertake the
Arba'in pilgrimage to his shrine, the world's largest annual public gathering.|240x240px Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, contains the tomb the third Shia Imam, Husayn ibn Ali. The mosque stands on the site of the grave of Husayn, where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala. Up to 20 million pilgrims visit the city on the anniversary of Husayn's death. Husayn and his companions are regarded as martyrs by all Muslims. There are many traditions which narrate the status of Karbala. The shrine is a site of immense religious significance in Shia Islam. The Battle of Karbala is one of the most tragic, pivotal and defining moments in Islamic history. Husayn, along with his family and companions, was beheaded by the forces of the Umayyad caliph
Yazid. The battle took place on the plains of Karbala, and Husayn’s stand against Yazid’s oppressive regime has since been revered as a symbol of resistance and martyrdom. Following the martyrdom, the site of Husayn's grave became a major place of pilgrimage. The first structure over his grave was constructed by the order of
al-Mukhtar in the late 7th century. The shrine is renowned for its stunning architecture and intricate decorations. The complex includes a golden dome, several minarets, and expansive courtyards. The central dome is adorned with gold-plated tiles, and the interior features elaborate mirror work, mosaics, and calligraphy that depict verses from the Quran and sayings of Muhammad and the Shia Imams. The main courtyard is surrounded by arched porticos and serves as a gathering place for pilgrims to offer prayers and recite elegies. The shrine also includes a museum that houses artifacts related to Husayn and the Battle of Karbala, as well as a library with a vast collection of Islamic manuscripts and texts. The annual Arba'in pilgrimage, which marks the end of the 40-day mourning period for Husayn, draws millions of visitors from around the world. During Arba'in, pilgrims often walk long distances, sometimes covering hundreds of miles, to reach Karbala. In addition to Arba'in, other significant occasions that draw large crowds to the shrine include Ashura durung Muharram, which is the commemoration date of Husayn's martyrdom, and the birthdays and martyrdom anniversaries of other Shia Imams.
Al-Abbas Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, stands opposite the shrine of Husayn.
Abbas was a son of Ali, the half-brother of both Hasan and Husayn, and Husayn's flag-bearer. Inheriting Ali's boldness and bravery, he is revered as a paragon of ultimate courage and self-sacrifice. Abbas was martyred during the Battle of Karbala while attempting to fetch water for the thirsty children.|240x240px Al-Abbas Shrine in Karbala, Iraq, is the mausoleum of Abbas ibn Ali, a son of Ali, the half-brother of both Hasan and Husayn, and a key figure in the Battle of Karbala. Abbas is revered for his loyalty and bravery, and his shrine is one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam, attracting millions of pilgrims, especially during the annual commemoration of Arba'een. Pilgrims from around the world visit the shrine to pay their respects and seek intercession. Abbas ibn Ali, also known as Abu al-Fadl, was a respected warrior known for his unwavering support of his brother Husayn. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Karbala, where he was martyred while attempting to fetch water for the thirsty children and companions of Husayn. His sacrifice is deeply commemorated, and his shrine stands as a symbol of devotion and courage. The construction of the shrine began in the early Islamic period, with significant contributions from various rulers. The earliest recorded construction was during the Abbasid Caliphate, with later renovations and expansions by the Safavid and Qajar dynasties. The shrine is an architectural marvel, featuring a grand golden dome and two towering minarets. It includes several courtyards, prayer halls, and a museum. The central hall, where the tomb is located, is lavishly decorated with intricate tile work, mirror mosaics, and calligraphy depicting verses from the Quran and sayings of Muhammad and the Shia Imams. The shrine is surrounded by spacious courtyards that can accommodate the influx of pilgrims during major religious events. The main entrance is an ornate gateway that leads to the inner sanctum. Inside, the walls are adorned with elaborate stucco and mirror work. The Shrine is a beacon of faith and a testament to the enduring legacy of Abbas.
The Great Mosque of Kufa in Iraq was Ali's home, the site of his assassination, and is one of the world's earliest surviving mosques.
Kufa served as the final capital of Ali during
his caliphate, and the
Kufic script is named for the city. The Great Mosque of Kufa is one of the earliest surviving mosques in the world. It was home to Ali and the site of his assassination. It also contains the shrine of
Muslim ibn Aqeel, his companion
Hani ibn Urwa, and the revolutionary Al-Mukhtar.The mosque has been significantly rebuilt and restored multiple times in its history. Masjid al-Kufa is believed to have been built in the 7th century. The mosque holds immense religious significance for Shia Muslims. It was the place where Ali used to lead prayers and deliver sermons. The mosque is the site where he was struck in the head with a poison-coated sword by
Abd al-Rahman ibn Muljam during the month of
Ramadan in 661 CE. Ali was prostrating in the
Fajr prayer in the mosque when ibn Muljam struck him. The mosque is a significant pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims, especially during the anniversary of Imam Ali's death and other important Islamic events.
Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia, before its second demolition in 1926. Mausoleums marked in the photo: 1.
Fatima 2. Four Shia Imams:
Hasan (2nd),
al-Sajjad (4th),
al-Baqir (5th), and
al-Sadiq (6th) 3.
Daughters of Muhammad 4.
Wives of Muhammad 5.
'Aqil and
Abdullah ibn Ja'far 6.
Malik and
Nafi' 7.
Ibrahim (the little son of Muhammad) 8.
Halimah al-Sa'diyyah 9.
Fatimah bint Asad 10.
Uthman. Jannat al-Baqi Cemetery in Medina, Saudi Arabia, was founded by Muhammad and holds the graves of several of his family members and companions. Among them are the four Shia Imams: Hasan, al-Sajjad, al-Baqir, and al-Sadiq. When Muhammad arrived in Medina from Mecca in September 622 CE, al-Baqi was a land covered with boxthorn. After Muhammad’s arrival, the houses of Medina developed near al-Baqi, which was therefore considered the public tomb. During the construction of the Prophet’s Mosque,
As'ad ibn Zurarah, one of Muhammad's companions, died. Muhammad chose the spot to be a cemetery, and As'ad was the first individual to be buried in al-Baqi among the
Ansar. While Muhammad was outside Medina for the
Battle of Badr, his daughter
Ruqayyah fell ill and died in 624. She was buried in al-Baqi'. Ruqayyah was the first person from the Ahl al-Bayt (Household of Muhammad) to be buried in this cemetery. Shortly after Muhammad arrived from Badr,
Uthman bin Maz'oon died in 624 CE and was buried in al-Baqi'. He was considered the first companion of Muhammad from the
Muhajirun to be buried in the cemetery. . When his youngest son Ibrahim died, Muhammad commanded that he be buried there as well. Following his instructions, two of his daughters
Zainab and
Umm Kulthum, were also buried near the grave of Uthman bin Maz'oon. Initially, the third caliph, Uthman, was buried in the large neighbouring Jewish graveyard. Over time, numerous domes and structures were built or reconstructed over various graves in al-Baqi. The cemetery was demolished under the
Emirate of Diriyah in 1806. After their reconstruction, they were again demolished in 1926 under the
Sultanate of Nejd, in accordance with their
Wahhabi interpretation of Islamic law. These demolitions were condemned across the Islamic world, but the Saudi government has rejected calls for reconstruction.
Twelver Imam Reza Shrine in
Mashhad,
Iran, receives nearly 30 million pilgrims annually and is the most visited site in Islam. It contains the tomb of
Reza, the eighth Shia Imam who is also part of the chain of
mystical authority in Sunni Sufism. He was the only member of Muhammad's household to be formally appointed heir apparent of the Abbasid Caliphate, and the only Shia Imam to hold such a position. Known for his piety and learning, Reza's lineage traces through Ali via Muhammad's daughter Fatima, and their sons Hasan and Husayn. The vast complex is the world's
largest mosque after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. The Imam Reza Shrine is the mausoleum of Ali al-Rida, the eighth Shia Imam, located in Mashhad, the province of
Razavi Khorasan, Iran. As one of the
holiest sites in Shia Islam, nearly 30 million Muslims making
pilgrimages to the shrine every year, the most visited site in Islam. Imam Reza was a descendant of Muhammad, known for his piety and learning. His lineage traces back to Ali via Muhammad's daughter Fatima, from their sons Hasan and Husayn. He is also part of the chain of mystical authority and
asceticism in Sunni Sufism, making him widely respected in Sunni Islam as well. The
Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha recorded miracles which have occurred at the shrine. The shrine covers an area of 1,200,000 square meters, making it the world's third largest mosque, after Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. The complex is also on the
tentative list of
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Also buried within the shrine are the members of the
Timurid, Safavid and
Qajar family members, alongside the Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, polymath
Baha al-Din al-Amili, crown prince
Abbas Mirza, and many other notable political figures, scholars, and clerics. In the early 9th century, the Abbasid caliph
Al-Ma'mun invited Reza from Medina to
Merv in
Khorasan and appointed him as his heir apparent, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to legitimize Abbasid rule and contain Shia influence. He was the only member of Muhammad's household to be formally appointed heir apparent of the Abbasid Caliphate, and the only Shia Imam to hold such a position. Imam Reza died in 818 CE in the city of
Tus, allegedly poisoned by al-Ma'mun. The site of his grave became a major destination for pilgrimage, and the surrounding settlement gradually developed around his tomb, creating a new city called Mashhad, meaning “place of martyrdom.” The earliest structures around the shrine date back to the 9th century, with significant patronage and expansion carried out during various periods, including by the
Samanid,
Seljuk,
Ilkhanid,
Timurid,
Afsharid, Safavid, and
Qajar Empires, and it is still expanding today. The shrine is renowned for its vast scale, architectural grandeur, artistic richness, and spiritual atmosphere. The architecture of the shrine represents a blend of
Persian and
Islamic traditions. The complex features a prominent golden dome, multiple minarets, and numerous courtyards (
sahn), prayer halls (
riwaq). The central sanctuary houses the Imam's grave beneath the gilded dome. The interior of the shrine is richly decorated with mirror work, tile mosaics, stucco carvings, and intricate calligraphy featuring Quranic verses and religious inscriptions. The shrine is an unmistakable landmark in Iran and Shia history, with the city of Mashhad regarded as the country's spiritual capital. The
Goharshad Mosque, built by Timurid Empress
Goharshad in 1418 CE, is also located at the shrine. The
Astan Quds Razavi Central Museum, a library, four seminaries, a cemetery, and the Razavi University of Islamic Sciences, are contained within the complex as well. The shrine also serves as a major center for religious ceremonies, gatherings, and educational activities, attracting scholars and students from across the
Islamic world. Several hadiths from the Shia Imams and from Muhammad highlight the importance of pilgrimage to the shrine. Muhammad:
"One of my own flesh and blood will be buried in the land of Khorasan. God the Highest will surely remove the sorrows of any sorrowful person who goes on pilgrimage to his shrine. God will surely forgive the sins of any sinful person who goes on pilgrimage to his shrine." Kazimiyya Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq, contains the tombs of the seventh and ninth Shia Imams, respectively
Musa al-Kazim and his grandson
Muhammad al-Jawad. The Al-Kazimiyya Mosque, located in the Kādhimiya suburb of Baghdad, Iraq, contains the tombs of the seventh and ninth Shia Imams, Musa al-Kazim and his grandson Muhammad al-Jawad. Also buried within the premises are scholars
Shaykh Mufīd and
Shaykh Naṣīr ad-Dīn aṭ-Ṭūsi. Directly adjacent to the mosque are two smaller shrines, belonging to the brothers
Sayyid Raḍī (who compiled
Nahjul-Balāghah) and
Sayyid Murtadā and Qadi Abu Yusuf al-Ansari. The mosque was built on the site of a Quraysh cemetery, which was created with the original
Round City of Baghdad in 762 CE. The cemetery was founded by Abbasid Caliph
al-Mansur so that members of his family and internment can be buried in it. It is generally believed that
Zubaidah bint Ja'far and al-Mansur himself were also buried in this location. The current building dates to the restoration carried out by the Safavid Iranian king
Ismail I from 1502 to 1524. It was further ornamented by the Ottoman Sultan
Suleiman the Magnificent after he
conquered Baghdad in 1534. Similar to many other Islamic settlements throughout history, settlements throughout time started to develop around the mosque which came to be known as the Kadhimiyya area. In 1611, the Ottoman Sultan
Ahmed I granted Jamal al-Din bin Mullah Ali, a descendant from
Bani Shaiba, a
firman (royal decree), allowing him and his family to have full custodianship of the mosque and its shrine. Ancestors of Jamal became known as the al-Jamali family who were entrusted with the mosque and kept the firman. Among the most notable members of the al-Jamali family was Sheikh Abbas al-Jamali, who lived next to the mosque with visitors meeting him and was the father of Iraqi Statesman
Muhammad Fadhel al-Jamali, who would become one of the founders of the
United Nations.
Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq, containts the tombs of the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams,
al-Hadi and his son
al-Askari. Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq, containts the tomb of the tenth and eleventh Shia Imams, al-Hādī and his son al-'Askarī. Housed in the mosque are also the tombs of
Ḥakīma Khātūn, sister of al-Hādī; and
Narjis Khātūn, the mother of al-Mahdī. Adjacent to the mosque is another domed commemorative building, the
Serdab ("cistern"), built over the cistern where the Twelfth Imam, al-Mahdī, first entered the
Minor Occultation or "hidden from the view"—whence the other title of the Mahdi, the Hidden Imam. The Imams al-Hādī and al-'Askarī lived under house arrest in the part of Samarra that had been Caliph
al-Mu'tasim's military camp ('
Askar al-Mu‘tasim), hence an inmate of the camp was called an ('
Askarī). As a result, they are known as the '
Askariyyayn. They died and were buried in their house. Tradition attributes their deaths to poison. The Iranian king
Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar added the shrine's golden dome in 1868.
Fatima Masumeh Shrine and is considered one of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, along with Najaf, Karbala, Mashhad, Samarra, Kadhimiya and Kufa.
Fatima Masumeh, regarded as a
saint, was the daughter of Musa al-Kazim and sister of Reza, the seventh and eighth Shia imams. The Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, Iran, is considered to be the most sacred city in Shia Islam along with Najaf, Karbala, Mashhad, Samarra, Kadhimiya and Kufa.
Fatima Masumeh was the daughter of the seventh Shia Imam, Musa al-Kazim, and the sister of the eighth Shia Imam, Reza. In Shia Islam, women are often revered as saints if they are close relatives to one of the Imams. Fatima Masumeh is therefore honored as a saint, and her shrine in Qom is one of the most significant Shia shrines, a major destination for pilgrimage. Every year, millions travel to Qom to honor Fatima Masumeh and seek her intercession with God.
Also buried within the shrine are three daughters of the ninth Shia Imam al-Jawad, Persian poet
Parvin Etesami, six members of the Safavid family, eleven members of the Qajar family, and many other notable political figures, scholars, and clerics. The shrine has attracted dozens of seminaries and religious schools. In 816, when her brother Imam Reza was summoned to Khorasan, Fatima set out to join his brother in Merv but fell ill along the way in the Sunni town of
Saveh. There she asked to be taken to the nearby Shia town of Qom, where she died a few days later, possibly after seventeen days. A local Shia figure by the name of Musa ibn Khazraj al-Ash'ari brought Fatima to Qom and hosted her during her final days.
Shah Gheragh in
Shiraz, Iran, houses the mausoleums of the two sons of the seventh Shia Imam Musa al-Kazim, brothers of the eighth Imam Reza. The Shah Cheragh in Shiraz, Fars province, Iran, is the mausoleum of Ahmad ibn Musa, a son of the seventh Shia Imam Musa al-Kazim and a brother of the eighth Shia Imam Reza, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of Light) in local traditions, and hence the building's name. The complex is one of the holiest sites in Shia Islam. Following the Abbasid persecution of the Shi'ite sect, Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa (also known as Syed Amir Ahmad) and his brother,
Muhammad ibn Musa al-Kazim, both of whom were brothers of Reza, took refuge in Shiraz. The first structure over his grave, a simple domed mausoleum, was built in the 13th century during the rule of the
Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince, attributed to Atabak Sa'ad Ebn-e-Zangi. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen. The tombs of both brothers became celebrated pilgrimage destinations since the 14th century.
Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, Iran, is where Twelver belief holds that the twelfth Shia Imam—the promised
Mahdi—once appeared and offered prayers. The Jamkaran Mosque in the village of
Jamkaran, on the outskirts of Qom, Iran, is where Twelver belief holds that the 12th Shia Imam—the promised Mahdi according to Twelvers—once appeared and offered prayers. Many Shia Muslims go to this mosque on Wednesday nights and the night of the middle of
Sha'ban - the birthday of Mahdi - and perform its rituals. The mosque has a history of over a thousand years, and receives more than 15 million pilgrims annually. It was further developed after the residents of Ghadiriyah from the
Bani Asad tribe fled to Qom, during the Mukhtar uprising in Kufa (685 CE). The mosque has been a sacred place at least since around 983 CE, when Sheikh Hassan ibn Muthlih Jamkarani reportedly met the Twelfth Imam along with the prophet
Al-Khidr. Jamkarani was instructed that the land they were on was "noble" and that the owner, Hasan bin Muslim, was to cease cultivating it and finance the building of a mosque on it from the earnings he had accumulated from farming the land. Sometime in the decade of 1995–2005, the mosque's reputation spread, and many pilgrims, particularly young people, began to come to it. In the rear of the mosque, there is a "well of requests" where it is believed the Twelfth Imam once "became miraculously unhidden for a brief shining moment of loving communion with his creator." Pilgrims tie small strings in a knot around the grids covering the holy well, which they hope will be received by Imam Mahdi. Every morning custodians cut off the strings from the previous day.
Other Twelver shrines • Imamzadeh Hilal ibn Ali in
Aran and Bidgol, Iran, holds the tomb of
Muhammad al-Awsat ibn Ali, a son of Ali and a great-grandson of Muhammad. •
Mada'in in Iraq holds the tomb of Muhammad's Iranian companion,
Salman the Persian. •
Balad, Iraq, is home to the Sayyid Muhammad Shrine, dedicated to al-Hadi, the son of the tenth Imam Ali al-Hadi. •
Bibi Shahrbanu Shrine in Rey, southern
Tehran, is the tomb of
Shahrbanu, who was the wife of Husayn and the mother of al-Sajjad. •
Imamzadeh Hamzeh in Kashmar, Iran, contains the tomb of Sayyid Ḥamzah, a son of the seventh Imam Musa al-Kazim. •
Imamzadeh Hossein in Kordan, Iran, contains the tomb of a descendant of the fourth Imam, Ali al-Sajjad. •
Imamzadeh Shahreza in
Isfahan, Iran, contains the tomb of a son of the seventh Imam Musa al-Kazim, and a brother of the eighth Imam Reza. •
Imamzadeh Seyed Mohammad in
Tabriz, Iran, Seyed Mohammad, a son of Zayd ibn Ali. •
Imamzadeh Ja'far in
Isfahan, Iran, contains the tomb of
Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, a companion of Muhammad. •
Imamzadeh Hossein in
Qazvin, Iran, contains the tomb of Hossein, a son of the eighth Imam Ali al-Rida. •
Imamzadeh Sayyid Muhammad Kojajani in Tabriz, Iran, contains the tomb of Shams al-Din Sayyid Muhammad ben Sadiq ben Muhammad, a descendant of the fourth Imam, al-Sajjad. •
Imamzadeh Davood in Tehran, Iran, contains the tomb of a descendant of the second Imam, Hasan. •
Emamzadeh Hashem Shrine in
Haraz, Iran, contains the tomb of a descendant of Hasan, the second Imam. •
Tomb of Seyed Alaeddin Husayn in Shiraz, Iran, contains the tomb of Ala'ed-Din Husayn, a son of the seventh Imam Musa al-Kazim. •
Imamzadeh Ismail and Shayah Mosque in Isfahan, Iran, contains the tomb of a descendant of the second Imam, Hasan. •
Imamzadeh Complex in the
Republic of Azerbaijan, comprises a mausoleum that houses the grave of a prominent figure in Shia Islam. •
Imamzadeh Haroun-e-Velayat in Isfahan, Iran, contains the tomb of a descendant of Musa al-Kazim, the seventh Imam. •
Imamzadeh Ja'far in
Borujerd, Iran, contains the remains of Abulqāsim Ja’far ibn al-Husayn, grandson of the fourth Imam Zayn al-Abidin. •
Imamzadeh Hoseyn ibn Musa al-Kazim in
Tabas, Iran, contains the tomb of a son of the seventh Imam Musa al-Kazim, and a brother of the eighth Imam Reza
Ismailism, Zaydism, and Alawites in Cairo, Egypt, was established around 970 CE as an Ismaili institution. Historically, the most important place in Ismailism was Cairo during the Fatimid period. When the Fatimids established their caliphate in the 10th century, they ruled as Ismaili leaders. Al-Azhar Mosque and University was founded specifically to teach Ismaili theology, philosophy, and law, and it functioned as the intellectual heart of the Ismailism. Al-Azhar remains the single most powerful symbol of Ismaili achievement, representing the only time Ismailism governed a major Islamic empire. After its dedication in 972, and with the hiring by mosque authorities of 35 scholars in 989, the mosque slowly developed into what it is today. Over the course of its over a millennium-long history, the mosque has been alternately neglected and highly regarded. Because it was founded as a Shiite Ismaili institution,
Saladin and the Sunni Ayyubid dynasty that he founded shunned al-Azhar, removing its status as a congregational mosque and denying
stipends to students and teachers at its school. These moves were reversed under the
Mamluk Sultanate, under whose rule numerous expansions and renovations took place. Later rulers of Egypt showed differing degrees of deference to the mosque and provided widely varying levels of financial assistance, both to the school and to the upkeep of the mosque. Today, al-Azhar remains a deeply influential institution in Egyptian society that is highly revered and a symbol of Islamic Egypt. in Cairo, Egypt, was built around 990 CE by
Ḥākim bi-Amr Allāh, the sixteenth Ismaili leader. Al-Hakim Mosque is important to Ismailism because it comes from the period when Ismaili leaders ruled openly as caliphs. It was built under the Fatimid Imamate in Cairo and functioned as a major state mosque and teaching center for Ismaili doctrine. It represents a time when Ismailism was not a minority tradition but the ideological core of a powerful empire. Teaching there was tied directly to the Fatimid daʿwa. Architecturally, the mosque consists of a
hypostyle prayer hall and a wide internal courtyard (
sahn), accessed via a projecting entrance
portal. Its most notable features are its two unusual
minarets: the original minarets of the mosque have ornate multi-tiered designs but, for reasons that remain unclear, these were encased shortly afterwards inside the massive square bastions still seen today. Alawites are an
ethnoreligious group, an offshoot of Shia Islam as a
ghulat branch during the ninth century. Alawites venerate Ali, the first Imam, as a manifestation of the divine essence. It is the only
ghulat sect still in existence today. The group was founded during the ninth century by
Ibn Nusayr, who was a disciple of the tenth Imam, al-Hadi, and of the eleventh Imam, al-Askari. The Quran is one of their holy books, but its interpretation differs significantly from the mainstream Shia Muslims and aligns with early
Batiniyya. Alawite theology and rituals differ sharply from Shia Islam in several important ways. For instance, various Alawite rituals involve the drinking of
wine and the sect does not prohibit
the consumption of alcohol for its adherents. As a creed that teaches the symbolic/esoteric reading of
Qur'anic verses, Alawite theology is based on the belief in
reincarnation and views Ali as a divine incarnation of God. Moreover, Alawite clergy and scholarships insist that their religion is theologically distinct from Shia Islam. , located near the
Syria-Turkey border, is considered sacred by the Alawites. Alawites have historically kept their beliefs secret from outsiders and non-initiated Alawites, so rumours about them have arisen. At the core of the Alawite creed is the belief in a divine Trinity, comprising three aspects of the one God. The aspects of the Trinity are
Mana (meaning),
Ism (Name) and
Bab (Door). Alawite beliefs hold that these
emanations underwent
re-incarnation cyclically seven times in human form throughout history. According to Alawites, the seventh incarnation of the trinity consists of Ali, Muhammad himself, and Salman the Persian. An important component of Alawism is the belief in the
transfer of souls, rejected by both the Shia and Sunni, leading to the Alawites being considered heretics by theologians of Sunni and Shia Islam. Khidr holds special spiritual and mystical significance. Unlike mainstream Sunni and Shia Islam, Alawite theology incorporates esoteric interpretations of Qur’anic figures, and Khidr is viewed as a hidden, eternal guide, a spiritual intermediary, and a source of divine wisdom. Zayd ibn ʿAlī was the son of Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin, and great-grandson of Ali. He led
an unsuccessful revolt against the Umayyad Caliphate, in which he died. The event gave rise to the Zaydiyya sect of Shia Islam, which holds him as the next Imam after his father Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-Abidin. Zayd ibn Ali is also seen as a major religious figure by many Sunnis and was supported by the prominent Sunni jurist, Abu Hanifa, who issued a fatwa in support of Zayd against the Umayyads. To Twelver and Isma'ili Shias, however, his elder half-brother Muhammad al-Baqir is seen as the next Imam. Nevertheless, he is considered an important revolutionary figure by Shias and a martyr (
shaheed) by all schools of Islam, including Sunnis and Shias. The call for revenge for his death, and for the brutal display of his body, contributed to the
Abbasid Revolution. == Sufism ==