Qatligah: Difference between revisions

Qatligāh, or the Sacrifice Pit, is where [[Imam al-Husayn b. Ali (a)|Imam al-Husayn (a)]] attained [[martyrdom]]. It was within these grounds that Imam al-Husayn's head was severed from his body, a brutal act by [[Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan]] or [[Sinan b. Anas al-Nakha'i]]. Qatligah was situated at a lower elevation than other parts of the [[Karbala]] battlefield, thus earning its name as the pit of sacrifice or murder.

In the current architectural layout of the [[Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a)|shrine]], Qatligah is positioned outside of Imam al-Husayn's [[darih]] in the southwestern section of the Portico of [[Habib b. Muzahir]]. It is distinguished by a silver gate and a window that opens towards the courtyard. The floor of Qatligah is adorned with light-colored marble stones, while its walls showcase intricate mirror work. Additionally, Qatligah encompasses a cellar (saradb) accessible through a silver door. This cellar is considered the place where Imam (a) was [[martyr]]ed. There is a marble stone in that cellar, 50 cm above the ground, like a grave.

Qatligah is also known as maqtal (place of murder), (Arabic: {{ia|مَقْتَل}}) mahall al-nahr (Arabic: {{ia|محل النَّحْر}}) or manhar (place of sacrifice), (Arabic: {{ia|مَنْحَر}}) or madhbah (place of slaughter) (Arabic: {{ia|مَذْبَح}}).

According to some researchers of history, there is a lack of evidence in credible early sources, as well as sources from the [[Safavid Dynasty|Safavid]] and Qajar periods, regarding the existence of the pit of Qatligah. The mention of Qatligah first emerged during the Pahlavi era when preachers recounted the tragic events surrounding Imam al-Husayn (a), subsequently gaining popularity among people. However, some other scholars assert that the Sacrifice Pit does indeed possess a valid historical background, dismissing its association with the Pahlavi era.

Zayn al-Din al-Shaʿbani, a prominent Sufi figure during the thirteenth/nineteenth century, made a reference to the existence of Qatligah in the eighth/fourteenth century. The editor of the book Bughyat al-nubalaʾ fi tarikh karbala suggests that Qatligah mentioned in the book actually pertains to the cellar (sardab). Furthermore, in his travelogue dated 1287/1870-1, Naser al-Din Shah Qajar described Qatligah as a deep pit equipped with multiple stairs.

According to some scholars, it is believed that the term "pit of Qatligah" was first introduced by Sipihr al-Kashani, the author of [[Nasikh al-tawarikh (book)|''Nasikh al-tawarikh'']] during the Qajar period. Before his time, there is no record of this term being used in historical or hadith sources.

The artwork titled "The Throne on the Earth" by [[Mahmoud Farshchian]] depicts the poignant moment of [[Lady Zaynab (a)]] bidding farewell to the body of [[Imam al-Husayn b. Ali (a)|Imam al-Husayn (a)]] within the pit of Qatligah. Created in the miniature style, the painting measures 123*80 cm and was completed in 1396/2017. It was subsequently donated to the museum of Astan Quds Razavi ([[Imam al-Rida]]'s shrine). Notably, the painting focuses on Imam al-Husayn's legs, while his body is subtly implied to be concealed behind a mound of soil. At the center of the artwork, a bloodstained flag is depicted as fallen on the ground, while [[angels]] join Lady Zaynab (a) in mourning.

* [https://museum.razavi.ir/fa/57162/%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A8%D9%84%D9%88-%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B4-%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%AF%D9%88%D8%AF%DB%8C-%D9%82%D8%AA%D9%84%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87 تابلو عرش بر زمین (گودی قتلگاه)] ("The Throne on the Earth" painting (killing pit). (Persian)). Accessed: 2021/08/16.