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Wadi l-Salam Cemetery (Najaf): Difference between revisions
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'''Wādī al-Salām''' (وادي السلام) is an extensive historic cemetery, situated in [[Najaf]], a city of [[Iraq]]. It is of immense importance for shi'as due to many Hadithes regarding its significance. On the basis of some Hadithes, the cemetery is where some of the [[prophet|prophets]] and great virtuous men return after their death (Raj'at), and any pious man's spirit who passes away in any spot of the world will come to this cemetery. Its location in Najaf has raised its importance because of Imam Ali's holy shrine being there. Many pilgrims of [[Atabat al-Aliyat]] (The holy shrine of Imams (a)) visit this area beside visiting other sacred places. Furthermore, a lot of religious, political, and social figures of shi'a have been buried there. | '''Wādī al-Salām''' (وادي السلام) is an extensive historic cemetery, situated in [[Najaf]], a city of [[Iraq]]. It is of immense importance for shi'as due to many Hadithes regarding its significance. On the basis of some Hadithes, the cemetery is where some of the [[prophet|prophets]] and great virtuous men return after their death (Raj'at), and any pious man's spirit who passes away in any spot of the world will come to this cemetery. Its location in Najaf has raised its importance because of Imam 'Ali's holy shrine being there. Many pilgrims of [[Atabat al-Aliyat]] (The holy shrine of Imams (a)) visit this area beside visiting other sacred places. Furthermore, a lot of religious, political, and social figures of shi'a have been buried there. | ||
== Why it has been named Wadi al-Salam? == | == Why it has been named Wadi al-Salam? == | ||
The word Wadi means a narrow area of land, prone to torrent, between two mountains, where the flood goes through and dwindles gradually. The word al-salam is one of Allah's name, denoting protection from inner and outer harms and dangers in Arabic language. | The word Wadi means a narrow area of land, prone to torrent, between two mountains, where the flood goes through and dwindles gradually. The word al-salam is one of Allah's name, denoting protection from inner and outer harms and dangers in Arabic language. | ||
Some references believe this name has been selected by prophet of Islam or Gabriel, meaning anyone entombed in this cemetery is exempt from the judgment and punishment of Alam al-bardhakh ( the world between this world and the future life ). Kuleini (328 AH) has narrated a Hadith about this cemetery, descended from Imam Ali (a) in which the word Wadi al-salam is applied to suggest this cemetery. | Some references believe this name has been selected by prophet of Islam or Gabriel, meaning anyone entombed in this cemetery is exempt from the judgment and punishment of Alam al-bardhakh ( the world between this world and the future life ). Kuleini (328 AH) has narrated a Hadith about this cemetery, descended from Imam 'Ali (a) in which the word Wadi al-salam is applied to suggest this cemetery. | ||
=== Wadi al-salam in Hadithes === | === Wadi al-salam in Hadithes === | ||
In some Hadithes, this cemetery is referred to by the term "beyond Kufah (a city in Iraq)", without mentioning the exact name "wadi al-slam". For instance, the Hadith narrated by Majlisi al-sani (second Majlisi) from Ayyashi : "The first site on earth where God was worshiped was the back of Kufah. When God ordered the angels to prostrate for Adam, they obeyed behind Kufah", said Imam Ali (a). | In some Hadithes, this cemetery is referred to by the term "beyond Kufah (a city in Iraq)", without mentioning the exact name "wadi al-slam". For instance, the Hadith narrated by Majlisi al-sani (second Majlisi) from Ayyashi : "The first site on earth where God was worshiped was the back of Kufah. When God ordered the angels to prostrate for Adam, they obeyed behind Kufah", said Imam 'Ali (a). | ||
== Geographical location and historical background == | == Geographical location and historical background == | ||
Wadi al-salam is located in Najaf, a city of Iraq. Imam Ali(a)'s holy shrine and a street named Ali ibni abitalib are situated in the south of it. It meets the road between Najaf and Karbala from the East, Hay al-muhandisin region from the North, and former sea of Najaf from the West. | Wadi al-salam is located in Najaf, a city of Iraq. Imam 'Ali(a)'s holy shrine and a street named 'Ali ibni abitalib are situated in the south of it. It meets the road between Najaf and Karbala from the East, Hay al-muhandisin region from the North, and former sea of Najaf from the West. | ||
According to Hadithes, the background of this cemetery goes back to pre-Islamic era. There are not many historical proofs of its state before Islam; nevertheless, it appears that this place has been a cemetery since long time ago. Some Hadithes have extended its background to the time when the angels prostrated for Adam, as in a Hadith said to be from Imam Ali (a). On the basis of some Hadithes, some of the prophets have been buried in wadi al-salam. As Majlisi narrated from Ayyashi, this spot has been a place for Adam's prayer and some of other prophet's coming after him. | According to Hadithes, the background of this cemetery goes back to pre-Islamic era. There are not many historical proofs of its state before Islam; nevertheless, it appears that this place has been a cemetery since long time ago. Some Hadithes have extended its background to the time when the angels prostrated for Adam, as in a Hadith said to be from Imam 'Ali (a). On the basis of some Hadithes, some of the prophets have been buried in wadi al-salam. As Majlisi narrated from Ayyashi, this spot has been a place for Adam's prayer and some of other prophet's coming after him. | ||
It has been a see-sight for pilgrim Iranian caravans; however, most of the caravans prohibit their members from visiting this cemetery, for the country has been unsafe over the recent years. Being large and extensive and having tall tombs and old rooms, wadi al-salam seems so insecure lately. | It has been a see-sight for pilgrim Iranian caravans; however, most of the caravans prohibit their members from visiting this cemetery, for the country has been unsafe over the recent years. Being large and extensive and having tall tombs and old rooms, wadi al-salam seems so insecure lately. | ||
== Significance and superiority == | == Significance and superiority == | ||
One of the reasons to the importance of this cemetery is its proximity to Imam Ali's (a) holy shrine. In addition, it has been indicated and admired frequently in shi'a references. It appears the earliest Hadith about it is one narrated by Kuleini (258-328 AH), said to be from Imam Ali (a). Subsequent references have narrated this Hadith numerously. In this Hadith, Imam Ali (a), accompanied with one of his companions, goes to wadi al-salam and uttered: "No pious man passes away on any part of the earth unless his spirit is ordered to come to wadi al-salam. Here, is a part of Heaven." | One of the reasons to the importance of this cemetery is its proximity to Imam 'Ali's (a) holy shrine. In addition, it has been indicated and admired frequently in shi'a references. It appears the earliest Hadith about it is one narrated by Kuleini (258-328 AH), said to be from Imam 'Ali (a). Subsequent references have narrated this Hadith numerously. In this Hadith, Imam 'Ali (a), accompanied with one of his companions, goes to wadi al-salam and uttered: "No pious man passes away on any part of the earth unless his spirit is ordered to come to wadi al-salam. Here, is a part of Heaven." | ||
Majlisi al-thani (second Majlisi) has narrated that the prophet of Islam, along with Gabriel, went to wadi al-salam and performed prayer in Ascension Night. According to this narration, wadi al-salam has been a place of prayer for Adam and other prophets. Moreover, this is the first area of earth in which God was worshiped, as Hadithes witness. There are some Hadithes about Imam Ali's (a) interest in Najaf and wadi al-salam and his willingness to be buried in this city and in this cemetery. In particular, in a Hadith, Imam Ali (a) asks God to be buried in wadi al-salam cemetery. | Majlisi al-thani (second Majlisi) has narrated that the prophet of Islam, along with Gabriel, went to wadi al-salam and performed prayer in Ascension Night. According to this narration, wadi al-salam has been a place of prayer for Adam and other prophets. Moreover, this is the first area of earth in which God was worshiped, as Hadithes witness. There are some Hadithes about Imam 'Ali's (a) interest in Najaf and wadi al-salam and his willingness to be buried in this city and in this cemetery. In particular, in a Hadith, Imam 'Ali (a) asks God to be buried in wadi al-salam cemetery. | ||
=== Constructions inside the cemetery === | === Constructions inside the cemetery === | ||
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There is another area (maqam) inside this construction ascribed to Imam Sadiq (a). There is no evidence and information indicating the reason of this naming. | There is another area (maqam) inside this construction ascribed to Imam Sadiq (a). There is no evidence and information indicating the reason of this naming. | ||
A mosque and a construction have been built in respect of Imam Sajjad's (a) prayer and staying there. It is located at one kilometer west of Imam Ali's (a) holy shrine, beside the lake Bahru l-Najaf at a distance of 250 meters, and adjacent to Safi Safa tomb. The dimensions of this mosque are 15*18. It has a dome, and the walls are decorated with tiles, and there is an altar (mihrab) ascribed to the area where Imam Sajjad (a) said prayers. It is said that when Imam Sajjad (a) came to visit Imam Ali's tomb in Najaf, he performed his prayer there and stayed for the night. | A mosque and a construction have been built in respect of Imam Sajjad's (a) prayer and staying there. It is located at one kilometer west of Imam 'Ali's (a) holy shrine, beside the lake Bahru l-Najaf at a distance of 250 meters, and adjacent to Safi Safa tomb. The dimensions of this mosque are 15*18. It has a dome, and the walls are decorated with tiles, and there is an altar (mihrab) ascribed to the area where Imam Sajjad (a) said prayers. It is said that when Imam Sajjad (a) came to visit Imam 'Ali's tomb in Najaf, he performed his prayer there and stayed for the night. | ||
At the time when Safavid dynasty ruled Iraq, a construction was built in this area which still exists. Around the collapse of Ottoman Empire, it was repaired and a nice stone was put inside the altar, on which Huruf al-muqatta'I (The initial letters of words representing a secret phrase or sentence) are carved. The meaning of these lettersa is not known to anybody. | At the time when Safavid dynasty ruled Iraq, a construction was built in this area which still exists. Around the collapse of Ottoman Empire, it was repaired and a nice stone was put inside the altar, on which Huruf al-muqatta'I (The initial letters of words representing a secret phrase or sentence) are carved. The meaning of these lettersa is not known to anybody. | ||
== Figures entombed in Wadi al-salam == | == Figures entombed in Wadi al-salam == | ||
Many religious, political, and social figures of shi'a have been buried in this cemetery by either their will or their relative's request. Seemingly, their purpose had been being adjacent to Imam Ali's (a) holy shrine. Some of shi'a's figures entombed in this cemetery are: | Many religious, political, and social figures of shi'a have been buried in this cemetery by either their will or their relative's request. Seemingly, their purpose had been being adjacent to Imam 'Ali's (a) holy shrine. Some of shi'a's figures entombed in this cemetery are: | ||
* Sayyid Jamal al-din Gulpayegani | * Sayyid Jamal al-din Gulpayegani | ||
* Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Sadr | * Sayyid Muhammad Baqir Sadr | ||
* Sayyid Jamal al-din Afjei | * Sayyid Jamal al-din Afjei | ||
* Sayyid Ali Ghazi Tabataba'i | * Sayyid 'Ali Ghazi Tabataba'i | ||
* Ra'is Ali Delvari | * Ra'is 'Ali Delvari | ||
* Muhammad Husain Kashif al-qit'a | * Muhammad Husain Kashif al-qit'a | ||
* Muhammad Reda Tonekaboni | * Muhammad Reda Tonekaboni | ||