Wadi l-Salam Cemetery (Najaf): Difference between revisions

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 Hadiths witness. There are some Hadiths 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.

According to some Hadiths, two prophet's tombs, Hud (a) and Salih (a), are situated in wadi al-salam. In fact, there are two tombs said to belong to these two prophets. Initially, with Allamih Bahro l-olum's attempt, a dome and a construction composed of chalk and stone, were built. The construction was renovated with the aid of an Iranian benefactor, and the dome was ornamented with beautiful tiles in 1337 AH.

At the north part of wadi al-salam, there is an area called Maqam al-Imam al-Mahdi (a) and Maqam al-Imam al-Sadiq (a). There is an almost old construction there, along with two signs, pointing the place where Imam Sadiq (a) and Imam Mahdi (a) have recited prayer. A blue dome is right above it. Inside, one can see a well, so called as Bie'r al-Imam al-Mahdi (a), surrounded by a few tombs. It is said that Imam Mahdi (a) was seen there.