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

* 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 the [[Prophet of Islam (s)]] 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).

* [[Al-Kulayni]] (d. 328 AH/940) has narrated a Hadith about this cemetery, descended from [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] in which the phrase "Wadi al-Salam" is applied to suggest this cemetery.

In some Hadiths, this cemetery is referred to by the term "beyond [[Kufa]]" (a city in Iraq), without mentioning the exact name "Wadi al-Salam". For instance, the Hadith narrated by [[al-Majlisi al-Thani]] (the second al-Majlisi) from Ayyashi : "The first site on earth where God was worshiped was the back of Kufa. When God ordered the angels to prostrate for [[Adam (a)]], they obeyed behind Kufa", said [[Imam 'Ali (a)]].

According to Hadiths, 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 Hadiths have extended its background to the time when the angels prostrated for [[Adam (a)]], as in a Hadith said to be from [[Imam 'Ali (a)]]. On the basis of some Hadiths, some of the prophets have been buried in Wadi al-Salam. As [[Muhammad Baqir al-Majlisi|Al-Majlisi]] narrated from al-'Ayyashi, this spot has been a place for Adam's prayer and some of other prophet's coming after him.

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 [[Al-Kulayni]] (255-329 AH/869-941 AD), 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]] (Majlisi II) has narrated that the [[Prophet of Islam (s)]], 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 (a)]] 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 [[Allame Bahr al-'Ulum]]'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/1919.

"Anyone who visits my ancestor's tomb, should recite a prayer of two units, and again a two-unit one, and then another two units of prayer. The first prayer should be performed at the entrance of Imam Ali's (a) tomb, the second one at [[Ra's al-Husayn]], and the third one at Imam al-Mahdi's (a) pulpit (al-minbar)".

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'a (The initial letters of words representing a secret phrase or sentence) are carved. The meaning of these letters is not known to anybody.

In November of 2012, an Iranian news agency by the name of Shafaqna informed about people's strange manners in this cemetery through a report. Accordingly, some people carve their names on a stone so that their spirit would come to this cemetery after death. They also pick the sole of cemetery as being sacred, or they bury their nails and hairs there. This news agency has called these actions superstitious.