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

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[[File:قبرستان وادی الاسلام (15).jpg|400px|thumb|A view of Wadi l-Salam cemetery, [[Najaf]], [[Iraq]]]]

'''Wādī l-Salām''' (Arabic: {{iarabic|وادي السلام}}) is an extensive historic cemetery, situated in [[Najaf]], a city of [[Iraq]]. It is of immense importance for [[Shi'a|shi'as]] due to many Hadiths regarding its significance. On the basis of some Hadiths, the cemetery is where some of the [[prophet|prophets (a)]] 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 [[Holy Shrine of Imam 'Ali (a)|Imam 'Ali's (a) 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.

* 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<ref>Raghib, 421</ref>.

* Some references believe this name has been selected by the [[Holy Prophet (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).<ref>Al-Buraqi, P.243</ref>

* [[Al-Kulayni]] (d. 328 AH/940) has narrated a Hadith about this cemetery, descended from [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] in which the phrase "Wadi l-Salam" is applied to suggest this cemetery<ref>Al-Kulayni, Vol.3, P.243</ref>.

=== Wadi l-Salam in Hadiths ===

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]] (al-Majlisi II) 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"<ref>Al-Majlisi, Vol.22, P.37</ref>, said [[Imam 'Ali (a)]].

== Geographical location and historical background ==

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)]]<ref>Al-Majlisi, Vol.22, P.37</ref>.

On the basis of some Hadiths, some of the prophets have been buried in Wadi l-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.<ref>Al-Majlisi, Vol.18, P.384</ref>

== 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 [[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 l-Salam and uttered: "No pious man passes away on any part of the earth unless his spirit is ordered to come to Wadi l-Salam. Here, is a part of [[Heaven]]."<ref>Al-Kulayni, Vol.3, P.243</ref>

[[Al-Majlisi al-Thani]] (Al-Majlisi II) has narrated that the [[Holy Prophet (s)]], along with [[Gabriel]], went to Wadi l-Salam and performed prayer in Ascension Night. According to this narration, Wadi l-Salam has been a place of prayer for [[Adam (a)]] and other prophets.<ref>Al-Majlisi, Vol.18, P.384</ref>

Moreover, this is the first area of earth in which [[God]] was worshiped, as Hadiths witness<ref>Al-Majlisi, Vol.22, P.37</ref>.

There are some Hadiths about Imam 'Ali's (a) interest in [[Najaf]] and Wadi l-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 l-Salam cemetery.<ref>Daylami, Vol.2, P.238</ref>

== Constructions inside the cemetery ==

=== The tombs ascribed to Hud (a) and Salih (a) ===

According to some Hadiths, two prophet's tombs, [[Hud (a)]] and [[Salih (a)]], are situated in Wadi l-Salam. In fact, there are two tombs said to belong to these two prophets. Initially, with [['Allama 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.<ref>Qa'idan, P.50</ref>

At the north part of Wadi l-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 al-Sadiq (a) and Imam al-Mahdi (a) have recited prayer. A blue dome is right above it. Inside, one can see a well, so called as Bi'r al-Imam al-Mahdi (a), surrounded by a few tombs. It is said that Imam al-Mahdi (a) was seen there.

 

The construction has been built thanks to [[Allama Bahr al-'Ulum]]'s efforts. A person by the name of Sayyid Muhammad Khan refurbished it in 1370 AH/1951, and it has maintained its state until today. He, also, made a dome with blue tiles above the construction.

There is a stone in there on which Imam al-Mahdi's Ziyara (a blessing prayer for a Imam) is incised. Its date goes back to the year 1200 AH/1786. There has been narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that:

"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)"<ref>Qa'idan, P.50</ref>.

There is another area (maqam) inside this construction ascribed to Imam al-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 al-Sajjad (a)|Imam al-Sajjad's (a)]] prayer and staying there. It is located at one kilometer west of Imam 'Ali's (a) holy shrine, beside the lake Bahr al-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 al-Sajjad (a) said prayer. It is said that when Imam al-Sajjad (a) came to visit Imam 'Ali's tomb in [[Najaf]], he performed his prayer there and stayed for the night.

 

== Figures entombed in Wadi l-salam ==

* [[Sayyid Jamal al-din Gulpayigani]]

* [[Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr]]

* [[Sayyid Jamal al-din Afji'i]]

* [[Sayyid 'Ali Qadi Tabataba'i]]

* [[Ra'is 'Ali Delvari]]

* [[Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim]]

 

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