Iraq: Difference between revisions

Originality of Shi'ism in Iraq goes back to the time of [[Imam Ali (a)]], where it spread across other territories such as [[Iran]]. Although Shi'ite government were ruling in Iraq, including [[Hamdani]], [[Buyid]], and [[Safavid]], they were merely influential in administrative affairs. However by the time [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]] established their government, Shi'ite Muslims were removed from political authorities. After the occupation of Iraq by Britain, Shi'a Muslims played an active role against them, and many scholars, including [[Muhammad Taqi al-Shirazi]], issued fatwas of jihad against British forces. [[Al-Da'wa party]], an influential political party in Iraq, was founded in that time, which kept Shi'a Muslims active and helped them undertake a consequential role in achieving independence of Iraq.

Ba'ath government tried their best to keep Shi'a Muslims from political power. In 1411/1991 Shi'a Muslims started an uprising against Ba'ath government called [[al-Intifada al-Sha'baniyya]]. Iraqi army massacred Shi'as all over the country, and Shi'a leaders were killed, imprisoned, or exiled.

After the occupation of Iraq by the United States and the fall of [[Saddam]] in 2003, again Shi'a Muslims came back to political stage in Iraq. According to the new constitutional law of Iraq, Prime minister must be chosen from Shi'as; since then three Shi'a Prime ministers of Iraq were chosen from Islamic Da'wa party.  

Iraq is located in the Middle East and southwest of Asia, neighboring [[Saudi Arabia]] and [[Kuwait]] to the south, [[Jordan]] and [[Syria]] to the west, [[Iran]] to the east and [[Turkey]] to the north. Iraq has a narrow coastline on the northern part of Persian Gulf. The [[Tigris]] and the [[Euphrates]] flow through Iraq from north to south of the country and finally into Persian Gulf. The Arab Federation was founded by Iraq and Jordan in 1958.

Total area of Iraq is 438,317 Km2 which largely contains dessert. The north of the country is mostly composed of mountains with cold weather and occasional heavy snows, the center is mostly humid and hot and the west is hot and dry.

The autonomy of the Kurdistan regional government is located in the north of the country, which is neighboring Iran to the east, Turkey to the north, Syria to the east. It includes 5 million people. Iraqi Kurdistan Parliament includes 100 members, a prime minister and a cabinet. 17 percent of total budget of Iraq is allocated to Kurdistan regional government. They speak Kurdish and their official flag is different from the flag of Iraq. [[Erbil]] is the capital of this autonomy region, also Sulaymaniyah is a notable city there. The [[Day of 'Ashura]] in [[Muharram]] is an official holiday in Kurdistan.

Iraqi people are mainly Shi'ite or Sunni Muslims. It is estimated that 60% of people are Shi'ite, 37% are Sunni and only 3% are followers of other religions including [[Christianity|Christians]], [[Judaism|Jews]], and Assyrians.

Shi'a Arabs, the bulk of population of Iraq, mainly settle in the south. [[Karbala]], [[al-Diwaniya]], [[Hillah]], [[Muntafiq]], [[al-Amara]] and [[al-Kut]] are Shi'ite cities of Iraq. [[Diyala]], [[Baghdad]], and [[Basra]] mainly contain Shi'a Muslims, while they also live in other provinces of Iraq. On the other hand, Sunni Muslims are settled largely in the north of the country. Kurds are settled in mountainous regions in the north east; they are concentrated mostly in [[Sulaymaniyah]] and [[Mosul]].

Turkmens of Iraq are mainly followers of [[Shi'ism]]. It is said that Shi'ism among Turkmens goes back to the time of King Ruh, a descendant of Timur. When Qaraquyunlu government, led by Jahan Shah, conquered [[Baghdad]] and northern regions of Iraq, he was then able to expand his ruling territory to the south of Iraq. Afterwards, Turkmens of Iraq expanded Shi'ism among Iraqi people and also Turkmens in other regions. Later, [[Shah Ismail Safavi|Isma'il]], a [[Safavid]] ruler, strengthened Shi'ism in Iraq. Currently Shi'a Turkmens are living in [[Tal 'Afar]], [[Daquq]], [[Khurmatu]], and Bashir region near Kirkuk. Besides, a number of Shi'a Turkmen are living in [[Sunni]] settled cities such as Altun, Kupri, Kirkuk, and Kufri.

Alid, Bektashi, and Sarali are the main sects of Shi'ism among Turkmen; after the occupation of Iraq by British army they regularly visited [[Karbala]] and [[Najaf]] as a result they held solid relations with Fiqahat Shi'ism. However, Shi'a Turkmen were living in harsh situations in the time of [[Ba'ath regime]]. [[Saddam]] tried to persuade and convince them to support him but he failed. Thus he decided to prosecute and exile a large number of them.

Shi'a Kurds are currently settling in Diyala province particularly in Khanaqin region and 'Aqd al-akrad in [[Baghdad]]; they are called Fayli Kurds in Iraq who are all followers of Shi'ism. Previously they were all living in Diyala, but after facing hostilities from Ba'ath regime they emigrated to Baghdad and its neighboring regions. They are a branch of Nomadic tribes from Ilam and Kermanshah in [[Iran]], so they are not related to Kurds living in the north of Iraq; they are politically independent. As they regularly visited Iran, they learned Farsi and they can speak Arabic and Turkish as well. A large number of them are presently living in Kirkuk and Irbil. Also some Iranians living in Ilam Province are Fayli Kurds. According To [[Rasul Ja'farian]], a historian, the population of Fayli Kurds is about one million. In the time of Saddam, they introduced themselves as Arabs and they hid the fact of being Shi'a Muslim. After the fall of Saddam, they became politically active as [[Fayli Kurd Islamic Union]]. A number of expelled Iranians from Iraq in the time of Saddam were Fayli Kurds.

Iraq is regarded a country with ancient history, it includes historical monument all over the country, from thousands of years B.C to the time after the emergence of Islam. Formerly Iraq was called Mesopotamia, one the earliest civilizations in Asia.

Iraq or as was called Mesopotamia includes ancient civilizations of six thousand years old. Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyria, Amorites, and Chaldean were among the first civilizations founded in Iraq thousands of years B.C. Hammurabi is one the most notable Kings of ancient times in Iraq. The Law Code of Hammurabi is regarded the first written and organized law in the world. Babylon was the capital of his empire which was the most prosperous and flourishing city of ancient time.

About 500 years B.C, Cyrus (an Achaemenid king) seized the center and north of Mesopotamia as a part of Persian territory. After Achaemenid, Seleucid Empire, Parthian Empire, and Sassanid ruled in Iraq, which became massively important in Sassanid era and Ctesiphon (Tisfun or as called [[al-Mada'in]] now) became the capital. [[Taq Kasra]] a Sassanid-era monument in al-Mada'in was built in this time.

Sassanid (226 - 652 AD) ruled in Iraq for four centuries. In [[16]]/637-8 Muslims' army attacked Iraq and defeated [[Iran|Iranian]] army. However Iraq remained as a part of Iran's territory.

[[Baghdad]] was the capital of [[Abbasid dynasty]]. Mongols attacked and conquered [[Baghdad]] in [[656]]/ 1258-9 they controlled it until Aq Quyunlu took over. However [[Safavid]] came and captured Iraq and made it part of [[Iran]]'s territory. Later [[Ottomans]] defeated Iran and they managed to seize Iraq in 1535; which was called the state of Baghdad under Ottomans.

In 1919 Iraq was detached from Ottomans and it was dominated by British. Faysal I, formed Monarchy of Iraq. With long and continuous oppositions and resistance of religious scholars such as [[Mirza Muhammad Taqi Shirazi]], [[Muhammad Khalisi Zadih]] and [[Ayatollah Kashani]], Iraq became independent in 1932.

'Abd al-Karim Qasim, ended monarchy system in Iraq through a coup and formed Republic governing system in Iraq. Later Ba'ath party changed the governing system into People's Democratic Republic of Iraq.

After the [[Islamic revolution of Iran]], [[Saddam]] came to power in Iraq in 1979, he imposed an [[Iran-Iraq war|eight-year war]] against Iran in September 1980. Then in 1991 he attacked [[Kuwait]]. In 2003, American and British troops occupied Iraq in order to punish Saddam and bring democracy to Iraq. In 2005 Parliament election was held in Iraq. Jalal Talabani became the president and Ibrahim al-Jaafari became the prime minister of Iraq. Also in October 2005, constitution of Iraq was approved. Noui al-Maliki replaced Ibrahim al-Jaafari in 2006, and stayed in this position until 2014. Fuad Masum is the current president of Iraq and Heydar al-Abadi is the prime minister.

 

The Battle of Jamal took place between [[Nakithun]] (the Oath-Breakers) and army of [[Imam Ali (a)]] in [[36]]/656. This battle started by [[Aisha]] (Prophet Muhammad's widow), [[Talha]], and [[Zubayr b. al-'Awwam|Zubayr]] in a region near [[Basra]]; which ended with victory of Imam Ali's (a) forces over Nakithun.

 

It was among the battles during the [[caliphate]] of Imam Ali (a) which happened after the Battle of Siffin and following the event of [[Hakamiyya]] in Safar of [[38]]/658. On one side of the battle was a group of people known as Mariqun or [[Kharijites]]. In this battle, Kharijites were conquered by the army of Imam Ali (a). It is said that less than ten soldiers from Kharijites could run away unharmed. Among them, [['Abd al-Rahman b. Muljim al-Muradi]], the murderer of Imam Ali (a).

Iraq was ruled by Sumerian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Achaemenid, Sassanid,and some others. Therefore a number of kings ruled over it such as Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Alexander the Macedonian ruled.

Banu Hashim were descendants of [[Quraysh]] tribe; [[Hashim b. 'Abd Manaf]] was their ancestor. [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] and Shi'a [[Imam]]s were all descendants of this tribe. [[Imam Ali (a)]] and [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] were [[caliph]]s of Muslims. Imam Ali (a) changed his capital from [[Medina]] to [[Kufa]]. After [[martyrdom]] of his father, [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] became the caliph of Muslims. However after some time he agreed a [[Peace Treaty of Imam al-Hasan (a)|peace treaty]] with [[Mu'awiya]] and gave caliphate to him.

Umayyads ([[41]]/661-62 – [[132]]/ 749-50) are a branch of [[Quraysh]] tribe, who are descendants of [[Umayya b. 'Abd Shams b. 'Abd Manaf]]. They came to power in 41/ 661-2 and they ruled over Iraq until 132/749-50. They changed Caliphate to Monarchy. Umayyad caliphs and leader held adversaries against [[Banu Hashim]] which continued throughout their ruling era. Mu'awiya and Yazid were the first caliphs of Umayyad dynasty.

Mu'awiya b. Abi Sufyan: He was the first Umayyad caliph. He usurped caliphate from Imam al-Hasan (a) by means of the peace treaty between them in 41/661-2. He changed the capital from Kufa to [[Syria]]. He launched the [[Battle of Siffin]] against Imam Ali (a).

Yazid I: He was the second Umayyad caliph who came to power after the death of his father, Mu'awiya. Yazid's parents were fierce enemies of the Prophet (s) prior to the [[Conquest of Mecca]]. He was the first one chosen by his father to be the next caliph, in a hierarchy fashion. Yazid I was famous for being drunk and playing musical instruments. He had committed many crimes including the [[Battle of Karbala]], the [[Incident of Harra]], and the attack on [[Ka'ba]].

Abbasid caliphs' lineage goes back to [['Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]], the cousin of the Prophet (s). Although [[Saffah]] was the first Abbasid caliph, al-Mansur is known as the founder of Abbasid caliphate. Six Shi'a [[Imam]]s have lived during the time of Abbasids, including [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]], [[Imam al-Rida (a)]], [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]], and [[Imam al-Hasan al-Askari (a)]]; they were all martyred by Abbasid rulers.

Ottomans ruled over Iraq for some years. Sultan Sulayman Qanuni, a [[Sunni]] Ottoman ruler have flourished [[Najaf]]. Actually there was a contest between Shi'a [[Safavid]] rulers and Sultan Sulayman in order to flourish Najaf.

Buyids was a Shi'ite government which ruled from 328/939-40 to 446/ 1054-5 in Iraq and [[Iran]], they managed to overcome [[Abbasid caliphate]]. At the beginning they established their government in Iran, then Ahmad b. Buya expanded Buyid territory to Iraq. 'Adud al-Dawla was the most powerful ruler of Buyid dynasty. After his reign, Buyid rulers came against each other through disagreements which finally led to the fall of this Shi'ite dynasty by the hands of Sultan Mahmud, a Ghaznavid ruler.

Mongol Ilkhanate were a Shi'ite government ruled over Iran, they ruled over Iraq in the 8th/14th and 9th/15th centuries. A number of Ilkhanate governors are buried in the [[holy shrine of Imam Ali (a)]] in Najaf.

In the ruling era of the first Safi, Ottomans attacked Iran. As a result, the Zuhab treaty was agreed between Ottomans and Safavid in 1049/1639, in which Iraq was detached from Iran and it attached to Ottomans' territory. Zuhab treaty made peace between the two parties for a century.

They were [[Twelver Shi'a]] rulers who ruled over [[Mosul]] and [[Aleppo]] in the third/ninth and fourth/tenth century . [[Abu l-Hayja' 'Abd Allah b. Hamdan]] was the founder of Hamdani in Mosul. He rebuilt the wall around the city Najaf and ordered to build a dome on the burial site of [[Imam Ali (a)]]. He also defended Muslims' territory against Roman army and he ordered to mint coins with the names of [[Ashab al-Kisa']].

Banu al-Mazid (350/ 961-62  – 454/1062-63): They were initially part of the [[Banu Asad]] tribe who started living in the regions near [[Kufa]]. Ali b. Mazid, known as Sana' al-Dawla, was permitted by Ahmad Mu'iz al-Dawla's government to found the city [[Hillah]] in Iraq, which became their capital later. They actually acquired titles from Buyid government and they established an independent state. Banu al-Mazidi established the [[seminary in Hillah]] for the first time in the 5th/11th century.

Shahiniyya (338/949-50 – 381/991-2) was established by [['Imran b. Shahin]] in Batiha,between Wasit and [[Basra]], Iraq.

They were descendants of 'Amir b. Sa'sa'a. They migrated from Arabian Peninsula to Iraq and became reliant on [[Hamdanis]]. In the time of the decline of Hamdani, Banu 'Aqil took over Mosul. Later they managed to expand their territory from [[Baghdad]] to [[Aleppo]]. However when they faced attacks from Seljuk government, they let Turkish rulers take charge of Iraqi military soldiers. Finally when they lost their power they migrated back to the east regions of [[Saudi Arabia]].

They were Shi'a families in Iraq who were ruling over the south of Iraq and Khuzestan province in Iran in the beginning of the 4th/10th century. Abu Yusuf al-Baridi was the governor of [[Basra]] and its region in [[320]]/ 932-3. Then 'Abd Allah al-Baridi was ruling in Wasit and Baghdad in [[329]]/940-1, and he made al-Muttaqi, an Abbasid governor, to offer ministry of [[Abbasid caliphate]] to him; although it was usurped from him soon. In the time of [[Buyid]], Abu l-Qasim al-Baridi was chosen as the governor of Basra and then in 335/946-7 became the governor of Wasit and its region. He ruled over Basra until 349/960.

An important city in Iraq which is mostly inhabited by Shi'a Muslims due to the presence of the [[Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (a)]]. In fact, it was hugely regarded a crucial city for rulers throughout history, as well as existence of [[seminaries]] there.

Kadhimiyya is destination for Muslims pilgrims due to the presence of Kazimayn shrine. This city is regarded the third important city to Shi'a Muslims, after [[Najaf]] and Karbala.

Shi'a Muslims visit Samarra due to the presence of holy shrines of [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]] and [[Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a)]]. Also a great number of Shi'a religious and scientific figures are buried there. This city was the capital of [[Abbasid caliphate]] for half a century. [[Imam al-Mahdi (a)]] was born in Samarra.

Kufa is among the firsts cities built by Muslims. It was the capital of Muslims in the time of caliphate of Imam Ali (a) and Imam al-Hasan (a). A large number of scientific Shi'ite families were born in [[Kufa]]. [[Al-Sahla mosque]] and [[the great mosque of Kufa]] are the main religious places in the city.

Baghdad is currently the capital of Iraq. It was previously either the capital of Muslims territory or among the most important cities where Imam [[al-Sadiq (a)]] was imprisoned in the time of [[Harun al-Rashid]].

Holy shrine of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] is situated in [[Karbala]]. [[Traveler Prayer]] is treated the same as [[Masjid al-Haram]], [[al-Masjid al-Nabawi]], and [[Great Mosque of Kufa]]; in which travelers' prayer are allowed to be performed in four rak'a.

[[Imam al-Kazim (a)]] and [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]] are both buried in [[Kadhimiyya]], which is located in the north of [[Baghdad]]. The shrines were rebuilt and renewed several times; the longest one took about 21 years in the time of Shah Isma'il Safavid. Also a number of Shi'a figures are buried there.

[[Imam al-Jawad (a)]] and [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]] are both buried in [[Samarra]]; the shrine is called Askariyayn. It was under attack many times, and recently it was under attack in 2014 by ISIS. They attacked Samarra in order to destroy the shrines, however they faced Iraqi people and military resistances.

===The Shrine of 'Abbas b. Ali (a)===

'Abbas b. Ali is buried in Karbala near the shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a). The distance between the shrines of Imam al-Husayn (a) and 'Abbas b. Ali is called [[Bayn al-Haramayn]] (Between the two shrines).

Shi'a seminary in Baghdad was established in the time of [[Imam al-Kazim (a)]]. After the emergence of religious scholars such as [[Ibn al-Junayd]], [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], [[al-Sayyid al-Murtada]] and [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] in the time of [[Buyid dynasty]], Shi'a seminary in Baghdad became the superior seminary among Shi'a Muslims. However after the entrance of Tughril, a Seljuk leader, in Baghdad in 477/1084-5, the Shi'a seminary in Baghdad declined as a result most of religious scholars migrated to [[Najaf]].

The presence of [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] in Shi'a seminary of Najaf made it a scientific and intellectual center in Shi'ism. Then in the sixth century A.H after the emergence of [[Muhammad b. Idris al-Hilli]], Shi'a seminary of Najaf declined and the superiority transferred to Shi'a seminary of Hillah. However [[Muhaqqiq Ardabili]] made the Shi'a seminary of Najaf prominent again. Since the fourth decade of the eleventh century, Shi'a seminary of Najaf involved in [[Akhbarism]], just like other Shi'a seminaries. The emergence of [[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Mahdi Bahr al-'Ulum|'Allama Bahr al-'Ulum]] and the students of [[Wahid al-Bihbahani]] in the thirteenth century in Shi'a seminary of Najaf, made again the most influential and major Shi'a seminary among Shi'a Muslims.

Ash'ari family were a Qahtani tribe from [[Yemen]]. After the promotion of [[Islam]] in Yemen, a large number of them converted to Islam. After the conquest of [[Iran]] by Muslims, they came and settled in [[Kufa]], also they played crucial roles in social and political events in Iraq. Then after the prosecutions of Shi'a Muslims by [[Hajjaj b. Yusuf]] they migrated to [[Qom]] in Iran.

Banu Asad are 'Adnani Arabs who settled around Kufa, [[Basra]] and [[Syria]]. [[Habib b. Muzahir]] and [[Muslim b. Awsaja]] who were [[Martyrdom|martyred]] in the [[battle of Karbala]] were from Banu Asad tribe; the tribe that buried martyrs of the battle of Karbala. Banu Mazid were a branch of Banu Asad, who founded the city [[Hillah]] in the time of their rule. The establishment of [[Shi'a seminary]] in Hillah is regarded as their most significant scientific – cultural action taken by Banu Asad.

The origin of Shi'ism in Iraq goes back to the time of [[Imam Ali (a)]], which started in [[Kufa]]. A large number of [[hadith]] narrators in Kufa were Shi'a Muslims, who transmitted Shi'ism to [[Baghdad]] in the middle of the 2nd/8th century. Although Shi'ism originated from [[Medina]], Kufa is regarded as their leading base. One third of Kufa people were Shi'a in the time of [[Umayyad dynasty]]. Shi'ism expanded from Kufa to other cities including Baghdad, Basra and a number of cities in [[Iran]]. Abu Bakr al-Khwarizmi (d. 383/993) sent a letter to Shi'a Muslims in [[Neyshabur]] and introduced Shi'ism as religion originated from Iraq:

A large number of Shi'a Muslims of [[Basra]] opposed the enemies of [[Imam Ali (a)]] in the [[Battle of Jamal]]. The tribe of 'Abd al-Qays who were living in Basra were Shi'a Muslims and followers of Imam Ali (a). Khuza'a and Bajila tribes were Shi'ite. When Imam al-Husayn (a), set out for Kufa, he sent a letter to Shi'a Muslims of Basra and invited them to support him. They gathered around in the house of [[Mariya al-'Abdiyya]]. [[Sharik b. A'war]], a prominent Shi'a figure in Basra, passed away just before the martyrdom of [[Muslim b. 'Aqil]]. Shi'a Muslims of Basra were mentioned in the ancient historical books. [['Abd al-'Aziz al-Jaludi]] was a Shi'a author from Basra. The names of hundreds of Shi'ite figures from Basra were mentioned in the book ''al-Nusra li Shi'at al-Basra''. Baridis, Shahiniyya, and Banu Mazid were a number of Shi'a rulers in Basra. Today Basra is the second largest city of Iraq and one of the most important Shi'ite cities in the world.

The region of Buratha which includes [[Buratha mosque]] is regarded as an   important Shi'ite region in Baghdad. It is regarded a sacred region for Shi'a Muslims which was damaged and destroyed many times. Today this region is considered as one the most important Shi'ite communities where [[Friday Prayer|Friday's prayer]]s are held.

Wasit was founded by [[Hajjaj b. Yusuf]] near [[Tigris River]] on the way of Kufa and Basra, therefore it was called Wasit; which means in the middle. It was later destroyed by a flood of Tigris River. Today Wasit is a province in Iraq, with [[al-Kut]] as its capital; it is regarded a Shi'ite region.

[[Sa'id b. Jubayr]] was regarded a prominent leading members of [[tabi'un]] who had tendencies toward Shi'ism; he was also a student of [[Ibn 'Abbas]]. He was slayed by the orders of Hajjaj b. Yusuf. [[Twelver]] and [[Zaydi]] Shi'a Muslims gradually settled in Wasit in the time of Abbasid dynasty. [[Hisham b. Hakam]], a well-known Shi'a [[Mutikallim]], was born in Kufa but he grew up and started his trades in Baghdad. [[Ibrahim b. Hayyan al-Asadi al-Kufi]], a companion of [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], moved from Kufa to Wasit and stayed there. [[Ubay Allah b. Abi Zayd Ahmad al-Anbari]], [[Ahmad b. Sahl al-Wasiti]], [['Ali b. Bilal al-Baghdadi]] and [['Ali b. Muhammad Shakir Laythi Wasiti]] lived in Wasit.

The history of Shi'ism in [[Samarra]] does not go back so long. Only [[Sayyid Muhammad Hasan Shirazi|Mirza Shirazi]] lived in Samarra when he was a [[marja' al-taqlid]]. Balad, a city 20 km off Samarra, is entirely Shi'ite, except for a number of villages around it. The burial place of [[Muhammad b. al-Imam al-Hadi (a)|al-Sayyid Muhammad]] is one the Shi'ite sites there. In 1991 a large number of people of Balad were in trouble, 395 were executed, 225 were imprisoned and more than one hundred families were forced to leave the city; they settled in a dessert in the south west of Iraq.

Shi'ism among a number of Nomadic unions such as [[Banu Salama]] and [[Ta'i]] goes back to a long time ago. However Shi'ism is fresh among other nomadic tribes including Rabi'a, Khaz'al, Banu Tamim, Zubayd, Banu 'Umayr, al-Diwar, al-Dafafi'a. Iranian's visit to Holy shrines in Iraq as well as presence of clergymen in order for preaching and expanding Shi'ism led to the growth of Shi'a Muslims among nomadic tribes. Ibrahim al-Haydari al-Baghdadi (1882) in his book "Al-Majd" explained about Shi'ism among nomadic tribes in Iraq and differentiated between Sunni and Shi'a tribes there.

[[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] spend most of his life in Baghdad. But when his library was set on fire, he moved to [[Najaf]] and founded a seminary there. Meanwhile a number of Iranian Shi'a Muslims immigrated to Iraq who were mainly from Qom, Rey, Sari, and Gorgan. They became students of al-Shaykh al-Tusi, [[al-Shaykh al-Mufid]], and [[al-Sayyid al-Murtada]] afterwards.

4. The influence of seminary of Najaf on Iran:

Massive immigration of religious scholars of [[Jabal Amel]] to Iran had a great influence on this matter. A number of them settled in Iraq, and a number of them directly immigrated to Iran. Most of these religious scholars were invited to Iran by Safavid rulers including Shah Tahmasib in order to strengthen religious seminaries in Iran. They brought Shi'ite texts which enriched Shi'ism in Qazvin and Isfahan in [[Safavid]] era. [[Al-Muhaqqiq al-Karki]] was among the prominent figures of time.

Although Shi'a Muslims were treated harshly in Ottoman's era, they stood firmly and defended themselves against British soldiers. This resistance was inspired by [[fatwas]] of religious scholars of [[Najaf]]. [[Sayyid Muhammad Sa'id Habbubi]], [[Shaykh Abd al-Karim al-Jazayeri]] and [[Sayyid Kazim Yazdi]] gave speeches in order to encourage the resistance. [[Muhammad Mahdi Khalisi]] in [[Kadhimiyya]] emphasized on resistance in his statements. [[Sayyid Mahdi Heydari]] and [[Muhammad Taqi Shirazi]] issued fatwas. Even [[Muhammad Taqi Shirazi]], as the leader of Shi'a Muslims of Iraq and his successor, [[Al-Shaykh al-Shari'a al-Isfahani]], made huge efforts in achieving independence of Iraq from the Ottomans.

After the opposition of religious scholars of Najaf with policies of the British in Iraq, rulers of Iraq exiled them in 1337 A.H. [[Sayyid Abu al-Hasan al-Isfahani]] and [[Mirza Husayn Na'ini]] along with a number of other religious scholars were exiled to Iran. Sunni Muslims were holding the official authorities in that time. In the meantime Al-Da'wa party started his activities in 1958.

Ba'ath government tried their best to keep Shi'a Muslims and Kurdish Iraqi away from political power. From 1920 until the occupation of Iraq by American army in 2003 Sunni were largely in charge of political power in Iraq. After the attack of Iraq to Kuwait in 1991 and afterwards the attack of the United States' army to Iraq, Shi'a Muslims started a revolution against Ba'ath government called Sha'baniyya, which was supported by a grand religious leader, [[Ayatollah Khoei]]. After the failure of this riot, Iraqi army massacred Shi'a Muslims all over the country; they used tanks that carried flags written on them "There will not be any Shi'a Muslim anymore." According to sources, between three hundred to five hundred thousand Shi'a were murdered. In the meantime, the war between Iraq and Iran and also expulsion of Iranian from Iraq took place.

Sha'ban Intifada in Iraq, was a riot against the government of Saddam Husayn in Sha'ban month in 1411 A.H/1991. It took place after the defeat of Iraqi army in their attack to Kuwait. Subsequently Iraqi army suppressed the rioters and oppositions, killing thousands of people while two million left their houses. Meanwhile the holy shrines of Imam Ali (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a) were damaged and Ayatollah Khoei was arrested.

After the fall of Saddam Husayn's Government in 2003, Shi'a Muslims who were exiled to [[Iran]] and [[Syria]] returned to their homeland. After a couple of months the first parliament was formed with 25 members, including 13 Shi'a representatives; [[Ibrahim al-Jaafari]] was the head of this Majlis. The United States proposed writing a constitutional law for Iraq which was rejected by [[Ayatollah Sistani]]. His opposition with American plan made Ayatollah Sistani the defender of Iraqi people. The United States was interfering with internal affairs of Iraq, which led to civil wars in the country. Ayatollah [[al-Sayyid Muhsin al-Hakim]] and [['Iz al-Din Salim]] were martyred in these incidents. Suicidal attacks in [[Karbala]], [[Kadhimiyya]] and other holy shrines led to killings of a large number of Shi'a Muslims in Iraq.

After the fall of Ba'ath government Shi'a Muslims and Kurds found a chance to get involved in political activities in their country. Iraq conducted nationwide parliamentary elections in 2005. Shi'a Muslims' representatives managed to achieve140 chairs out of total 257 chairs of the parliament. Ibrahim al-Ja'fari became the head of the government. In 2005 fifty members including 28 Shi'a Muslims became responsible to draw up the new Constitution of Iraq. Later Sunni representatives also were added to them, which made them a 75 member group. On 25th of October a referendum were held in Iraq on the new Constitution which was accepted by 78% of Iraqi people. [[Al-Sayyid Ali al-Sistani]] and later the leaders of [[Islamic Da'wa party]] and [[Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq]]  were leaders of Shi'a Muslims throughout theses political occasions. Currently the prime minister of Iraq is a Shi'a Muslim. [[Ibrahim al-Ja'fari]], [[Nouri al-Maliki]] and [[Haider al-Abadi]] were Prime ministers also for some time. Today sixty percent of ministries of Iraq are administrated and managed by Shi'a representatives.

Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq was founded in 1982 in Tehran with the purpose of throwing down the Ba'ath government in Iraq. [[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim]] was a pioneer in founding this Majlis. It includes Shi'ite, Sunni, Kurd, Arab and Turkmen members, with Arab Shi'ite as their majority. It also comprises a number of political parties and groups including Islamic Da'wa party, Islamic Action Society, Haraka al-Mujahidin al-'Araqi'in, Hizbullah of Kurdistan and numbers of Al-Ikhwan al-Muslimin in Iraq. [[Al-Sayyid Mahmud al-Hashimi]] and [[Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim]] were previously the head of this Majlis, currently [['Ammar al-Hakim]] is the head of this organization.

Iraq was part of Persia's territory in ancient time. After the foundation of Ottoman's government in Istanbul, Iraq was conquered frequently by Iran and Ottoman's armies. Shah Isma'il, a [[Safavid]] ruler, conquered [[Baghdad]] in 914/1508. However, Iraq was seized by Ottoman's ruler Sultan Murad IV in 1059/1649; it was the last time that Iran ruled over Iraq. After the fall of Ottoman's dynasty, Tehran and Baghdad had conflicts over Arvand Rud river. Later in 1937 they reached an agreement to settle the conflicts on this river which kept them in peace until 1958.

When [[Ba'ath]] regime came to power, conflicts between the two countries resumed. Ba'ath began expulsion of a thousand Iranian settlers in Iraq, while they welcomed Teymur Bakhtiyar, the former head of Savak Agency of Iran. These incidents intensified the hostilities between Iraq and Iran. 1975 Algiers Agreement between Iraq and Iran temporarily ended their disputes. The invasion of Iraq in 1980 to Iran started the darkest time between the two countries which led to an eight-year war. However after Ba'ath government collapsed in the invasion of the United States army, political, social and economic relations between Iraq and Iran resumed into its normal conditions. Currently, Iran is supporting Iraq in recent years after the attacks of [[ISIS]] to northern parts of this country.

[[Mirza Muhammad Taqi al-Shirazi]] issued a [[Jihad]] [[fatwa]] against British occupiers in Iraq, accordingly Iraqi and Iranian people including [[Sayyid Muhammad Yazdi]], [[Sayyid Ali Damad Tabrizi]], [[Shari'at Isfahani]], [[Mirza Muhammad Shirazi]] and [[Sayyid Muhammad Taqi Khwansari]] attended the battle and fought against British troops. On the other hand, the British exiled a number of religious leaders of Iraq including [[Mirza Muhammad Shirazi]], [[Shaykh Jawad Zanjani]], Muhammad Taqi Khwansari and [['Abd al-Karim Puyan]] to Hingam Island. When Ayatollah Shirazi passed away, [[Shari'at Isfahani]] was chosen as the new leader of the opposition against the British which started a new wave of encounters. Afterwards [[al-Shaykh Muhammad al-Khalisi]] along with a number of religious leaders were exiled to [[Qom]] in Iran.

A number of Iranians immigrated to Iraq many years ago, they were living in [[Karbala]], [[Najaf]], and [[Kadhimiyya]] near [[Baghdad]]. A number of them were forced to leave Iraq in the time of Saddam's government. However after the fall of Ba'ath regime some of them returned back to Iraq.

[[Hakim family]] with Iranian origins, are a well-known Shi'ite family who are prominent in scientific and political areas. Their ancestor al-Sayyid Ali al-Hakim, the son of al-Sayyid Murad b. Sayyid Shah Asad Allah, was the special doctor of Shah Abbas I, a Safavid ruler. He accompanied Shah Abbas in his visit to Najaf but he stayed there due to medical needs of people. Thus he was known as al-Sayyid Ali al-Hakim (Hakim means doctor in Arabic).

A number of Arab and Kurd Iraqi people have immigrated to Iran in recent decades. According to an official census in 2001, about two hundred and three thousand Iraqi people were living in Iran. Some sources believe about five hundred thousand Iraqi people live in Iran. A large part of them have become Iranian citizens and they are mainly living in Qom, Tehran, Khuzestan and Khorasan. Nevertheless some of them returned to Iraq after the fall of [[Saddam Husayn]]'s regime.

After an attack of Iraq's army to some Sunni settlers in 2014, the Iraqi army was forced to retreat and leave Ramadi and Falluja in al-Anbar province. It gave a chance to [[ISIS]] forces to occupy these cities consequently. However after series of attacks and clashes the head of ISIS in Ramadi was killed and they lost the control of these two cities.

In June 2014, ISIS attacked to northern parts of Iraq and they occupied Mosul, the second largest city of Iraq. They destroyed all the historical sites and mosques in Mosul which were valued by Shi'a Muslims. ISIS forces demolished the burial places of the [[prophet Yunus]] (Jonah), [[Jirjis]], [[Sheeth]] (Seth) and Yahya b. Zayd near Mosul. [[Ayatollah Sistani]] asked Iraqi people to stand and fight against ISIS, which made a large number of people encouraged and motivated.

Currently northern parts of Iraq near the borders of [[Syria]] are occupied by ISIS including cities like [[Nineveh]], [[Tikrit]] and [[Yathrib]]. There is no official account on the number of casualties in ISIS attacks, it is reported only in August 2014 attacked ISIS injured 1370 and killed 1420 Iraqi. Unofficial reports reported that ISIS attacks have made five hundred thousand Iraqi to leave their houses. About a thousand infants and children were killed in Nineveh and Salah al-Din. Numerous governments and international organizations have condemned ISIS attacks.