Holy Shrine of al-Sayyida Zaynab (a): Difference between revisions

The shrine of Lady Zaynab (s) has been reconstructed and expanded several times during history. Since 2012, after the crisis worsened in Syria and [[Takfir|Takfiri]] terrorists emerged in this country, this holy shrine was attacked by mortars and suicide bombings several times and some parts of the shrine were destroyed. Following these attacks, different groups of people went to Syria to defend the shrines of the [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]]. These groups known as "Mudafi'an-i Haram" (defenders of the shrine) have so far (2018) prevented terrorist groups attack the shrine of al-Sayyida Zaynab (s).

According to researches, there is no source available until 5th/11th century to show that there was a tomb or dome built upon the burial place of [[al-Sayyida Zaynab (a)]]. Only one source in 2nd/8th century refers to the existence of a pilgrimage site at the current location. According to the report of a woman related to [[Alawi]] families called [[Al-Sayyida Nafisa|Al-Sayyida Nafisa bt. al-Hasan al-Anwar]], a descendant of [[Imam Ali (a)]]; in [[193]]/808-9, she visited the pilgrimage site for Lady Zaynab (a) in Rawiya of [[Damascus]].<ref>Qurashī, ''al-Sayyida al-Ziynab'', p. 298-303.</ref> After this date, there is another report in [[500]]/1106-7 which mentions that a person from [[Aleppo]] built a [[mosque]] at the pilgrimage site for Lady Zaynab (a) in that year.

However, after 7th/[[13th century]], a shrine and dome have been built at this location. Also, when Ibn Jubayr (d. [[614]]/1217-8), the famous tourist of the Islamic world, travelled to Damascus, he passed by Rawiya region and the current location of the shrine. In his report, he mentioned that the shrine belonged to [[Umm Kulthum bt. 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a)|Umm Kulthum]], daughter of Imam Ali (a). However, there is a possibility that Ibn Jubayr meant the second daughter of Imam Ali (a) which is [[Zaynab al-Sughra]], not Lady Zaynab (s) who is [[Zaynab al-Kubra]].<ref>Ibn Jubayr, ''Riḥlat Ibn Jubayr'', p. 228.</ref>

In his report, Ibn Jubayr mentions the existence of the shrine of Lady Zaynab (a) in the village of Rawiya, about 6 kilometers (a [[parasang]]) away from [[Damascus]] and says, "a large mosque is built there and there are houses outside it. There are also dedicated lands around it. People know these regions as the grave of Umm Kulthum." He finally mentions that he stayed there and visited the shrine of Lady Zaynab (a).

Abu Bakr al-Hirawi (d. [[611]]/1214-5) also visited the shrine of Lady Zaynab (s) and has a report about it.<ref>Hirawī, ''al-Ishārāt ilā maʿrifat al-zīyārāt'', p. 12.</ref>  

* The expansion of the Shrine of Lady Zaynab continued in 15th/21st century by the construction of the Musalla (Prayer Hall) of Zaynabiyya. It was made by [[Sayyid Ahmad Fihri Zanjani]], the representative of [[Sayyid 'Ali Husayni Khamenei|Iran's Supreme Leader]]. After building Musalla in the shrine, performing [[congregational prayer]], reciting [[Kumayl Supplication]] and performing the [[Friday prayer]] are made there. Recently, a new courtyard has also been built in the north of the shrine.