wikishia:Featured articles/2024/31
Qatligāh (Sacrifice place) or Sacrifice Pit is the name of a place in Karbala where, according to sources, Imam al-Husayn (a) was beheaded by Shimr or Sinan. This place is today in the Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a) near his darih, visited by Shi'a and lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (a).
Qatligāh, or the Sacrifice Pit, is where Imam al-Husayn (a) attained martyrdom. It was within these grounds that Imam al-Husayn's head was severed from his body, a brutal act by Shimr b. Dhi l-Jawshan or Sinan b. Anas al-Nakha'i. Qatligah was situated at a lower elevation than other parts of the Karbala battlefield, thus earning its name as the pit of sacrifice or murder.
In the current architectural layout of the shrine, Qatligah is positioned outside of Imam al-Husayn's darih in the southwestern section of the Portico of Habib b. Muzahir. It is distinguished by a silver gate and a window that opens towards the courtyard. The floor of Qatligah is adorned with light-colored marble stones, while its walls showcase intricate mirror work. Additionally, Qatligah encompasses a cellar (saradb) accessible through a silver door. This cellar is considered the place where Imam (a) was martyred. There is a marble stone in that cellar, 50 cm above the ground, like a grave.
Qatligah is also known as maqtal (place of murder), mahall al-nahr or Manhar (place of sacrifice), or Madhbah (place of slaughter).
According to some researchers of history, there is a lack of evidence in credible early sources, as well as sources from the Safavid and Qajar periods, regarding the existence of the pit of Qatligah. The mention of Qatligah first emerged during the Pahlavi era when preachers recounted the tragic events surrounding Imam al-Husayn (a), subsequently gaining popularity among people. However, some other scholars assert that the Sacrifice Pit does indeed possess a valid historical background, dismissing its association with the Pahlavi era......
Other featured articles: Karbala – Al-Sayyida Zaynab (a) – Al-Tabligh Verse