Imam Hussain ibn Ali

 Karbala,Karbala Governorate, Iraq

History

Imam Hussain was the son of Ali ibn Abi ?alib (fourth Rashidun Caliph of Sunni Islam, and first Imam of Shia Islam) and Fatimah Zahra (daughter of Muhammad) and the younger brother of Hasan ibn Ali. Husayn is an important figure in Islam, as he is a member of the Ahl al-Bayt (the household of Muhammad) and Ahl al-Kisa, as well as being the third Shia Imam.

Husayn is highly regarded by Shiite Muslims because he refused to pledge allegiance to Yazid I,the Umayyad caliph because he considered the rule of the Umayyads unjust.As a consequence, he left Medina, his home town, and traveled to Mecca. There, the people of Kufa sent letters to him, asking his help and pledging their allegiance to him. So he traveled towards Kufa.
At Karbala his caravan was intercepted by Yazid I's army. He was killed and beheaded in the Battle of Karbala in 680 (61 AH) by Shimr Ibn Thil-Jawshan, along with most of his family and companions.
The Shrine of Imam Hussain ibn Ali is one of the oldest and renowned sites of pilgrimage which comprises the mosque and burial site of Imam Husayn Ibn Ali the third Imam of Shia Islam. It stands on the site of the Mausoleum of Imam Husayn ibn Ali, the second grandson of Muhammad, near the place where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala in 680 C.E..The tomb of Imam Husayn ibn Ali is one of the holiest places for Shias outside of Mecca and Medina, and many make pilgrimages to the site. Every year, millions of pilgrims visit the city to observe Ashura, which marks the anniversary of Imam Husayn ibn Ali's death.

The grave of Imam Husayn is found in the middle of the precinct, and is called the "Rawda" or "Garden" and it has several entry gates. The most famous one is called "Al-Qibla" or "Bab al-Dhahab". Within the shrine of Imam Husayn can also be found a grave of all the 72 martyrs of Karbala. They were buried in a mass grave which was then covered with soil to the ground level. This mass grave is at the foot of Imam Husayn's grave. As well, beside Imam Husayn's grave are the graves of his two sons: ‘Imam Ali al-Akbar and the 6-month old, ‘Ali al-Asghar. Also buried within the mosque is Imam Ibrahim (son of the seventh Twelver Shi‘ah Imam, Imam Musa al-Kadhim), who spent his life preaching about Karbala.

Additional Info

The annual memorial for him, his family, his children and his companions is called Ashura (tenth day of Muharram) and is a day of mourning for Shiite Muslims. The killings at Karbala fueled the later Shiite movements.Anger at Husayn's death was turned into a rallying cry that helped undermine and ultimately overthrow the Umayyad Caliphate.

  How to Reach: Karbala city does not have any airport or railway station at this time, So the only entrance is either by bus or by cars. The terminals in every city of Iraq has cars going towards Karbala to pick up visitors. While the entrance of Karbala is well protected and check points are working hard on every single car that gets into the city. The Downtown of Karbala is closed and the area of 1KM around the Holy shrines is not allowed for any car to get in, only the security and the personnel of the Holy shrines and the people who live downtown. For anyone who wants to get in, have to put their cars in a parking and get in either by the Holy shrine buses or on feet. From Baghdad International Airport the shrine is approx. 100km. Baghdad Railway station is around 102 km from the shrine. One must opt for buses or taxis to go to Karbala.,

Nearest City : Karbala
Nearest Bus Stop : Not available
Nearest Airport : Baghdad International Airport
Nearest Railway Station : Baghdad Railway station
Contact Person Name : --
Contact Person Phone: +964 32 310 062
Website : imamhussain.org
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