The Shrine of Imam Ali
The Shrine of Imam Ali (AS), located in Najaf, Iraq, is the resting place of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin, and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS), and the first Shi’ite Imam.
The history of the shrine begins with Imam Ali’s lifetime. Imam Ali played a critical role in the development of the early Muslim community. He was a close companion of the Prophet and played a key role in the early battles of Islam, including the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud. He was also a trusted advisor to the Prophet and played a key role in the development of Islamic law and theology. Shortly before the death of the Prophet (SAWS), at an event known as Ghadeer Khum, the Prophet (SAWS) named Imam Ali as his successor. However, immediately after the Prophet’s (SAWS) death, the companions of the Prophet elected Abu Bakr as the first Caliph, causing the Sunni-Shia split. In Sunni Islam, Imam Ali is revered as the fourth Caliph, after Abu Bakr, Umar, and Uthman.
Imam Ali’s leadership was short-lived, as he was assassinated in 661 CE while praying in the mosque of Kufa. He was buried in an unmarked grave by his sons Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain, and his followers kept the location of his grave secret for fear of reprisals from his enemies. The grave remained a secret and mystery until the site was made known by Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq, the sixth Shi’ite Imam.
Timeline
632 CE: Death of Prophet Muhammad, and the beginning of the Shia-Sunni Split. Abu Bakr becomes the first caliph. 656-661 CE: Imam Ali serves as the fourth caliph of the Muslim community and is assassinated in Kufa while in prostration while praying. 661-750 CE: The Umayyad and Abbasid dynasties rule over the Muslim world and suppress Shia Muslims, especially descendants of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima Al-Zahra 799-818 CE: Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq reveals the location of Imam Ali's grave and his followers build a small shrine around it 945-1055 CE: The Buyid dynasty rules over much of the Muslim world and supports the development of Shia theology and culture, including the expansion of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf. 1055-1258 CE: The Seljuk and Mongol empires rule over the Muslim world and damage the Imam Ali Shrine. The shrine is continously rebuilt by the followers of Imam Ali. 1501-1736 CE: The Safavid dynasty rules over Iran and promotes Shia Islam, leading to the expansion and renovation of the Imam Ali Shrine in Iraq. 1801-1921 CE: The Ottoman Empire rules over Iraq and suppresses Shia Muslims. However, Imam Ali Shrine remains an important site of pilgrimage and devotion for Shia Muslim despite oppression. 1920-1979 CE:Iraq gains independence from the Ottoman Empire and experiences periods of stability and instability. 1979-2003 CE: Saddam Hussein restricts access to the Najaf shrine, restricts Shi'ite processions, and suppresses clergy. 2003-present: The U.S. invasion of Iraq and subsequent wars and conflicts damaged the Imam Ali Shrine, including threats by ISIS. However the Shrine continues to be preserved and rebuilt with millions of devotees coming every year.
