Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque
Encyclopedia
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
, that contains the grave of Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
daughter of ‘Alī
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
and Fātimah
Fatimah
Fatimah was a daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad from his first wife Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for men and women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca...
, and granddaughter of Muhammad (Peace and blessings upon Him) (Arabic: زينب بنت علي ).
It is believed by Shī‘a Muslims that this mosque is the authentic burial place of Lady Zaynab, whereas the mosque in Cairo
Cairo
Cairo , is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world and Africa, and the 16th largest metropolitan area in the world. Nicknamed "The City of a Thousand Minarets" for its preponderance of Islamic architecture, Cairo has long been a centre of the region's political and cultural life...
by the same name belongs to: Zaynab b. Yahya b. Zayd b. ‘Alī Zayn al-‘Ābidīn (i.e. the great grand-daughter of the Imam). The most authentic sources suggest that the grave is in Damascus.
Fatimid /Dawoodi Bohra believe that this mosque is burial place of Zaynab-ul-Sugra, Umm Kulthum,the younger daughter of Imam Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
.Lady Zaynab
Zaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
spent her last days in Cairo and her shrine is in Cairo. History narrated from noble ladies of Qahira/Cairo support the claims.
Specifications
The shrine contains magnificent Iranian architecture and the dome is made of pure gold. There is also a large mosque adjoining the shrine which can accommodate more than 1300 people in it and a further 150 in the attached courtyards. The grave of ZaynabZaynab bint Ali
Zaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
is enclosed within a cage-like structure, found directly beneath the golden dome. The doors of the shrine are made of pure gold with marvellous mirror works on the roof and walls. The shrine gives a touching look at first with its breath taking appearance. The two tall minarets of the shrine are an excellent example of the architecture. The shrine has a large market in front of it with many religious things readily available.
The shrine is dominated by pilgrims until it is closed at 9 pm. The central management is Iranian with a few Arabs. The majority of the pilgrims are Iranians, Pakistanis and Bahraini, Lebanese, and Iraqi (Shia) Arabs.Sufis also visit the shrine. Prayers are led by Ayatullah Mujtaba Hussaini and Muslims from all ethnic backgrounds can be found praying there.
Ali Shariati, the Iranian ideologue of the Islamic Revolution of 1979, had wished before his death, to be buried in the yard of his beloved Zainab bint Ali. His shrine is found within the compound of Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque and is regularly visited by mostly Iranian pilgrims.
Recent history
On September 27, 2008, there was a car bomb attack on the intersection leading up to the mosque.See also
- Zaynab bint AliZaynab bint AliZaynab bint Ali was the daughter of the Rashid Caliph and first Shi'i Imam, Ali and granddaughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatimah....
- Shi'a Islam
- Holiest sites in Islam (Shia)Holiest sites in Islam (Shia)In addition to the three Mosques accepted by all Muslims as holy sites, Shī'ah Muslims consider sites associated with Muhammad, his family members and descendants , their companions, and the Prophets as holy places...
- Sayyidah Ruqayya MosqueSayyidah Ruqayya MosqueSayyidah Ruqayya Mosque is a shrine located in Damascus, Syria, that contains the grave of Sukayna , the infant daughter of Husayn ibn ‘Alī....
- Baab SagheerBab SaghirBāb Saghīr , also called "Goristan-e-Ghariban", is an ancient cemetery and street in Damascus, Syria, with tombs on either side of the road...
- Jannatul Baqee'
- Jannatul MuallaJannatul MuallaJannatul Mualla also known as Al-Hajun, is a famous cemetery located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.-History:...