There are so many momineen around the world who dream of visiting the holy land of Karbala. They dream of stepping into the shrine of Hussain (A.S). They dream of seeing the glory of the shrine of Abbas (A.S). Those who have been to Karbala for Ziyarat are indeed immensely blessed and honored. To ensure all momineen planning their Ziyarat have the best experience, we are compiling and sharing the list of all important Ziyarat sites in Karbala. To get assistance in navigating to these places and to get more details, you can download our app!
Aulaad e Muslim ibn Aqeel:
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Muslim ibn Aqeel was one of the closest companions of Imam Hussain, as well as his dearest cousin. Muslim was murdered in Kufa but his sons along with their mother accompanied Imam Hussain (a.s) and his family in Karbala. Muslim’s sons Muhammad and Ibrahim both young boys, fought for the Imam in the battle of Karbala and were amongst the martyrs on the Day of Ashoora. They were buried on the outskirts of Karbala, closer to Hurr (a.s)’s shrine.
Shrine of Hazrat Hurr:
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On the outskirts of Karbala, in an area called Nawawis, rests Hazrat Hurr (a.s). Hurr (a) left Yazeed’s forces on the night of Ashura and joined Imam Hussain (a), seeking forgiveness. He fought in the battle of Karbala and was martyred along with his sons. While some believe that Hurr (a) is buried with the rest of martyrs near the grave of Imam Hussain (a), many believe another version of the story.
There is a strong evidence that when Banu Asad arrived to bury the martyrs of Karbala, Hurr’s tribe did not allow him to be buried with the rest and hence his grave his present at a distance, outside Karbala.
Left & Right Hand of Hazrat Abbas (a.s):
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Hazrat Abbas’s hands were cut off his body as he tried to make his way back from Furaat after getting water for Bibi Sakina (a.s). There are two separate locations for where both his hands were separated from his body. Both of these places have been marked and made small tombs over, it is visited by the pilgrims regularly.
Hazrat Abbas (a.s) Holy Shrine:
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Imam Hussain (a.s) did not give Hazrat Abbas (a) permission to fight in the battle of Karbala but allowed him to fetch water for Bibi Sakina (a). It was after he took water from Furaat and was returning to the Khayyam, that Yazeed’s army attacked him and succeeded in tearing the water-bag. He did not want to be taken back to the Khayyam as he did not want to face Bibi Sakina (a) again. It is because of this reason that Hazrat Abbas’s (a) shrine is present near river Furaat. Pilgrims talk about the charisma and the jalaal present around Hazrat Abbas’s (a) shrine and numerous miracles have been associated with it as well.
Imam Hussain (a.s) Holy Shrine:
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A thousand marsiyas and nohas would indeed not be enough to fully describe the death of Imam e Hussain (a.s) after the battle of Karbala. Imam Hussain (a) died protecting God’s religion and was beheaded for not giving his bayt to Yazeed. When his family was imprisoned and taken to Shaam (Syria), the families of Banu Asad tribe came to bury the dead bodies of all who were martyred.
Mukhtar al-Thaqafi is known to have made the first building on the shrine of Hazrat Imam Hussain (a.s) and since then the shrine has been built, rebuilt and redesigned by devotees.
Present within the shrine are the graves of all the martyrs with the exception of some. Habib ibn Mazahir’s shrine also stands inside Hussain (a.s) shrine as well as Ibrahim al-Mujab’s (a.s).
Maqaam Ali Akbar (a.s):
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While many have misconceptions that Maqaam Ali Akbar is where Hazrat Ali Akbar (a) was buried, this is historically untrue. According to Scholars, Imam Hussain’s (a) eldest son is buried with the other martyrs inside his shrine. This location marks the place where Munqith Al Abdi struck Ali Akbar (a.s) and he fell off his ride. Pilgrims spend hours inside this small room grieving the death of Hazrat Ali Akbar (a) who was known to be a shabih of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w).
Maqaam Ali Asghar (a.s):
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After the martyrdom of Hazrat Abbas and Hazrat Ali Akbar, Imam stood on the grounds of Karbala and called ‘Hal min nasirin yan-surna’ (Is there anyone who can help me?). It is said the Hussain (a.s)’s six month old son threw himself off his cradle when he heard this. When Imam took him in front of Yazid’s forces asking them to just give water to this innocent baby because his throat is dry, Umar ibn Saad did not feel mercy for him. He instead order Hurmala to kill the baby with the biggest arrow in his arsenal. The child took the arrow on his throat with a smile and became the last one to sacrifice himself for Imam Hussain (a.s) in the battle of Karbala.
This location marks the place where the arrow struck the newborn baby as Imam stood holding him in his hands.
Maqaam e Imam Zamana (a.s):
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Present at the beginning of Shahrah Sidra tul Muntaha, Maqaam e Imam Zamana is the place marked for the last Imam (a.s). It is believed that whenever Imam visits the shrine of Imam Hussain (a.s), he first stops over at this location. According to a few narrations, this is also the place where Imam Hussain (a) fell on the ground from his horse in his last battle.
Maqaam e Sher e Fizza:
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On his return from the battle of Siffeen, Imam Ali (a.s) passed Karbala and met a lion who upon being questioned, affirmed that he was in charge of the land of Karbala. Imam instructed him to protect Hussain’s (a) body after the battle ends.
After attaining martyrdom as Imam Hussain’s body lay on the land of Karbala, Yazeed’s forces planned to tread upon it and disrespect it. This is when Bibi Zainab (a.s) asked Bibi Fizza (a.s) to call the lion and order him to protect Hussain (a.s)’s body. This location marks the place where Fizza (a) stood and called the lion.
Mukhayyam (Khayma-gaah):
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Al-Mukhayyam can be translated as the grounds where tents were placed. It marks the location where the Khayyam (tents) of Imam Hussain and his family members were placed and where they stayed while they were in Karbala. The tent farthest out is that of Abbas (a.s) as he was the protector of the entire tribe as well as the Sipah Salaar of Imam’s army.
Till’a Zainabia:
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Present on a hill slightly higher than the rest of the city of Karbala, Till’a Zainabia is associated with Imam Hussain (a.s)’s sister Bibi Zainab (a). There are two versions of this place’s background story however. While some say that this place is where Zainab (a.s) stood and called to Imam Hussain (a.s) as the Khayyam were being burnt, others say this is where Zainab (a.s) stood and watched as he was beheaded.
This place is currently closed for pilgrims and is part of the expansion plan of Imam Hussain (a) shrine.
Visiting Karbala and the shrines of Imam Hussain (a.s) is indeed a great honor for a Zayir. Imam Al-Baqir (a.s) said, “whoever visits Imam Hussain (a) out of passion, he would be rewarded like a thousand accepted hajjs and a thousand rewarded umrahs and a thousand martyrs of the Battle of Badr and a thousand days of fasting and a thousand accepted charities and a thousand emancipations of slaves for the sake of God”. May Allah accept our Ziyarahs!
nice post. keep up the good work.