Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala

مرقد الحسين بكربلاء

The shrine of Husayn ibn Ali (may God be pleased with him) at Karbala, over the place of his killing in 61 AH; Ibn Kathir records his death there on Ashura, and the shrine became a major pilgrimage centre for the Twelver Shi'a ¹ ². The Mawsu'at al-Atabat records its building: Adud al-Dawla the Buyid built over the grave, Malik Shah restored the enclosure in 479, and the standing structure is essentially Sultan Uways the Jalayirid's 767 work completed by his sons Husayn and Ahmad in 786; Ismail the Safavid gilded the grave's surrounds and gifted twelve gold lamps in 914, Murad IV ordered the dome, and Fath Ali Shah renewed the shrine, replated it in gold and built the Husayn and Abbas domes in 1227 and 1250 — the dome rising 27 m, plated in gold ³.

Overview

The shrine of Husayn ibn Ali at Karbala over the place of his killing in 61 AH on Ashura; a major pilgrimage centre for the Twelver Shi'a ¹ ².

Perspectives

Sunni: the site of Husayn's martyrdom is held in esteem as Ibn Kathir records, while rulings on grave visitation differ ¹.
Academic: the shrine's growth made Karbala a Twelver pilgrimage and learning city ².
Twelver: the noblest of shrines and the destination of Ashura and Arba'in pilgrimage ².

Building history

The Mawsu'at al-Atabat records the fabric's chronology: Adud al-Dawla the Buyid built houses and a madrasa over the site, the Seljuk Malik Shah visited Karbala and ordered the enclosure's restoration in 479, and the standing structure is essentially Sultan Uways the Jalayirid's work of 767, completed by his sons Sultans Husayn and Ahmad in 786. Ismail the Safavid gilded the grave's surrounds and gifted twelve gold lamps in 914; Murad IV ordered the dome built; and Fath Ali Shah renewed the shrine, built the haram, replated the grave's casing in gold in 1227 and raised the Husayn and Abbas domes in 1250 — the dome rising 27 metres, clad in gold ³.

Opinions on the question

First opinion · Sunni tradition (the museum's frame)Main reference

The site of Husayn's martyrdom, held in grief and esteem by Sunnis without shrine-pilgrimage doctrine

Sunnis hold Karbala as the site of Husayn's martyrdom recorded by Ibn Kathir, differing on the rulings of grave visitation and its rites {cite:al-bidaya-wal-nihaya}.

More opinions (2)

Academic viewSecondary opinion

The cult centre whose growth shaped Karbala's rise as a shrine city

Academic works describe the shrine's development and Karbala's growth around it as a Twelver pilgrimage and learning centre {cite:momen-1985}.

Shia (Twelver) viewOther opinion

The noblest of shrines and the great destination of Ashura and Arba'in pilgrimage

For the Twelver Shi'a the shrine is the foremost pilgrimage destination, the focus of Ashura and Arba'in observance {cite:momen-1985}.

Imam Husayn Shrine, Karbala

At a glance

Overview

Perspectives

Building history

Opinions on the question

First opinion · Sunni tradition (the museum's frame)Main reference

Academic viewSecondary opinion

Shia (Twelver) viewOther opinion

People and things also explored

Sources

Objects

Al-Kadhimiya Mosque (Kazimayn shrine)