Where are the graves of prophets like Shoaib, Lot, Yusuf, Yunus, Adam, Abraham etc.? How did they die? Do they have tombs? If they do, where are they located?
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – There are not precise details about the lives of many personalities and nobles including the divine prophets except a few of them; the historical sources lack any information about their lives, the circumstances of their deaths and their burial locations. So disagreement exists among the historians in this regard.
Meanwhile, what is available sporadically about the lives of the prophets – other than the Prophet of Islam (s) – is that Noah and Adam's graves are in the shrine of Imam Ali (a.s) in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. As for Moses and Aaron's graves, they are in Tieh desert, Prophet Daniel's grave is in the city of Shoosh in Iran's Khozistan province and Prophet Qeidar's grave is in the city of Zanjan.
Detailed Answer
It is necessary to take a few points into consideration about this question:
1. Basically, there is discrepancy among historians regarding the lives of many personalities and nobles including the divine prophets except a few of them because the historical sources lack any precise information about their lives, places of death and burial locations especially those of divine prophets. Therefore, there is not but very little information about some of the divine prophets' lives and deaths as well as the places where they have been buried. That is because the history of divien prophets is as old as the creation and existence of mankind on this planet. Since man did not know in the beginning how to record the historical incidents or at least no importance was attached to it, it is therefore very natural that the history of many of these events and incidents have remained unknown. Perhaps, if they have been recorded, they may have been perished due to many reasons such as flood, earthquake wars, invasions and deliberate elimination of historical and cultural works of some countries.
2. What has been recorded in history about the divine prophets is that as many as 124000 prophets wre sent to earth with prophetic mission to guide humanity in the right path. Many of those prophets are unknown and no historical sources provide any information on their lives, deaths and burial locations.
3. Meanwhile, what is available sporadically about the lives of the prophets – other than the Prophet of Islam (s) – is that Prophet Ibrahim (a.s) is buried in the city of Al-Khalil in Occupied Palestine. He has a tomb there which is well-known to pilgrims. There are also reports about Prophet Noah and Prophet Adam's graves in the shrine of Imam Ali in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq. It is also said that Prophet Moses and Aaron (a.s) are buried in Tieh[1] desert, Prophet Denial (a.s.) in the city of Shoosh of Khozistan province, Prophet Qaidar in Zanjan province, Haiqooq in Tuisarkan and Dhul-Kifl in the town of Al-Kifl in Iraq. However, more investigation needs to be made to prove the validity of the attribution of these graves to the divine prophets.[2]
4. It is to be noted that what every Muslim should accept in regard to the divine prophets is their prophethood. It is necessary to believe in their prophetic mission and in their teachings. It is not necessary to know where they were born, how they died and where they were buried. Additionally, as per the saying of the Quran, knowing such details is of no avail to us.[3] What is important for us is their doctrines which exist in the teachings of the Prophet of Islam (s) in the best and most expressive manner. Of course, all of us know that it is very good to understand the difficulties, trial and tribulations which they suffered at the hands of the unbelievers, pagans and deniers to make divine teachings reach people. Their lives and Seerah (biographies) are instructive for us.[4]
[1] - The traditionists and exegetes of the Holy Quran are not unanimous about the location of Tieh. Some say that it is the Sinai Desert near Baitul Muqaddas or the city of Jericho. Some others say that it is in between Palestine and Egypt. A few others also say that it is a desert located between Palestine, Ail and Jordan in an area of 18 miles. See commentary books under verses 26 of Chap. Al-Maedah.
[2] - For further information about Abraham, Moses and Aaron, Jesus, Noah, Adam (peace be upon them), see IslamQuest.net, Islampedia.ir and books like Hayat al-Qulub of Allamah Amini; History of Prophet by Sayyid Hashim Rasuli Mahallati and Al-Ghadeer website.
[3] - The Quranic verse about the number of the Companions of the Cave (Ashaab al-Kahf) is a confirmation of our point. The Quran says: "(Some) say they were three, the dog being the fourth among them; (others) say they were five, the dog being the sixth,- doubtfully guessing at the unknown; (yet others) say they were seven, the dog being the eighth. Say thou: "My Lord knoweth best their number; It is but few that know their (real case)." Enter not, therefore, into controversies concerning them, except on a matter that is clear, nor consult any of them about (the affair of) the Sleepers." Al-Kahf: 22.
[4] - [4] "لَقَدْ کانَ فی قَصَصِهِمْ عِبْرَةٌ لِأُولِی الْأَلْبابِ"[There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding.] Yusuf: 111
When does the history of the holy shrine of Lady Ma’sumah start from?
SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association) – When was the shrine of Lady Ma’sumah built?
Concise answer
Lady Ma’sumah is the noble daughter of the seventh imam of the Shi’ah, Imam Musa Kaadhim (AS). Her respectful mother is Najmeh Khaatun (AS). She was born on first day of the month of Zee al-Qa'adah in the year 173 A.H./789 A.D., in the holy city of Madinah. In the year 200 A.H./815 A.D, Imam Reza (A.S.) was forced to leave Madinah by the orders of Ma’mun, the Abbasid caliph. Imam Reza (A.S.) came alone to Marv (Khurasan) and did not allow any of his family members to accompany him.
One year after her brother’s exile-like migration to Marv, in the year 201 A.H./816 A.D., Lady Fatimah Ma’sumah (A.S.) accompanied by her brothers and nephews, left for Khorasan out of the joy of reuniting with her brother and imam, and to fulfill her Zaynab-like mission and deliver the message of wilayah. On their way they were welcomed and greeted by the people of different cities and villages. . When the caravan reached Saveh a group of armed men who were deputed by Ma’mun, the Abbasid caliph, savagely attacked them and nearly all the men of the caravan were martyred and according to some historical reports, even she was poisoned and became severely ill.
In any event, either due to her being poisoned, or out of severe grief, she was unable to continue her journey towards Khurasan and decided to go to Qum. She entered the city of Qum approximately on 23rd Rabi al-Awwal, in the year 201 A.H./816 A.D. and settled in the home of Musa ibn Khazraj, in a place called ‘Mir’ Square today.
Her excellence remained in this city for 17 days. The place of her stay and worship in Qum is now situated in the Madrasa Sittiyah and is known as "Bait al-Nur" and is a place of reverence and visitation for the Shi'ites.
She passed away on 10th Rabi al-Thani (and some say the twelfth), in the year 201 A.H./816 A.D., and never got the chance to reunite with her elder brother and cast her eyes on him; she passed away in loneliness and great grief. The Shi'ites in Qum greatly mourned her death and she was buried in a place called Bagh-i Babelan, which at that time was located outside the city.
After the burial of Lady Ma’sumah (A.S.), Musa bin Khajraj built a shed over the grave made out of straw. In the year 256 A.H./869 A.D., Lady Zainab (A.S.), the daughter of Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S.) constructed a dome over the grave of her aunt Lady Ma’sumah (A.S.).
Since the burial of that divine lady of Islam in Qum, her holy shrine has become a center of pilgrimage for the lovers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) and has undergone much renovation and expansion. Today, the shrine has a beautiful tomb, dome, porticos, balconies, courtyards, minarets, etc. The history of these constructions is as follows:
The holy grave of Lady Ma’sumah (A.S.):
In the year 605 A.H./1208 A.D., Ameer Muzaffar Ahmad bin Ismail, the chief of the Aal Muzaffar family ordered the greatest master craftsman of the time, Muhammad bin Abu Taher Qummi, to make variegated glazed tiles for the holy grave of Lady Ma’sumah (A.S.). After eight years of incessant endeavor, the master craftsman completed constructing the beautiful tiles for the grave of Lady Ma’sumah (A.S.) and in the year 613 A.H./1216 A.D., they were fixed on the holy grave. In 1998, the holy grave was once again decorated with glazed tiles and beautiful stones and the internal walls of the burial chamber were ornamented with beautiful green marble stones.
The holy Zarih/Dharih:
In the year 965 A.H./1557 A.D., Shah Tahmasab Safavi made a Zarih (tomb) made of bricks which were covered with seven-colored tiles with glazed epigraphs. On all four sides of the zarih there were openings through which the holy grave could be seen and the pilgrims could drop their offerings.
In the year 1230 A.H./1814 A.D., Fath Ali Shah Qajar covered the iron Zarih with silver. This Zarih corroded with the lapse of time. Thus, in the year 1280 A.H./1863 A.D., a new Zarih was made of silver from the existing Zarih and the silver preserved in the treasury of the holy shrine and placed on the grave.
This Zarih was renovated many times and in the year 1969, a new Zarih which is considered as a masterpiece of Islamic art was placed on the grave which exists on the soil of the luminous grave till today. In the year 2001, basic renovation and repairs on the present Zarih were carried out.
Porticos:
The roofed spaces attached to the holy burial chamber are called porticos (rawaq). The holy Shrine comprises of four porticos:
1. Balasar Portico: It is located between the Balasar mosque and the holy burial chamber. This building is decorated with beautiful mirror and stucco work.
2. Dar al-Huffaaz Portico: It is located between the golden balcony and the holy Zarih.
3. Shaheed Behesti (Mirror) Portico: It is located in the women’s section and in the lower part of the holy Zarih (under the feet).
4. Peeshro Portico: It covers the distance between the Tabatabai mosque and the holy Zarih.
Courtyards:
1. ‘Atabaki’ or ‘New’ Courtyard
This courtyard consists of four balconies: northern, southern, western and eastern. The northern balcony of the courtyard is the entrance into the holy shrine from the Astane Square, the southern balcony is the entrance into the shrine from the Qiblah side, the eastern balcony is the entrance into the holy shrine from Iram avenue and the western balcony is the mirror balcony of the holy shrine. All these four balconies are decorated using special traditional Islamic architecture, the beauty and elegance of which attracts the attention of every viewer.
This courtyard was built on the orders of then Prime Minister Mirza Ali Asghar Khan Atabeg between the years 1295-1303 A.H./1878-1885 A.D.
2. Atiq (Old) Courtyard
The ‘Atiq’ or ‘Ancient’ courtyard is located in the north of the holy shrine and was the first courtyard built within the precincts of the holy shrine. It has four balconies.
The grand balcony in the south of the courtyard is the golden balcony which is the place of entrance to the holy burial chamber. The balcony in the north of the courtyard is linked to the seminary of Madrasa Faiziyah. The western balcony is the place of entrance to Masjid-i A’zam. The eastern balcony of this courtyard connects to the Atabaki courtyard. This courtyard is small but the presence of beautifully decorated balconies and chambers have made it magnificent. This courtyard and its balconies were constructed in the year 925 A.H./1519 A.D., on the orders of Shah Begi Begum, the daughter of Shah Ismail Safavi. On the orders of the custodianship of the holy shrine, major renovation of this courtyard and the surrounding graves has commenced since1998 and continues.
3. Sahib al-Zaman Courtyard
This courtyard and its constructs began to be built in 2002 in an area of eight thousand square meters with four entrances, and were inaugurated in 2005. The outside walls of this courtyard are painted and engraved with Quranic inscriptions with ‘Banaa’i’ and ‘Kufi’ calligraphy with a new style of combining white concrete and bricks.
Minarets
1. Minarets of the Golden Balcony
In the Atiq courtyard two minarets are located on the Golden balcony. The surface of the minarets is covered by knotted tiles in zigzag form and the holy names Allah (SWT), Muhammad (S.A.W.) and Ali (A.S.)' are inscribed in between these knotted tiles in Kufi calligraphy. These minarets were built on the orders of Muhammad Husain Khan Shahsavan Shihab al-Mulk in the year 1285 A.H./1868 A.D., and its domes were covered with golden tiles in 1301 A.H./1883 A.D.
2. The Minarets of the Mirror Balcony
On both the sides of the bases of the balcony two minarets are located which are considered as the highest constructs in the holy shrine.
At the top of the minarets there are two inscriptions written on epigraphs with a breadth of one meter each. On one is written: “لا حول ولا قوه الا بالله العلى العظیم” and on the other “سبحان الله و الحمدلله و لا اله الا الله و الله اكبر”. Both these minarets are fully covered by knotted tiles and in between them the Holy Names of Allah (SWT) have been inscribed.
These minarets were built on the orders of Amin al-Sultaan and by the architect, Hasan Mi’maar Qummi. Their tiling was replaced after the Islamic revolution.
3. The Minarets of the Grand Courtyard
Two minarets are also found in the grand courtyard of the holy shrine (the ‘Atabaki’ courtyard). They are located opposite to the mirror balcony. These minarets are tiled with eight sided tiles. On four sides of these minarets, the holy names of Allah, Muhammad and Ali are inscribed four times from top to bottom.
For further information, please refer to this website: http://www.masoumeh.com.[1]
[1] Adopted from the website: www.masoumeh.com with alteration.
Save the lives of Shia Muslims and shrines in Syria
SHAFAQNA (Shia News Association) - According to our sources in Sayeda Zainab, Syria, 10 kilometers outside Damascus, thousands of Shi'a Muslims are in danger of massacre by the Free Syrian Army and groups affiliated with them. Shi'a Rights Watch has learned from many Shi'a Muslims living in the area that the Free Syrian army has threatened to massacre all the Shi'a in the area unless they flea.
Most of the Shi'a living in the area are refugees from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries. The Shi'a community there flourished by building hospitals, schools, hotels, and shops. The Shi'as living in and around the area of Damascus have played no part in the ongoing violence that is occurring in Syria between the rebels and the government.
We call on the United Nations, the United States, and Members of the United Nations Security Council to immediately interfere to stop the imminent massacre of thousands of innocent Shi'a Muslims living around the holy shrine of the granddaughter of the Prophet Mohamed where a suicide bomber blew up an explosive laden car near the shrine weeks ago killing some and damaging the shrine itself.
The Free Syrian Amy and similar armed groups have previously stated their anti-Shi’a positions which led to the killing of dozens of Shi'a including 23 Iraqis killed in the past ten days and the beheadings of others. Several Shia scholars where killed including Syrian born Afghan Sayed Naser Alavi who was killed April 13, 2012.
We specifically call on Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to use their influence on the Free Syrian Army to stop the massacre of Shi'a Muslims who have no involvement in the conflict between the Syrian government and the rebels. They have played no role in supporting either side.
We call on U.N. observers to travel to the area and prevent the Free Syrian Army and its affiliates from harming innocent Shi'a Muslims and their holy places.
We especially call on the international media and international community to immediately dispatch reporters to the region in order to prevent the ensuing tragedy by gaining international attention.
Threats of genocide have also come from outside Syria form people who fund the Free Syrian Army. A former member of the Kuwaiti Parliament Osama AlMunawer (Salafi Extremists) has promised to destroy the shrine of Sayedah Zainab, holding the remains of the granddaughter of Prophet Mohamed. AlMunawer made this statement on his twitter account July 18. The Kuwaiti government is responsible for AlMunawer’s statement as he holds its citizenship. The international community is requested to pressure Kuwait to hold such criminals to account.
We strongly condemn these terroristic actions against the Shi'a community in Syria and call for urgent action for the protection of these communities.
