Information about Holiest Sites In Islam

There are many holy sites in the various Islamic traditions. The Kaaba is considered the holiest shrine, while the mosques of Nabwi (the Prophet) and al-Aqsa (farthest) are widely regarded as the second and third holiest respectively. Other shrines include the tombs of the twelve imams which are considered holy in Shiite Islam, and shrines revered by locals.

Masjid al-Haram, Mecca

Main article: Masjid al-Haram

Al-Masjid al-Ḥarām (المسجد الحرام IPA: [ælˈmæs.ʤi.dæl.ħɑˈrɑm] "The Sacred Mosque"), is a large mosque in the city of Mecca, and the largest in Islam. It surrounds the Kaaba, the place which all Muslims turn towards each day in prayer, considered by Muslims to be the holiest place on Earth. The mosque is also commonly known as the Haram or Haram Sharif.

The current structure covers an area of 356,800 square meters including the outdoor and indoor praying spaces and can accommodate up to 820,000 worshippers during the Hajj period. During the Hajj period, the mosque is unable to contain the multitude of pilgrims, who pray on the outlining streets. More than 2 million worshippers gather to pray during taraweeh and Eid prayers. [1] [2]

According to the teachings of Islam, God in the Qur'an used the word Mosque when referring to the sites established by Abraham and his progeny as houses of worship to God centuries before the revelation of the Qur'an. The first of these spots is Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the second is Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Before Mecca and Jerusalem came under Muslim control between 630 CE and 638 CE, the site of the Kaaba, which was supposedly established by Abraham and Ishmael, was used by non-Muslim Arabs who worshipped multiple gods.

	And when We assigned to Abraham the place of the House (Kaaba), saying: Do not associate with Me aught, and purify My House for those who make the circuit and stand to pray and bow and prostrate themselves.
—Qur'an, 22:26

	And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House (Kaaba): Our Lord! accept from us; surely Thou art the Hearing, the Knowing.
—Qur'an, 2:127

Masjid-an-Nabawi, Medina

Main article: Al-Masjid al-Nabawi

Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Arabic: المسجد النبوي IPA: [ælˈmæs.ʤi.dæˈnːæ.bæ.wiː]) or the Mosque of the Prophet, located in Medina, is the second holiest site in Islam.

The edifice was originally Muhammad's house; he settled there after his Hijrah (emigration) to Medina, and later built a mosque on the grounds. He himself shared in the heavy work of construction. The original mosque was an open-air building, with no gender separation. The mosque also served as a community center, a court, and a religious school. There was a raised platform for the people who taught the Qur'an. The basic plan of the building has been adopted in the building of other mosques throughout the world.

The original mosque was built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Subsequent Islamic rulers greatly expanded and decorated the mosque. The most important feature of the site is the green dome over the center of the mosque, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. Constructed in 1817C.E. and painted green in 1839C.E., it is known as the Dome of the Prophet.^[1] Early Muslim leaders Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab are buried beside Muhammad.

Masjid Al-Aqsa, Jerusalem

See also:  and

Al-Aqsa Mosque (English: The Farthest mosque) is the general and oldest name for the compound of Islamic religious buildings in Jerusalem that includes al-Aqsa congregation mosque and the Dome of the Rock. It is almost universally considered the third holiest site in Islam. The term Al-Aqsa Mosque was coined in the Quran:

	Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant (Muhammad) for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We did bless,- in order that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).
—Qur'an, 17:1

Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred because the first of the two Qiblas (Arabic: اولى القبلتين) was Jerusalem.^[2][3] In Islamic tradition, Al-Aqsa is said to be the second Masjid (Arabic: ثاني المسجدين). The mosque is also the third of the two holy Sanctuaries (Arabic: ثالث الحرمين), under Islamic Law.^[4]

Although there were no mosques in Jerusalem at the time the Qur'an was received, soon after Palestine was conquered by the Arabs under Umar a temporary mosque was built on the Temple Mount area. The current Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa mosque were first built by the famous caliph Abd al-Malik during the later Umayyad period.^[5] This same area was called at later Islamic periods as the Noble Sanctuary.^[6][7][8] It is believed by many to be the area from where Muhammad is said to have ascended to heaven,^[9] although other theories claim it had been from a mosque in Medina, Jir'ana or Kufa.^[10][11][12] Al-Aqsa's importance in Islam stems from a long history that extends far before the birth of Muhammad.

Although most political references to the Al Aqsa Mosque date from the 12th century or later due to its occupation by the Crusades, others claim that the Mosque's position in Islam is firmly grounded in a number of hadith dating from the birth of Islam.^[13]

In terms of the virtue of a religious site, and the value of prayers performed within it, Muslims believe that the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is the third most virtuous mosque based on the Hadith narrated by the companion Abu al-Dardaa: "the Prophet of Allah Muhammad said a prayer in the Sacred Mosque (in Mecca) is worth 100,000 prayers; a prayer in my mosque (in Medina) is worth 1,000 prayers; and a prayer in al-Masjid al-Aqsa (in Jerusalem) is worth 500 prayers more than in any other mosque. See also Sahih Bukhari 2:21:288.

Shi'a shrines

The tombs of the twelve imams are revered by Shi'a Muslims. Shi'ite Muslims often visit these shrines for a pilgrimage.

Tomb of Imam Ali, Najaf

This is where Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of Muhammad and the fourth caliph is buried. Because Ali was also Muhammad's cousin, he is considered by Shia tradition to be the first legitimate caliph and the first Imam. It is almost universally considered the third holiest site in Shiite Islam. Both the dome and two of the minarets are covered with golden bricks.

Many sources refer to the Imam Ali Mosque, in Najaf, Iraq, as a holy site for the Shia branch of Islam.^[14][15][16] With an estimated 130 to 200 million followers worldwide, this accounts for approximately 15% of all Muslims.^[17] It is estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim pilgrims.

It has also been reported in the name of Imam Sardeg (Imam-Jaafar Al-Sadeq, the Sixth of the twelve Imams) that the Imam Ali mosque is the third of five holy places: Mecca, Medina, the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf, the Imam Hussein shrine in Karbala, and the shrine for Fatemah in Qom.^[18]

Tomb of Imam Husayn, Karbala

The Imam Husayn Shrine is built on the spot where Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of Muhammad, is believed to have been killed during the Battle of Karbala.

Tomb of Imams al-Hadi and al-Askari, Samarra

Main article: Al Askari Mosque

Here the remains of the tenth and eleventh Shī`a Imāms, `Alī l-Hādī and his son Hassan al-`Askarī, known as "the two `Askarīs", are interred. It stands adjacent to a shrine to the Twelfth or "Hidden" Imām, Muħammad al-Mahdī. The `Askariyya Shrine is also known as the "Tomb or Mausoleum of the Two Imāms". Also buried within the Mosque are the remains of Hakimah Khatun, sister of `Alī l-Hādī, and of Narjis Khatun, mother of Muħammad al-Mahdi.

At the time of the Al Askari bombing in Samarra, it was reported that the mosque was one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, only exceeded by the shrines of Najaf and Karbala.^[19]

In an interview published by Abroad Media, Lt. Gen. David Petraeus referred to it as the third holiest shrine in shia Islam.^[20]

Al Kadhimiya Mosque, Baghdad

Al Khadhimiyah mosque contains the tomb of the seventh Shia Imam, Musa al-Kazim, along with that of his grandson, the ninth Shia Imam, Muhammad at-Taqi. Many consider the mosque the third holiest in Shi'ite Islam.^[21][22]

Tomb of Imam Reza, Mashhad

Imam Reza was the Eighth Imam of Shi'ite Islam, who is believed by members of the Shi'ia to have been poisoned there upon orders of Caliph Al Ma'mun. Among the first major buildings built in Mashad was a mausoleum built by Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi. Today the holy shrine and its museum hold one of the most extensive cultural and artistic treasuries of Iran, in particular manuscript books and paintings. Several important theological schools are associated with the shrine of the Eighth Imam. As a city of great religious significance, it is also a place of pilgrimage. It is said that the rich go to Mecca but the poor journey to Mashhad. Thus, even as those who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca receive the title of Haji, those who make the pilgrimage to Mashhad – and especially to the Imam Reza shrine – are known as Mashtee, a term employed also of its inhabitants. It is thought that over 20 million Muslims a year make the pilgrimage to Mashhad.^[23]

Fatima al-Masumeh Shrine, Qom

The shrine of Fatema Mæ'sume, sister of Imam Reza, is located in Qom.

The shrine has attracted to itself dozens of seminaries and religious schools. Shah Abbas I built the shrine complex in the early 17th century.^[14]

Other mosques associated with Muhammad

The Quba Mosque (Quba' Masjid or Masjid al-Quba, Arabic: مسجد قباء) just outside Medina, Saudi Arabia, is the first Islamic mosque ever built. Its first stones were positioned by Muhammad on his emigration from the city of Mecca to Medina and the mosque was completed by his companions. Muhammad spent more than 20 nights in this mosque (after migrating) praying qasr (a short prayer) while waiting for Ali whose house was behind this mosque. Muhammad used to go there, riding or on foot, every Saturday and offer a two rak'ah prayer. He advised others to do the same, saying, "Whoever makes ablutions at home and then goes and prays in the Mosque of Quba, he will have a reward like that of an 'Umrah." This hadith is reported by Ahmad, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, and Al-Hakim.

Sites revered by locals

Numerous cities, mosques and tombs throughout the Muslim World are revered locally.

• Hala Sultan Tekke is revered by Cypriot Muslims.
• Chinguetti, Mauritania is revered by many African Muslims.^[25] The city is home to five important manuscript libraries of scientific and Qur'anic texts, and a principal gathering place for pilgrims of the Maghreb to gather on the way to Mecca. It was once a center of Islamic religious and scientific scholarship in West Africa.
  • The Umayyad Mosque is one of the largest and oldest mosques in the world. Located in the old city of Damascus, it is of great importance to Islamic architecture. The mosque holds a shrine which is said to contain the head of John the Baptist, honoured as a prophet by Muslims. The head was supposedly found during the excavations for the building of the mosque. The tomb of Saladin stands in a small garden adjoining the north wall of the mosque.
  • The city of Harar in eastern Ethiopia, is locally considered to be "the fourth holiest city of Islam." The city hosts 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th century, and 102 shrines. For centuries, Harar has been a major commercial center, linked by the trade routes with the rest of Ethiopia, the entire Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and, through its ports, the outside world. Harar Jugol was included in the World Heritage List in 2006 by UNESCO in recognition of its cultural heritage.^[26][27][28]
  • Constructed by Arabs in 675, Kairouan became a holy site of Islam in the medieval period. The city gained importance as the centre of Islamic faith in the Maghreb.^[29] According to Kwesi Prah, the city on the coast of Mediterranean became the "third-holiest site" in Islam.^[30]
  • THE BLUE MOSQUE AT MASAR-E-SHARIF

  References

  1. ^ Encyclopedia of the orient
  2. ^ Lindsay, James (2005). Daily Life in the Medieval Islamic World. Greenwood Press, 142-143. ISBN 0313322708. 
  3. ^ (1999-09-01) in Wendy Doninger, consulting ed.: Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions. Merriam-Webster, 70. ISBN 0-877-79044-2.Merriam-Webster&rft.pages=70"> , reviewed on Google books
  4. ^ A Muslim Iconoclast (Ibn Taymiyyeh) on the "Merits" of Jerusalem and Palestine Charles D. Matthews Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 56, No. 1 (Mar., 1936), pp. 1-21
  5. ^ [3]
  6. ^ Oleg Grabar, THE HARAM AL-SHARIF: AN ESSAY IN INTERPRETATION, BRIIFS vol. 2 no 2 (Autumn 2000) [4]
  7. ^ Palestinian Encyclopedia Volume 4, pp. 203
  8. ^ Palestinian Encyclopedia Volume 3, pp. 23
  9. ^ [5]
  10. ^ [6]
  11. ^ al-Waqidi, Kitab al-Maghazi 9th century (Oxford UP, 1966, vol. 3, p. 958-9). Jirana, which Muhammad visited in 630, is about ten miles from Mecca.
  12. ^ [7]
  13. ^ Hashimi, Sohail H; various coauthors (2003-05-07). "Political Boundaries and Moral Communities: Islamic Perspectives", in Allen E. Buchannan, Margaret Moore, eds: States, Nations and Borders: the ethics of making boundaries. Cambridge University Press, 192-193. ISBN 0-521-52575-6. , reviewed on Google books
  14. ^ Almodarresi, Sayed Mahdi (February 9, 2003). Never Again!. Modarresinews.com. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “The place was the burial site of Islam’s second most important figure and third holiest shrine.
  15. ^ Muslim Shiite's Saint Imam Ali Holy Shrine. Photo Agency. Cultural Heritage Organization of Iran (2005). Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “world's 120 million Shiites regard Najaf - a center of scientific, literary and theological studies - as their third-holiest site, behind Mecca and Medina.
  16. ^ al-Issawi, Tarek (August 31, 2003). Iraqis arrest 19 with terror ties in mosque blast. The Washington Times. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “American authorities have not taken an active public role in the mosque investigation because of Iraqi sensitivity to any U.S. presence at the Najaf shrine, the most-sacred Shi'ite shrine in Iraq and the third holiest in the world after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
  17. ^ Penhaul, Karl (April 23, 2003). Religious rivalries and political overtones in Iraq. CNN. Retrieved on 2006-11-12.
  18. ^ Escobar, Pepe (May 24, 2002). Knocking on heaven's door. Central Asia/Russia. Asia Times Online. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “To give a measure of its importance, according to a famous hadith (saying) - enunciated with pleasure by the guardians of the shrine - we learn that ‘our sixth imam, Imam Sardeg, says that we have five definitive holy places that we respect very much. The first is Mecca, which belongs to God. The second is Medina, which belongs to the Holy Prophet Muhammad, the messenger of God. The third belongs to our first imam of Shia, Ali, which is in Najaf. The fourth belongs to our third imam, Hussein, in Kerbala. The last one belongs to the daughter of our seventh imam and sister of our eighth imam, who is called Fatemah, and will be buried in Qom. Pilgrims and those who visit her holy shrine, I promise to these men and women that God will open all the doors of Heaven to them.’
  19. ^ Gosh, Aparisim (March 6, 2006). An Eye For an Eye Cover Story. Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “That makes al-Askari one of Shi'ite Islam's holiest sites, exceeded in veneration only by the shrines of Najaf and Karbala. Even Samarra's Sunnis hold al-Askari in high esteem. The expression "to swear by the shrine" is routinely used by both communities. Editor's note: Quote is found on third page of article.
  20. ^ Petraeus, Lt. Gen. David (Sept 17, 2006). Transcript: Lt. Gen. David Petraeus - Interview. American Abroad Media. Retrieved on 2006-11-13. “…the Gold Dome Mosque bombing on Samara when the third holiest shrine in Shia Islam was devastated by an explosion…
  21. ^ Robertson, Hamish (March 3, 2004). Iraq suicide bombings: an eyewitness account. The World Today. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “After the bombing of the Al Kadhimiya Mosque, Middle East correspondent of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Nahlah Ayed, reported that “...in front of the Kadhimiya Mosque, the third holiest site for Shia Muslims
  22. ^ Iraq blasts kill 143 on Shiite holy day. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (March 2, 2004). Retrieved on 2006-11-12. “‘After the blast, all you could see was death everywhere you looked,’ said Ahmed Kamil Ibrahim, a guard at the Kazimiya shrine in Baghdad, the third-holiest in Shiite Islam.
  23. ^ Sacred Sites: Mashhad, Iran. sacredsites.com. Retrieved on 2006-03-13.
  24. ^ Today's Top StoriesQom Province. www.indiasnews.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-18. “Shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh, sister of Imam Reza, one of Iran's holiest places, is in Qom.
  25. ^ Shadow Over Sahara. www.time.com (June 25 1973). Retrieved on 2006-12-18. “Told that the strangers are there to watch the moon black out the sun, some believers in the oasis town of Chinguetti—the seventh holiest city of Islam—are incredulous.

26. ^ [8]
27. ^ Five new heritage sites in Africa. BBC (July 13 2006). Retrieved on 2006-12-18. “Harar Jugol, seen as the fourth holiest city of Islam, includes 82 mosques, three of which date from the 10th Century, and 102 shrines.
28. ^ [9]
29. ^ University of Calgary's Applied History Research Group
30. ^ Prah, Kwesi. (2004) Towards A Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations. This was originally a paper submitted to the African Union (AU) Experts’ Meeting on a Strategic Geopolitic Vision of Afro-Arab Relations. AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa, 11-12 May, 2004. Professor Kwesi Prah is the Director of Centre for Advanced Study of African Societies, Cape Town, South Africa