Imam Ali Shrine

Shrine of Imam Ali
  • حَرَم ٱلْإِمَام عَلِيّ
  • Ḥaram al-Imām ‘Alī
Imām 'Alī Shrine, where 'Alī ibn Abī Tālib is believed to be buried
Religion
AffiliationIslam
ProvinceNajaf Governorate
RiteMuslims
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusMosque and Shrine
StatusActive
Location
LocationNajaf
Imam Ali Shrine is located in Iraq
Imam Ali Shrine
Location in Iraq
TerritoryIraq
Geographic coordinates31°59′45″N 44°18′53″E / 31.9959°N 44.3146°E / 31.9959; 44.3146
Architecture
Architect(s)Baha' al-din al-'Amili
StyleSafavid Persian style
Groundbreaking1621 CE
Completed1630 CE
Specifications
Dome(s)1
Dome height (inner)42 metres (138 ft)
Minaret(s)2
Minaret height38 metres (125 ft)
Shrine(s)1
Website
https://www.imamali.net

The Sanctuary of Imām 'Alī (Arabic: حَرَم ٱلْإِمَام عَلِيّ, romanizedḤaram al-ʾImām ʿAlī), also known as the Mosque of 'Alī (Arabic: مَسْجِد عَلِيّ, romanizedMasjid ʿAlī), located in Najaf, Iraq, is a mausoleum which Shia and Sunni Muslims believe contains the tomb of 'Alī ibn Abī Tālib, a cousin, son-in-law and companion of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. The Shī'as consider 'Alī as their first Imām and the first of the twelve caliphs of Muhammad, and the Sunnis regard him as the fourth Sunni Rashid Caliph.[1] According to Shī'ite belief,[2] buried next to 'Alī within this mosque are the remains of Adam and Nuh (Noah).[2][3] Each year, millions of pilgrims visit the Shrine and pay tribute to Imām 'Alī.

The shrine monument has been built and rebuilt numerous times throughout history;[4] the current shrine dates back to the mid-Safavid period. Its construction began in 1621 under the orders of Shah Abbas the Great and was completed in 1631 after his death. Baha' al-din al-'Amili was appointed as the architect and the structure was designed in the classical Safavid Persian style. Over time the shrine has undergone various notable renovations aimed to enhance its beauty and grandeur, most notably the gilding of the dome and minarets of the shrine in 1743 by Nader Shah Afshar.

  1. ^ "Ali", Wikipedia, 2021-04-25, retrieved 2021-04-28
  2. ^ a b al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). Kāmil al-Ziyārāt. Shiabooks.ca Press. pp. 66–67.
  3. ^ Al-Islam.org
  4. ^ "عمارات المرقد العلوي المطهر". العتبة العلوية المقدسة. Retrieved 2023-11-16.