Karbala

Karbala is a city in Iraq, located beside the Euphrates River and 104 kilometers from Baghdad. As the capital of Karbala Province, the city has a hot and dry climate and a population of over 1.2 million people, most of whom are Shia and Arabic-speaking. Karbala was known before Islam by names such as “Kur Babel” (Temple of God), but its worldwide fame is due to the event of Ashura and the presence of the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) and the shrine of Hazrat Abbas (AS). In addition to the holy shrines, the city has numerous pilgrimage sites such as the Tent Area (Khaymegah), the space between the two shrines (Bayn al-Haramayn), and the site of martyrdom (Qatl-gah), and during Arbaeen it hosts millions of pilgrims from around the world. Throughout history, Karbala has witnessed many ups and downs, including attacks by the Wahhabis, the Ottomans, and the Ba'ath regime of Iraq, yet it has always remained a symbol of resistance and love for the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).

Geography of Karbala

Karbala, the capital of Karbala Province, is located southwest of the Euphrates River and about 104 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.The distance from Karbala to Najaf is 78 kilometers.(1) Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 95. ,,, Hamsafar, Rah-Tūsheh-yi Zāʾirān, p. 175. The city of Karbala is located at 44 degrees longitude and 33 degrees 31 minutes latitude.The area of Karbala is also approximately 52 square kilometers.(2) Hamsafar, Rah-Tūsheh-yi Zāʾirān, p. 175. This city is located on a vast plain and has a hot and dry desert climate.The elevation of Karbala above sea level varies between 20 and 45 meters.The Euphrates River is the most important water source in the region.(3) Klīddār Āl Ṭuʿmah, "Baghīyat al-Nubalāʾ fī Tārīkh Karbalā" ,p. 95-115. The city of Karbala is divided into two parts: the old section and the new section.(4) Hamsafar, Rah-Tūsheh-yi Zāʾirān, p. 175.

Anthropology and Population

Most of the people of Karbala follow the Shia faith and primarily speak Arabic.With a population of over 1.2 million, this city is considered one of the most populous cities in Iraq. However, during occasions such as Arbaeen, Karbala hosts more than 20 million pilgrims who gradually enter the city and leave after visiting and making a relatively short stay.(5) ʿ Bīnish., " Āshenāʾī bā Tārīkh-i Tamaddon-i Islāmī",p. 146.

Name and Etymology

In religious narrations

According to some narrations, the land of Karbala has been known by this name since the time of Prophet Adam (AS).(6) Khalīlī, "Mawsūʿah al-ʿAtabāt al-Muqaddasa",vol. 8,p. 179. And even before the creation of the Earth, it was known as "Karbala" in divine knowledge.(7) Ibn Qulawayhو" Kāmil al-Ziyārāt",p. 450/451.

Other Names

In the words of Imam Ali (AS), it is known as Karb wa Bala.(8) Shaykh Ṭūsī, " Amālī", p. 598. The names Ninawa, Ghadhriya, and Hayr (or Ha’ir) have also been used for this geographical area.(9) Khalīlī, "Mawsūʿah al-ʿAtabāt al-Muqaddasa",vol. 8,p. 179.

Historical and Linguistic Perspectives

• Connection with Babylon:

Some researchers have suggested that "Karbala" is derived from the term "Kur Babel"; during the Chaldean period (612–539 BCE), this area was also called "Kur Babel," meaning "Temple of God," because at that time, large temples and places of worship of Christians existed in this region.(10) Shamīm Yār. Vīzheh Zāʾirān-i ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt.,p. 29. Assyrian Origin:

Another theory suggests that "Karbala" comes from the Assyrian words "Karb," meaning sanctuary, and "El," meaning God; therefore, Karbala would mean "Sanctuary of God."(11) Khalīlī, "Mawsūʿah al-ʿAtabāt al-Muqaddasa",vol. 8,p. 179. Arabic Origin: Some have said that Karbala comes from "Karbala," meaning weakness or purity, because the land of this area was either soft or clean and free of stones and impurities. Also, "Karbal" in Arabic refers to a particular type of grass, and it is possible that the name Karbala was given due to the abundance of this plant in that land.(12) Yāqūt al-Ḥamawī,"Muʿjam al-Buldān",vol. 4,p. 445.

History of the City of Karbala

In the year 14 AH, the Karbala region was conquered by one of the commanders of Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas.(13) Klīddār Āl Ṭuʿmah, "Baghīyat al-Nubalāʾ fī Tārīkh Karbalā" ,p.18/19. In the year 36 AH, when Imam Ali (AS) was heading toward the Battle of Siffin against Muawiya, he informed about the martyrdom of his son Hussain (AS) at this location and advised his son Hussain to be patient.(14) Ibn Qutaybah al-Dīnawarī, "Al-Akhbār al-Ṭiwāl", p. 252/253.

The martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) in the year 60 AH led to the burial of his body in Karbala.(15) Abū Mukhnaf , "Waqʿat al-Ṭuf ", p. 250-258. And this city derives its fame from the presence of the shrine of Sayyid al-Shuhada (Imam Hussain, AS).(16) Bīnish., " Āshenāʾī bā Tārīkh-i Tamaddon-i Islāmī",p. 146.

Karbala flourished during the Abbasid Caliphate, but initially, its development was delayed due to opposition from some Abbasid caliphs. In the year 193 AH, Harun ordered the destruction of the sacred dome and the surrounding houses.(17) ʿKlīddār, "Tārīkh Karbalā wa Ḥāʾir Ḥusaynī ", p. 44. During his rule from 233 to 247 AH, Al-Mutawakkil, on four occasions including in 236 AH, ordered the destruction, plowing, and flooding of the grave of Imam Hussain (AS) and the demolition of the surrounding houses.(18) ʿKlīddār, "Tārīkh Karbalā wa Ḥāʾir Ḥusaynī ", p. 260-270. During the reign of Al-Muntasir Al-Abbasi (247–248 AH), the son of Al-Mutawakkil, the Shia inclination to settle in Karbala and develop it increased. Ibrahim Mujab, the grandson of the seventh Imam (AS), is considered the first Alawi to settle in Karbala around the year 247 AH.After him, houses and markets emerged around his home and near the shrine of Aba Abdillah al-Hussain (AS). When Adud al-Dawla Daylami of the Buyid dynasty visited Karbala in 370 AH, the population of Sayyids and Alawis in the city had reached 2,200 people.(19) Klīddār Āl Ṭuʿmah, "Baghīyat al-Nubalāʾ fī Tārīkh Karbalā" ,p. 29/30.

Some Historical Events

Wahhabi Attack (1216 AH):

On Eid al-Ghadir in the year 1216 AH, the Wahhabi army from Najd, numbering about 25,000, attacked Karbala.The city's governor at the time, Umar Agha, fled without resistance, leaving the city defenseless. The Wahhabis, under the slogan "Kill the polytheists," massacred the people; in six hours, over five thousand were martyred.The shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) was destroyed, and the city's properties were looted.(20) Ṭālebī al-Isfahānī ," Masīr Ṭālebī",vol. 3,p. 408/409. Many scholars and seminary students of Karbala were also martyred in this tragedy.Sayyid Ali Tabatabai (author of Riyas) miraculously survived this attack.(21) Khwānsārī, " Rawḍāt al-Jinān fī Aḥwāl al-ʿUlamāʾ wa al-Sādāt ",vol. 4,p. 405. The Najib Pasha Incident (1258 AH): Following a dispute between Iran and the Ottoman Empire and the rejection of Ottoman rule by the people of Karbala, Najib Pasha, the governor of Baghdad, attacked Karbala in 1258 AH.(22) Ḥabīb Ābādī, "Makārim al-Āthār fī Aḥwāl Rijāl Dawr-i Qājār",vol. 5, p. 1582/1583. This attack resulted in the killing of approximately 10,000 people, including scholars and Sayyids, and became known as the "Incident of Ghadir al-Dam."(23) Khalīlī, "Mawsūʿah al-ʿAtabāt al-Muqaddasa",vol. 8,p. 126. Attack by the Ba'ath Regime of Iraq (1412 AH / 1369 SH): During the Sha’baniyah Uprising in 1412 AH, Iraqi Ba'ath forces stormed the holy shrines of Najaf and Karbala. In this assault, thousands of Iraqi citizens and pilgrims were killed or injured, and the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) was damaged.The marks of bullets from this attack are still visible on the walls of the shrine.(24) Hasht Behesht: Vīzheh-Nāmah Zāʾirān-i Dāneshgāhī ʿAtabāt", p. 160.

The Virtue of Karbala

In the narrations, the land of Karbala is compared in creation and virtue to the land of the Kaaba.(25) Ibn Qulawayhو" Kāmil al-Ziyārāt",p. 449/450. ,,, ʿUddah min al-Muḥaddithīn al-Qarn al-Thānī. Al-Uṣūl al-Sittah ʿAshar", p. 16. And it has been described as a heavenly land.(26) Ibn Qulawayhو" Kāmil al-Ziyārāt",p. 451. ,,, ʿUddah min al-Muḥaddithīn al-Qarn al-Thānī. Al-Uṣūl al-Sittah ʿAshar" ,p. 17. In another set of narrations, the virtue of visiting Imam Hussain (AS) in Karbala is considered equal to or greater than performing the Hajj pilgrimage.(27) Ibn Qulawayhو" Kāmil al-Ziyārāt",p. 449.

The presence and supplications of the Divine Prophets, including Moses and Noah, have been reported on the land of Karbala.(28) Ibn Qulawayhو" Kāmil al-Ziyārāt",p. 452-455.

Visitation Days of Karbala

One of the most important days for visiting Karbala is the day of Arbaeen. In a narration from Imam Al-Askari (AS), the Arbaeen pilgrimage is considered one of the five signs of a believer.(29) Shaykh Ṭūsī, "Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām", vol. 6, p. 52. According to the Abbasid Shrine statistics, the number of pilgrims participating in the Arbaeen walk from 1395 to 1403 SH ranged between 11 and 22 million people.(30)*

Pilgrimage Sites of Karbala

The Shrine and Zarih of Imam Hussain (AS) The Holy Threshold of Imam Hussain (AS) The tomb of Imam Hussain (AS) is a structure built over the burial site of the Imam.The two lower sides of the Zarih of Imam Hussain (AS) are dedicated to Hazrat Ali Akbar and the martyrs of Banu Hashim.(31) Shamīm Yār. Vīzheh Zāʾirān-i ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt.,p. 33/34. A dome covered with gold has been built over the Zarih.(32) Khalīlī, "Mawsūʿah al-ʿAtabāt al-Muqaddasa",vol. 8,p. 181. Within the shrine complex, there are other places and sections: The Zarih of the Martyrs of Karbala: They are buried a few meters away from the foot of the Imam. Their grave is inside a room with a silver window, above which the names of the martyrs are inscribed on a plaque.(33) Shamīm Yār. Vīzheh Zāʾirān-i ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt.,p. 33. The Zarih of Habib ibn Muzahir: Habib ibn Muzahir was one of the companions of Imam Ali (AS), Imam Hasan (AS), and Imam Hussain (AS).(34) Tafreshī, "Naqd al-Rijāl",vol. 1,p. 339. He was the standard-bearer on the left flank of the Imam's army.(35) al-Ṭabarī , "Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī" ,vol. 5,p. 422. His grave is now in a silver-colored Zarih in the southern corridor facing the Qibla. •Qatl-gah: The Qatl-gah is the place where the head of Imam Hussain (AS) was severed from his body. This site is located in a special chamber in the southern part of the courtyard (Golden Iwan).(36) Hasht Behesht: Vīzheh-Nāmah Zāʾirān-i Dāneshgāhī ʿAtabāt", p. 161. ,,, Shamīm Yār. Vīzheh Zāʾirān-i ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt.,p. 33. Other sections within the shrine include: •The tomb of Ibrahim Mujab •The four corridors •Abd Minaret •The Maqam of Maryam’s Palm Tree (Karbala) •The gates of the Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) •The museum and library of the shrine(37) Amīn ʿĀmilī, "Aʿyān al-Shīʿah",vol. 2, p. 224/230. ,,, Ḥabīb Ābādī, "Makārim al-Āthār fī Aḥwāl Rijāl Dawr-i Qājār",vol. 2, p. 610. ,,, Āl Ṭuʿmah., "Al-Mawāqiʿ al-Athariyya wa al-Siyāḥiyya fī Karbalā", p. 60-64. ,,, Shaykh Ṭūsī, "Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām", vol. 6, p. 73. ,,, Ḥurr ʿĀmilī, " Wasāʾil al-Shīʿah",vol. 14, p. 517. ,,, ʿAzd al-Mulk , "Safarnāmah ʿAzd al-Mulk ilā al-ʿAtabāt",p. 161.

Other Pilgrimage Sites

There are numerous pilgrimage sites around the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS), which are as follows: •The Shrine of Hazrat Abbas (AS) •Husseini Tent Area (Khaymegah) •Bayn al-Haramayn (the area between the two shrines) •Tal Zainabiya •The tomb of Hur ibn Yazid Riyahi •The tomb of Awn ibn Abdullah •The tomb of the Children of Muslim •The tomb of Ibn Fahd Hilli •The tomb of Sayyid Ahmad Abu Hashim, a descendant of Imam Kazim (AS) •The grave of Sayyid Abu Ahmad Mousavi, a descendant of Imam Kazim (AS) •Wadi Ayman Cemetery (Karbala) •The tomb of Ibn Hamza, a descendant of Hazrat Abbas (AS) •The shrine of Noah ibn Darraj •The tomb of Imamzadeh Ahmad ibn Musa (AS) •The tomb of Imamzadeh Akhrs ibn Musa (AS) •The tomb of Imamzadeh Ismail ibn Musa (AS) •The tomb of Imamzadeh Abdullah ibn Musa (Karbala) •The tomb of Sayyid Ismail and Umm Kulthum •The Maqam of Imam Ali (Karbala) •The Maqam of the meeting between Imam Hussain (AS) and Umar ibn Sa’ad • •The tomb of Muhammad ibn Nabi ibn Kazim (AS)(38)Zamānī , "Sīrī dar Sarzamīn-i Khāṭirah-hā (Safarnāmah Karbalā)" ,p. 116. ,,, Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 135. ,,, Hasht Behesht: Vīzheh-Nāmah Zāʾirān-i Dāneshgāhī ʿAtabāt", p. 165/166. ,,, Farhang-i Ziyārat. Quarterly Journal, Markaz-i Taḥqīqāt-i Ḥajj,, vol. 4, p. 107. Historical Monuments of Karbala •Ukhaydir Castle: This castle and fortress is located in an area of the same name, 20 kilometers west of the city of Karbala.Inside the castle, there is a small mosque, and the surrounding walls are built in the form of towers.(39) Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 157. Hendi Castle: This castle, located 4 kilometers from the city of Karbala, was built by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar to secure Karbala, but it remained unfinished after his death. Since the funding for its completion came from India and Asaf al-Dawla Hendi added rooms for accommodating pilgrims at the beginning of the 13th century AH, the castle became known as Hendi Castle.(40) Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 157. ,,, Āl Ṭuʿmah., "Al-Mawāqiʿ al-Athariyya wa al-Siyāḥiyya fī Karbalā", p. 29-31. Atshan Palace: Atshan Palace dates back to the Abbasid era and is located 30 kilometers southwest of Karbala, with some of its walls and arches still remaining today.(41) Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 157. Maqam of Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS): Abu Talib Khan, the famous traveler, in the early 13th century AH (1217 AH), referred to the Maqam of Imam Zain al-Abidin (AS) or the Khaymegah, on which Asaf al-Dawla's wife had constructed a building. This Maqam was apparently next to the present-day Imam Hussain Hospital, and some consider it to be at the original site of the Khaymegah.(42) Qaʾidān,"ʿAtabāt ʿĀliyāt-i ʿIrāq",p. 158.

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