Masjid al-Kufa — The Great Mosque of Kufa
مَسجِدُ الكُوفَة العَظِيم
One of the oldest and most sacred mosques in Islam, Masjid al-Kufa was the center of the Islamic world during the Caliphate of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS). He led prayers here daily and governed the community from Kufa. On the 19th of Ramadan 40 AH, while leading the Fajr prayer, Imam Ali (AS) was struck by the poisoned sword of Ibn Muljam al-Muradi. He was carried to his home and passed away two days later on the 21st of Ramadan. The mosque contains the Mihrab of Imam Ali — the exact prayer niche from which he led that final prayer — and several ancient holy sites within the vast complex.
Why it Matters
Masjid al-Kufa is the site of Imam Ali's martyrdom — making it one of the most emotionally significant stops on any Iraq ziyarat. It contains the mihrab where the blow was struck, markers of other companions and prophets connected to Kufa's long history, and the starting point for the Arba'een walk to Karbala. The Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and other prophets prayed here. For Bohra pilgrims, it is an essential companion to the visit to Najaf (Imam Ali's burial shrine).
Dua when visiting
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيكَ يَا أَمِيرَ المُؤمِنِينَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيكَ يَا وَصِيَّ رَسُولِ رَبِّ العَالَمِينَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيكَ يَا إِمَامَ المُتَّقِينَ وَسَيِّدَ الوَصِيِّين
Also in this region
4- Karbala al-Mualla — Shrine of Imam Husain (AS) Karbala Aimmah كَرْبَلاَء المُقَدَّ
- Shrine of Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (AS) Karbala Ahl al-Bayt مَرْقَدُ العَبَّاسِ
- Najaf al-Ashraf — Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) Najaf Aimmah النَّجَفُ الأَشْرَف
- Kazimayn — Shrines of Imam Musa al-Kazim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad Baghdad (Kazimayn) Aimmah الكَاظِمَيْن