Najaf al-Ashraf — Shrine of Imam Ali (AS)
النَّجَفُ الأَشْرَف — مَرْقَدُ أَمِيرِ الْمُؤْمِنِين
The city of Najaf is home to the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS) — the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the first Imam, and Commander of the Believers (Amir al-Mu'minin). He was martyred on the 21st of Ramadan 40 AH (661 CE) after being struck by a poisoned sword during Fajr prayer. His golden-domed shrine is one of the most magnificent in the Islamic world. The Wadi al-Salam cemetery nearby is the largest in the world.
Why it Matters
Imam Ali (AS) is the gateway to all sacred knowledge in the Fatimi tradition. He is the Wali of Allah and the wasiy of the Prophet. For the Dawoodi Bohra community, the love of Imam Ali (AS) is fundamental to faith — 'Ali Wali Allah' is the shahada of iman. His shrine is a place of intense spiritual power.
Dua when visiting
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ يَا وَصِيَّ رَسُولِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
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
- Kazimayn — Shrines of Imam Musa al-Kazim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad Baghdad (Kazimayn) Aimmah الكَاظِمَيْن
- Samarra — Shrines of Imam al-Hadi and Imam al-Askari Samarra Aimmah سَامَرَّاء