Imam Husayn Shrine

The shrine holds the tomb of Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the Prophet, who was killed at Karbala in 680, and it is among the holiest sites in Shia Islam. The building is a great courtyard surrounded by iwans and arcades, with a gold dome and two gold minarets above the burial chamber, mirrorwork covering the interior surfaces in millions of small facets, and a silver grille around the tomb itself that pilgrims press against. It has been rebuilt many times. The scale of pilgrimage here is extraordinary: during Arbaeen, forty days after Ashura, millions walk to Karbala, many of them the eighty kilometres from Najaf on foot, in what is by most counts the largest annual gathering of people anywhere in the world.

History

Husayn bought a piece of land from the Banu Asad after he arrived at Karbala, and he and his family are buried in that portion, known as al-Ha'ir, where the shrines now stand, with his son Ali al-Akbar at his feet. Despite attempts by successive rulers such as al-Rashid and al-Mutawakkil to restrict building here, the area grew into a city (Wikipedia, Imam Husayn Shrine).

The main sights

• The golden dome - gilded dome and minarets over the burial chamber.
• Mirrorwork interiors - faceted glass covering walls and ceilings.
• The tomb grille - the silver enclosure pilgrims reach to touch.
• The great courtyard - iwans and arcades filled with visitors at all hours.

When to go

November to March for bearable weather. Ashura and Arbaeen bring vast crowds and the city becomes impassable; those are extraordinary to witness but extremely difficult logistically. Ordinary days are still busy.

Things to know

This is a working shrine with strict expectations: modest dress, women covered, separate entrances, and cameras and phones often restricted or checked at the gate. Non-Muslims are generally admitted to the courtyards but access to the inner chamber varies. Security screening is thorough.

Nearby

Al-Abbas shrine faces it across the square; Al-Ukhaidir lies southwest.

Key facts