Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Province

Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf Province
It is one of the Middle Euphrates provinces. It is known for its great religious and historical climate as a center for various Islamic tombs and shrines. This city, which rises 70 meters above sea level, is about 160 km south west of Baghdad. Karbala, which is about 80 km, lies at its north and northeast and Al-Najaf Sea Basin lies at its west and south. The city contains seven important libraries of rare books. It has an international airport which receives about 19 flights daily which rise dramatically to reach 60 flights daily during religious visits. Najaf is also known for its traditional dishes such as Fasanjoon and margat qeema and traditional sweets like Halawa Dihiniyya.

Religious Site in The Province
Imam Ali Holy Shrine
The sanctuary of Imam Ali, also known as the shrine of Imam Ali is a religious site located in Najaf and contains the tomb of Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Rashidun Caliph and the first Imam of Shiva Muslims. The sanctuary includes a library contains unique antiquities and documents. The shrine has as well the tombs of Prophet Adam and Noah (Peace be upon them). Close to the shrine stands the tomb of Kumayl bin Ziyad as well as Masjid Al-Hannana.

The Great Mosque of Kufa
It is one of the earliest historical and holiest surviving mosques in the Islamic world. It was built by Saa›d bin Abi Waqas in 19 A.H. (739 A.D.) to be the first building in the city. When Imam Ali became a Caliph, it became his headquarter. The mosque contains several sacred stations such as the Sation of Prophet Ibrahim, station of Al-Khudhr, Station of Prophet Mohammed, Station of Adam, Station and Gabriel, Station of Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Station of Noah, Station of of Imam Jafer al-Sadiq. There are as well sacred historical positions like Dakka al-Qada, the mihrab of nafl prayer and the place where Noah›s ship grounded.

Al-Sahla Great Mosque
It one of the greatest mosques built in Kufa during the first Hijra century and whose role and significance is still vibrant. It is believed that Al-Sahla Mosque was built by the Banu Dhafar tribe, a clan of helpers (Ansar) who lived in Kiufa. This is why the mosque is called at first the Mosque of Banu Dhafar. However, it was later called Al-Sahla Mosque which is used now. It has some sacred positions like those of Imam Mahdi, Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Al-Khudr, Prophet Edris, Prophet Ibrahim and Imam Jafar Al-Sadiq.

Al-Hannana Mosque
It is one of the important mosques in Al-Najaf. It one of the three mosques in which Imam Jafar al-Sadiq prayed. Moreover, it is in on the ground of this mosque that the head of Imam Hussein was placed while it was on the road from Karbala to Kufa.

The House of Imam Ali
It lies almost 100 me from the south west corner of the Great Mosque of Kufa and near Darul ‹ Imara. It is a very modest house as Imam Ali was pious person who stands against extravagance.Moreover, he refused to live at Darul ‹ Imara when he arrived at the city in Ramadan 36 A.H. and preferred to live in this house which belonged to his sister (Um Hani), the wife of Hubeira Al-makhzomi.

Tomb of Maitham al-Tammar
It is an Islamic site where Maitham al-Tammar, a devout and loyal companion of Imam Ali was buried after being imprisoned and executed by Ubayd Allah bin Ziyad. The tomb is located at about 500 m west of the Great Mosque of Kufa.

Tomb of Muslim bin Aqil
It lies at the south east corner of the Great Mosque of Kufa.
Muslim is Imam Hussein›s cousin (Peace be upon them). He was sent by Imam Hussein to Kufa to check the Kufis> loyalty to the Imam. Muslim, who was later called the ambassador of Imam Hussein, was the first martyr in Imam Hussein›s revolution. He has a very respectful position by the Shiva who lament him on the fifth night of Muharram, which is named Muslim bin Aqil›s night.

Tomb of Kumayl inb Ziyad
Kumail was a mong the most loyal companion of Imam Ali and was the ruler of HEET and the nearby areas during the reign of Imam Ali. He was killed by Al-Hajjaj bin Yousif Al-Thaqafi. His shrine is in Al - Thewaya in Al-Hanana Quarter, it is about (100 M) from the main street between Najaf and Kufa.

Tomb of Hani bin Urwa
He was one of the greatest and closet companions of Imam Ali.He played a very active role in Muslim bin Aqil›s uprising. His tomb lies behind Muslim bin Aqil›s tomb.

Tomb of Al-Mukhtar bin Abi Ubayud al-Thaqafi
He was born on the same year Prophet Mohammed migrated to Al-Madina Al-Monawara, and called by his teknonym, Abu Ishaq. He was killed by Mus›ab bin al-Zubayr›s army and was buried near the Great Mosque of Kufa close to the Tomb of Muslim bin Aqil and Hani bin Urwa.

Wadi Al-Salaam Cemetery
It is an Islamic cemetery, located in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq. It is the largest cemetery in the world as it has more than 6 million tombs. Now it has been added to the list of World heritage. It has the tombs of the two prophets, Hud and Salih (peace be upon them).

Ruins and Cultural sites
Dar Imara
It was used as the house of the rulers (Emirs). It is close to the Great Mosque of Kufa and Imam Ali›s house and its ruins are visible.

The City of Al-Hira
Al-Hirah was a significant city in pre-Islamic Arab history. It was established by the Nebuchadnezzar II (562604- BC.). It was the capital of Al-Manatheras› state which lies now near Al-Najaf International Airport. The most prominent remains of this city is the palace of Al-Nu›man bin Al-Mundhir.

Najaf Sea
It is one of the names of the city of Najaf which comes from the phrase, «nay jaff» which means «the nay sea has dried» which gradually changed into «Najaf». It is caused due to a break in the surface of the earth causing a huge rift on the eastern cliffs.

Khan al-Shilan
Khan al-Shilan is of the cultural inns in the province. It was renovated to be a cultural museum for the 1920 Revolt as well as the city of Najaf. It has two stairs and a cellar and its area is about 22000 m and its height is about 12 m.

Khan ASI-Rahba
It is far from the city Najaf by 30 km. The khan was the overland pilgrimage route that was opened in 1936. It was built with rocks and gypsum and the ceiling consisted of dooms. The area of the khan is about 80110- m. It had semi-circular towers at the centre and corners.