The Imam Ali Mosque, also
known as Meshed Ali or the Tomb of Ali, is a mosque
located in Najaf, Iraq. It is venerated as a holy site
by Muslims, particularly Shiites, most of whom believe
that Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the son-in-law of the
Prophet Muhammad and the fourth caliph, is buried there.
Because Ali was also Muhammad's cousin, he is considered
by Shiite tradition to be the first legitimate caliph,
and the first Imam.
The mosque was first built by the Iranian ruler the
Daylamite Fannakhosraw Azod ad Dowleh in 977 over the
tomb of Ali. After being destroyed by fire, it was
rebuilt by the Seljuk Malik Shah I in 1086, and rebuilt
yet again by the Safavid Shah Ismail I shortly after
1500.
The shrine is venerated as the fourth holiest site by
Muslims, particularly Shias, and Shia Imam Ali ibn Abi
Talib, the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad and the
fourth caliph, is buried there. The Imam Ali Shrine is
the third holiest site (see below) for the estimated 400
million followers of the Shia branch of Islam worldwide
– approximately 20 percent of total Muslims. It is
estimated that only Mecca and Medina receive more Muslim
pilgrims. |