Some opponents attempted to cast doubt on the burial of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) at its current site. However, Shia scholars addressed these doubts comprehensively in various works, presenting historical, testimonial, and miraculous evidence.
1. Shaikh Muhammad Hirz al-Din’s Perspective
In his book Maarif al-Rijal, Shaikh Hirz al-Din recounts the story of the rock (see referenced sources) and the grave of Mughira ibn Shuba, emphasizing:
“The purpose of highlighting the story of the rock is to refute those who claim that Mughira’s grave is the resting place of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) in Najaf.”
He condemns such claims as baseless and motivated by hostility towards the Ahl al-Bayt.
2. Emphasis on the Knowledge of the Ahl al-Bayt
The Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) are the most reliable authorities regarding the location of Imam Ali’s (peace be upon him) grave. They consistently recommended its visitation and upkeep.
Numerous authentic hadiths and ziyarat texts explicitly confirm that Imam Ali’s grave is located within the sacred precincts of Najaf, leaving no room for doubt.
3. Refuting Opponents’ Disputes
Ibn Abi al-Hadid writes:
“The grave of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) is in al-Gharri, and claims of opponents regarding its transfer to Madinah, burial in Rahba, the Kufa governor’s palace, or even on the back of a camel are all false. The children and followers of Amir al-Muminin know the location of his grave better than anyone else, as any family knows the resting place of its ancestors.”
Eyewitness Testimony from the Ahl al-Bayt
Ibn Abi al-Hadid quotes Hasan ibn Ali Khilal narrating from his grandfather:
“I asked al-Hussain ibn Ali (peace be upon him), ‘Where is the grave of Amir al-Muminin?’
He replied, “We took him out of his house at night, passed the house of Ashath ibn Qays, and buried him in the al-Gharri area.”
Both Ibn Abi al-Hadid and Ibn Tawus stress the location in al-Gharri, affirming that descendants of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) have visited this grave consistently throughout history.
4. Ibn Tawus on the Burial Location
Ibn Tawus states:
“Every deceased, whether their grave is known or hidden, is best known to the Ahl al-Bayt and their close companions. This applies to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). His Shia followers unanimously agree that his grave is in al-Gharri, Najaf.
It is remarkable that while people generally have no doubt about the resting place of their own fathers or ancestors, some opponents claim that Amir al-Muminin’s grave is elsewhere, disregarding the testimony of his family and Shia followers. Such claims are entirely baseless.”
5. Responding to Opponents’ Claims
- Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi ignored both Shia and historical sources confirming the burial site in Najaf.
- Ibn Taymiyya falsely claimed:
“It is widely believed that Amir al-Muminin was buried in the Kufa palace and that no one knew his grave for over 300 years.”
This claim is directly contradicted by extensive historical and narrational evidence. Many Sunni scholars also acknowledge Najaf as the burial site.
- Bias of Ibn Taymiyya and Ibn Kathir: Both displayed prejudice against the virtues and narrations concerning Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) and propagated false claims without evidence.
6. Miracles and Signs Confirming the Burial Site
Numerous miracles have been reported at Imam Ali’s (peace be upon him) shrine in al-Gharri, Najaf, including:
- Healing of the sick and disabled
- Acceptance of prayers and fulfillment of needs
These miracles continue to be observed and documented.
- Ibn Tawus, in Farhat al-Ghari, dedicates a chapter to miracles confirming the authenticity of Imam Ali’s grave.
- Allama Majlisi, in Bihar al-Anwar, narrates several of these miracles.
- Dinawari al-Hanbali, in Nihayat Talab wa Ghaya Sul fi Manaqib Ahl al-Rasul, reports:
“On the night of Wednesday, the 13th of Dhu al-Hijjah, 597 AH, I witnessed a luminous light rising from the grave of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him). The light, approximately 20 cubits in length and one cubit in width, remained visible for about two hours before fading gradually.”
- Ibn Battuta (727 AH) also recorded visiting Najaf and witnessing miraculous occurrences at the shrine, especially on the 7th and 27th nights of Rajab, known as Laylat al-Mahya. Devotees from distant regions traveled to observe the spiritual lights and perform rituals.
These miracles provide clear evidence of the truth and sanctity of the grave in Najaf.
7. Testimonies of the Ahl al-Bayt
Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (peace be upon him) advised:
“Search east and west; no knowledge can surpass the authenticity of what has been transmitted by the Ahl al-Bayt.”
This emphasizes that only the Ahl al-Bayt and their close followers hold accurate knowledge of the grave’s location.
8. Historical Consensus
Reputable historians, including Yaqut al-Hamawi, Ibn al-Athir, and Ibn Abi al-Hadid, unanimously confirm that Amir al-Muminin’s (peace be upon him) grave is in al-Gharri, Najaf. The concealment of the grave was a deliberate protective measure by the Ahl al-Bayt to safeguard it from enemies.
Conclusion
All historical, narrational, and miraculous evidence points unambiguously to the location of Amir al-Muminin’s (peace be upon him) grave in al-Gharri, Najaf. The Ahl al-Bayt, his descendants, and Shia followers have maintained continuous knowledge and visitation of this sacred site. Claims of alternative burial locations, propagated by biased opponents, are unfounded and contradicted by both testimony and miracles witnessed over the centuries.
