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Al-Sahlah Mosque

Coordinates: 32°2′20″N 44°22′47″E / 32.03889°N 44.37972°E / 32.03889; 44.37972
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Al-Sahlah Mosque
مَسْجِد ٱلسَّهْلَة
The mosque prayer hall in 2015
Religion
AffiliationShia (Twelver)
Ecclesiastical or organisational statusShrine
StatusActive
Future home12th Imam, Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi
Location
LocationKufah, Najaf Governorate
CountryIraq
Al-Sahlah Mosque is located in Iraq
Al-Sahlah Mosque
Location of the mosque in Iraq
Map
Geographic coordinates32°2′20″N 44°22′47″E / 32.03889°N 44.37972°E / 32.03889; 44.37972
Architecture
Architect(s)
  • Shubber Falah
  • Wael Ajam
  • (2011–2018)
TypeShi’i mosque
StyleIslamic architecture
Completed
  • 7th century CE (establishment)
  • 750 AH (1349/1350 CE) (reconstruction)
  • late 20th century (reconstruction)
  • 2018 (reconstruction)
Construction costUS$8,224,000 (2018)
Specifications
Length140 m (460 ft)
Width125 m (410 ft)
Interior area17,500 m2 (188,000 sq ft) [clarification needed]
Dome(s)One (maybe more)
Minaret(s)Two
Minaret height30 m (98 ft)
Shrine(s)Seven
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The Al-Sahlah Mosque (Arabic: مَسْجِد ٱلسَّهْلَة, romanized: Masjid as-Sahlah) is a Twelver Shi'ite mosque and shrine, located in the city of Kufa, in the Najaf Governorate of Iraq. The mosque is of great importance to Twelver Shia Muslims, and it is believed that the mosque was initially established in Kufa as a neighborhood mosque for the followers of Ali, the early members of the Shia.[2] The mosque is also said to be the future home of the Twelfth Shia Imam, Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi.[3]: 48–50 

History

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The mosque is believed to have been established during the 7th century CE. It has been reconstructured many times in the intervening years, including in 750 AH (1349/1350 CE), in the later part of the 20th century, and between 2011 and 2018.[1][4][5] A new sahn, named "The Sahn of Sayyidah Nargis", was opened to the public in July 2013.[6]

Significance

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The mosque is revered from narrations according to Twelver belief. These beliefs include that the mosque is where the twelfth Imam, Hujjat-Allah al-Mahdi, will reside upon his return.[3]: 48–50  It is also believed that the mosque served as a home for the Prophets and figures in Islam: Ibrahim (Abraham), Idris (Enoch), and Khidr.[3]: 48–50  Every Prophet is said to have established prayers within the mosque.[3]: 48–50  The establishment of two Rakats of Islamic Prayer in the mosque is believed to grant a person safety and protection for an entire year.[3]: 48–50  It is believed that the trumpet announcing the Day of Judgement will be blown from the mosque.[3]: 48–50  Seventy thousand people will be resurrected at the mosque, according to narrations and Twelver beliefs, and can enter Heaven without questioning.[3]: 48–50  The first Shia Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib has also stated that, "No anguished person goes to this mosque, prays in it, and supplicates to God, without God relieving him of his grief and granting him his request."[3]: 53 

Shrines

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The mosque is believed to contain seven shrines of Twelver prophets and imams, namely:[5]

  1. Imam Ja'afar Bin Mohammad As-Sadiq, in the middle of the mosque
  2. Prophet Abraham, in the northwest corner of the mosque
  3. Prophet Edris, in the southwest corner of the mosque
  4. Prophet Al-Kidher, in the corner between the southern and the eastern sides
  5. Prophet As-saleheen, or Salih Prophet's shrine, in the corner of the northern and the eastern sides; to the right of the main entrance of the mosque
  6. Imam Zain Al-Abedeen and Ali Bin Al-Hussein, in the middle of the mosque
  7. Imam Muhammad Al-Mahdi, the 12th Imam, in the middle of the southern side (future home).
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  • Main courtyard of the mosque
    Main courtyard of the mosque
  • Riwaq of the main courtyard
    Riwaq of the main courtyard
  • Riwaq of the main courtyard
    Riwaq of the main courtyard
  • The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
    The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
  • The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
    The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
  • The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
    The Sayyidah Nargis sahn
  • The mosque entrance
    The mosque entrance

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Al-Sahlah Mosque, residence of Imam Mahdi (A.J) after his reappearance+Photos" (includes images). wocoshiac.org. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  2. ^ Haider, Najam (September 26, 2011). The Origins of the Shi'a: Identity, Ritual, and Sacred Space in Eighth-Century Kufa. Cambridge University Press. pp. 238–. ISBN 978-1-107-01071-0. Retrieved August 14, 2012 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h al-Qummi, Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh (2008). Kāmil al-Ziyārāt (in Arabic). Translated by al-Husaini al-Mīlāni, Sayyid Mohsen. Shiabooks.ca Press.
  4. ^ "Masjid al-Sahla Kufa, Iraq". ArchNet.org. n.d. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Mosque of As-sahla". sibtayn.com. December 10, 2024. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  6. ^ السيد أمين مسجد الكوفة المعظم يشارك في افتتاح الصحن الجديد للسيدة نرجس في مسجد السهلة. www.masjed-alkufa.net (in Arabic). Retrieved November 13, 2013.

Further reading

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