Muslims, including Shia, Sunni, Ibadi and other branches, agree on two holiest sites in Islam being the Masjid al-Haram (including the Kaaba) in Mecca; the Masjid an-Nabawi in Medina.
Sites associated with the Islamic prophet Muhammad, his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali, the respective Shia Imams descended from them and their family members (collectively referred to as Ahl al-Bayt) are considered holy by the different Shia Muslim sects. Karbala and Najaf in Iraq are two of holiest cities revered by all Shia sects. Additionally, Mashhad and Qom in Iran are two of the holiest cities to Twelver Shia, the largest Shia sect.
Kaaba (Arabic: The Cube) is the most sacred site in Islam. It is surrounded by Masjid-al-Haram. During the Hajj period, the mosque is unable to contain the multitude of pilgrims, who pray on the outlining streets. More than 2 million worshippers gather to pray during Eid prayers.
The Prophet's Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia, is the second holiest site in Islam. Muhammad himself was involved in the construction of the mosque. One of the most notable parts of the mosque is its Green Dome, where the tomb of Muhammad is located. For Shi'a Muslims, this is the main place to perform Ziyarat on Muhammad.
Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem, also known as the Haram al-Sharif or the Temple Mount, is where Muhammad ascended bodily into heaven. It is the third-holiest site in Islam, held in esteem by all Muslims due to its history as a place of worship by many prophets such as Abraham, David, Solomon, Elijah and Jesus.
The Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf is considered the holiest, which contains the tomb of Ali. He was the cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad. Ali is considered by Shia tradition to be the first legitimate caliph and the first imam due to the proclamation given by Muhammad. The site is visited annually by at least 8 million pilgrims on average, which is estimated to increase to 20 million in years to come. Adam and Noah are also buried within this mosque according to Shia Islam.
Many Shia believe that Ali did not want his grave to be desecrated by his enemies and consequently asked his friends and family to bury him secretly. This secret gravesite is supposed to have been revealed later during the Abbasid Caliphate by Ja'far al-Sadiq who is considered by Shia Muslims to be the sixth Shia imam. Most Shias accept that Ali is buried in the Imam Ali Mosque which is now the city of Najaf.
Ja'far al-Sadiq, the sixth Shia imam, said that the Imam Ali Mosque is the third of five holy places: Mecca, Medina, Imam Ali Mosque in Najaf, Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala, and the shrine of Fatima Masumeh in Qom.
Imam Husayn Shrine in Karbala is the second holiest site for Shia Muslims. It contains the tomb of Husayn, the third Shia imam. It also contains the tombs of Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn, Ali al-Asghar ibn Husayn, sons of Husayn; Ibrahim al-Mujab, grandson of Musa al-Kadhim and the martyrs of Karbala.
The mosque stands on the site of the grave of Husayn ibn Ali, where he was martyred during the Battle of Karbala in 680. Millions of pilgrims visit the city to observe the anniversary of Husayn ibn Ali's death. There are many Shia traditions which narrate the status of Karbala:
Al-Baqi (Jannat al-Baqë) is a cemetery located across from Al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina, Saudi Arabia. It is the oldest and first Islamic cemetery. It is particularly important to Shi'as as it is the burial place for 4âÂÂ5 of their Imams.
The Al-Kadhimiya Mosque in Baghdad, Iraq contains the tombs of Musa al-Kadhim, seventh Shia imam and Muhammad al-Jawad, ninth Shia imam. Some consider the mosque the third holiest in Shia Islam.
Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran is the third holiest site for Shia Muslims, which contains the tomb of Ali al-Ridha, the eighth Shia imam. Ali al-Ridha is believed, by members of the Shia, to have been poisoned there upon the orders of Caliph Al-Ma'mun and the place was subsequently called, Mashhad ar-RidhÃÂ (the place of martyrdom of Ali al-Ridha). By the end of the 9th century a dome was built on the grave and many buildings and bazaars sprang up around it. For years totalling more than a millennium, the mosque was destroyed and reconstructed several times.
Today, Several important theological schools are associated with the shrine of the eighth imam. As a city of great religious significance, it is also a place of pilgrimage. Those who complete the pilgrimage to Mecca receive the title of haji, those who make the pilgrimage to MashhadâÂÂand especially to the Imam Ridha shrineâÂÂare known as mashtee, a term employed also of its inhabitants. Over 25 million Muslims a year make the pilgrimage to Mashhad. It is generally considered to be the holiest Shia shrine in Iran. Shia sources quote several hadiths from the Shia Imams and Muhammad that highlight the importance of pilgrimage to the shrine. A hadith from Muhammad says:<blockquote>One of my own flesh and blood will be buried in the land of Khorasan. God the Highest will surely remove the sorrows of any sorrowful person who goes on pilgrimage to his shrine. God will surely forgive the sins of any sinful person who goes on pilgrimage to his shrine.</blockquote>
The Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra, Iraq contains the tombs of Ali al-Hadi, tenth Shia imam and Hasan al-Askari, eleventh Shia imam. Hakimah KhÃÂtà «n, sister of Ali al-Hadi and Narjis, mother of Muhammad al-Mahdi are also buried within the mosque. The cellar from which the twelfth or "Hidden" imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, disappeared from view is also found within this mosque.
At the time of the Al-Askari bombing in Samarra, it was reported that the mosque was one of Shia Islam's holiest sites, only exceeded by the shrines of Najaf and Karbala, making it the third holiest Shia site.
The Fatima Masumeh Shrine in Qom, Iran contains the tomb of Fatimah bint Musa, sister of the eighth Shia imam, Ali al-Ridha. It is the fourth holiest shrine in Shia Islam. The shrine has attracted to itself dozens of seminaries and religious schools.
The Jamkaran Mosque in Qom, Iran is one of the primary significant mosques in Jamkaran. Hassan ibn Muthlih Jamkarani is reported to have met the Shia's 12th imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi. In the rear of the mosque, there is a "well of requests (of prayers)" to be passed on to God (Allah). Pilgrims tie small strings in a knot around the grids covering the holy well, which they hope will be received by the Imam Mahdi.
The Al-Sahlah Mosque in Kufa, Iraq is said to be the future home of the Twelfth Shia imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi.
The Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque in Damascus, Syria contains the tomb of Zaynab bint Ali, the daughter of Ali and Fatimah, and the granddaughter of Muhammad.
The Al-Abbas Shrine is located directly across from the Imam Husayn Shrine, and contains the tomb of Abbas ibn Ali, son of Ali and brother of Husayn.
Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine and pay homage to it every year. The real grave of Abbas is beneath the masoulem, and is present in the shrine. Emperors and kings of various dynasties have offered valuable gifts and gems to the shrine of Abbas. It was designed by Persian and Central Asian architects. The central pear shaped dome is an ornately decorated structure. On its sides stand two tall minarets. The tomb is covered with pure gold and surrounded by a trellis of silver. Iranian carpets are rolled out on the floors.
The Sayyidah Ruqayya Mosque in Damascus, Syria contains the tomb of Sukayna bint Husayn, the youngest daughter of Husayn ibn Ali, often referred to by her title: "Ruqayya".
The Jannat al-Mu'alla cemetery in Mecca, Saudi Arabia contains the graves of many relatives of Muhammad, held in high esteem by the Shia, including:
The Bab al-Saghir cemetery in Damascus, Syria contains the graves of many relatives of Muhammad as well as sites related to the Battle of Karbala. Some of the figures laid to rest here include:
There are many tombs of the various descendants of the imams (often called imamzadeh). Some of them include: