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'{{Other uses}} {{redirects|Kerbela|the moth genus|Kerbela (moth)}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Karbala | native_name = {{lang|ar|كَربَلَاء}} | other_name = Karbalāʾ<br />Kerbala | image_skyline =Karbala City 2017.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = The [[Mosque]]s of [[Imam Husayn Shrine|Imam Hussain]] (foreground) and [[Al Abbas Mosque|Abbas]] (background), in Karbala. | map_caption = Location in [[Iraq]] | pushpin_map = Iraq | pushpin_mapsize= | coordinates = {{coord|32|37|N|44|02|E|region:IQ|display=inline}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Iraq}} | subdivision_type1 = [[Governorates of Iraq|Governorate]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Karbala Governorate|Karbala]] |established_title = Settled |established_date = 690&nbsp;[[Common Era|CE]] | leader_title = [[Mayor]] | leader_name = | area_total_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | elevation_m = | elevation_ft = | population_total = 690,100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citypopulation.de/Iraq.html|title=Iraq: Governorates, Regions & Major Cities - Population Statistics in Maps and Charts|publisher=}}</ref> | population_as_of= 2014 | population_density_km2 = | population_density_sq_mi = | website = | footnotes = | utc_offset = }} '''Karbala''' ({{lang-ar|كَرْبَلَاء}}, ''Karbalā’'', [[Persian language|Persian]]: کربلاء) is a city in central [[Iraq]], located about {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of [[Baghdad]], and a few miles east of [[Lake Milh]].<ref name="Risk2008">{{Cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/77116/iraq-livelihoods-at-risk-as-level-of-lake-razaza-falls|title=Iraq: Livelihoods at risk as level of Lake Razaza falls |date=5 March 2008 |accessdate= 25 November 2015|publisher=IRIN News}}</ref><ref name="UF2004">{{cite book |title=Under Fire: Untold Stories from the Front Line of the Iraq War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jWVtAAAAMAAJ |date=January 2004 |publisher=Reuters Prentice Hall |isbn=978-0-13-142397-8 |page=15}}</ref> Karbala is the capital of [[Karbala Governorate]], and has an estimated population of 700 thousand people (2015). The city, best known as the location of the ''Ma'rakat Karbalā<nowiki>'</nowiki>''({{lang-ar|مَعرَكة كَـربَـلَاء}}, [[Battle of Karbala]]) in 680&nbsp;[[Common Era|CE]], or the ''Masjidayn'' ({{lang-ar|مَـسـجِـدَيـن}}, two [[mosque]]s) of [[Imam Husayn Shrine|Imam Husayn]] and [[Al Abbas Mosque|Abbas]],<ref name="Shimoni & Levine, 1974, p. 160">Shimoni & Levine, 1974, p. 160.</ref><ref name="Aghaie, 2004, pp. 10-11">Aghaie, 2004, pp. 10-11.</ref> is considered a [[holy city]] for [[Shia Islam|Shi'ite Muslims]] in the same vein as [[Mecca]], [[Medina]] and [[Jerusalem]]. Tens of millions of Shi'ite Muslims visit the site twice a year, rivaling Mecca as a place of pilgrimage.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Malise Ruthven|title=Islam in the World|date=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195305036|page=180|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=David Seddon|title=Political and Economic Dictionary of the Middle East|date=11 Jan 2013|publisher=Routledge|location=Karbala (Kerbala)|isbn=9781135355616|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=John Azumah|author2=Dr. Kwame Bediako (Contributor)|title=My Neighbour's Faith: Islam Explained for African Christians|date=26 May 2009|publisher=Zondervan|location=Main Divisions and Movements Within Islam|isbn=9780310574620|accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Paul Grieve|title=A Brief Guide to Islam: History, Faith and Politics: The Complete Introduction|date=2006|publisher=Carroll and Graf Publishers|isbn=9780786718047|page=212|accessdate=}}</ref> The martyrdom of [[Imam]] [[Husayn ibn Ali]] is commemorated annually by millions of Shi'ites.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Malise Ruthven|title=Islam in the World|date=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195305036|page=180}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=David Seddon|title=Political and Economic Dictionary of the Middle East|date=11 Jan 2013|publisher=Routledge|location=Karbala (Kerbala)|isbn=9781135355616}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=John Azumah|author2=Dr. Kwame Bediako (Contributor)|title=My Neighbour's Faith: Islam Explained for African Christians|date=26 May 2009|publisher=Zondervan|location=Main Divisions and Movements Within Islam|isbn=9780310574620}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author1=Paul Grieve|title=A Brief Guide to Islam: History, Faith and Politics : the Complete Introduction|date=2006|publisher=Carroll and Graf Publishers|isbn=9780786718047|page=212}}</ref> Up to 8 million pilgrims visit the city to observe ''[[Ashura|‘Āshūrā’]]'' ({{lang-ar|عَـاشُـورَاء}}, "Tenth Day" {of the month of [[Muharram]]}), which marks the anniversary of Imam Husayn's death, but the main event is the ''[[Arba‘īn]]'' ({{lang-ar|أَربَـعِـيـن}}, 40th day after Ashura), where up to 30 million visit the holy graves. Most of the pilgrims travel on foot from all around Iraq and more than 56 countries.<ref>{{cite web |title= Interactive Maps: Sunni & Shia: The Worlds of Islam |url= https://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/shows/iran/map2.html |work=PBS |accessdate=June 9, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Walking Freedom: Iraq home of largest rally against terror in the world |url= https://www.rt.com/op-edge/367563-walking-freedom-iraq-rises-united/|work=RT|accessdate=November 20, 2016}}</ref> ==Etymology== There are many opinions among different investigators, as to the origin of the word "Karbala". Some have pointed out that "Karbala" has a connection to the "Karbalato" language, while others attempt to derive the meaning of word "Karbala" by analyzing its spelling and language. They conclude that it originates from the Arabic word "Kar Babel" which was a group of ancient Babylonian villages that included Nainawa, Al-Ghadiriyya, Karbella (Karb Illu. as in Arba Illu [Arbil]), Al-Nawaweess, and Al-Heer. This last name is today known as Al-Hair and is where Imam Imam Hussain ibn Ali’s grave is located. The investigator Yaqut al-Hamawy had pointed out that the meaning of "Karbala" could have several explanations, one of which is that the place where Imam Hussain ibn Ali was martyred is made of soft earth - "Al-Karbalat". According to [[Shia|Shi'ite]] belief, the archangel [[Gabriel]] narrated the true meaning of the name ''Karbalā’'' to [[Muhammad]]: a combination of ''karb'' ({{lang-ar|كَـرب}}, the land which will cause many agonies) and ''balā’'' ({{lang-ar|بَـلاء}}, afflictions)."<ref name="kamil01">{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher= Shiabooks.ca Press |page=545}}</ref> == Geography == === Climate === Karbala experiences a [[Semi-arid climate]] with extremely hot, dry summers and cool winters. Almost all of the yearly precipitation is received between November and April, though no month is truly wet. {{Weather box |location = Karbala |metric first = Y |single line = Y |Jan high C = 15.7 |Feb high C = 18.8 |Mar high C = 23.6 |Apr high C = 30.6 |May high C = 36.9 |Jun high C = 41.5 |Jul high C = 43.9 |Aug high C = 43.6 |Sep high C = 40.2 |Oct high C = 33.3 |Nov high C = 23.7 |Dec high C = 17.6 |Jan low C = 5.4 |Feb low C = 7.0 |Mar low C = 11.2 |Apr low C = 17.1 |May low C = 22.5 |Jun low C = 26.3 |Jul low C = 28.8 |Aug low C = 28.2 |Sep low C = 24.3 |Oct low C = 19.0 |Nov low C = 11.6 |Dec low C = 6.9 |Jan precipitation mm = 17.6 |Feb precipitation mm = 14.3 |Mar precipitation mm = 15.7 |Apr precipitation mm = 11.5 |May precipitation mm = 3.5 |Jun precipitation mm = 0.1 |Jul precipitation mm = 0.0 |Aug precipitation mm = 0.0 |Sep precipitation mm = 0.3 |Oct precipitation mm = 4.1 |Nov precipitation mm = 10.5 |Dec precipitation mm = 15.3 |Jan precipitation days = 7 |Feb precipitation days = 5 |Mar precipitation days = 6 |Apr precipitation days = 5 |May precipitation days = 3 |Jun precipitation days = 0 |Jul precipitation days = 0 |Aug precipitation days = 0 |Sep precipitation days = 0 |Oct precipitation days = 4 |Nov precipitation days = 5 |Dec precipitation days = 7 |source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organisation]] (UN)<ref name= WMO >{{cite web | url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/154/c01465.htm | title = World Weather Information Service – Karbala | accessdate = 1 January 2011 | publisher = United Nations }}</ref> |date=January 2011 }} ==History== ===Battle of Karbala=== {{main article|Battle of Karbala}} [[File:Destruction of the Tomb of Husain at Kerbela.jpg|thumb|200px|Destruction of the Tomb of Husain at Kerbela on the orders of Caliph [[al-Mutawakkil]].]] Karbala's prominence in Shia traditions is the result of the Battle of Karbala, fought on the site of the modern city on October 10, 680&nbsp;AD (10 Muharram 61&nbsp;AH). Both Imam Hussein ibn Ali and his brother [[Abbas ibn Ali]] were buried by the local Banī Asad tribe, at what later became known as the ''Mashhad Al-Hussein''. The battle itself occurred as a result of Husain's refusal of [[Yazid I]]'s demand for allegiance to his caliphate. The Kufan governor, Ubaydallah ibn Ziyad, sent thirty thousand horsemen against Imam Hussein as he traveled to Kufa. The horsemen, under 'Umar ibn Sa'd, were ordered to deny Imam Hussein and his followers water in order to force Imam Hussein to agree to give an oath of allegiance. On the 9th of Muharram, Imam Hussein refused, and asked to be given the night to pray. On 10 Muharram, Imam Hussein ibn Ali prayed the morning prayer and led his troops into battle along with his brother Abbas. Many of Hussein's followers, including all of his present sons Ali Akbar, Ali Asghar (six months old) and his nephews Qassim, Aun and Muhammad were killed.<ref>al-Tabari, Muhammad ibn Jarir – History of the Prophets and Kings; Volume XIX The Caliphate of Yazid ibn Muawiyah, translated by I.K.A Howard, SUNY Press, 1991</ref> In 63&nbsp;AH (682&nbsp;AD), Yazid ibn Mu'awiya released the surviving members of Imam Hussein's family from prison. On their way to the Mecca, they stopped at the site of the battle. There is record of Sulayman ibn Surad going on pilgrimage to the site as early as 65 AH (685 CE). The city began as a tomb and shrine to Hussein and grew as a city in order to meet the needs of pilgrims. The city and tombs were greatly expanded by successive Muslim rulers, but suffered repeated destruction from attacking armies. The original shrine was destroyed by the [[Abbasid]] Caliph [[Al-Mutawakkil]] in 850 but was rebuilt in its present form around 979, only to be partly destroyed by fire in 1086 and rebuilt yet again. ===Early modern=== {{see also|Wahhabi Muslims sack of Karbala}} Like [[Najaf]], the city suffered from severe water shortages that were only resolved in the early 18th century by building a dam at the head of the Husseiniyya Canal. In 1737, the city replaced [[Isfahan (city)|Isfahan]] in [[Iran]] as the main centre of Shia scholarship. In the mid-eighteenth century it was dominated by the dean of scholarship, [[Yusuf Al Bahrani]], a key proponent of the [[Akhbari]] tradition of Shia thought, until his death in 1772,<ref>Juan Cole, Sacred Space and Holy War, IB Tauris, 2007 p71-2</ref> after which the more state-centric [[Usuli]] school became more influential. The [[Wahhabi Muslim]] sack of Karbala occurred in 21 April 1802 (1216 Hijri) (1801<ref name="LOC">{{cite web|last1=Staff writers|title=The Saud Family and Wahhabi Islam, 1500-1818|url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/loc/sa/saud_wahhabi.htm|website=www.au.af.mil|accessdate=8 August 2016}}</ref>), under the rule of [[Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad]] the second ruler of the [[First Saudi State]], when 12,000 Wahhabi Muslims from [[Najd]] attacked the city of Karbala.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Martin |editor1-first=Richard C. |title=Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim world |date=2003 |publisher=Macmillan Reference USA |location=New York |isbn=0-02-865603-2 |edition=[Online-Ausg.] |oclc=52178942 }}</ref> The attack was coincident with the anniversary of [[The event of Ghadir Khumm|Ghadir Khum]] event,<ref name="Iranica">{{cite encyclopedia |last=Litvak |first=Meir |encyclopedia= Iranica Online |title=KARBALA |url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/karbala |access-date= |language= |edition= |date= |year=2010 |publisher=|id=}}</ref> or 10 [[Muharram]].<ref name="Seyyed">{{cite book|last1=Khatab|first1=Sayed|title=Understanding Islamic Fundamentalism: The Theological and Ideological Basis of Al-Qa'ida's Political Tactics|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-977-416-499-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KBYnDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74&dq=1802+fall+of+karbala&hl=en |accessdate=11 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> This fight left 3000-5000 deaths and the dome of the tomb of [[Husayn ibn Ali]], grandson of [[Muhammad]] and son of [[Ali bin Abi Talib]],<ref name="Seyyed"/> was destroyed. The fight lasted for 8 hours.<ref name="Alexei">{{cite book|last1=Vassiliev|first1=Alexei|title=The History of Saudi Arabia|publisher=Saqi|isbn=978-0-86356-779-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lEIhBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT81&dq=Wahhabi+sack+of+Karbala&hl=en |accessdate=9 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> After the [[First Saudi State]] invasion, the city enjoyed semi-autonomy during Ottoman rule, governed by a group of gangs and mafia variously allied with members of the 'ulama. In order to reassert their authority, the Ottoman army laid siege to the city. On January 13, 1843 Ottoman troops entered the city. Many of the city leaders fled leaving defense of the city largely to tradespeople. About 3,000 Arabs were killed in the city, and another 2,000 outside the walls (this represented about 15% of the city's normal population). The Turks lost 400 men.<ref>Cole, Juan R.I. and Moojan Momen. 1986. "Mafia, Mob and Shiism in Iraq: The Rebellion of Ottoman Karbala 1824-1843." Past & Present. No 112: 112-143.</ref> This prompted many students and scholars to move to [[Najaf]], which became the main Shia religious centre.<ref>Cole, Juan R. I. Sacred Space and Holy War: the Politics, Culture and History of Shi'ite Islam. London: I.B. Tauris, 2002.</ref> Between 1850 and 1903, Karbala enjoyed a generous influx of money through the [[Awadh Bequest]]. The Shia ruled Indian Province of [[Awadh]], known by the British as Oudh, had always sent money and pilgrims to the holy city. The Oudh money, 10 million rupees, originated in 1825 from the Awadh [[Nawab]] [[Ghazi-ud-Din Haider]]. One third was to go to his wives, and the other two thirds went to holy cities of Karbala and Najaf. When his wives died in 1850, the money piled up with interest in the hands of the British [[East India Company]]. The EIC sent the money to Karbala and Najaf per the wives' wishes, in the hopes of influencing the [[Ulama]] in Britain's favor. This effort to curry favor is generally considered to have been a failure.<ref>A Failed Manipulation: The British, the Oudh Bequest and the Shī'ī 'Ulamā' of Najaf and Karbalā'. Meir Litvak, British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, {{jstor|826171}}</ref> [[File:Karbala 07402u.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Mosque in Karbala (1932)]] Karbala's development was strongly influenced by the [[Persian people|Persians]], who were the dominant community for many years (making up 75%{{Citation needed|date=August 2007}} of the city's population by the early 20th century). The Kammouna family were custodians of the shrines for many years and effectively ran the city until it fell under the control of the [[British Empire]] in 1915. While the Kammouna family surrendered rule over to the British and sought to work for and with the British, many notable Karbala clans continues to oppose the foreign invasion. One such clan is the historically well-known Karbala clan of Awad who has been inhabitants of the city for some 500 years.<ref>Direct primary source of survivor</ref> They, alongside others, fought directly against the British. According to the writings of [[Gertrude Bell]],<ref>Writings of Gurtrude Bell</ref> some of the Awad clan's sheikhs were banished after the control of the city for many years before returning to re-establish their land and community prestige.<ref>Surviving sheik's first hand recall in Karbala</ref> The Awad Clan has historically been noted as one of the only clans in Karbala to actively oppose the British control and remain an influential family in the city to this day. The association of the city with Shia religious traditions led to it being treated with suspicion by Iraq's [[Sunni]] rulers. Under [[Saddam Hussein]]'s rule, Shia religious observances in the city were greatly restricted and many non-Iraqi Shia were not permitted to travel there at all. In March 1991, the city was badly damaged and many killed when a [[1991 Uprising in Karbala|rebellion by local Shia]] was put down with great force by [[Saddam Hussein|Saddam]]'s regime. The shrines and surrounding houses, cemeteries, and hospitals became riddled with machine gun fire and military shelling. By April 1991, Saddam Hussein began an intense demolition project around the shrines in order to create a concrete perimeter. This "sanitary zone" created a wide open space in between and around the shrines. The shrines were rebuilt by 1994.<ref>https://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1992/Iraq926.htm</ref> After the [[United States Military]] Forces invaded Iraq in 2003, the administration allowed for foreign Shia pilgrims to an unrestricted Ashura pilgrimage in decades. Tens of thousands of Shia Muslims from other countries visited US embassies to get visit visas to attend Ashura in Karbala. The 2004 pilgrimage was the largest for decades, with over a million people attending from all over the world but mainly Iraqis. It was marred by bomb attacks on March 2, 2004, now known as the [[Ashoura massacre]], which killed and wounded hundreds despite tight security in the city. A big [[Shia Islam|Shia]] festival passed off peacefully amid fears of possible violence that brought thousands of troops and police into the city. Hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims who had come together to celebrate the [[Mid-Sha`ban|Shaabaniya ritual]] began leaving the southern city after September 9, 2006 climax ended days of chanting, praying and feasting. Heavy presence by police and Iraqi troops seemed to have kept out suicide bombers who have disrupted previous rituals. On April 14, 2007, a car bomb exploded about {{convert|600|ft|m|abbr=on}} from the shrine, killing 47<ref>{{cite news |first=Lily |last=Hamourtziadou |title='A Week in Iraq' |url=http://iraqbodycount.org/editorial/weekiniraq/40/ |publisher=iraqbodycount.org |date=2007-04-15 |accessdate=2007-04-15 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070429005149/http://www.iraqbodycount.org/editorial/weekiniraq/40/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-04-29}}</ref> and wounding over 150. On January 19, 2008, 2 million [[Iraq]]i [[Shia]] [[pilgrim]]s marched through Karbala city, [[Iraq]] to commemorate [[Day of Ashura|Ashura]]. 20,000 Iraqi troops and police guarded the event amid tensions due to clashes between Iraqi troops and Shia which left 263 people dead (in [[Basra]] and [[Nasiriya]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7197473.stm|title=Iraqi Shia pilgrims mark holy day|date=19 January 2008|publisher=|via=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> ==Main sights== [[File:Imam Hussein Camp.JPG|thumb|Imam Hussein Camp]] * [[Al Abbas Mosque]] * [[Imam Husayn Shrine]] * Karbala International Airport: The foundation stone of Karbala International Airport was laid by [[Shaikh Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbala'i]], a representative of Grand Ayatollah [[Ali as-Sistani]], and Chief Cleric of Imam Hussein Holy Shrine. It is being constructed by the [[United Kingdom]]'s [[Aeronautical Message Handling System#Implementations|Copperchase Ltd.]], and designed by the [[France|French]] ADBI Company. The airport is located between Karbala and Najaf, about {{convert|35|km|mile|abbr=in}} south of Karbala. At {{convert|4.5|km|mile|abbr=in}}, the airport's [[runway]] is the longest of its kind in Iraq. It will operate for the sole purpose of serving the pilgrims of the Mosques of Imam Hussein and Abbas. By the end of 2018, the airport is expected to be operational.<ref>{{cite web |author=Khalid Al Ansary |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-24/u-k-company-building-iraq-airport-to-fly-millions-of-pilgrims |title=U.K. Company Building Iraq Airport to Fly Millions of Pilgrims|publisher=Bloomberg |date=January 24, 2017 |accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=AFP |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/181215-Iraq-builds-new-airport-in-Karbala-to-handle-pilgrims |title=Iraq builds new airport in Karbala to handle pilgrims |publisher=The News |date=January 23, 2017 |accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ali Tekmaji |url=http://im.imamhussain.org/english/reports/5990 |title=Representative of Supreme Religious Authority lays foundation stone of Karbala Int’l Airport |publisher=Imam Hussein Holy Shrine |date=January 24, 2017 |accessdate=January 25, 2017}}</ref> * [[Ruins of Mujada]], about {{convert|40|km|mile|abbr=in}} to the west of the city<ref name="Al-Shirazi">[http://www.alshirazi.net/karbala/torath/04.htm منارة موجدة «مَعلَمٌ حددت وظيفته تسميته»]. ''Al-Shirazi''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.</ref><ref name="Holy Karbala">[http://www.holykarbala.net/v2/index.php/ar/%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A9-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%82%D8%AF%D8%B3%D8%A9-3/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B2%D8%A9/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%AB%D8%A7%D8%B1/258-%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%A9 الآثار منارة موجدة]. ''Holy Karbala''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.</ref> ==Religious beliefs== ===Mesopotamia in the Quran=== {{See also|Dhul-Kifl|Harut and Marut|Idris (prophet)|Noah in Islam|Tower of Babel in Islamic tradition}} [[File:Meso2mil-English.JPG|thumb|A map of [[Mesopotamia]] in the 3rd millennium BCE, showing [[Nineveh]] (the ''qaryah'' ({{lang-ar|قَـريَـة}}, town) of [[Jonah in Islam|Yunus]])),<ref name="Cite quran|10|98|t=y|s=ns"/><ref name="IbnHisham, V.1, P.419–421"/><ref name=SycOrth/> [[Tell al-Rimah|Qattara (or Karana)]], [[Dūr-Katlimmu]], [[Assur]], [[Arrapha]], [[Terqa]], [[Nuzi]], [[Mari, Syria|Mari]], [[Eshnunna]], [[Dur-Kurigalzu]], [[Der (Sumer)|Der]], [[Sippar]], [[Babylon]], [[Kish (Sumer)|Kish]], [[Susa]], [[Borsippa]], [[Nippur]], [[Isin]], [[Uruk]], [[Larsa]] and [[Ur]], from north to south. Note the relative proximity of Babylon and Sippar to [[Lake Milh]], which is near Karbala.<ref name="Risk2008"/><ref name="UF2004"/>]] Some Shi'ites consider this verse of the [[Quran]] to refer to Iraq, land of the Shi'ite sacred sites of [[Kufa]]h,<ref name="Tabatabaei1979">{{Cite book |title=Shi'ite Islam |last=Tabatabaei |first=Sayyid Mohammad Hosayn |publisher=Suny Press |year=1979 |isbn=978-0-87395-272-9 |location= |pages=192}}</ref><ref name="Kamil2008">{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher=Shiabooks.ca Press |pages=66–67}}</ref> [[Najaf]], Karbala, [[Kadhimiyyah]]{{efn|Kadhimyyah used to be a township of its own, but is now a part of the city of Baghdad.<ref name="EOIAH, Kadhimiyyah">{{Cite web |title=Kadhimiya |work=Encyclopaedia of Iranian Architectural History |language=fa |url=http://iranshahrpedia.ir/view/9341 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003210802/http://iranshahrpedia.ir/view/9341 |archivedate=3 October 2015 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref>}} and [[Samarra]],<ref name="AI2006">{{cite web |title=History of the Shrine of Imam Ali al-Naqi & Imam Hasan Al-Askari, Peace Be Upon Them |work=Al-Islam.org |url=http://www.al-islam.org/shrines/samarra.htm |accessdate=23 February 2006 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060223121838/http://www.al-islam.org/shrines/samarra.htm |archivedate= 23 February 2006 <!--DASHBot-->|deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="BBC2007Unesco">{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6248244.stm | publisher=[[BBC News]] | title=Unesco names World Heritage sites | date=2007-06-28 | accessdate=2010-05-23}}</ref> since the [[Tauhid|Monotheist]]ic preachers [[Abraham in Islam|Ibrāhīm]] ({{lang-ar|إِبـرَاهِـيـم}}, [[Abraham]]) and [[Lot in Islam|Lūṭ]] ({{lang-ar|لُـوط}}, [[Lot (biblical person)|Lot]]),<ref name="Cite quran|26|160|e=174|s=ns">{{cite quran|26|160|e=174|s=ns}}</ref> who are regarded as [[Prophets in Islam]],<ref name="Wheeler2002">{{cite book |last=Wheeler |first=Brannon M. |title=Prophets in the Quran: an introduction to the Quran and Muslim exegesis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qIDZIep-GIQC&pg=PA8#v=snippet&q=%2225+prophets+mentioned+by+name%22&f=false |series=Comparative Islamic studies |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-8264-4957-3 |pages=1–393}}</ref> are believed to have lived in the [[ancient Iraq]]i city of [[Ur]],<ref name="MAH">History of Islam by Professor Masudul Hasan</ref> before going to ''[[Al-Arḍ Al-Mubārakah]]'' ({{lang-ar|الأَرض الـمُـبَـارَكَـة}}, "The Blessed Land ").<ref name="Cite quran|21|51|e=75|s=ns">{{cite quran|21|51|e=75|s=ns}}</ref> {{quote|But we delivered him (Ibrahim) and Lut (from their [[Shirk (Islam)|Polytheistic opponents]]), and directed them to the [[Holy Land|land which we have blessed]] for the Worlds.|[[Qur'an]]|{{Quran-usc|21|71}}}} Aside from the story of Abraham and Lot in [[Ancient Mesopotamian polytheism|Polytheistic]]<ref name="Brit, AMR">{{cite web |author=Jacobsen, Thorkild |title=Mesopotamian religion |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mesopotamian-religion}}</ref> [[Mesopotamia]],<ref name="MAH"/><ref name="Cite quran|21|51|e=75|s=ns"/> there are passages in the Quran about ''[[Al-Jūdiyy Al-Munzal Al-Mubārak]]'' ({{lang-ar|الـجُـودِيّ الـمُـنـزَل الـمُـبَـارَك}}, The Judi the 'blessed' landing-place),<ref name="Cite quran|11|44|t=y|s=ns">{{cite quran|11|44|t=y|s=ns}}</ref><ref name="Cite quran|23|23|e=30|s=ns">{{cite quran|23|23|e=30|s=ns}}</ref><ref name="Lewis1984">J. P. Lewis, ''Noah and the Flood: In Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Tradition'', The Biblical Archaeologist, December 1984, p.237</ref> [[Babil]]<ref name="Cite quran|2|102|t=y|s=ns">{{cite quran|2|102|t=y|s=ns}}</ref><ref name=JE>[[Morris Jastrow]], Ira Maurice Price, [[Marcus Jastrow]], [[Louis Ginzberg]], and [[Duncan Black MacDonald|Duncan B. MacDonald]]; "[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/2279-babel-tower-of Babel, Tower of]", ''[[Jewish Encyclopedia]]''; Funk & Wagnalls, 1906.</ref> and ''[[Qaryaṫ Yūnus]]'' ({{lang-ar|قَـريَـة يُـونُـس}}, "Town of [[Jonah in Islam|Jonah]]").<ref name="Cite quran|10|98|t=y|s=ns">{{cite quran|10|98|t=y|s=ns}}</ref><ref name="IbnHisham, V.1, P.419–421">Summarized from the book of story of Muhammad by [[Ibn Hisham]] Volume 1 pg.419–421</ref><ref name=SycOrth>{{cite web|title=Three Day Fast of Nineveh |url=http://syrianorthodoxchurch.org/news/2011/02/10/three-day-fast-of-nineveh/ |publisher=Syrian orthodox Church |accessdate=1 February 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025123007/http://syrianorthodoxchurch.org/news/2011/02/10/three-day-fast-of-nineveh/ |archivedate=2012-10-25}}</ref> ===''[[Ahadith]]''=== There are many [[Shia|Shi'ite]] traditions which narrate the status of Karbala: {{quote|"Karbala, where [[Husayn ibn Ali|your grandson]] and his family will be killed, is the most blessed and sacred land on Earth, and it is one of the valleys of Paradise."<ref>{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher= Shiabooks.ca Press |page=545 |chapter=Addendum before chapter 89}}</ref> |The archangel [[Gabriel]]}} {{quote|"God chose the land of Karbala as a safe and blessed sanctuary, twenty-four thousand years before He created the land of the [[Ka'bah]] and chose it as a sanctuary. Verily it [Karbala] will shine among the gardens of Paradise, like a shining star shines among the stars for the people of Earth."<ref>{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher= Shiabooks.ca Press |page=534 |chapter=88}}</ref> |[[Zayn al-Abidin|‘Alī Zaynul-‘Ābidīn]]}} {{quote|"Not one night passes in which [[Gabriel]] and [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]] do not go to visit him [Husayn]."<ref>{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Milani |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher= Shiabooks.ca Press |page=536 |chapter=88}}</ref> |[[Ja'far al-Sadiq|Ja‘far as-Sādiq]]}} Also there are many Sunni traditions which narrate the status of Husayn: * Abu Huraira narrated: "The Prophet looked toward Ali, Hasan, Husain, and Fatimah, and then said: "I am in war with those who will fight you, and in peace with those who are peaceful to you.""<ref>Sahih al-Tirmidhi, v5, p699</ref><ref>Sunan Ibn Majah, v1, p52</ref> * "The Messenger of Allah said: "Husain is from me and I am from Husain.""<ref>Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, v4, p172</ref><ref>Fadha'il al-Sahaba, by Ahmad Hanbal, v2, p772, Tradition #1361</ref> * "The Messenger of Allah said: "He who loves Al-Hasan and Al-Husain, has loved me, and he who makes them angry has made me angry.""<ref>Sunan Ibn Majah,</ref><ref>Al-Mustadrak, by Al-Hakim, from Abu Hurairah</ref><ref>Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, as quoted in:</ref><ref>al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar Haythami, Ch. 11, section 3, p292</ref> Thus the tomb of the martyred Imam has acquired this great significance in Shi'ite tradition because the Imam and his fellow martyrs are seen as models of jihad in the way of God. Shi'ites believe that Karbala is one of the holiest places on Earth according to the following traditions (among others): * The angel [[Gabriel]] narrated to [[Muhammad]] that:<ref name="kamil01"/> {{quote|text=Karbala, where your [[Hussein ibn Ali|grandson]] and his family will be martyred, is one of the most blessed and the most sacred lands on Earth, and it is one of the valleys of Paradise.}} * The fourth [[Imamah (Shia doctrine)|Shi'ite Imam]], that is [[Zayn al-Abidin]] narrated:<ref>{{cite book |last=al-Qummi |first=Ja'far ibn Qūlawayh |translator=Sayyid Mohsen al-Husaini al-Mīlāni |title=Kāmil al-Ziyārāt |year=2008 |publisher= Shiabooks.ca Press |page=534}}</ref> {{quote|text=God chose the land of Karbalā’ as a safe and blessed sanctuary twenty-four thousand years before He created the land of the [[Ka'bah]] and chose it as a sanctuary. Verily it (Karbala) will shine among the gardens of Paradise like a shining star shines among the stars for the people of Earth.}} * In this regard, Imam [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]] narrates, 'Allah, the Almighty, has made the dust of my ancestor's grave - Imam Husain (a.s.) as a cure for every sickness and safety from every fear.'<ref>Amali by [[Shaykh Tusi]], vol. 1 pg. 326</ref> * It is narrated from Imam Ja'far that: "The earth of the pure and holy grave of Hussein ibn ‘Ali (a.s) is a pure and blessed musk. For those who consume it, it is a cure for every ailment, and if our enemy uses it then he will melt the way fat melts, when you intend to consume that pure earth recite the following supplication"<ref>Mustadrakul Wasail, vol. 10, pg 339-40 tradition 2; Jadid Makarimul Akhlaq pg.189; Beharul Anwaar vol. 101, tradition 60</ref> * The [[Live like Ali, die like Hussein|famous quote]]: "Every day is [[Ashura]], every land is Karbala." ==Culture== ===Sports=== [[Karbalaa FC]] is a football club based in Karbala. ===Media=== There are many references in books in films to "Karbala", generally referring to Hussein's death at the Battle of Karbala. Hussein is often depicted on a white horse impaled by arrows. There are films and documentaries about the events of Karbala in both animated and realistic form (see external links "Karbala: When the Skies Wept Blood"; "Safar-e-Karbala"). Video footage of the actual city exists in a British documentary entitled "Saddam's Killing Fields."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxhK9XfDKk|title=YouTube|publisher=}}</ref> The documentary shows the March 1991 destruction of the city by Saddam's army through the video camera of two brothers who lived in the city. ===University=== {{main article|Ahlulbait University College}} [[Hawza]] are the Islamic education institutions that are run collectively by mujtahid or Allamas to teach Shia Muslims and guide them through the rigorous journey of becoming and Alim. In terms of the hawaz in Karbala, After the death of a renowned Alama, the Sayyid Muhammad, the leadership in terms of teacher shifted to taqlid to mujtahid. This was a significant factor that lead to the leadership of Ulama to reside in Karbala and as well as Najaf. Initially Karbala's hawza (Islamic education institution) consisted mostly of Iranians and Turkish Ulama. After the death of Sharif-ul-Ulama Mazandarani in 1830 and the repression of the shia population by the Ottomans in 1843 both played an important role in the relocation of many Ulamas and thus Najaf becoming the center of Shia Islamic leadership in education.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Shi'i Scholars of Nineteenth Century: The Ulama of Najaf and Karbala|last=Litvak|first=Meir|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1998|isbn=0-521-62356-1|location=United Kingdom|pages=51–141}}</ref> As of now, there are two universities in Karbala. University of [https://web.archive.org/web/20171010075548/http://en.uokerbala.edu.iq/index.php/about-us-uni Karbala], which was inaugurated on March 1, 2002, is one of the top most universities in Iraq regarding academic administration, human resources, and scientific research.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://en.uokerbala.edu.iq/index.php/about-us-uni|title=Karbala University: A General View|last=|first=|date=|website=University of Karbala|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010075548/http://en.uokerbala.edu.iq/index.php/about-us-uni|archive-date=2017-10-10|dead-url=yes|access-date=2017-04-21}}</ref> The [http://www.ahlulbaitonline.com/karbala/index.php Ahlulbait International University] was founded in September 2003 by Dr. Mohsen Saleh Mohammed Baqir al-Qazwini. The university has three major focuses: Faculty of Law, Arts, and Islamic Law. Other majors of education such as medicine, agriculture, informatics etc. are still in the developing stages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ahlulbaitonline.com/karbala/index.php|title=Founder of University|last=|first=|date=|website=University of Ahlulbait|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827005442/http://www.ahlulbaitonline.com/karbala/index.php|archive-date=2012-08-27|dead-url=yes|access-date=2017-04-21}}</ref> Warith al-Anbiya University in Karbala, has recently been established under a project of Imam Hussein Holy Shrine, having the faculties of engineering, administration, economics, law and pathology, which is ready to receive students for the first academic year 2017-2018.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ali Tekmaji| url=http://im.imamhussain.org/english/reports/7306|title= Karbala opens new advanced academic university|publisher=Imam Hussein Holy Shrine (International Media) |date=September 20, 2017 |accessdate=September 23, 2017}}</ref> ===Indian subcontinent=== In the [[Indian subcontinent]] ''Karbala'' apart from meaning the city of Karbala (which is usually referred to as ''Karbala-e-Mualla'' meaning Karbala the exalted), also means local grounds where commemorative processions end and/or ''[[Ta'zieh#Ta'zīya in India|ta'zīya]]'' are buried during Ashura or Arba'een, usually such grounds will have ''shabeeh'' (copy) of ''Rauza'' or some other structures.<ref>[http://ora.ouls.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid%3A8307ae11-21a4-4a2e-95b0-cb76d59212fb/datastreams/ATTACHMENT03 (Re-)defining Some Genre-Specific Words: Evidence from some English Texts about Ashura], Muhammad-Reza Fakhr-Rohani, University of Qom, Iran</ref><ref>A citation from Fruzzetti, "Muslim Rituals," for this use of Karbala is as follows: "The Muslims then proceed to 'Karbala' to bury the flowers which were used to decorate the tazziyas, the tazziyas themselves being kept for the next year's celebration." (pp. 108-109).</ref> In South Asia where ''ta'zīya'' refer to specifically to the miniature mausoleums used in processions held in Muharram. It all started from the fact that the great distance of India from Karbala prevented Indian Shi'is being buried near the tomb of Imam Husayn or making frequent pilgrimages(ziyarat) to the tomb. This is the reason why Indian Shi'is established local karbalas on the subcontinent by bringing soil from Karbala and sprinkling it on lots designated as future cemeteries. Once the karbalas were established on the subcontinent, the next step was to bring Husayn's tomb-shrine to India. This was established by building replicas of Husayn's mausoleum called ''ta'zīya'' to be carried in Muharram processions. Thousands of ''ta'zīyas'' in various shapes and sizes are made every year for the months of mourning of Muharram and Safar; and are carried in processions and may be buried at the end of Ashura or Arbain.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Behrens-Abouseif|first1=Doris|last2=Vernoit|first2=Stephen|title=Islamic Art in the 19th Century: Tradition, Innovation, And Eclecticism|publisher=BRILL|isbn=9004144420|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A4q58Af5zAoC&pg=PA413&lpg=PA413&dq=taziya+in+India&source=web&ots=257T8R-z6A&sig=J4SYzj-ECvzG-gZ1-y3ifbZqxDo&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#v=onepage&q=taziya%20in%20India&f=false|accessdate=12 August 2016|language=en}}</ref> ==See also== * [[Battle of Karbala]] * [[1991 Uprising in Karbala]] * [[2003 Karbala bombings]] * [[2004 Iraq Ashura bombings]] * [[2007 Karbala bombings]] * [[Arba'een]] * [[Ashura]] * [[Karbala, Iran]] * [[Karbala, Fars]] * [[Karbala, Zanjan]] ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==Further reading== ;Published in the 19th century * {{cite book |title=Dictionnaire geographique, historique, descriptif, acheologique des pèlerinages anciens et modernes |year=1859 |location=Paris |language=French |editor=Louis de Sivry |chapterurl= https://books.google.com/books?id=jRsAAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA859|chapter=Karbala }} ;Published in the 20th century * {{Citation |publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica |publication-place = New York |title = The Encyclopædia Britannica |publication-date = 1910 |oclc = 14782424 |edition=11th |chapterurl = https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediabri15chisrich#page/752/mode/2up |chapter = Kerbela }} ;Published in the 21st century * {{cite book |title=Historic Cities of the Islamic World |editor=C. Edmund Bosworth |year=2007 |publisher=[[Koninklijke Brill]] |location=Leiden |chapter=Karbala }} * {{Citation |publisher = [[ABC-CLIO]] |publication-place = Santa Barbara, USA |editor1 = Michael R.T. Dumper |editor2=Bruce E. Stanley |title = Cities of the Middle East and North Africa |publication-date = 2008 |chapter= Karbala }} ==External links== {{Commons category|Karbala}} {{Wikivoyage}} *[http://www.sacred-destinations.com/iraq/karbala.htm Shia Shrines of Karbala] - Sacred Destinations *[http://www.123shayari.com/category/karbala-shayari/ Shia Karbala Poetry] *[https://archive.is/20130108100039/http://indianmuslims.in/karbala-a-lesson-for-mankind/ Karbala - A Lesson for Mankind] *[http://www.smsblaze.com/category/karbala-sms/ Karbala Quotes and Sayings] *[http://minhaj-al-nubuwwah.cf/karbala.html Karbala and Martyrdom] *[http://twelvershia.net/2016/01/29/karbala-the-facts-and-the-fairytales/ Karbala - The Facts and the Fairy-tales] {{Coord|32|37|N|44|02|E|type:city|display=title}} {{Districts of Iraq}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Holy cities]] [[Category:Karbala| ]] [[Category:Shia holy cities]] [[Category:Populated places in Karbala Province]] [[Category:District capitals of Iraq]] [[Category:Cities in Iraq]] [[Category:Levant]]'