In Islam, there are several acts of Ibadat that help us to connect with the religion. Ziyarat is one such journey of faith that takes us to the core of Islam. The spiritual journey to the blessed sites holds great significance to the Muslims. In this blog, we’ll share some sacred sites in Iraq. If you are performing your journey with the Ziyarat packages make sure that you do not miss these places.
Ziyarat: Remembering the History of Islam
The Arabic word ‘Ziyarat’ refers to ‘visitation’ in English. It is not a mere visitation, rather it is a spiritual journey to the revered sites of Islamic history. By visiting these Holy sites, Muslims cherish the memories of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and other respected figures of Islam. When we talk about Ziyarat, after Mecca and Medina, the first place that comes to our mind is Iraq.
The Middle Eastern country holds a unique place in the hearts of Muslims. It houses one of the most revered destinations for Ziyarat that relate to the early history of Islam. Some of the most visited cities of Ziyarat are – Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, and Samarra, Kufa, etc. As millions of pilgrims perform Hajj and Umrah tours, a number of pilgrims also come to Iraq to perform Ziyarat. Through this holy journey, one can reflect on the teachings of Islam.
Places to Visit in Iraq
The cities of Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf, and Samarra, Kufa have some of the sacred sites of Islam and still carry the legacies of Islam. Let’s find out sites here –
- Baghdad Sharif: Baghdad, also known as the City of Peace, has seen the golden era of Islam. The city holds numerous sacred grounds that a ziyarat pilgrim should not miss. Some of these places are the shrines of Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani, Hazrat Sheikh Abu Saleh Jeelani, Hazrat Imam e Azam Abu Hanifa, Hazrat Imam Ghazali, Hazrat Sheikh Junaid Baghdadi, and Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari. These places are significant because they are connected with these revered personalities of Islam, and also, they carry the heritage of Islam. If you are performing Ziyarat in Baghdad visit these holy sites and connect with the history of your religion.
- Karbala Sharif: This sacred city of Iraq is renowned for its famous ziyarat places. One of the most famous holy sites of Karbala is the Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) who was the grandson of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Every year, millions of Muslims visit the holy place to pay homage. Within a short distance, there lies the Shrine of Hazrat Abbas (AS), who was the brother of Hussain (AS). While highlighting the ziyarat places of Karbala, we must not forget Tilla-e-Zainabia.
Located near the shrine of Imam Hussain (AS), the place holds the Shrine of his sister Hazrat Zainab. On the bank of the Euphrates River, there is Shaan-e-Furat which speaks about the tragedy of Karbala.
- Najaf Sharif: Najaf Sharif is a cherished destination for pilgrims who come to Iraq on a ziyarat journey. The city houses the shrine of Hazrat Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Muslims performing the holy journey with ziyarat Tour Packages from Kolkata or any other place in the world visit this sacred site and seek blessings at his tomb.
- Kufa: The ancient city of Iraq also boasts some of the famous ziyarat places. The Masjid e Kufa is one of the most visited sites among those. This was built by Hazrat Ali. Mehrab e Hazrat Ali is the spot where he prayed. There are other sites that connect with the early days of Islam.
As we visit these places, we must not forget the sacrifice of these revered personalities of Islam. They serve as a reminder of faith and carry the legacy of the religion.
Perform Ziyarat with Preparations
When you are performing ziyarat there are certain things that you must keep in mind. Here are some suggestions you can follow before starting your pilgrimage.
- Sincere Niyyah: First thing first, make sincere Niyyah for the sake of the Almighty Allah (SWT). This will help you to focus on your spiritual journey.
- Get Insights: After planning your journey, know the backgrounds of the places you are going to visit.
- Dress Modestly: Make sure you are wearing modest clothes. This will work as a sign of respect for the place.
Remember, when you are booking your ziyarat packages, be sure that your tour operator is a credible one that also provides cheap and luxury Hajj tours and Umrah tours to the pilgrims. These operators are experienced in the field of conducting pilgrimages.
Conclusion:
After Hajj and Umrah, Ziyarat is the most preferred pilgrimage in Islam. There are several places in Iraq that highlight the history of the religion. Pilgrims in their journey of ziyarat visit these revered places to connect with that history. In this blog, we have shared some of the famous sites of Iraq.
