Prophet (s)’s demise commemoration begins in Iraq

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Hundreds of thousands of mourning pilgrims from different parts of the country gathered at the holy Shrine of Hazrat Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib (AS) in the holy city of Najaf - the third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina - on Wednesday to mark the passing away anniversary of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAWW), for the first time in decades as such rituals had been banned under Saddam Hussein regime.

The Chief of Prophets, the Seal of Messengers, Mercy for the Worlds, Beloved of Allah, Father of the Mistress of the Women of the Worlds Hazrat Fatimah Zahra (SA), cousin and father-in-law of the Chief of Testamentary Executors Hazrat Imam Ali Ibne-e-Abi Talib (AS) and grandfather of the Chiefs of Youth of Paradise Hazrat Imam Hassan (AS) and Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) as well as of Hazrat Zaynab (SA) and Hazrat Umm-e-Kalsoum (SA), Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (SAWW) passed away on 28 Safar in the year 10 A.H. at the age of 63. Hazrat Ali al-Murtaza (AS) under took the washing and shrouding of his holy body and performed funeral prayer. Holy city of Medina, Saudi Arabia is home to the shrine of prophet (SAWW).

As the commemorative programs begin on Wednesday, multitudes of mourners paid rich homage to the prophet (SAWW) and offered their profound condolences in the respected court of Imam Ali ibn-e-Abi Talib Al-Murtaza (AS) on the demise of prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAWW) by beating their chests and heads, reciting elegies and shedding tears. This year 28 safar falls on first May Thursday.

Some mourning pilgrims, men, women and children, rode in buses and cars to the holy city of Najaf for the event observance while some barefoot trudged to the holy city.

Likewise, throngs of mourning pilgrims swarmed on the holy shrines of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and Hazrat Abbas (AS) in the holy city of Karbala, Hazrat Imam Mousa bin Jafar Al-Sadiq (AS) and Hazrat Imam Muhammad Taqi Al-Jawwad (AS) in Kazmyn Sharifyn and Hazrat Imam Ali bin Muhammad An-Naqi (AS) and Hazrat Imam Hassan Al-Askari (AS) in Samra for commemorating the event.

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