The Role of Political and Religious Authorities in the Sanctification of Karbala

Abstract

The killing of Hz. Husayn in Karbala is the common pain of all Muslims. Although this tragedy took place in the early periods, it has never been forgotten. Two important figures of the Ahl al-Bayt who are also the two imams of Shia Muslims, Ali and Husayn, were killed at Kufa, as a result their followers attributed sanctity to this area. In the formation of this belief, the political and religious authorities have a significant share. These places are recognised as important shrines in the period of the Buwayhs and the Safawid. Moreover, the Shiite scholars have declared the importance of Kufa, Najaf and Karbala with various narratives. In this context, they have written books under the name "Ziyarat" and "Mazar" etc. One of the books is Kitab alMazar written by Shaykh Mufid, which is probably the most important amongst the books on this topic.. In this article, the virtue of Karbala in terms of the book of Sheikh Mufid will be examined.