Najaf Attractions

Najaf Attractions: A Beacon of Beauty and Spirituality

What we need to know about the Najaf attractions:

• General introduction to the city of Najaf
• Pilgrimage and sightseeing places of Najaf Ashraf
• Getting to know the markets of Najaf

General Introduction to the City of Najaf

Najaf is one of the major pilgrimage cities in Iraq, home to the shrine of the first Shiite Imam, Hazrat Ali. Each year, this city welcomes many visitors and travelers, with the number reaching several million during the days of Arbaeen and the anniversaries of Imam Ali’s birth and martyrdom.

After their pilgrimage, visitors often seek to explore the historical and natural attractions of Najaf. Knowing the best places to visit in Najaf helps travelers select the most suitable spots for relaxation and enjoyment following their pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage and Sightseeing Places of Najaf Ashraf

The primary goal for travelers and pilgrims upon arriving in Najaf Ashraf is to visit the sacred pilgrimage sites, among which the following are of utmost importance:

Shrine of Hazrat Ali

The holy grave of the first Shiite Imam Ali is located in Najaf Ashraf. The shrine is surrounded by four courtyards, designed by Iranian engineers.

• The first courtyard is associated with the graves of religious scholars.
• The second courtyard contains cells that were once the residences of students (Tuolab).
• The other courtyards also include various pilgrimage sites that visitors can explore.

Pilgrimage and Sightseeing Places of Najaf Ashraf

The primary goal of travelers and pilgrims upon entering the city of Najaf Ashraf is to visit the pilgrimage sites. Among these, the following are considered the most important:

The Location of the Shrine of Hazrat Ali in Najaf

Al-Ras Mosque

Al-Ras Mosque is situated to the west of Hazrat Ali’s shrine. According to some sources, this mosque is located above the head of Hazrat Ali, which is why it is named Al-Ras Mosque. Pilgrims visiting Najaf can also visit Al-Ras Mosque. According to a narration by Imam Sadiq, the mosque was named because it is believed to be the burial site of Imam Hussain’s head.

Al-Hannanah Mosque

Hanana Mosque is another significant site in Najaf. One important tradition about the Hanana Mosque is that its ground began to wail in mourning for the Imams.

According to tradition, the ground wept during the funeral of Hazrat Ali and again during the martyrdom of Imam Hussain when his blessed head was placed there. “Hanana” literally means “weeping,” and today, this mosque is considered a blessed place for the people of Iraq.

The graves of Adam and Noah

Regarding the places of interest in Najaf, it can be said that the presence of the graves of Adam and Noah in this city attracts pilgrims eager to visit this destination.
A narration from Imam Sadiq (a.s.) also shows that the graves of Adam and Noah are located in this city: Know that whenever you visit Hazrat Ali , you also visit Hazrat Adam and Noah.

Wadi-us-Salaam Cemetery

This cemetery is located in the northeastern part of Najaf. There are many traditions about visiting this cemetery. Some traditions say that this place was the burial place of prophets and righteous people.

It is interesting to know that one of the best places to visit in Najaf Ashraf is the Wadi al-Salam cemetery, which is more than a thousand years old. This tomb is attributed to Hazrat Hud and Saleh. The proximity of this cemetery to the shrine of Hazrat Ali leads pilgrims to this place.

Namrod Tower

Namrod Tower is a brick structure with a cellar and underground area. It is situated above the village of Dhil al-Kafel and near the Shat. According to various traditions, Hazrat Ibrahim lit a fire from the top of Namrod Tower.

Despite significant damage, the tower still stands. If you are interested in historical structures, consider including Namrod Tower in your visit to Najaf.

Moza-al-Asbaein

One of the sacred sites within the shrine of Hazrat Ali is Mozea-al-Asbaein.

At this location, there is a sign in the form of a small valve and a metal plate shaped like an altar, known as Mozea-al-Asbaein.

Tomb of Sheikh Tusi

Another of the top attractions in Najaf is the tomb of Sheikh Tusi, located near the shrine.

Initially, the tomb of Sheikh Tusi was known as a house. Over time, it was converted into a mosque and, during various periods, it became an important center for teaching in Najaf.

Interestingly, the tomb of Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabai (Bahrul Uloom) is situated in a corner of this mosque.

The Maqam of Sahib al-Zaman

The Maqam of Sahib al-Zaman (A.S.), also known as the Maqam of Hazrat Mahdi, is located along the Wadi al-Salam road. This pilgrimage site is regarded as a blessed place, and its green dome is a well-known symbol for Shiites around the world.

The Maqam of Zain al-Abidin

The Maqam of Zain al-Abidin , also known as Seyyed Al-Sajdin, is one of the renowned places in Najaf. This site features a large mosque that pilgrims can visit. The Maqam of Zain al-Abidin is one of the four main neighborhoods in Najaf, and every year, pilgrims travel to Najaf Ashraf to visit it.

It is narrated that Imam Zain al-Abidin used to pray and worship at this location several times while visiting his grandfather, Hazrat Ali.

Indian Mosque

The Indian Mosque is another notable attraction in Najaf. One of the largest mosques in the city, it serves as an important seminary and teaching center. Rebuilt in 1323, the mosque now welcomes pilgrims and Shiites from around the world. The Muharram mourning ceremony is held annually at this blessed site, which is located next to the library of Ayatollah Hakim.

Khawarnaq Palace

Located in the eastern part of Najaf, Khawarnaq Palace was built by order of one of the Lakhm kings. This site is considered one of Najaf’s attractions and is listed among the thirty wonders of the world. The construction of the palace took approximately 30 years.

Eyvan Ulama

Eyvan Ulama is situated in the middle of the northern side of Hazrat Ali’s portico. Many distinguished scholars of Najaf are buried here, which is why the site is known by this name. Since Eyvan Ulama is located within the portico of Imam Ali , many pilgrims visit it alongside the Holy Shrine of the First Shiite Imam.

Bahr-E-Najaf

One of Najaf’s key attractions is Bahr-E-Najaf, a valuable water reservoir. Given the city’s hot weather, the lake provides a refreshing place for pilgrims and travelers to cool off. Located to the west of Najaf, Bahr-E-Najaf offers not only favorable weather but also a picturesque view of towering palm trees, making it a charming destination.

Getting to know the markets of Najaf

Shopping is one of the most enjoyable parts of travel. In Najaf, in addition to pilgrimage, you can explore the city’s bazaars to buy souvenirs and enjoy the unique atmosphere of its markets.

The “Grand Bazaar” as its name suggests, is considered the main market of Najaf Ashraf. If you have limited time and can visit only one market, we recommend the Najaf Grand Bazaar.

In the Najaf market, you can find a variety of products, including gold, handicrafts, clothing, shoes, and tents.

Najaf Grand Bazaar also offers delicious local and traditional foods, including a wide range of sweets that will delight visitors. If you enjoy trying new foods, be sure to visit Najaf Grand Bazaar and experience its traditional cuisine.

Booking Flights from Mashhad to Najaf with Online Travel Services

The popularity of Najaf among Iranians and the interest of people from Iran and Iraq in fostering cultural interactions make the Mashhad-Najaf flight route one of the most in-demand routes with Fly Sepehran. By offering online services for the Mashhad-Najaf flight, we aim to enhance your travel experience and provide you with a memorable journey by air. Services such as seat selection and additional baggage purchase are available to improve the quality of your trip and enhance your air travel experience.

For booking a flight from Mashhad to Najaf, Fly Sepehran is the best choice to enjoy high-quality service and affordable prices, ensuring a comfortable trip to one of the most popular religious tourism destinations.

Conclusion

Najaf Ashraf is one of the pilgrimage cities of Iraq, where many Shiites travel to this city every year to visit the shrine of Hazrat (Ali) and other blessed graves. In this article, we briefly mentioned the najaf attractions so that you can get enough information in this field if needed.