The graves of Caliph ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib and Prophet Moosa

5-9-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Where is the body or the grave of Ali ibn Abi Taalib? Where is the grave of Prophet Moosa, may Allaah exalt his mention?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds.  I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is reported in Islamic history that ‘Ali  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him is buried in the graveyard of Al-Imaarah in the city of Al-Koofah in Iraq. Imaam Ibn Katheer  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him said, “The statement that his grave is in the city of An-Najaf is not correct, and there is no evidence that supports this view.” A well-known Muslim historian, Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdaadi  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him wrote that the famous grave in An-Najaf is the grave of the Companion Al-Mugheerah ibn Shu'bah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him not that of 'Ali  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him.

As for the location of the grave of Moosa, (Moses)  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention there are various opinions on this; some historians believe that his grave is near Ludd in Jerusalem, while others believe that his grave is in Damascus. It is also said that his grave is in Madyan, between Madeenah and Jerusalem, as reported by Ibn Hibbaan  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him. Ibn 'Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him is of the opinion that his and his brother Haaroon's grave are in the desert where the Children of Israel were caused to be lost by Allaah The Almighty near Jerusalem. He said, “No one knows the precise location of the grave of Moosa since the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, did not specify it in the narration below.”

Though the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned the area of the grave of Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention he did not pinpoint the location. It is reported in the book of Imaam Muslim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “I passed by Moosa  may  Allaah  exalt  his  mention on the occasion of Al-Israa' (Prophetic journey to Jerusalem) near the red mound (and found him) saying his prayer in his grave.

The opinion of Ibn 'Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him is the strongest opinion, since the other opinions are not substantiated with any evidence.

In conclusion, we would like our brother the questioner to know that spending time in this kind of research is not recommended, since a Muslim does not gain any benefit in his faith from these matters. Therefore, he is advised to busy himself in matters that would increase his faith and adherence to Islam.

Allaah Knows best.

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