Mausoleum of Muslim ibn Aqil (pbuh)-Kufa

Mausoleum of Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him) in Kufa: The Voice of Loyalty and Martyrdom

On the eastern side of the Great Mosque of Kufa stands a majestic shrine—an enduring symbol of sacrifice and betrayal. This is the mausoleum of Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him), the loyal envoy of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him), who was abandoned by the people of Kufa and martyred in solitude. Visitors to the mosque often stop in reverence at this shrine, reciting prayers and reflecting on his unwavering devotion.

Who Was Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him)?

Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him) was the son of Aqil ibn Abi Talib, the brother of Imam Ali (peace be upon him). He was also Imam Ali’s son-in-law, having married Lady Ruqayyah, the daughter of the Imam. Known for his piety, bravery, and intelligence, Muslim was chosen by Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) in 60 AH to travel to Kufa and assess the sincerity of the people who had invited the Imam to lead them.

Upon his arrival, thousands pledged allegiance to him. But soon after, the Umayyad governor Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad arrived and used fear, bribery, and threats to turn the people away. Eventually, Muslim was left with no supporters. He fought valiantly, but was captured, tortured, and martyred—thrown from the top of the governor’s palace in Kufa.

The History of the Shrine

Initially, Muslim’s body was buried near the governor’s palace by members of the Madhhij tribe. Later, al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi was the first to erect a structure over his grave. During the Buyid era, Adud al-Dawla expanded and renovated the tomb. The site was mentioned in the travel accounts of famous scholars like Ibn Jubayr and Ibn Battuta.

In the Safavid era, a noblewoman from Iran named Um Agha Khan donated a wooden lattice zarih (shrine structure), which was later replaced with a silver one. In the 13th century AH, scholars such as Shaykh Muhammad Hasan al-Najafi (author of Jawahir al-Kalam) oversaw renovations funded by Indian Shi’a patrons.

In the 1960s (1380s AH), the renowned scholar Sayyid Mohsin al-Hakim ordered a major restoration of the shrine, including the construction of a new gold-and-silver inlaid zarih in Isfahan, and the gilding of the shrine’s dome.

Architecture of the Mausoleum

The current mausoleum of Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him) features a wide courtyard, a tall golden dome approximately 29 meters in height, and a silver zarih over the grave. The shrine has three surrounding arcades and an ornate entrance connected to the main courtyard of the mosque. The southern wing of the shrine connects to the tomb of al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi, while Hani ibn Urwah’s grave is also nearby.

Together, these three shrines create a spiritually rich environment for pilgrims who honor the legacy of sacrifice.

His Family and Children

Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him) had several sons, including Abdullah and Muhammad, who were martyred alongside Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) in Karbala. Two younger children—Muhammad and Ibrahim, known as the Children of Muslim—were captured and later martyred in Kufa after escaping imprisonment. Their shrine is located in the Musayyib district near Karbala.

Visiting the Shrine

The shrine of Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him) is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Kufa. It is commonly visited alongside the nearby tombs of al-Mukhtar al-Thaqafi and Hani ibn Urwah. These sacred places offer visitors a powerful sense of history, devotion, and spiritual reflection.

Transportation Services by Rezervchi

If you wish to visit the mausoleum of Muslim ibn Aqil (peace be upon him), Rezervchi offers private transportation services from Karbala, Najaf, or any other city in Iraq. Whether you're a solo pilgrim or part of a group, we ensure a comfortable, reliable, and spiritually enriching journey to this sacred site. Contact our team for easy booking and personalized travel support.