Shrine of Zayd ibn Ali (Zayd the Martyr) Al-Kifl,

The Shrine of Zayd ibn Ali (Zayd the Martyr) in Iraq

A legacy of resistance, knowledge, and sacrifice

Along the road connecting Najaf and Karbala, near the town of Al-Kifl in Iraq’s Babylon province, lies a sacred site that stands as a testament to resistance and justice: the shrine of Zayd ibn Ali (peace be upon him), the son of Imam Zayn al-Abidin and the first Alid from the lineage of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) to rise against Umayyad tyranny.

Who Was Zayd ibn Ali?

Born in Medina, Zayd was raised by his father, Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him), and studied under his brother, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and his nephew, Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon them).
He was known for his scholarship, piety, and courage—earning titles such as "Zayd the Martyr" and "Ally of the Qur’an."

His birth is estimated between 75–80 AH. He was martyred in 122 AH during a heroic uprising against injustice.

Why Did Zayd Revolt?

Zayd called for justice and the restoration of true Islamic values. Over 50,000 pledged allegiance to him, but on the eve of his uprising, Umayyad forces blocked access to the mosque, preventing supporters from joining. Only around 300 remained.

Zayd fought valiantly for two days before being struck by an arrow in the forehead. After his martyrdom, his body was exhumed, crucified, and burned. The oppressors tried to erase his memory—but his sacrifice lived on.

How Did the Imams View His Uprising?

While some reports suggest Imam al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) was hesitant, many Shia scholars—including al-Khoei and Shahid al-Awwal—affirm that the uprising was supported by the Imams.

Imam al-Ridha (peace be upon him) quoted Imam al-Sadiq saying:
“Woe to the one who hears Zayd’s call and does not support him.”

Location of the Shrine

The shrine is located near Al-Kifl, between Najaf and Karbala. It is believed to be the exact spot where Zayd’s body was crucified and burned. In 1996, local sayyids and benefactors rebuilt the site with a large dome, twin minarets, a golden zarih (shrine), intricate mirrorwork, and Quranic inscriptions.

Religious & Cultural Activities

Thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine on key dates—especially 2nd of Safar (Zayd’s martyrdom) and 25th of Muharram (martyrdom of Imam Zayn al-Abidin). Tribal families host pilgrims with food and shelter, and over 400 processional groups (mawakib) operate during these times.

The shrine also hosts international religious conferences, attracting dignitaries from Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Somalia, and more.

Plan Your Visit with Rezervchi

Rezervchi offers full travel services for visitors wishing to see this important site. From hotel booking to car rental, we ensure a peaceful and organized pilgrimage to the shrine of Zayd the Martyr (peace be upon him).