Sahleh

DEFINITION OF THE CITY:

Verily, Kufah is the second city in Islam after Islamic conquer, likewise it is a skull of the Arabs, Almighty Allah’s javelin, hoard of the faith, Moslems immigration House, capital town of the Commander of Faithful Imam Ali (peace be upon him). The city also contains his Shias, Lovers and companions, as it is also a brilliant center of science and Islamic civilization.
THE REFERENCES:

1 – Tareekh Al-Kufah /Ta’lif Sayyid Ahmed Al-Buraqi / Tab’atu Ar Rabiah / Sanat 1987 / Beirut.
History of Kufah / Authored by Sayyid Ahmed Al-Baraqi / Fourth Edition / Year 1987 A.D. Beirut.
2 – Takhteet Madinatul Kufah / Ta’lif Doctor Kazim Al-Janaabi / Baghdad / Sanat 1967.
Planing of City of Kufah / Authored by Doctor Kazim Al-Janaabi / Year 1967 A.D.
3 – Tareekh Al-Kufah Al-Hadith / Al-Juz’ul Awwal Wa Thani / Ta’lif Kamil Salman Al-Jaburi / Tab’atul Ula / Sanat 1974 / Najaf.
The Modern History of Kufah / Volume One and Two / Authored by Kamil Salman Al-Jaburi / First Edition / Year 1973 A.D. Najaf.
4 – Al-Atabaat Al-Muqadasah Fi Al-Kufah / Ta’lif Mohammed Saeed At-Turaihi / Sanat 1982 A.D. / Beirut. The Sacred Tombs in Kufah / Written by Muhammed Saeed At-Turaihi / First Edition / Year 1982 A.D. Beirut.
5 – Fadhl Al-Kufah Wa Fadhl Ahliha / Ta’lif Abi Abdullah Mohammed Al-Hasani Al-Kufi / Mu’asasatu Ahlulilbait / Beirut.
Merit of Kufah and Merit of its People /Authored by Abi Abdullah Muhammed Al-Hasani Al-Kufi / Ahlulbait Islamic Foundation / Beirut.
THE LOCATION OF THE CITY :

The city locates at the right shore of the middle river of Furat ( An Old Indian River) which situates at eastern part of Najaf with almost 10 kilometers, it is far from the western part of Baghdad with 156 kilometers.
The city is high upon the sea level with almost 22 meters. It has a border from north side with Al-Kifl region (Babul Province), from the eastern part with As-Siniya and As-Salahiyah region (Ad-Diwaniyah Province), from the western part with Kariyi Sa’ad, from the south with constituency of Abi Sukhair and Al-Hira province.

FOUNDING OF THE CITY:

Kufah was found in order to be immigration house and Moslems capital town instead of other towns which were found by Sa’d bun Abi Waqqas in year 17 A.H. 638 A.D. after his was commanded by Umar bun Al-Khattab. This was done after it has been proved to him to be true that environment of the cities effected in health of Arab soldies, then Umar wrote to Sa’ad that, indeed Arabs do not agree with something except it is agreed by their fool. Then he commanded his leaders to occupy a place which is not separated from the city by sea nor obstacle. He then appointed Abul Hiyaj Amr bun Malik Al-Asadi to take on the planing. In fact, a man who guided Sa’ad to that city is a man called (Abdul Masih bun Baqilah al-Ghassani) and the city was known as (Suristan) and (Khuz Al-Azra’a). So when Arabs settled in that city it was named as Kufah. Verily, the word Kufah is derived from (At-Takawuf) means (gathering), it was named as (Kufaani) as well, which means (a circled place by sand). Therefore, any land which contains pebbles, clay and sand is called (Kufah). The city is named as (Kufaan) which means (misfortune and evil), or (between jungle cane and wood). It was also named as Kufatul Jund (because it was founded in order to be a military base for their gathering). But whatever the case may be the named is Arabic name, even though some said it an Sirianic name.

THE CONSTRUCTION AND EXPANSION:

After five years of founding of Kufah during the time of Al-Mughirah bun Su’bah (he who died in year 50 A.H.) walls of the houses were built with bricks. Likewise at the time of Ziyad bun Abih (who also died in year 53 A.H.) the city was built by baked bricks and the first thing to be build was doors of the houses, and the first house to be build was at the street of Kendah ( Al-Mutanbi’s area) – The first thing which was planned by Abul Hayaj Al-Asadi in Kufah was to build a mosque in the middle of the city which will be 1,5 kilometers far from the river Furat. He then dug ditch for the city as well as built a quality marble of Chosroes in front of the city which is brought from Al-Hirah. This place was wide for four thousand people, then Ibn Ziyad increased it to the extend that it can contains for twenty thousand people.
Imam Ali (peace be upon) honored the city when he arrived in it in Rajab year 36 A.H. Then he changed the divisions of the tribes of Kufah and did some movings between the tribes and dug a well in the city which there is no delicious water like it.
Ziyad bun Abih (who died in year 53 A.H) set up a bridge for preventing a flood of Kufah, this bridge remained for throughout the Ummayads ruling, and then both Ibn Hubairah (who died in year 103 A.H) and Khalid bun Abdullah Al-Qasri (died in year 105 A.H.) repaired and renewed it once again.
– Ibn Hubairah originated an arch of kufah which is known as (Kanidarah) at the eastern part of Kufah, then Emir Khalid Al-Qasri came after him and repaired it.
– Markets were built and houses were made for every seller during the time of governor Khalid bun Abdullah Al-Qasri (who died in year 126 A.H.) and he made the profits for the soldier.
– In year 136 A.H. Abu Jafar Al-Mansur built a castle known as (Abil Khaseeb) as well as he dug a ditch and fenced the city.
– In year 314 A.H. The city reached to the highest level of construction and buildings during the time of Al-Mutanabi (between year 353 – 354 A.H).
– In year 676 A.H. Ata’a Al-Malik Al-Jawini ( author of Diwanul Dawlatul Ilkhaniyah ) dug a river which extended to Najaf and connected water to the mosque of Kufah. This river was named as (At-Tajiya river) ascribed to the in charge of digging it who is Sayyid Tajudeen Ali bun Amirudeen one of the great figures of that time.
– In year 943 A.H. The first Shah Al-Tahmasab Al-Safawi commanded that, a river should be dug from the Furat to Kufah, this river is known as Tahmasiyah as a branch was made for the river to (Al-Tahmaziya)as well. In year 1032 A.H. Shah Ismail Al-Awwal commanded that this river should be cleaned which overflowed when Rome surrounded Najaf. Verily, the river is known as river Shah or (Al-Kiryah).
River Hindiya was also dug in year 1208 A.H.
– Some descendants arrived in the city in year 1290 A.H. and built houses by canes and created gardens at the sides of Al-Furat.
– Water dried up in Najaf sea in year 1305 A.H. but with the effort of Saniyyah area agent, the city developed in construction of Kufah and created houses and markets in the city, whereas the place was known in the beginning as (Shari’atul Kufah).
– Bridge was fixed on river Furat in year 1317 A.H.
The electricity wires were extended from Hilla to Kufah in year 1323 A.H.
– In year 1325 A.H. Sayyid Ali Kemunah the in charge of the holy Alawids sanctuary, built a wide place, market and resting rooms, these were made with the intention to make things easy for the visitors of the City.
– Railway was also extended between Kufah and Najaf in year 1327 A.H.

THE FEATURES :

Kufah was a big city in which its villages and cemeteries are connected to Al-Furat as well as Al-Azar villages.the city contains 50 thousand houses for the Arabs, and 24 thousand for non Arabs. The city’s distance is 510 kilometers square today. The city enjoys the important strategic place from all parts. It is a connecting point between Al-Furat towns which are irrigates long distances, wide provinces with its delicious water. It is also a street break through a land which is thick of flowers surrounded by trees myrtle etc. So when Kufah became city and it was divide into parts and provinces, then railway, streets, castles were built in that city. Then it became center of literatures, sciences and culture. Among its old areas are : Ath-Thawiyah, Al-Jabanah, Khaaniqin, Darul Hakim, Dar Qumam Duran, Raha Imarah, Rahbatu Khanis, Rassafatul Kufah, Zurarah, Sahraa Al-Bardakht Al-Kannasat, Abs, Ar’zam, Allisan, (this named was giving to hind part of Kufah), Al-Sabi’i area and Shaitan area.

THE MARKETS OF KUFAH:

The markets of Kufah are: Haraadhatu market, Asad market, Hikmat market and Yusuf market.

AMONG THE OLD VILLAGES OF THE CITY:

The villages of the city are Istinyaa, Iqsas, Habaniya, Al-Hasasah, Al-Akirah Sini’ah, Al-Sawariya, Aqr Babul, Al-Ghaadhiriya, Banqiya, Al-Radah, Barithatu Al-Buwaib, Jir’ah, Jarir, Harura, Hidru Al-Sabee’i, Hammam Sa’ad, Hammam A’ayun, Al-Khurnaq, Darta, Zureh, Zaidan, Shaniya, Shumiya, Shili, Sahra’a, Ummu Salamah, Sarifain, Al-Sin, Aynu Jamal, Al-Gharyan.

Some of the modern areas: New areas of the city are Mahalltu Al-Sarayi, Al-Rashadiya, Al-Jadidah, Al-Suhailiya, Al-Buhdari ( which locates at the second side of the river), Al-Burakiya, Mahallatu Kandah, there are other many new regions as well.

SOME OF THE NEW VILLAGES:

The new villages of Kufah are Alwatul Fahal village, Al-Qaraishan village, Al-Bumadhi village, Al-Tajjiya, Aal Isa village, Al-Zarfaat wal Ja’aafirah and Kharkhait village.

THE STREETS OF THE CITY:

Streets of the city are: street (26), which well known as Al-Janabaat street, Shari’ya 13 and 14 which locates at Al-Sarayi area but the first one is known as (Sayyid Yasin Al-Sa’bri street), the second one is known as (Aal Al-Fahham street) An-Nahar street. But the modern streets are named with heritage names which has relation with the old history of the city.

THE OLD RIVERS OF THE CITY:

The old rivers are Kuthi river, Aba river, Al-Bur’dan river, Al-Buwaib river, Suraa river, At-Tajiya river, Al-Ghadir river, Shili river, As-Sanin river, Nar’s river etc.

THE FEATURES AND THE HISTORICAL ANTIQUES OF THE CITY:

Some of the features and historical antiques are Kufah mosque, in fact, the first thing to be planned in Kufah was the mosque, which is 1/5 kilometers far from Furat at the western side of Kufah. But the mosque is formed from four walls today, supported by towers which are half circled and are almost twenty eight towers. Thus, there are many Sites (maqamaat) in the courtyard, of the those Sites (maqaamat) are: Site (maqaam) of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), Site (maqaam) of Al-Khidhr (peace be upon him), Site (maqaam) of Baitu At-Tasht, Dakkatul Qadhaa, Site (maqaam) of the Prophet (may the blessing and peace of Allah be upon him and his pure progeny). Site (maqaam) of Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (peace be upon him), Site (maqaam) of Adam (peace be upon him), Site (maqaam) of Jabraeel (peace be upon him), Site (maqaam) of Imam Zainul Abideen (peace be upon him), and in the front of the wall of the mosque, there is a mihrab of the mosque which Imam Ali (peace be upon him) where beated, the place is ornamented by (Kashani), as there is coppery clasp in the middle of it, and entrance can found in the middle of the mosque which can lead to down stairs known as (Safinatu Nuh or At-Tannur).

THE EMIRATE HOUSES:

The Emirate houses was planned on the empty space which is connected to the Kufah’s mosque at side of (Qilblah) direction faced in prayers from the out side, then Muslem Public Treasury was made in it, likewise Sa’ad bun Abi Waqas settled in the city, it then became a particular house for Caliphs, kings and Emirs after Sa’ad as it was a place of their conspiracies, conferences and consultations.

AS-SAHLAH MOSQUE:

This mosque situates at northwestern side of the Kufah’s mosque, with two kilometers far from it. There is Site (maqaam) of the Awaited Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his glad advent) in that mosque.
– Imam Ali’s house (peace be upon him): His house situates on a high land adjacent to the fences of western Emirate house,
– Zaid bun Suhan’s mosque (Imam Ali’s companion (peace be upon him), this mosques situates at west part of Al-Sahlah mosque. .
– Tomb of both Muslim bun Aqil and Hani bun Ur’wah (peace be upon both of them): Their toms are situated at eastern side of central mosque of Kufah and in form of adjacent to it.
– Tomb of Al-Mukhtar bun Abi Ubaidah At-Thaqafi: This also locates at the western corner close to the former wall of Kufah mosque.
– Al-Hamraa mosque: This is Prophet (Jonah) Yunus’s mosque (peace be upon him) and not his grave. This mosque was named as Al-Hamraa (means red) because group of non Arabs had settled there, those people faces look like red – not brown or black – that is why the mosque was named as Al-Humr (the reds).
– Tomb of Maithamr At-Tammar (may God be pleased with him): His tomb situates at southwestern side of the Emirate house which is one kilometer far from the Kufah mosque.
– A place where Abdul Rahman bun Muljim Al-Muradi (may God curse him) was burnt: It is the hill where his body was burnt, the place locates right now close to the gave of Maitham At-Tammar.
– Grave of Khadijah Imam Ali’s daughter (peace be upon him): It is a place where Maitham At-Tammar store locates, where he use to sell his dates.
– Grave of Sayyid Ibrahim Al-Ghamr (peace be upon him): His grave locates on a public way between Kufah and Najaf on the right side of it.
– Grave of the Sayyids, sons of Imam Husain (peace be upon him): This grave situates on a left side of the old way which leads to As-Sahlah mosque.
– Kariy Sa’dah or (Sabur ditch): It is a separativeboundaryy between Kufah and Najaf and the name is ascribed to (Sabur Zil Aktaaf) who dug it.
– Qasr Um Areef: This place situates outside the city with seven kilometers far away from the city.

THE CENTRAL MOSQUES AND HUSAINIYAS:

– Al-Mulla central mosque, Al-Khalkhali central mosque, As-Sahlah mosque, Al-Husain’s mosque(peace be upon him), Al-Hajj Hadi As-Saffar’s mosque, Sayyid Husain At-Turki’s mosque, Ar-Rashadiya central mosque and Husainiyah, Hamzah Hilal mosque, Central mosque and Husainiya of Aal Muhyideen. There are more than ten other Husainyas, among of them are: Husainiyah of Al-Khabbazin, Husainiya of Al-Alawiyeen, Husainiyah of Al-Hadi, Husainiya of Al-Bushikh Rasul and Husainiya of Al-Hashimiya.

THE LIBRARIES:

The libraries of the city are: Muslim bun Alkil’s public library (peace be upon him), Islamic Dar Al-Risalh public library, Local administration public library, Jami’u Al-Mulla public library. As to the particular libraries, they are as follows: Jafar Ash-Shaikh Ali Al-Mazhaji’s library, Shaikh Ali Al-Bazi’s library, Sayyid Taqi Al-Khalkhali’s library, Shaikh Kaatib At-Turaihi’s library, Doctor Abdul Razak Ash-Shahristani’s library and Mohammed Husain Sayyid Ahmed Rabeea.

FROM THE MEMORY OF THE HISTORY:

– The recent city’s history starts after collapsing of Sasani government in Iraq in year 636 A.D. In the beginning, it was a house for only Arabs, which most of them were roots of civilization came from Yemen and Hadhramut, then one of the followers of Ahlulbait (peace be upon him) from Persians as well as other people from close cities also descended in the mentioned city, like Sar’yan, An-Nabt, Christians and Jew all came from Yemen in year 20 A.H.
– The incident of Abi Al-Haisaman Al-Khuzaee occurred in year 30 A.H.
– The incident of Abdul Rahman occurred in year 33 A.H.
– In year 35 A.H. Kufah was center for many incidents, one of the incidents is that, Kufah people has participated with people of Basrah in revolution against Uthman, a incident which led to his killing.
– The incident of Abi Musa Al-Ash’ari occurred in year 37 A.H., a man who disappointed people of Kufah from supporting Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in battle of Camel, and in the same year of Rajab month Imam Ali (peace be upon him) honored Kufah by transmitting Caliphate center to that city. Imam Ali (peace be upon him) also formed his soldiers from the door of Kufah (Al-Nakhilah) when he was going to Sifeen.
– The cursed Ibn Muljam Al-Muradi killed Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in year 40 A.H. and then Ma’awiyah declared his Caliphate in Sham (Syria) and forced people of Kufah to pay humage for him.
– Ziyad bun Abih killed Amru bun Al-Ahamq Al-Khuzaee and Hijr bun Udai in year 41 A.H.
– In year 49 or 50 A.H. Mu’awiyah added Kufah and Basrah under control of Ziyad bun Abih. Thus, during the time of Ummayads both two cities are known as (two Iraqs), means two capital towns of Iraq.
– Muslim bun Aqil Imam Husain’s ambassador (peace be upon him) arrived in Kufah in year 60 A.H., Muslim bun Aqil achieved martyrdom in the same year by Ubaidullahi bun Ziyad after people of Kufah treasoned and disappointed him.
The revolution of Tawwabeen (Penitents), revolution of Al-Mukhtar bun Abi Ubaidah Al-Thaqafi and revolution of Zaid bun Ali (peace be upon him) occurred in year 66 A.H.
Likewise an incident of Ibn Al-Ash’ath, incident of Qanbar the servant of Imam Ali (peace be upon him), incident of Kumail bun Ziyad and incident of Saeed bun Jubair occurred during the time of Al-Hajj bun Yusif Al-Thaqafi.
Kufah start to lose its importance and position as a public Emirate center after it was established in year 145 A.H., but it remains in a short period as a soldiers and cultural center.
The Carmathians occupied Kufah and played in it. in year 312 A.H. They also transmitted The Black Stone (Al-Hajarul Aswad) from Mecca to the city and fixed it on the Site (maqaam) of Ibrahim (peace be upon him ) in year 317 A.H. and then called people to do their pilgrimage in the mosque of Kufah instead of Mecca.
Kufah regained its position from Buwainins in year 334 A.H. those were concern about the city and sacred city of Najaf as well as the holy Alawids tomb sanctuary.
The Carathians occupied Kufah once again in year 375 A.H.
The travellers of Ibn Jubair visited Kufah and witnessed the signs of its retardation and down fall and said the reason of destroying of the city is a tribe called Khafajah which was close to it.
Travellers of Ibn Batutah also visited Kufah in year 726 A.H., while the biggest part of it was abandoned due to the attacks of Bedouins those were close to Kufah.
– Kufah became subsidiary district to constituency office of Najaf during the time of Ottoman even though it is still subsidiary to it.
– Kufah was an important center for sciencee and literature, as it has poet more than Basrah, and Kannasah was like Marbad of Basrah as a place of prides, disputation and competition. Kufi handwritings were also known by its name.
– A battle of Kufah occurred between people of the city and Bani Hasan in year 1335 A.H.
The people of Najaf revolted against British in year 1917 A.D., and before then Kufah was center of gathering and negotiation between people of Najaf and British, whereas the religious authority Sayyid Mohammed Kazim Al-Yazdi was inhabiting in the city. And in the same year British vanguard arrived in Kufah and camped in a place called ( Shari’atu Al-Tabn), a place which is one of the Furat’s ways in Kufah.
The plans of the twentieth revolution came to an end in the city in year 1920 A.D. in which a war steamer sunk (fire fly) by the revolters and then British also bombed mosque of Kufah.

RULERS OF KUFAH ACCORDING TO HISTORY OF THIER RULINGS:

Rulers of Kufah according to history of their ruling is as follows: Sa’ad bun Abi Waqqas (died in year 55 A.H.), Al-Mughirah bun Shu’bah (died in year 50 A.H.), Ammar bun Yasir (died in year 37 A.H.), Al-Walid bun Uqbah bun Abi Mu’eet (died in year 61 A.H.), Saeed bun Al-Aas, Uqbah bun Amr bun Tha’labah Al-Ansari (died in year 40 A.H.), Ammarah bun Shahab Abu Musa Al-Ash’ari (died in year 42 A.H.), Ziyad bun Abih (died in year 53 A.H.), Al-Dihaak bun Qais bun Khalid Al-Fehri (died in year 65 A.H.), Abdullah bun Khalid bun Asid Sa’ad bun Zaid Al-Izzi (died in year 50 A.H.), Al-Nu’maan bun Bashir Al-Ansari (died in year 66 A.H.), Abdu Rahman bun Abdullah bun Uthman bun Rabee’ah Al-Thaqafi (died in year 66 A.H), Ubaidullah bun Ziyad (died in year 67 A.H.), Amr bum Huraith (died in year 85 A.H.), Aamir bun Mas’ud, As-Sa’ib bun Malik Al-Ash’ari, Mus’ab bun Zubair bun Al-Awaam (died in year 71 A.H.), Al-Harith bun Abdullah bun Rabee’ah, Bishr bun Mar’wan bun Al-Hakam (died in year 75 A.H.), Al-Hajjaj bun Yusuf Al-Thaqafi (died in year 95 A.H.), Ur’watu bun Al-Mughirah bun Shu’bah (died in year 90 A.H.), Yazid bun Abi Kebsha Al-Suksuki (died in year 100 A.H.), Yazid bun Al-Malhab Al-Azdi (died in year 102 A.H.), Har’malah Allakhmi, Umar bun Hubairah Al-Fazari (died in year 110 A.H.) and Khalid bun Abdulah bun YaZid Al-Qasri (died in year 126 A.H.).

JUDGES OF KUFAH:

The judges of Kufah are: Ur’watu bun Abil Ja’ad, Sharih bun Al-Harith bun Qais (died in year 76 A.H.), Salman bun Rabi’ah, Masruq bun Al-Ajda’a (died in year 63 A.H), Abdul Malik bun Umair (died in year 136 A.H.), Abdullah bun Utbah bun Mas’ud (died in year 73 A.H.), Abu Bar’dah bun Abi Musa Al-Ash’ari (died in year 103 A.H.), Abu Qurah Al-Kandi, Nuh bun Daarij An-Nakha’i (died in year 183 A.H.), Isa bun Al-Musib Al-Bajali, Hafs bun Ghiyath (died in year 194 A.H.), Saeed bun Jubair (died in year 95 A.H.), Ahmed bun Badeel (died in year 258 A.H.), Ali bun Mohammed bun Harun Al-Hamiri (died in year 323 A.H.) and others.

SCHOLARS OF KUFAH:

THE JURISPRUDENCE SCHOLARS:

The most important scholars of Kufah in jurisprudence are: Imam Ali bun Abi Talib (peace be upon him) (died in year 40 A.H), Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (peace be upon him) (died in year 148 A.H.), An-Nu’man bun Thabit (Abu Hanifah) (died in year 187 A.H.).
THE PROPHETIC TRADITION AND HADITH SCHOLARS:

The famous Prophetic tradition and Hadith scholars are: Al-Baraa’ bun Azib Al-Ansari (died in year 72 A.H.), Qar’zah bun Ka’ab Al-Ansari, Mu’aaz bun Muslim Al-Hiraa (died in year 150 A.H. and others.
GRAMMAR SCHOLARS:

The grammar scholars are: Abul Aswad Al-Du’ali (died in year 67 A.H.), Ali bun Hamza Al-Kasa’ee, (died in year 189 A.H.), Abu Jafar Ar-Rawasi (died in year 190 A.H.) and Yaqub bun Is’haq As-Sikeet (died in year 244 A.H.).
LANGUAGE SCHOLARS:

The language scholars are: Hammad bun Harmuz (2), Al-Mufadhal bun Mohammed Ad-Dhabyi (died in year 168 A.H.), Mohammed bun Abdul A’alaa (died in year 207 A.H.) (4).
THE POETRY SCHOLARS:

Poetry scholars are: Al-Kamit bun Zaid (died in year 126 A.H)(1), Mohammed bun Ghalib bun Al-Huzail (died in year 200 A.H.), At-Tar’mah bun Hakim (died in year 100 A.H.), Da’bal Al-Khuza’ee (died in year 246 A.H.), Abu Al-Ataahiya (died in year 211 A.H.), Al-Mukaa bun Hamim Al-Rubai’ee and Abu At-Tayib Al-Mutanabi (died in year 353 A.H.).
CHEMISTRY SCHOLARS:

The chemistry scholar is Jabir bun Hayan Al-Kufi.
There are more than twenty five scientific houses in Kufah in which Sayyid Mohammed Mahdi Bahrul Ulum mentioned most of them in his biography and critism of traditionists book.

(from: montazar.net)