Martyred at fifty-five: Imam Musa al-Kazim (as) was martyred in prison in Baghdad in 183 AH (799 CE), at about 55 years of age. Shia belief holds that he was poisoned by order of Harun al-Rashid.
Buried in Kadhimayn: His body was placed on a bridge in Baghdad, and then buried in a graveyard that later grew into a holy place. Today his shrine stands in Kadhimayn, a district of Baghdad, beside the shrine of his grandson Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as).
Millions of visitors: Millions of visitors come to Kadhimayn every year, especially in Rajab, the month of his martyrdom, to stand at his grave, pray, and remember his patience.
Example
More than a grave: A person's grave can be a place people visit only to remember. The shrine of Imam al-Kazim (as) is more — it is a place where people still learn patience, and leave with hope.
Key Terms
- Kadhimayn (کاظمین) — the holy district of Baghdad where Imam al-Kazim (as) and Imam al-Jawad (as) are buried
- Rajab (رجب) — the Islamic month of the Imam's martyrdom
Quran or Hadith
None quoted in this topic.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Simple map — Baghdad, with Kadhimayn marked, and the two shrines side by side.
- Imam al-Kazim (as) was martyred in prison in Baghdad in 183 AH (799 CE).
- His shrine is in Kadhimayn, Baghdad, beside Imam al-Jawad (as).
- Visitors come in Rajab and through the year to remember his patience.