The head of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and the martyr of the Battle of Karbala, is believed to have been taken to various places after his martyrdom. According to historical accounts, after Imam Hussain was martyred on the 10th of Muharram in 680 CE, his head was harmed, desecrated, severed and taken to the Umayyad Caliph Yazid in Damascus.
Today, there are several claims regarding the location of the head:
1. Damascus, Syria: The head of Imam Hussain is traditionally said to be buried in the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque in Damascus, near the shrine of his sister, Sayyidah Zaynab, who was one of the survivors of the battle.
2. Cairo, Egypt: There are some historical claims that part of the head was moved to Cairo, and there is a shrine in Cairo that is believed to contain the head of Imam Hussain.
3. Karbala, Iraq: The rest of Imam Hussain’s body is buried in Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussain stands as a major pilgrimage site. Some traditions suggest that parts of his head were eventually returned to Karbala.
The exact location is a matter of historical debate, with various sources offering different versions of events. For many Shi’a Muslims, the head of Imam Hussain is a symbol of sacrifice, justice, and standing up against tyranny.
There is a belief among some Islamic traditions that part of the head of Imam Hussain, after his martyrdom at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE, was brought to Cairo, Egypt. Specifically, there is a claim that the head of Imam Hussain was sent to Yazid ibn Muawwiya in Damascus, Syria, and later, some accounts suggest that it was sent or taken to Cairo, where it is said to be preserved in a shrine.
This shrine is located in the Imam Hussain Mosque in Cairo, and it has been a significant place of pilgrimage for many Muslims, especially for those who venerate Imam Hussain and his sacrifice. However, there is some historical debate about whether the head was actually brought to Egypt or whether it was only temporarily kept in Damascus, and then eventually returned to Karbala, Iraq.
While the majority of Shi’a Muslims regard the shrine of Imam Hussain in Karbala (where his body is buried) as the central location of his final resting place, the tradition of the head being in Cairo is prominent in certain historical narratives and Islamic sects. The exact details and authenticity of these accounts can vary depending on the source and tradition.
In summary, there is a belief in some circles that Imam Hussain’s head is in Cairo, but it is a subject of debate and is not universally accepted by all Islamic communities.
Al-Azhar University, one of the most prestigious and historically significant Islamic institutions, located in Cairo, Egypt, has made statements about the head of Imam Hussain. While the university itself may not be a direct authority on religious narratives, it is an important center for Islamic scholarship and has been involved in discussions about the history and significance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom.
In terms of the claim about Imam Hussain’s head being in Egypt, Al-Azhar has acknowledged the historical tradition that parts of the head of Imam Hussain were taken to Cairo after the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. According to some Islamic traditions, after Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, his head was sent to Yazid ibn Muawwiya in Damascus, and later, parts of the head were brought to Cairo, where a shrine in the Imam Hussain Mosque in Cairo is believed to contain the head.
While these traditions are recognized by certain scholars and communities, Al-Azhar University, as an academic institution, tends to focus more on Islamic scholarship, jurisprudence, and theology. It’s important to note that Al-Azhar represents a wide range of Sunni scholarship, and the university’s stance on matters of Islamic history may vary depending on the context.
In general, while Al-Azhar recognizes Imam Hussain’s importance in Islamic history, particularly within the context of his sacrifice and the Battle of Karbala, the specific narrative about the head of Imam Hussain being in Egypt is often considered more a matter of popular tradition and belief rather than definitive historical fact.
Therefore, the narrative regarding the head of Imam Hussain’s presence in Egypt, particularly within the context of Al-Azhar’s views, would likely be treated as a significant cultural and religious belief, though it is not universally agreed upon across all Islamic traditions.
Mufti Ali Gomaa, the former Grand Mufti of Egypt and a prominent scholar associated with Al-Azhar University, has addressed the matter of Imam Hussain’s head in some of his discussions about Islamic history. According to Mufti Ali Gomaa, the head of Imam Hussain is believed to have been brought to Cairo, Egypt, and it is traditionally said to be located in the Imam Hussain Mosque in the heart of Cairo.
Mufti Ali Gomaa has recognized the historical and religious significance of Imam Hussain’s martyrdom, which holds great importance, particularly in Shi’a Islam. While he may acknowledge the popular belief and the narrative that the head of Imam Hussain was taken to Cairo, it’s important to note that Al-Azhar and other Sunni scholars typically approach this topic with a degree of historical caution. They often differentiate between the symbolic importance of Imam Hussain’s legacy and the exact details of where his head physically ended up.
The head of Imam Hussain, according to historical reports, was initially sent to Damascus after the Battle of Karbala by the Umayyad caliph Yazid ibn Muawwiya, and from there, it is believed to have been transferred to different locations, including Egypt, though this remains a matter of religious tradition and historical interpretation.
Mufti Ali Gomaa, as a scholar within the Sunni tradition, tends to approach these historical narratives with respect for their significance in Islamic history but does not necessarily emphasize the precise details as established facts. His approach is more focused on the moral and spiritual lessons derived from the life and martyrdom of Imam Hussain, particularly in the context of justice, sacrifice, and standing up against oppression.
In summary, Mufti Ali Gomaa recognizes the narrative of Imam Hussain’s head being brought to Cairo and the presence of the Imam Hussain Mosque as a place of reverence, but the exact historical verification of these events is often treated with nuance and respect for diverse interpretations across Sunni and Shi’a perspectives.
