I read a book, ** The Heirs of Muhammad ** by Barnaby Rogerson. It talks about the political leadership and the lives of companions after (saw) passed away.
It was interesting to find out that at the time Hazrat Ali (ra) was martyred, his sons and nephews did not want to disclose the exact location of the burial site for fear of that it may be desecrated. I did not know that before. In the book, it lists 3 possible locations:
Al Najaf, Iraq
Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan
Hyderabad, India
(but one has to think how it got there all the way from iraq, when most the political situation was in central arabia and persia)
I always thought it was at Najaf…so which one is it>?
Yes there are many mazaars of him...based on stories and myths but nobody can know for sure which one is the real one. There is one Mazaar near Kharian Gujrat Pakistan and the devotees say that he is burried there.
it was a good way to earn pilgrims and make money in those days and its not limited to Ali[as] even relatively minor sahaba had shrines made for them e.g thabit b qays[ra] http://www.paklinks.com/gs/showthread.php?t=237301
I am inclined to believe that the burial site is in Iran/Iraq.
Afghanistan, India et al seems to be a pack of lies generated by subcontinentals trying to exalt their area by attached it to Hazrat Ali (ra).
Allah knows best.
Another interesting fact: Hazrat Ali (ra) was born inside Ka'aba Sharif.
it is most probably in iraq ...makes no sense to bury him in India of afghanistan and in any case these areas were revolting under his caliphate mostly imperial persian leftovers]
Dear Friends
Assalam-o-Alaikum
I was away for a while and came back to GS Forum a few days ago. Let me share my humble and meagre knowledge on the subject.
1. Najaf-e-Ashraf (Iraq)
It is true that at the time of the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (KAW) there was a srtife in the caliphate and initially, the site of his burial was probably not disclosed on purpose. But nonetheless, it was Najaf-e-Ashraf and it is the only authentic burial site of the Brother, Son-in-Law, Companion and Caliph of Holy Prophet (SAW).
2. Mazar-e-Sharif (Afghanistan)
It is not true at all. Some of the Hazara, the Farsi-ban and Shia community of Afghanistan, think that Hazart Ali (KAW) was probably burried over here. It is not true. Actually, some people in Shia community make certain Ziarat or Imam Bargah and give it a name like Ziarat Hazrat Abbas (RA), Ziarat Hazart Imam Hassan (AS) etc etc. Such Ziarats are very common in Shia dominated areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Pakistan they are found in Hangu, Sadda and Parachinar. These sites are devoid of any grave and people go over there to pay homage. One such site is in Lahore, Pakistan which is called Karbala, Gamay Shah. Without going into the controversy of there legitimacy, it is probable that at some time of history, a mazar of such kind was made in the name of Hazrat Ali (KAW), only for prostration or for offerings which over a period of time was allegedly labelled as the actual burial site of Hazart Ali (KAW).
3. Hyderabad Deccan (India)
It is also not true. The name Hyderabad was given to the area by the Nizams who were the descendants of Bahmani Kings of Iran who were Shia. The same name Hyderabad was later exploited by some so-called mischieveous historians in a different way. Instead of stating that it was simply named by the Shia Nizams on account of their love for Hazrat Ali (KAW), a new controversy of Hyderabad as the Burial place of Hyder (Hazrat Ali, KAW) was coined. On the contrary, it seems likely that the burial place of Hyder Ali, of Mysore may be located in the areas of old Hyderabad Deccan.
4. Kashmir
It is simply ridiculous to even think that the burial place of Hazrat Ali (KAW) may be located in Kashmir. It is just like the Qadianis claim that the grave of Hazrat Esa (AS) is in Kashmir.