In the Name of Allah 🤲🏼

By the Dawn is the online version of a book with the same name, aimed at compiling recommended acts, prayers, supplications and visitations at the holy shrines in Najaf, Kūfa, Sahla, Karbalā, Al-Kāẓimīya, Sāmarrā, Mashhad and Qom; along with a section dedicated to Imām Mahdī (a). With time, we intend to add content for more holy places (e.g. Medina, Damascus), along with common visitations like Al-Zīyārah al-Jāmiʿa al-Kabīra.
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Common Sections

Najaf

Najaf or al-Najaf al-Ashraf (Arabic: النَّجَف الاَشرَف) (Dignified Najaf) is a Shiite pilgrimage city in Iraq, where the Holy Shrine of Imām ʿAlī (a) is located. The city was residential before the emergence of Islam, but after the construction of Imām ʿAlī's mausoleum and shrine in 2nd century, it turned into a thriving city to which many Shi'as immigrated.

Karbalā

Karbalā (Arabic: كربلاء) is one of the pilgrimage cities in Iraq that is frequently visited by the Shi'a. It became such because of the martyrdom of Imām al-Ḥusayn (a) and his faithful companions in this location in the year 61/680. In addition, this city also holds the mausoleums of Imām al-Ḥusayn (a) and al-ʿAbbās (a).

Mashhad

Mashhad (مشهد) or Mashhad al-Riḍā (مشهد الرضا) is among the most important religious Shi'ite cities in Iran, which is located in northeast of the country and it is the capital of Razavi Khorasan province. The term Mashhad means the place of martyrdom. Imām al-Riḍā (a) was buried in Harun Cemetery of Sanabad after he was martyred by al-Ma'mun, the Abbasid caliph. Afterwards, Sanabad's name was changed to Mashhad al-Riḍā (place of martyrdom of Imām al-Riḍā (a)).

Imām al-Mahdī (a)

Muḥammad b. al-Ḥasan al-'Askarī (Arabic: محمد بن الحسن العسکری) (born in 255/869), also known as Imām al-Mahdī (a), is the twelfth Imam in Twelver Shi'ism. He is the promised savior, who will rise one day and fill the earth with peace and justice. Imām al-Mahdī (a) has been in occultation from the early years of his life. Shi'as regard him as the Imam of the present age. Among his well-known titles are Imām al-Mahdī (the Imām of the time) and Wali l-'Asr (the guardian of the age).