(SOLD OUT) Iraq Tour – Oct 2023 Tour

After an evening and morning of rest, your spiritual journey truly begins. Take a hearty breakfast and gather your energies, because today we delve deep into the heart of Islamic history. We'll start the day at a pace, aiming to depart for lunch around 2pm. From there, we'll convene in the hotel lobby, preparing to visit the sacred resting place of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA), Commander Of The Believers, the Lion Of Allah, Fourth Caliph Of Islam and a blessed personality who is from the elite of the Sahaba and from the Ahl Al-Bayt (family) of the blessed Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم . This visit offers an incredible opportunity to connect with one of the greatest people to ever walk this earth. As the day continues, around 5 PM, we'll set off for the city of Kufa, stopping en route to explore Wadi Al-Salam, the largest cemetery in the world. This vast, serene site is an awe-inspiring testament to Islamic history and tradition. Arriving at Kufa, we'll visit the Grand Mosque, a significant site of Islamic heritage. It was here that Ali Ibn Abi Talib led prayers and was granted the station of martyrdom. In this very place, you'll also find the revered landmarks associated with Imam Muslim bin Aqeel, Hani bin Urwa and Khadija bint Ali. Exploring these sites offers a poignant connection to the city's rich Islamic history and its influential figures. After a day steeped in history and spirituality, we'll make our way back to the hotel for dinner around 8:30pm. After dinner your evening is free for you to choose your activity. You might wish to revisit the Masjid of Hazrat Ali or simply take some time to rest and reflect on the day's experience. You will also have the chance to visit the local shopping district. As we prepare for another day of exploration, remember to bring your luggage down before breakfast the next morning. We'll be checking out of our hotel in Najaf and ready to depart for the next leg of our journey at 9am sharp.

Ensure your bags are ready before breakfast and dropped off to the hotel lobby, as we'll be leaving for our next adventure soon after at 9am. Our first stop will be the city of Hilla, where we'll visit the blessed resting place of Prophet Ayub (AS) and the Well of Shifa, which is believed to have healing properties. We'll also have the extraordinary opportunity to visit the birthplace of the great Prophet Ibrahim (AS), offering a unique chance to connect and to appreciate the roots of our faith in a deeply personal way. Time permitting, we'll also do Ziyara at the blessed Maqam of Prophet Zul-Kifl (AS) and the resting place of Bibi Shariffa, the noble wife of Imam Hasan (RA). Our journey then continues to Karbala, where we'll first visit the maqam of Hazrat Hurr (RA) the great defender of the Ahl Al-Bayt. Upon arriving in Karbala, we'll check into our hotel, Hayat 2 whereupon lunch will then be served around 12pm. In the afternoon around 2pm, we will embark on a profound walking tour of the main Masjid complex in Karbala. This includes a deeply sacred and emotional visit to the resting place of Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ . Imam Hussain (RA) was granted the rank of martyrdom in Karbala, making this site of tremendous religious and historical significance. This visit offers a chance to reflect on the supreme sacrifice made by Imam Hussain, and deepen our connection with our faith. We will also visit the blessed maqams of Imam Abbas Ibn Ali Alamdar, Ali Asghar, Ali Akbar, Habib bin Muzahir, and other Shuhada e Karbala (RA). We'll also visit the location of Imam Hussain's (RA) tents where they had camped whilst in Karbala which is now a part of the Masjid complex. After this profound experience, we return to the hotel around 5 PM. You can then unpack lightly and enjoy the rest of your evening exploring Karbala at your leisure, be it spending time in the Masjid complex or immersing yourself with the local culture, cusine and to do some shopping. As we prepare for another day of exploration, remember to bring your luggage down before breakfast the next morning. We'll be checking out of our hotel in Karbala and ready to depart for the next leg of our journey at 9am sharp.

Start your day by ensuring your bags are ready before breakfast. We'll then depart from Karbala at 9 AM, heading towards the historic city of Baghdad. On our way, we will pay our respects at the sites of the blessed martyres of the great defenders of our faith and the Ahl Al-Bayt, Imam Aun Mohamad (RA) and the sons of Muslim bin Aqeel (RA), Muhammad and Ibrahim (RA), in the city of Musayyib. These visits serve as profound reminders of the sacrifices made in the early days of our faith. By 12 PM, we'll reach Baghdad and check into the Palestine Hotel, where we'll refresh ourselves with a lunch, preparing for an afternoon filled with spiritual exploration. At 3 PM, we embark on a series of Ziyaras, each providing a unique spiritual encounter. We'll start with Maruf Karkhi, a revered figure known for his devotion and asceticism. Then we'll visit the resting place of Junaid Baghdadi, a key figure in the development of Sufi doctrine and practice and to his noble uncle, Sarri Sakthi, an exemplar of piety and selflessness. We will continue the journey visiting the blessed maqams of Behlul Dana, a figure known for his wisdom and his unique way of teaching through parables. We'll also pay our respects at the sacred Maqam of the great Prophet Yusha (AS). As evening approaches, around 6 PM, we will make our way to visit the great Awliya Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, possibly on the Urs night. We'll arrive in time for Maghrib prayers and offer our Salaams to thi greats saint, allowing the atmosphere of devotion and spirituality to fill our hearts. After our enriching spiritual journey, we'll return to the hotel to rest for the night. Dinner is served from 8 PM-11 PM, giving you ample time to relax and reflect on the day's experiences.

We will start at 9 AM, gathering in the hotel lobby for a journey to the historical city of Madain. Here, we'll visit the resting places of some of the most revered Sahabah such as Sayyiduna Salman Farsi, Sayyiduna Huzaifa bin Yaman, and Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with them all). This is a rare opportunity to connect with the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ,who played such significant roles in the early Islamic era. We'll also pay our respects to Hazrat Tahir bin Muhammad and Qasim the son of Musa Kazim. Our journey in Madain continues with a visit to the Palace of Kisra, the site of a famous event where the pillars of the palace crumbled at the birth of the blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. We will then visit the hotel for lunch and the you can explore the local area, have some rest and at 6 PM, we will regroup at the hotel lobby and make our way to the Maqam of the great saint Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani. We'll aim to arrive before Maghrib, allowing us to spend the evening in this blessed space, soaking in its spirituality. We'll conclude our day by returning to the hotel for dinner, served between 8 PM and 11 PM.

We will meet at 9 AM in the hotel lobby to set out for a day of deep spiritual connection. Our journey will lead us to the revered resting places of some of Islam's greatest personalities including Imam Ghazali, Shayk Umar Suharwardy, and Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal. Each of these luminaries left an indelible imprint on the Islamic world, and visiting their resting places provides an opportunity to reflect on their remarkable contributions. The highlight of the day is the unique opportunity to pray Jummah at the holy Masjid of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani. This experience, in the spiritually charged atmosphere of the Masjid, will be a truly enriching and memorable moment. Following Jummah, you have the choice to remain in the area, explore the locale, savour local cuisine or return to the hotel for lunch on the coach. For those wishing to linger in the spiritual ambiance, the coach will return to the Masjid at 5 PM, offering another chance to experience the sacred site until the evening. We will conclude the day by returning to the hotel for a communal dinner, reflecting on the experiences and insights gained from the day's encounters. Day 5 promises to be a spiritual journey of great depth and resonance.

Get ready to start Day 6 at 9 AM in the hotel lobby as we set out to meet the maqams of the great imams and Islamic personalities, such as Sheik Shibli, Bishr Hafi, and Imam Abu Hanifa. Their lives and teachings continue to inspire Muslims around the world, and visiting their maqams offers a unique opportunity to connect with their spiritual legacy. Following our morning visit, we will return to the hotel for a delightful lunch at the Khafaji Hotel between 1-3 PM. After lunch, our journey continues to the Masjid of Musa Kazim, where we'll have the honour of visiting the maqam of Imam Abu Yusuf, a main student of Imam Abu Hanifa. This visit allows us to deepen our understanding of the rich tapestry of Islamic scholarship and spirituality. We will then visit the Maqam of Musa Kazim, as you step into this sacred space, be ready to be awed by its grandeur and humbled by its spiritual atmosphere. The Masjid is also a testament to Islamic architectural prowess and shimmering domes that create a tranquil yet awe-inspiring ambiance. For those who wish to explore further, a variety of local shops are nearby that offer an intriguing array of traditional crafts and unique souvenirs. This afternoon promises to be an immersive journey into cultural, historical, and spiritual enrichment. Around 6 PM, we will regroup at the hotel and make our way to the revered Masjid of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, culminating our day in the peaceful ambiance of this holy site.

Welcome to Day 7 of our spiritual journey. We'll gather in the hotel lobby at 9 AM, ready to embark on an exciting coach trip to the historic city of Samarra. Our first visit of the day will be to the maqams of Imam Hasan Askari and Imam Ali Naqi, illustrious figures in Islamic history, whose lives and teachings continue to inspire millions. While in Samarra, we'll also marvel at the Samarra Minaret, a renowned historical landmark. This spiralling cone-shaped minaret, standing tall against the city skyline, is a testament to the architectural splendour of bygone eras. Our journey continues to the city of Balad, a place steeped in history and spirituality. Here, we'll have the privilege to pay our respects at the maqams of Imam Al Hadi and Syed Muhammad, the son of Imam Naqi. Their profound spiritual legacies continue to illuminate the path of Islamic spirituality. Around 6 PM, we'll return to the Masjid of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, where we'll spend the rest of the evening immersed in reflection and prayer.

Today marks the end of our remarkable journey. As we prepare for our return to the UK, we advise to bring your bags down before breakfast at 7am. We will be leaving sharply at 8am to ensure a timely arrival at the airport for our 12:30pm flight. As we bid farewell to this beautiful land, we carry with us not just memories, but deeper insights, heightened spirituality, and a renewed sense of connection to our Islamic heritage. We at Ziyara Tours thank you for being part of this journey and look forward to accompanying you on many more spiritual quests in the future. Safe travels! *Approx Schedule. We reserve the right to make changes as and when needed