Sacred Journey: Madayen to Samarra Ziyarat 2025
From the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ to the Holy Imams
Pir Sayed Tanveer Hashmi at the historic site of Madayen (Al-Mada'in).
The Spiritual Ascent: November 8, 2025
On a day marked by spiritual anticipation, Pir Sayed Tanveer Hashmi led a group of seekers on a profound journey across the Iraqi landscape. This was not merely a tour of physical locations, but a chronological traverse through the history of Islam—moving from the age of the Sahaba (Companions) to the era of the Holy Imams.
The air in Iraq carries the scent of sacrifice and devotion. Our journey started in the ancient corridors of Al-Mada'in, where the echoes of the Sassanid Empire were long ago replaced by the serenity of Islamic spirituality, and concluded in the golden-domed majesty of Samarra.
Madayen (Al-Mada'in): The Sanctuary of Companions
Al-Mada'in, once the pride of Persia (Ctesiphon), now serves as a resting place for those who were closest to the heart of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. It is a place where the grandeur of worldly empires bows to the spiritual authority of the righteous.
Hazrat Salman al-Farsi (R.A.)
Known as Salman al-Muhammadi, his shrine is a lighthouse for those seeking the truth. The Prophet ﷺ honored him by saying, "Salman is from us, the Ahlul Bayt." He stands as the bridge between Persia and the Prophetic Light, a governor who lived in poverty to enrich his soul.
Hazrat Huzaifa ibn al-Yaman (R.A.)
The "Keeper of Secrets." He was the confidant to whom the Prophet ﷺ entrusted knowledge of the unseen and the identification of the hypocrites. To visit his shrine is to be reminded of the importance of internal purity over outward display.
Pir Sayed Tanveer Hashmi offering salutations at the Al-Askari Shrine in Samarra.
The Road to Samarra: Stopping at Balad
As the caravan moved North, we stopped at Balad to visit Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali al-Hadi. He was the eldest son of the tenth Imam, a man of such immense knowledge and piety that many during his time looked to him for guidance. His shrine acts as the spiritual gateway to the city of Samarra.
Samarra: The Al-Askari Sanctuary
Samarra is a city that radiates a unique spiritual gravity. Here lie two suns of the Prophetic household, whose lives were spent under house arrest, yet whose influence broke through every wall and chain.
Imam Ali al-Hadi (Al-Naqi)
The "Pure One." Despite being forced to live in the military camps (Askar) of Samarra, his light could not be extinguished. He remains a symbol of steadfastness (Sabr) against the tides of oppression.
Imam Hasan al-Askari
The father of the Awaited One. His life was brief—martyred at 28—but he left behind a legacy of scholarship and a network of guidance that preserved the essence of the faith for future generations.
— Reflections on the Journey
Final prayers and supplications at the conclusion of the Ziyarat.
Conclusion
The journey from Madayen to Samarra is a reminder that the "Friends of Allah" (Awliya) and the household of the Prophet ﷺ are eternal guides. Under the leadership of Pir Sayed Tanveer Hashmi, this Ziyarat served to renew the vows of love and loyalty that define the Sufi path.