Maqam of the Left Palm of Abbas ibn Ali, Peace Be Upon Him
IRQ-KRB-0166
Introduction
The Maqam of the Left Palm in the Bab al-Khan area of Karbala is an attributed memorial connected with al-Abbas ibn Ali, Peace Be Upon Him, and the events of Ashura. It is not his burial place; his recognized mausoleum is a separate shrine. The maqam preserves the later devotional identification of a point where his left hand is believed to have fallen during his final effort to carry water to the camp of Imam al-Husayn, Peace Be Upon Him.
Historical and maqtal sources firmly preserve the identity of al-Abbas, his support for Imam al-Husayn, his standard-bearing role, and his martyrdom at Karbala. Later narrative details describe the severing of his right and then left hand while he continued his mission. The early sources do not provide a modern street location or coordinates for either hand, so the exact present point belongs to the commemorative geography that developed in Karbala after the event.
The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine account places the left-palm maqam southeast of the main shrine in Bab al-Khan. It states that the present octagonal structure replaced an older marker whose features disappeared during urban expansion after 1411 AH/1991 CE. The existing building has a brass door, marble and Karbala tilework, inscriptions, and a small dome.
The maqam should therefore be understood as a memorial site that joins the historically established sacrifice of al-Abbas with a later local identification and modern religious architecture. For pilgrims it recalls loyalty, courage, and service; for researchers it demonstrates how the memory of Ashura became mapped through the streets and monuments of Karbala.
Historical / Religious Importance
The Left Palm maqam is important within Karbala’s devotional landscape because it gives a distinct spatial form to the remembered sacrifice of al-Abbas ibn Ali, Peace Be Upon Him. The martyrdom and loss of his hands belong to the historical and maqtal tradition, while the precise present site is a later local attribution.
The official record of the current post-1991 structure documents how an older commemorative point was preserved through urban change. The site is therefore valuable both as a place of visitation and as evidence for the continuing development of Karbala’s memorial geography.
References
الإرشاد في معرفة حجج الله على العباد
الشيخ المفيد
خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.
مقاتل الطالبيين
أبو الفرج الأصفهاني
ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.
أنساب الأشراف
أحمد بن يحيى البلاذري
أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.
عمدة الطالب في أنساب آل أبي طالب
ابن عنبة الحسني
نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edi
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.
نفس المهموم
الشيخ عباس القمي
الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.
alkafeel.net
Page/Volume: خبر كربلاء وشهادة العباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: ترجمة العباس بن علي وخبر مقتله؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: أخبار كربلاء والعباس بن علي؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: نسب العباس بن علي وذريته؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Page/Volume: الرواية المجمعة المتأخرة لمقتل العباس؛ pagination varies by edition | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave. | Classical and maqtal works support the identity, lineage, standard-bearing role, severing of the hands, and martyrdom of al-Abbas ibn Ali at Karbala. They do not identify the modern Bab al-Khan street point. The official al-Abbas Holy Shrine page supports the present southeast location, the replacement of an older marker after the 1411 AH/1991 expansion, and the octagonal structure’s modern architectural features. The site is therefore described as an attributed memorial, not a grave.