The Shrine of Prophet Hud and Salih (Arabic: مقام النبي هود وصالح) is a shrine located in the Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery in Najaf, Iraq.[1][2] It is believed by locals to contain the tombs of Hud and Salih, two Prophets revered by all Muslims.[2]
History
The shrine was originally built by the cleric Moḥammad Mahdī Baḥr al-ʿUlūm in the 18th century.[3][4] This original structure was made of stone brick with chalk.[4] At the same time, some narrations from Shi'ite books reported the existence of graves for Prophets Hud and Salih.[4]
Aerial photograph of the shrine, captured in the year 2018
During the Iraqi Revolt, the British troops entered the Wadi-us-Salaam cemetery, and the shrine was desecrated on the 17th of October, in 1917.[1] A year later, in the years 1918 until 1919, the shrine was repaired and given extensive renovations.[5][4] With the assistance of Iranian companies, the dome of the shrine received new tilework.[4]
In 2018, a new foundation stone was laid for a reconstruction of the shrine.[6][7] The reconstruction was approved by the head of the Shiite Endowment Office, the main director of the Holy Shrines Department and other governmental positions exclusive to Najaf.[8][9] The current head of the Shiite Endowment Office, Ala’ al-Mussawi, confirmed that a bigger and more decorated shrine would replace the old structure.[10][11]
