VIRTUES OF MASJID E KUFA

The virtues of Masjid-e-Kufa are too much. It is sufficient for its merit to say that it is one of those four Masjids, traveling towards whom is recommended to obtain their benefits. It is also one of those places where the traveler has the option to either pray full or shortened (qasr) namaz. To pray obligatory prayers here is equal to an accepted Hajj and like praying 1000 prayers at other places. It is mentioned in narrations that it is the place of the prayers of the Prophets (a.s.) and Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.) will also pray here. According to traditions 1000 prophets and 1000 legatees have prayed in this mosque. Some narrations show that the Mosque of Kufa is superior to the Aqsa Mosque of Baitul Muqaddas. Ibne Quluwayh (r.a.) has related from Imam Mohammad Baqir (a.s.) that he said:

If people come to know the merit of Masjid-e-Kufa they would travel towards it from far-off places. The reward of obligatory prayer in this Masjid is equal to that of an accepted Hajj and the reward of Nafelah prayer is equal to that of an accepted Umrah.

Another tradition says that obligatory and nafelah prayers equal to Hajj and Umrah respectively performed with the Holy Prohpet (s.a.w.a.). Shaykh Kulayni (r.a.) and other great scholars have related from Haroon bin Kharja that Imam Sadiq (a.s.) said,

O Haroon, what is the distance between you and Masjid-e-Kufa? It could be one mile?

No, he replied.

Do you recite all your obligatory prayers in it?

No. Imam (a.s.) said:

If I had been near this Mosque I would have recited all my obligatory prayers therein. Do you know how much meritorious it is? No prophet or a righteous person has passed who has not recited prayer in it. So much so that when the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was taken on Me'raj, Jibraeel (a.s.) said to him: Do you know where you are right now? You are in front of the Kufa mosque. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, 'Then ask Allah on my behalf so that I can go there and perform 2 rakats namaz.' Jibraeel sought Allah's permission and Allah gave the permission. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) descended and prayed 2 rakats namaz in this Mosque. Indeed to the right side of it is a garden of the Paradise and between it is a garden of Paradise to the back of it is also a garden of Paradise. Indeed praying an obligatory prayer here is equal to praying 1000 prayers and the reward of Nafelah prayer is equal to 500 prayers. To sit there even without reciting any devotions is worship. If people come to know the merits they would definitely reach it even if they have to crawl like infants.

In another tradition, to perform obligatory prayer in it is equal to perform Hajj and recommended prayer is equal to perform Umrah. In the seventh Ziyarat of Ameerul Momineen (a.s.), virtues of this mosque are mentioned. According to some traditions the right side is more virtuous then the left.