Bibi Pak Daman () is a shrine dedicated to Ruqayya bint Ali in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It is a major pilgrimage site for Shia Muslims. According to Imam Ali Raza Haram Research Centre Iran, the shrine contain the tomb of Ruqayya bint Ali, daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, sister of Al-Abbas ibn Ali and wife of Muslim ibn Aqil. Apart from her, the mausoleum contains the graves of five other ladies, which are said to be Muslim ibn Aqil's sister and daughters. It traditionally claimed that they came to Lahore after the Battle of Karbala in 680.

Bibi Pak Daman, which means the "chaste lady", is the collective name of the six ladies believed to be interred at this mausoleum, though it is also (mistakenly) popularly used to refer to the personage of Ruqayyah bint Ali alone. They were supposedly among the women who brought Islam to South Asia, preaching and engaging in missionary activity in the environs of Lahore.

Bibi Pak Daman is located between Garhi Shahu and Railway Station area. The easiest way to go to Bibi Pak Daman is from the Empress Road and from there, take the small road opposite Police Lines and then the first left-turn. Recently Government of Pakistan is considering approval of the expansion of the Bibi Pak Daman's shrine.

Life

After the events at Karbala five Muslim women, led by Ruqayyah bint Ali left Mecca to settle and proselytize in Lahore, as a result of which a sizable portion of the Hindu community entered Islam.

According to one school of thought among historians such as S.M. Latif, Molvi Noor Ahmad Chishti and Mufti Ghulam Server the daughters of Ali were instructed by their father to go to Sindh and Hind to preach the Islamic faith. It was prophesied that their mission would achieve success. The events of the massacre at Karbala caused many relatives of Muhammad including Ruqayyah to migrate to Makran where she preached Islam for several years. The Hindu Raja of Jaisalmer felt threatened by her missionary work. Umayyad rulers were also displeased and a number of Umayyad spies were dispatched to assassinate her. Among such potential assassins had been Muhammad Bin Qasim who later switched allegiances and became a supporter of Ruqayyah after learning of the sufferings experienced by the family of Muhammad. as it is found that she introduced herself stating that “ I am widow of Martyr Muslim bin Aqeel, daughter of Ali and sister of commander-in-chief Abbas of Imam Hussain's Army and other five ladies were my sisters in law, whereas the sixth one was our maid “Halima” but she was equal to us in status. She introduced further telling the names of men that they were our guards and belonged to our tribes namely (i) Abb-ul-Fatah (ii) Abb-ul-Fazal (iii) Abb-ul-Mukaram, and (iv) Abdullah.

Urs Sharif/Death Anniversary

In the Islamic month of Jumada al-Thani three days urs of Bibi Pak Daman from 7 to 9 is celebrated. The Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab Limited (TDCP), Government of Punjab has placed the shrine on the list of tourist attractions.

<gallery mode="packed">

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(6).jpg|The main shrine

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(5).jpg|The graves

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(7).jpg|Attendees at Bi Bi Pak Daman

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(0).jpg|The street leading up to Bi Bi Pak Daman

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(1).jpg|Religious book shop outside Bi Bi Pak Daman

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(2).jpg|Shop outside Bi Bi Pak Daman

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(3).jpg|Brightly lit shop outside Bi Bi Pak Daman

Image:B_Bi_Pak_Daman_June5_2004_(4).jpg|Another brightly lit shop outside Bi Bi Pak Daman

</gallery>

See also

  • List of mausolea
  • Shahr Banu (for similarity to shrine at Lahore and Ray)

References

  • Future Project in Lahore (Pakistan) with a documentary clip
  • WikiShia: Ruqayya bt. al-Imam 'Ali (a)