Hassan Nasrallah To Be Buried In Karbala? Big Friday Symbolic Funeral In Beirut

A massive symbolic funeral of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, will be held on Friday. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers from Iran.

New Delhi: A massive symbolic funeral of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli airstrike, will be held on Friday. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead the prayers from Iran.

Why Symbolic?

With the Israeli onslaught against the leadership of the ‘Axis of Resistance’, a proper send-off for the slain Hezbollah chief is not possible at this juncture. Fear of attacks on the funeral are preventing Hezbollah from holding a nationwide funeral into Nasrallah’s final journey - one that could reflect the stature of the Hezbollah chief.

However, in a major show of solidarity, Iranian foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Beirut to be a part of the prayers although he will not participate in the funeral procession given the security concerns.

While a real funeral might not be possible, there would be a befitting burial for Hassan Nasrallah, albeit discreet, as has been the case with several commanders killed last week. A proper religious ceremony could be held when situation stabilises.

Symbolic Burial?

In Islam, the burial should take place as soon as possible. Muslims strive to bury their dead in no more than 24 hours. It is not a rule per se. Ideally, the bodies are kept for no more than three days, but if there are forensic inquiries then the body is kept for longer.

For instance, Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi’s body required investigations to ascertain cause of death and had to be put on display to convince people he was dead. On the other hand, Slain Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden’s body was washed, shrouded, and disposed of at sea in no longer than 24 hours.

But, given the protracted nature of this war, a burial ceremony for Nasrallah might not be possible and therefore it could be discreet, low-key event until there is a decision on his final resting place which could be in Lebanon or Karbala in Iraq, or Najaf in Iran.

Burial In Karbala? The Significance

While Hezbollah is yet to announce plans for the funeral, Hassan Nasrallah will get the burial that his followers and allies think he deserves. Abdul Amir Al Teiban, an adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, posted on X that Nasrallah would be buried “next to Imam Hussein, in Karbala.”

Imam Hussein shrine in the city of Karbala in South Baghdad could be the final resting place of Hassan Nasrallah. This is a huge elevation in stature for the slain leader since Karbala is the place where Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, was martyred & buried. Hasan Nasrallah is considered a modern day martyr like the 72 companions of Imam Hussain who also died along with him on the 10th day of the holy month of Muharram (Ashura) and that includes his 6-month old baby boy Ali Asghar, his 18 yr old son Ali Akbar & his brothers including 33-yr old Hazrat Abbas.

Some are now comparing the war between Hezbollah and Israel symbolises the struggle of Imam Hussain against the tyrant Yazid of Byzantine’s empire in 7th century A.D.

Nasrallah today has personified the great resistance against the occupier’s. He has become the face and resembles the significance of resistance against all odds, like that of Imam Hussain and his 72 compatriots who died resisting Yazid’s army of 30,000 soldiers along with him.

Karbala, as described by Prophet Muhammad, is a piece of heaven on earth that will ascend with the inhabitants when the final day of judgement arrives .

Therefore, there is no bigger honour for a Shi’a Muslim to be buried in the holy land of Karbala. Hassan Nasrallah is a revered Shia cleric (faqih) who studied in Najaf, Iran in the early 80’s but was asked to join the movement after the killing of his predecessors.

His death is considered the biggest sacrifice in the cause of Palestine. If he were to remain as a source of inspiration for the next generation, where he is buried, how he is given a send-off and who were there to bid him farewell will matter.