Boratha Mosque in Baghdad where Mary (A.S.) gave birth to Jesus (A.S.)

While you are directing towards north east of Baghdad, five kilometers the distance from the Yard of the two Imams Musa al-Kazim and Muhammad al-Jawad (peace be upon them), a clear Shrine of Divine Guidance and Prophetic Honour on a high land comes into your sights. Moreover, two minarets are proudly erected under their domes of care thousands of visitors has been traveling to this place from different parts of the world to take blessings from a land, wherein affection of the hearts of conversant men and the shelter of the prayer men (who spend the night in prayer).
It is Boratha which means in the ancient Syriac language (the son of Miracles); or it is said (the House of Mary); or (the land of Jesus). Boratha Mosque is one of the holy thresholds, and is one of the great shrines according to Christians and Muslims, both alike. It is considered one of the oldest shrines of Baghdad in Islamic history; even before the Abbasid capital was founded a century and eight years ago.

History and Miracles
It is narrated that Boratha (land) was a convent of Christians. A monk called Habar had secluded here. He was become a Muslim and went with Imam Ali, Ameer al-Mu’minin (the Commander of the Faith) to the center of Islamic capital (al-Kufa), and consequently the convent has turned into a mosque, which has been known as Boratha Mosque. This was when Imam Ali (A.S.) had passed across this place in 37 A.H. When he had been coming back from al-Nahrawan battle and his two sons Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husain and about one hundred thousands men of his companions were with him, he stayed there four days. He plucked out by his blessed hand from a certain spot a black hard rock where a pure water gushed out; it has been more delicious than a butter and sweetest than a honey.

Here, Mary delivered
After water gushed out and people drank as well as cleansed for prayer – as it is narrated above – Imam Ali (A.S.) pointed to a position near by and said to his companions: “Dig here seven arms”. When they digged, they found a piece of a white rock, its age returned to time before Islam. Afterwards Imam Ali (A.S.) said: “Here Mary gave birth to Jesus”, i.e. on this white rock. That proves Boratha Mosque ancientness and holiness. This piece of white marble, which is considered one of the most precious museum treasures and relics, is still here in the Mosque. People who come to the Mosque pray by it and take blessings through touching it. Furthermore, aayat al-Kursi (al-Kursi verse) has been engraved (inscribed) on its sides, as well as the Names of the fourteenth infallible Masoomeen (A.S.).

Meeting of the Religions
One of the Boratha sacramants affirms that this honorable place has always received a lot of Christians and visitors from other creeds and religions, in addition to their brethrens Muslims. Hence, it is one of the greatest centers of religions meeting, especially of Islam and Christianity. Its visitors from different stripes and ages, males and females, old and young reach about 4000 every day.

Shining Station
While I am moving here and there in Boratha Mosque, I heard the news of how "Khoshaba Binyamin Dolves" has embraced Islam (become a Muslim). His age is of 36 (thirty six) years old. He announced his Islam to people last week. When someone asked him about that, he replied very briefly that the miracles of Boratha Mosque was the reason behind his adoption of Islam and his embracing of a new religion.

The Greatest Men's Home
It has been narrated that seventy Prophets and Executors, like Abraham, Jesus, Daniel, Imam Ali (A.S.), prayed in Boratha. Moreover, here in this land is a tomb of one of the Prophets.

Projects of Rebuilding & Enlarging
Earlier Boratha area was twice than nowadays, i.e. the area of the Mosque, the graveyard, and the garden. But its recent area reaches about 400 square meters. Plans are prepared to enlarge and rebuild Boratha Mosque according to a new architectural form. This form will maintain the historical spirit and the sacred honorable beauty that is to remain as it has been through history: the center of the beholders, the foreign tourists, the visitors, the worshippers, and the scholars of the development of Islamic architecture.