Difference between Tomb and a Maqam
The Tomb is a burial site of a respected Prophet, Sahabi or any Saint and a Maqam is a place which is somewhat associated with a prophet for example where he stayed for a particular amount of days, or where he left some markings like footprints or where he performed some miracles.
Authentic Site vs. Site for Reverence
Authentic sites are as the word describe it, authentic beyond the reason of doubt while sites for reverence are those sites that were created in order to receive spiritual blessings from a particular Prophet, Sahaba or a Saint.
General Places (Related to Islamic Tombs and Relics)
There is no doubt whatsoever regarding the authenticity of this site or place holding the holy relics.
And also Sahih ONE graded site are one and only as no other site in any part of the world take part in the claim in having anything to do with the narrative of the authentic site. As opposed to Sahih Multiple Primary which has one authentic site and many sites just for reverence.
Example: Cave of Hira & Jabla an-Nur (There is one and only Hira cave in the world and no other cave claims to be the ‘second cave of Hira’)
Also those places upon which the original construction was destroyed and something else was build over it over the period of time throughout history, those places also belongs to Sahih ONE grade because no matter what was build on the reamins of the old, the location is exact and authentic.
Example: Birthplace of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. (Although here stands a library now, but the location is exact and authentic)
There might be some doubts regarding the authenticity of this site. Although the local belief in spirituality and reverence is very strong (making it a close contender for the most prominent site in that particular category)
Example: Tomb of Hz. Musa عليه اسلام
Just like Sahih ONE, Sahih Multiple Primary also applies to a place in which there is no doubt whatsoever regarding the authenticity of that particular site of burial or place holding the holy relics. The only difference here is that there are multiple sites that are claiming to be that particular site, and Sahih Multiple Primary applies to the site which is the Authentic one out of the two, three, four, five….
Example: More than three sites claim to be the burial place of Prophet Yunus alahi salam but the real authentic site is in Mosul, Iraq and other sites are most probably for reverence purposes.
So remember Sahih Multiple Primary = Sahih ONE, but unlike Sahih ONE which only have one and only place in the world claiming that particular claim, Sahih Multiple Primary applies to the authentic one out of a group.
Sahih Multiple Secondary is applied to all the other category claiming the claim but the position of an authentic one, which is already given to Sahih Multiple Primary. And all the sites in Sahih Multiple Secondary are most probably out there for reverence purpose or they might have some story behind that particular site.
Example: Let’s take above example, Hz. Yunus alahi alam in Mosul, Iraq belongs to Sahih Multiple Primary as it is the authentic one. And the sites in Mashhad and Halhul, Palestine belongs to Sahih Multiple Secondary
The reason why we are calling Sahih Multiple Secondary as Sahih is because although they might not be the real authentic one but the presence is definitely felt there according to the local belief in many sites and in respect for those spiritual reasons we don’t wanna grade any side ‘Weak or Fake’
Very Less information is available to us right now regarding this site so we are not going to grade this place unless more information is provided to us. But this does not in any way means that this site is Fake. No. It’s just that we are not ready to make any claim right now regarding this site.
This category belongs to those prophets that are not mentioned either in Islamic Scriptures or in any of the Ahl-e-kitab books. These prophets were mainly sent to different nations around the world including nation of Bani Israel and not much information is available regarding them to us.
Only thing we know is that people revere and regard these sites as prophetic graves from centuries as it was passed onto them from generations so the thing we can go is pass this legacy to our next generation and not take it upon ourselves to decide whether these sites are authentic or not. Cause it is nearly impossible to be a perfect judge of that.
For example there are some prophets whose names aren’t even knows to general public. Only we know from traditional sources of people who were inspired by some Awliyas or by seeing some dreams over and over that there at a certain distance lies the grave of a holy prophet. Perfect example of this is the 8 graves of Prophets found in Sirhind, Punjab (India) by local farmers.
Another Example: Tomb of Prophet Shu’ayb al-Haduri عليه السلام
Islamic Maqams (Islam is prevalent but other religion sentiments might be there)
Confirmed by scholars and local and traditional belief of Muslims is very strong. Maqam is associated with a Prophet, Sahaba, Awliya Allah, Any great personality, Famous battle sites.
Sites like for example where any great personality stayed for a particular amount of days, or where he or she left some markings like footprints or where he performed some miracles or where some famous battle was fought.
Example: Well of Hz. Yaqub عليه اسلام
Maqam Confirmed also applies to a site where the original building is destroyed and something different is build over it and no remains of original maqam is left
Example: Demolished House of Bibi Khadija رضي الله عنها
Location not confirmed by scholars but revered by local and traditional belief. By location not confirmed we mean there is a disagreement over the authenticity of the site and the decision is not unanimous among the historians.
Strong Local Belief is the key here.
Example: Well of Hz. Yusuf عليه اسلام
Not confirmed by either scholars or local belief, only exist in some theory told by someone.
Example: Durupınar site of the ship
Part of a series of maqqam belonging to the same category where one is the prominent one while others are less prominent compared to that one.
Example: Rock of Wife of Hz. Lut عليه اسلام, because the rock on the Jordanian side is more prominent then the rock on the Palestinian side.
Maqam confirmed in a long area perimeter & the exact place where the event took place is not known or confirmed.
Example: Battle site of Battle of Yarmouk
Quranic Places
There is no doubt regarding the authenticity of this exact site, Fact Established by Quran and Sunnah, and Location confirmed by Scholars and scientists.
Example: Hz. Habib al-Najjar رحمة الله عليه and People of Ya-sin
There might be some doubt regarding the authenticity of this exact site, but the local tradition and belief in this site is very strong, Fact Established by Quran and Sunnah but the exact location cannot be confirmed and deemed authentic by Islamic scholars and scientists. Strong Local Belief is the key here.
Example: Cave of Blood in Mount Qasiyun
Fact Established by Quran and Sunnah, but the particular site is very dubious and not reliable at all. Although some local beliefs might counter that view otherwise.
Example: Qasr Qaroon
Fact Established by Quran and Sunnah but the exact location is unknown as the perimeter is huge and there is no authentic way to find the exact spot or place. So although we know and all the evidence point out the location to be in a particular country, region, city, or any town but exact spot has not been located yet.
Example: Wall of Hz. Dhu al-Qarnayn عليه اسلام
Fact Established by Quran and Sunnah, but there is no way in the world that the authenticity of one can be autheticated and prevail over the other. That’s why anyone of them can be the real authentic one.
Example: All the Sites associated with Ashab-e-Kahf
Ahl-e-Kitab Maqams (Other religion is prevalent but Islamic sentiments might be present there)
With local Muslim belief or practice – Knowledge coming from the basis of research done by Jewish and Christian sources. Also, local Muslim belief is as strong as the Ahl e Kitab belief regarding that site. And both pay respect to this particular site.
Example: Milk Grotto of Bibi Maryam رضي الله عنها
Without local Muslim belief or practice – Knowledge coming from the basis of research done by Jewish and Christian scholars. Local Muslims do not associate themselves with this site either in belief or in any physical practice. Although there might be some sort of sentiments of reverence as it is the basis of our deen and Islam to respect places sacred to Ahl e Kitab and other religion.
Example: Tomb of Hz. Sam’un رضي الله عنه (Saint Peter)
May Allah سبحانه و تعالى save us from errors and help us to walk on the straight path (Ameen)
