The memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari is located almost 11 kilometres from Samarkand. It was built for the 1225th birthday of this Muslim scientist according to the lunar calendar.
Imam al-Bukhari was born in the family of a Muslim cleric in old Bukhara in the 9th century AD and buried in Samarkand because he had spent most of his life and died there.
Even as a child, he was very curious, had an enquiring mind and amazing memory. By the age of ten, he already knew several thousand hadiths by heart. At the age of 16, he made a pilgrimage to Mecca and stayed there to study.
He spent 4 years in that holy city and took lessons from the most revered muhaddiths of that time. After that, he spent another 16 years reading hadiths in the other holy city, Medina. He collected and wrote down Muslim legends, some of which were also included in Sharia law. In total, Imam al-Bukhari systematized and clarified about 7,275 very significant hadiths.
The mausoleum was built in the 16th century, a year after the death of Imam al-Bukhari, and several important objects of the memorial complex were later constructed near it — there are an administrative building, mosques and other constructions located along the entire perimeter of the courtyard.
As for the mausoleum of Imam al-Bukhari, it is located in the center of the memorial complex, has a cubic shape and is topped with a huge turquoise dome. The door that leads inside the mausoleum is located on the right side and leads down to the dakhma — long ago, that was the name of the place of worship.
To the right, under the sagana — that was how a cup always full of faith, love and hope was called in legends, — there is the grave of Al-Bukhari, entirely covered with white marble. The walls of the mausoleum are decorated with doves, the symbol of freedom and faith, as well as with various types of stone and marble. At the back of the mausoleum, there is an educational center, madrassah (Dorus Hadis) in which the Quranic sciences are still being taught. Upon completion of the studies, boys have the right to work as imams in mosques. The mosque is located nearby, on the left side of the courtyard. It can accommodate 1,500 worshippers at the same time.
Canaan Travel invites all guests and residents of Uzbekistan to visit the legendary city of Samarkand and get acquainted with its attractions. The ancient city is full of legends, which you can get to know better while spending your vacation in our magical land.