Mosque Name: Maqam Jafr ibn Abi Talib
Country: Jordan
City: Tafilah
Year of construction (AD): 700-799
GPS: 31.066698 35.695416
Gibson Classification: Between
Rebuilt facing Mecca: Never
Description:
Jafar was a companion and cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, and an older brother of Ali. He died during the battle of Mut’ah, in 8 AH, during the time the prophet Muhammad was alive. The shrine has been rebuilt several times over the centuries.
In the satellite photo below the two graves are near the top of the photo with two small bluish domes. Notice that the shrine is oriented differently than the mosque at the bottom of the photo.
The graves were measured from inside the tomb but there was some question of accuracy because of all the metal on the grave itself, and metal bars and doors all around, so the reading of 185 degrees did not seem correct. The grave orientations match the structure of the building. On the other hand, the buildings seems to be oriented to 176 degrees. which is closer to a Between Qibla. (172) If this is the case, then this shrine was built during or after Hajjaj started the Between Qibla. While the structure and grave covering would not date to 8 AH, it is claimed that the bodies in the grave were buried in 8 AH.
Notice the mosque at the bottom of the photo faces Mecca, while the Shrine and graves at the top face west of Mecca.
The shrine from the side. The mosque is on the south and the shrine is on the north.
The grave itself.
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