Umar ibn Yahya al-Alawi built a new sanctuary and a distinguished and elevated dome over the holy grave. He is also remembered for a profound merit: returning the Hajar al-Aswad to its rightful place in the Sacred Kaaba after it had been seized by the Qarmatians, adherents of a branch of the Ismaili sect.
The Return of the Hajar al-Aswad and the Erection of the New Shrine
Sayed Jafar Bahr al-Ulum writes in reference to this historical development:
“The construction of this sacred building was carried out by Sayed Abu al-Ali Umar, the noble Sayed to whom God granted the honor of restoring the Black Stone after the Ismaili faction plundered Makkah in the year 317 AH, removed the Stone, and took it to Kufa, where they suspended it upon the seventh pillar of the mosque.
The account is lengthy. The noble Sayed returned the Stone to its original site in the year 339 AH, after it remained among them for twenty-two years.
This honorable Sayed financed the construction of the dome of his forefather, the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), from his own wealth. He descended from al-Hussain Dhi al-Damah, and his lineage is recorded as follows: Abu al-Ali Umar ibn Yahya, Governor of Kufa, son of al-Hussain Naqib al-Tahir, son of Abu Atiqah Ahmad, poet and scholar of hadith, son of Abu al-Ali Umar ibn Abi al-Hussain Yahya, companion of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the year 250 AH. His head was placed inside a woven basket and brought before al-Mustain ibn Abi Abdullah, the ascetic, and al-Hussain Dhi al-Damah, the one whom Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) nurtured and taught knowledge.”
Shaikh Muhammad Hussain Hirz al-Din further writes concerning the Naqib of the Talibids, Sayed Umar al-Alawi:
“God honored him with two distinguished virtues: first, constructing the dome of his noble forefather, the Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him), at his personal expense; and second, restoring the Hajar al-Aswad to its original place.
In the year 339 AH, Sayed Abu al-Ali Umar ibn Yahya al-Alawi mediated between the Caliph al-Muti li-llah and the Ismaili faction and delivered the Black Stone back. It was first brought to Kufa and suspended upon the seventh pillar of the mosque before being transferred to the House of God. This event serves as a confirmation of a narration attributed to Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), who foretold that the Black Stone would be taken and would be hung upon the seventh pillar.”
