The Bibi-Heybat Mosque was constructed in the 13th century by the 28th ruler of the Shirvanshah dynasty, Farrukhzad II. Inscriptions on the walls indicate that the mosque, built in 1281–1282, was designed by the architect Mahmud ibn Sayid. It was located in the village of Shikhlar (also known as Shaykh), to the southwest of Baku. Inside the mosque was the tomb of Hakimah (also known as Hukaymah) Khanum, the daughter of the seventh Shi‘a Imam, Musa al-Kazim, and sister of the eighth Imam, Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha. Hakimah Khanum never married and dedicated her life to raising her brother’s children.
Only person she trusted in Baku was a wealthy merchant named Haji Badir. Historical accounts suggest that he was a prosperous trader from Icherisheher. The name “Bibi-Heybat” is closely tied to these figures. In Arabic, letters carry strong phonetic weight. The first letter of “Haji” is pronounced ḥā’ (he), and the first letter of “Badir” is bā’ (be). Just as the word alifba (alphabet/ əlifba) in Arabic comes from combining alif and ba, “Haji Badir” and “Heybət” are understood to refer to the same person. The word bibi (aunt) was how people addressed Hakimah Khanum. Over time, the shrine became known as Bibi-Heybat, combining reverence for both Hakimah Khanum and Haji Badir (Heybət).
Hakimah Khanum and three children lived there until their deaths, after which they were buried in the present-day Bibi-Heybat area, which at the time was uninhabited. Haji Badir Heybat himself was buried by her feet, in accordance with his wish.
The shrine, built in classical Eastern style adorned with white marble interiors. Today, the mosque has two minarets, one of which is named after Heydar Aliyev. The mosque can accommodate approximately 3,000 worshippers at once and provides separate prayer areas for men and women. A special underfloor heating system was also installed.
The mosque was demolished twice in 1934 by the Communists. On July 23, 1997, the foundation of a new mosque complex was laid on the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The main building was inaugurated with the participation of Heydar Aliyev on July 12, 1998. Ten years later, on July 12, 2008, after major renovations, the entire complex was officially opened in a ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev.
Bibi-Heybat shrine has long been associated with vows and blessings. For example, Khurshidbanu Natavan, a prominent 19th-century poet and noblewoman, remained childless for some time after her marriage. She vowed that if she were to have a child, she would build a road to the shrine. Her vow was fulfilled: she bore a child, built the road, and carried her child to the shrine along the very path she had dedicated.
Similarly, Fatali Khan, the ruler of Quba, requested in his will that he be buried at the feet of the graves within the shrine. His family honored his wish, but in September 1934, when the shrine was destroyed, his grave was also desecrated. Only his headstone survives, now preserved in the History Museum.
AzEns.az/ Jalya Orujeva