History of the shrine of Imam Ali b. Musa Al-
Ridha - peace be upon him- the history of
Mashhad
Mashhad is the capital of Khorasan province in the North
East of Iran, 892 km away from Tehran. It is located at the
altitude of 985 Meter occupying an area of 204 sq. Km. and
has a population of about 1.5 million. Mashhad grew from a
small village called Sanabad, 24 km away from Tus. After the
martyrdom of Imam Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha and his burial
there in 203 AH, the place came to be known as Mashhad Al-
Ridha. Astan-Qods-Razavi (the name given to the physical
buildings comprising the Haram) is one of the most beautiful
and glorious religious places in Iran. The best of Islamic art
and architecture can be seen in the unique and significant
monuments where Islamic art and faith is embedded.
History of the construction of Astan-Qods-Razavi
Hamza Ibn Qahtabah, the Abbasid army commander who
had led the war against the Ommayids was appointed by
Mansur and Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid caliphs as the Governor
of Khorasan. He made a big garden between Noughan and
Sanadan and erected a palace which stood up to the
beginning of the 4th century AH. Haroon, who had come to
Tus to suppress the Khorasan rebellion, became ill and
resided in the garden during his ailment. But he died in 193
H. And was buried inside the palace. Upon his tomb a shrine
was built.
In 203 AH, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, was poisoned
by Mamoun, the son of Haroon and Imam was buried
alongside with Haroon. Since the martyrdom of Imam, his
holy shrine became a place of pilgrimage for the world's
Shias and the city spread so far as Noughan and Sanabad
were annexed to it to become Mashhad Al-Ridha, shortened
over time to Mashad.
The holy shrine was ruined by Saboktakin, a Ghaznavid king.
But his son, Sultan Mahmoud ordered the shrine to be
repaired and expanded in 428 AH. During the invasion of
Changis and his son, Tooly, the holy shrine was ruined again.
Sultan Mohamed Khoda-Banda, a Shiite king of Moghol
dynasty, who reigned from 703 to 716 AH, had the holy
shrine rebuilt. Since the time of Safavids, Afshars and Qajars
to date many of the Astane-Qods buildings have been
expanded.
Basts (Places of Refuge)
Basts were places of refuge from the tyranny of dictators and
provided the best refuge for the people under persecution. In
Astane-Qods-Razavi there exist two large yards on each side
of Sahne Enqelab (Revolution Court) namely Baste Payeen
Khiaban (Lower Bast) and Baste
Bala Khiaban (Upper Bast). Today Basts are used as two
entrances to Imam Al-Ridha's Holy Shrine. In recent years
two new Basts have been built namely Baste Sheikh Bahai
(between Gowharshad Mosque and Sahne Jamburi Islami)
and Baste Tabarsi (between the Islamic University and the
new building of Astane-Qods Library).
Sahne Enqelab
This is one of the most beautiful and glorious buildings of
Astane Qods Razavi. The four balconies in this court are
Abbasi (North) , Tala (South), Naqqareh Khaneh (East) upon
which lies Naqqareh Khaneh, Sa'at (Clock) (West) upon which
is a big clock. These balconies which attest to the best of
architecture are more than three centuries old. There is a big
rectangular window in this court made of bronze and steel.
Tala, the golden balcony was built by Amir Alishir Navaiee,
Sultan Bighara's wise vizier in 872 H. The northern Abbasi
balcony was constructed during Shah Abbas's reign in 1021
AH.
Minarets
The two golden minarets of Imam Ridha's shrine have been
specially built. The minarets are usually made on the two
sides of the dome and near the dome. But these two minarets
have been built far from each other. One, close to the Dome,
upon Naderi balcony in the southern section of Sahne
Enqelab and the other far in the northern section of Sahne
Enqelab on Abbasi balcony. Although lack of symmetry can
be clearly felt, it has been done on purpose so that when
pilgrims enter Haram from Imam Ridha Avenue they can see
the minarets and the Dome in the middle. The minaret which
is close to the Dome was built by Shah Tahmasb Safavi and
has a height of 40.5 meters and a circumference of 13
meters. The other minaret on Abbasi balcony was built at the
time of Nader Shah.
Nqqareh Khaneh (Place of Kettle Drums)
In 860 H. When Baisonqor Shahrokh's son came to Mashad
from Herat to Haram to seek remedy from Imam Ridha
kettledrums were beaten to announce his presence. Since
then this practice has been performed every day before
sunrise and sunset except mourning period. The place where
kettledrums are performed is on the eastern balcony of
Sahne Enqelab.
Saqqa Khaneh (Public Drinking Place)
There is a public drinking place called hawze Ismail Talai in
the middle of Sahne Enqelab with a gilded inscription
belonging to the time of Nader Shah Afshar's reign. That is
why it is called Naderi drinking place. The marble pool was
brought from Her on Nader Shah's orders. The golden bricks
with which the inscription has been written was made by
Ismail, an artist whose name the drinking place bears. It was
rebuilt in 1347 H.
Sa'at (the Clock)
There is a big clock on the western balcony of Sahne Enqelab.
It dates back to the period of Mozaffar-al-Din Shah's period.
Sahne Jamhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Court)
This Sahn which is 10,000 square meters in size was built in
recent years. It has two minarets at the back of the northern
and Southern gates. Each minaret is 30 meters high. This
Sahn provides one approach from Ravaq of Dar-al-Valayeh
to the holy Shrine of Imam. The building situated on the
eastern part of this Sahn is called Dar-al-Rahmeh.
Sahn Qods
This Sahn is recently built and 2500 Sq. Meters in size is
situated between Sahne Imam Khomeini and Baste Shaykh
Bahai. On the ground floor there are 28 chambers each six
meters high and one veranda called Qebleh which is 50 Sq
Meters in size. At the centre of this Sahn is a newly built
public drinking place.
Sahne Imam Khomeini
This Sahn is located at the left side of the Holy Shrine of Imam
Ridha a and faces Imam Ridha Avenue. Its area is more than
8300 sq Meters. Shaykh Bahai's tomb is located between this
Sahn and Sahne Azadi.
Sahne Azadi
This Sahn is located east of the Holy Shrine and dates back to
the time of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. It is about 85 meters long
and 54 meters wide. It has four verandas, the most famous
of which is called Eivan Tala (golden Veranda) that is
adjacent to the am. This veranda was gilded at the time of
Nasir-al-Din Shah Qajar.
Gowharshad Mosque
This mosque is one of the most reputed in Iran and is situated
adjacent to the Holy Shrine of Imam Ridha. It was built in 821
AH. under the orders of Gowharshad Khatun, Shahrokh
Mirza's wife. Its area is 9410 Sq Meters and includes a
courtyard, four porches and seven large prayer halls. Two
beautiful minarets, each 40 meters high, are located on both
sides of Maqsureh Porch. There is an inscription on the left
on the margin of the porch written by Baisonqor, one of the
best calligraphists of the time. The Sahib-al Zaman Pulpit is
in Maqsureh porch. It was built in 1243 H with walnut wood
and without using any iron or nail. This mosque has a public
library with 34,650 volumes.
Imam Ridha a 's Tomb
It is located beneath the Golden Dome (The Golden Dome is
the most prominent symbol of the city of Mashad with an
altitude of 31.20 meters) and surrounded by different
porches each bearing a separate name. The skilled artists
have done their best in the creation of this place. It is square
in shape and some 135 sq. meters have been added to its
area after extension works. The walls are covered by marble
up to twenty centimeters and the next ninety two
centimeters are covered by expensive tiles known as Sultan
Sanjari tiles. Quranic verses and Ahadiths of the Ahlul Bait a
have been carved on these tiles. The important inscription
written round the walls is eighty centimeters wide and
written by Ali Ridha Abbasi, the famous calligraphist of the
Safavid period and bears Surah Jumah of the Holy Quran.
Dar-al Hoffaz (the place of the Reciters)
This porch is located south of the Holy Shrine and northeast
of the Gowharshad mosque. It was built under the orders of
Gowharshad khatoon. The pilgrims pray here seeking
permission to enter the Holy Shrine. Dar-al-Hoffaz is
connected to Haram through a doorway. It has been built for
the Quran reciters. Abbas Mirza, Fath-Ali Shah's vicegerent is
buried in this porch.
Towhid Khaneh (place of Divine Unity)
It is located north of the Holy Shrine and south of Sahne
Enqelab. This porch is used for ladies prayers.
Dar-al-Siyadah
Located in the western part of the Haram, this porch was
built under the orders of Gowharshad Khatoon. There is a
silver window in its northeastern part from where Imam
Ridha a 's Tomb can be seen.
Bala-Sar Mosque
There is a small mosque attached to the west part of the
Haram. It is called Bala Sar (above the head) because
pilgrims enter this mosque from the west side of Imam Ridha
a ' s burial chamber which is Bala-Sar of Imam. It is one of
the oldest mosques in Mashhad and dates back to the time
of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi.
Dar-al Rahmah Porch
This porch has an area of 365 sq. meters and is situated in
the eastern part of Sahne Jamhuri e Islami. It has been
decorated with gilding, plaster works, mirrors and fret work
and was inaugurated in 1371 AH.
The other porches are Dar-al-Ekhlas, Dar-al-Shukr, Dar-al-
Salaam and Dar-al-Zekr.
Allahverdikhan Dome
It is an octagonal dome built on Allahverdikhan's tomb. He
was one of Shah Abbas's generals. It is located in northeast
of Haram and decorated with colored tiles and beautiful
drawings. It is one of the most valuable artistic works inside
Haram.
Ridha - peace be upon him- the history of
Mashhad
Mashhad is the capital of Khorasan province in the North
East of Iran, 892 km away from Tehran. It is located at the
altitude of 985 Meter occupying an area of 204 sq. Km. and
has a population of about 1.5 million. Mashhad grew from a
small village called Sanabad, 24 km away from Tus. After the
martyrdom of Imam Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha and his burial
there in 203 AH, the place came to be known as Mashhad Al-
Ridha. Astan-Qods-Razavi (the name given to the physical
buildings comprising the Haram) is one of the most beautiful
and glorious religious places in Iran. The best of Islamic art
and architecture can be seen in the unique and significant
monuments where Islamic art and faith is embedded.
History of the construction of Astan-Qods-Razavi
Hamza Ibn Qahtabah, the Abbasid army commander who
had led the war against the Ommayids was appointed by
Mansur and Al-Mahdi, the Abbasid caliphs as the Governor
of Khorasan. He made a big garden between Noughan and
Sanadan and erected a palace which stood up to the
beginning of the 4th century AH. Haroon, who had come to
Tus to suppress the Khorasan rebellion, became ill and
resided in the garden during his ailment. But he died in 193
H. And was buried inside the palace. Upon his tomb a shrine
was built.
In 203 AH, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, was poisoned
by Mamoun, the son of Haroon and Imam was buried
alongside with Haroon. Since the martyrdom of Imam, his
holy shrine became a place of pilgrimage for the world's
Shias and the city spread so far as Noughan and Sanabad
were annexed to it to become Mashhad Al-Ridha, shortened
over time to Mashad.
The holy shrine was ruined by Saboktakin, a Ghaznavid king.
But his son, Sultan Mahmoud ordered the shrine to be
repaired and expanded in 428 AH. During the invasion of
Changis and his son, Tooly, the holy shrine was ruined again.
Sultan Mohamed Khoda-Banda, a Shiite king of Moghol
dynasty, who reigned from 703 to 716 AH, had the holy
shrine rebuilt. Since the time of Safavids, Afshars and Qajars
to date many of the Astane-Qods buildings have been
expanded.
Basts (Places of Refuge)
Basts were places of refuge from the tyranny of dictators and
provided the best refuge for the people under persecution. In
Astane-Qods-Razavi there exist two large yards on each side
of Sahne Enqelab (Revolution Court) namely Baste Payeen
Khiaban (Lower Bast) and Baste
Bala Khiaban (Upper Bast). Today Basts are used as two
entrances to Imam Al-Ridha's Holy Shrine. In recent years
two new Basts have been built namely Baste Sheikh Bahai
(between Gowharshad Mosque and Sahne Jamburi Islami)
and Baste Tabarsi (between the Islamic University and the
new building of Astane-Qods Library).
Sahne Enqelab
This is one of the most beautiful and glorious buildings of
Astane Qods Razavi. The four balconies in this court are
Abbasi (North) , Tala (South), Naqqareh Khaneh (East) upon
which lies Naqqareh Khaneh, Sa'at (Clock) (West) upon which
is a big clock. These balconies which attest to the best of
architecture are more than three centuries old. There is a big
rectangular window in this court made of bronze and steel.
Tala, the golden balcony was built by Amir Alishir Navaiee,
Sultan Bighara's wise vizier in 872 H. The northern Abbasi
balcony was constructed during Shah Abbas's reign in 1021
AH.
Minarets
The two golden minarets of Imam Ridha's shrine have been
specially built. The minarets are usually made on the two
sides of the dome and near the dome. But these two minarets
have been built far from each other. One, close to the Dome,
upon Naderi balcony in the southern section of Sahne
Enqelab and the other far in the northern section of Sahne
Enqelab on Abbasi balcony. Although lack of symmetry can
be clearly felt, it has been done on purpose so that when
pilgrims enter Haram from Imam Ridha Avenue they can see
the minarets and the Dome in the middle. The minaret which
is close to the Dome was built by Shah Tahmasb Safavi and
has a height of 40.5 meters and a circumference of 13
meters. The other minaret on Abbasi balcony was built at the
time of Nader Shah.
Nqqareh Khaneh (Place of Kettle Drums)
In 860 H. When Baisonqor Shahrokh's son came to Mashad
from Herat to Haram to seek remedy from Imam Ridha
kettledrums were beaten to announce his presence. Since
then this practice has been performed every day before
sunrise and sunset except mourning period. The place where
kettledrums are performed is on the eastern balcony of
Sahne Enqelab.
Saqqa Khaneh (Public Drinking Place)
There is a public drinking place called hawze Ismail Talai in
the middle of Sahne Enqelab with a gilded inscription
belonging to the time of Nader Shah Afshar's reign. That is
why it is called Naderi drinking place. The marble pool was
brought from Her on Nader Shah's orders. The golden bricks
with which the inscription has been written was made by
Ismail, an artist whose name the drinking place bears. It was
rebuilt in 1347 H.
Sa'at (the Clock)
There is a big clock on the western balcony of Sahne Enqelab.
It dates back to the period of Mozaffar-al-Din Shah's period.
Sahne Jamhuri Islami (Islamic Republic Court)
This Sahn which is 10,000 square meters in size was built in
recent years. It has two minarets at the back of the northern
and Southern gates. Each minaret is 30 meters high. This
Sahn provides one approach from Ravaq of Dar-al-Valayeh
to the holy Shrine of Imam. The building situated on the
eastern part of this Sahn is called Dar-al-Rahmeh.
Sahn Qods
This Sahn is recently built and 2500 Sq. Meters in size is
situated between Sahne Imam Khomeini and Baste Shaykh
Bahai. On the ground floor there are 28 chambers each six
meters high and one veranda called Qebleh which is 50 Sq
Meters in size. At the centre of this Sahn is a newly built
public drinking place.
Sahne Imam Khomeini
This Sahn is located at the left side of the Holy Shrine of Imam
Ridha a and faces Imam Ridha Avenue. Its area is more than
8300 sq Meters. Shaykh Bahai's tomb is located between this
Sahn and Sahne Azadi.
Sahne Azadi
This Sahn is located east of the Holy Shrine and dates back to
the time of Fath-Ali Shah Qajar. It is about 85 meters long
and 54 meters wide. It has four verandas, the most famous
of which is called Eivan Tala (golden Veranda) that is
adjacent to the am. This veranda was gilded at the time of
Nasir-al-Din Shah Qajar.
Gowharshad Mosque
This mosque is one of the most reputed in Iran and is situated
adjacent to the Holy Shrine of Imam Ridha. It was built in 821
AH. under the orders of Gowharshad Khatun, Shahrokh
Mirza's wife. Its area is 9410 Sq Meters and includes a
courtyard, four porches and seven large prayer halls. Two
beautiful minarets, each 40 meters high, are located on both
sides of Maqsureh Porch. There is an inscription on the left
on the margin of the porch written by Baisonqor, one of the
best calligraphists of the time. The Sahib-al Zaman Pulpit is
in Maqsureh porch. It was built in 1243 H with walnut wood
and without using any iron or nail. This mosque has a public
library with 34,650 volumes.
Imam Ridha a 's Tomb
It is located beneath the Golden Dome (The Golden Dome is
the most prominent symbol of the city of Mashad with an
altitude of 31.20 meters) and surrounded by different
porches each bearing a separate name. The skilled artists
have done their best in the creation of this place. It is square
in shape and some 135 sq. meters have been added to its
area after extension works. The walls are covered by marble
up to twenty centimeters and the next ninety two
centimeters are covered by expensive tiles known as Sultan
Sanjari tiles. Quranic verses and Ahadiths of the Ahlul Bait a
have been carved on these tiles. The important inscription
written round the walls is eighty centimeters wide and
written by Ali Ridha Abbasi, the famous calligraphist of the
Safavid period and bears Surah Jumah of the Holy Quran.
Dar-al Hoffaz (the place of the Reciters)
This porch is located south of the Holy Shrine and northeast
of the Gowharshad mosque. It was built under the orders of
Gowharshad khatoon. The pilgrims pray here seeking
permission to enter the Holy Shrine. Dar-al-Hoffaz is
connected to Haram through a doorway. It has been built for
the Quran reciters. Abbas Mirza, Fath-Ali Shah's vicegerent is
buried in this porch.
Towhid Khaneh (place of Divine Unity)
It is located north of the Holy Shrine and south of Sahne
Enqelab. This porch is used for ladies prayers.
Dar-al-Siyadah
Located in the western part of the Haram, this porch was
built under the orders of Gowharshad Khatoon. There is a
silver window in its northeastern part from where Imam
Ridha a 's Tomb can be seen.
Bala-Sar Mosque
There is a small mosque attached to the west part of the
Haram. It is called Bala Sar (above the head) because
pilgrims enter this mosque from the west side of Imam Ridha
a ' s burial chamber which is Bala-Sar of Imam. It is one of
the oldest mosques in Mashhad and dates back to the time
of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi.
Dar-al Rahmah Porch
This porch has an area of 365 sq. meters and is situated in
the eastern part of Sahne Jamhuri e Islami. It has been
decorated with gilding, plaster works, mirrors and fret work
and was inaugurated in 1371 AH.
The other porches are Dar-al-Ekhlas, Dar-al-Shukr, Dar-al-
Salaam and Dar-al-Zekr.
Allahverdikhan Dome
It is an octagonal dome built on Allahverdikhan's tomb. He
was one of Shah Abbas's generals. It is located in northeast
of Haram and decorated with colored tiles and beautiful
drawings. It is one of the most valuable artistic works inside
Haram.
