Imam Reza Shrine

Imam Reza Shrine

Ashoura III

Why remember Ashuora ?

Why is Imam Hossein regarded as the "leader of the martyrs" ? It is because he was not just the victim of an ambitious ruler. There is no doubt that the tragedy of Kerbala, when ascribed to the killers, is a criminal and terrible act. However when ascribed to Hossein himself, it represents a conscious confrontation and a courageous resistance for a sacred cause. The whole nation had failed to stand up to Yazid. They had succumbed to his will, and deviation and regression towards the pre-Islamic ways were increasing.Passiveness by Imam Hossein in this situation would have meant the end of Islam as we know it. Thus Hossein took upon himself the responsibility of the whole nation. The greatest tragedy was that one who stood up for the noblest of causes, the defence of Islam, was cut down in so cruel a manner.It is for this reason that the sacrifice of Hossein is commemorated annually throughout the Muslim world. Our sorrow never abates as we relive the tragedy.

In Iran many people from other religions like christian and Jewish strongly believe in Imam Hossein as well as they take apart in Ashoura gatherings and respect Imam Hossein. This is a good example that shows the great event of Ashoura is not just for Muslims.

Alam is a kind of symbol for Ashoura event

Near Imam Reza shrine, Today every things are black to Muslims!

People are going to Imam Reza shrine to congregate for sorrowful

Some people use a kind of simple chain (called Zanjir, without knives or razors) to beat their shoulder just to make noise not to harm themselves.

Every day is Ashoura and every place is Karbala.Yeah, That is right. These days many innocent people experience Ashoura event again as Gaza became the other example of Karbala. How we can be quiet?! What is the difference between us and those who did not help Imam Hossein in Ashoura event?!

السلام عليك يا ابا عبدالله

Assalamu alayk Ya Aba Abde Allah

God's regards to you Ya Hossein!

Imam Reza Birthday

Photo by Fars

Today is the birthday of Imam Reza.You know that he is one the most beloved Imam’s of the Shia people of the Islamic world. Imam Reza’s shrine is in Mashhad, Iran, and because of that, he is very respectable among Iranian people and every day, many pilgrims travel to Mashhad city to ask their pleas heard by their holly Imam.Today is the birthday of Imam Reza. He was born in Madina 11th Zeeqaad 148 Hijri (1.1.766 AD) and passed away in the city of Mashhad, Iran on 17th Safar 203 Hijri (26.5.819 AH).Imam Reza (AS) was 35 years old when his father died in prison of Harun al-Rashid in Baghdad and the responsibilities of the Imamat devolved on him. At that time Harun Al-Rashid was the absolute ruler of Baghdad and the descendants of Imam Ali (AS) were passing as ever, through trials and tribulations because of the tyranny of the Abbasid ruler. Yet Imam Reza (AS) carried on the responsibility of administering the Divine Law of Shari’ah as taught by the Holy Prophet and Imams of the Ahlulbayt after him.After putting an end to the life of Imam Musa Ibn Jaa’far (AS) Harun al-Rashid lived for ten years. He had less tolerance for the existence of Imam Ali Reza (AS), then he did for his revered father. But he also knew that his Government had already lost face due to its prolonged maltreatment and eventual assassination of Imam Musa Ibn Ja’afar (AS) or perhaps the tyrant felt the stings of conscience which kept him from harassing the 8th Imam. It is said that once Yahya Barmaki, his Prime Minister, in order to gain the ruler’s favour, informed Harun that Imam Ali Ibn Musa (AS) claimed Imamat in the same way his father had done, Harun coldly replied, “We have already inflicted cruelties on his father, do you expect me to annihilate this family altogether.Political wranglings in Baghdad between the two sons of Harun were rocking the Empire. His elder son Amin who had an Arab mother had the support of the Arabs and most of the Abbasid elders, while the younger son Mamun had a Persian mother and was supported by the Persians. To console both factions Harun took a pledge from both his sons that after his death Amin will rule the Arab part of the Empire while Mamoun will rule the Persian side. When Harun died in far away Tus, the most northern town of his Persian Empire, Mamoun was with him and buried him there. Amin in Baghdad immediately proclaimed himself the Caliph of the whole empire and immediately deposed Mamoun from the rulership of the Persian Province. Mamoun’s main concern was to subdue the persian province under any circumstances. He realised that the majority of Persians favoured the teachings of Ahlulbayt and if somehow he could persuade the Imam of the Ahlulbayt in Madina to side with him, he could confirm his rule there. Once he felt secure on that side of the Empire, he would then rise against his brother and easily depose him.Imam Ali Reza (AS) died and was buried far off from Madina, the home of his forefathers of the Ahlulbayt of the Prophet. In Sanabad, about a mile from the village where he died, they placed him in a grave inside the tomb of Harun al- Rashid who was buried there ten years ago. Mamoun’s ambitions to get the Empire under his feet was almost accomplished for he knew that the army under his command would not run away from him at this juncture.

Reference of the text : siasatrooz

A view of Old Mashhad

A shot of Old Mashhad near Imam Reza holy shrine.Most of the building near here are old and the government try to bye and destroy them and build new constructions instead.The designs have to follow the Islamic style that you see in the photo.Architects and engineers won't be allowed to use modern concepts and architecture near the holy shrine.

This photo is taken by one of my university friends, "Danial Rezazadeh" .Thanks Danial!

Emam Reza Shrine

Emam Reza Shrine (the golden building) is the most important place in Mashhad (also the oldest, since 1200 years ago). Each year between 15 to 20 million people travel to Mashhad to visit this holy shrine. It is really a mega-tourism site. The name of Mashhad comes back to Emam Reza, one of the Prophet Mohammad's grand sons. Mashhad means the place of death, which refers to the place which Emam Reza was killed. There is a very big underground intersection (with several parkings) under the shrine. I was going down with my car when I took this photo.