Shrine of Imam Reza

Overview

The Shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, Iran, contains the tomb of Ali al-Ridha, also known as Imam Reza, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most revered figures in Islam. The shrine is one of the largest and most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, receiving an estimated 25 to 28 million visitors annually.

Present

The shrine complex is administered by the Astan Quds Razavi, a charitable foundation that oversees religious services, maintenance, and the surrounding infrastructure. Daily prayers, religious lectures, and Quranic recitations take place throughout the year.

Pilgrimage has continued year-round for centuries, with the highest numbers during Muharram and Safar (the first two months of the Islamic calendar, a period of mourning and remembrance in Islam) and during Nowruz (the Persian New Year). Muslims from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and beyond visit the shrine.

Pilgrimage and access have been disrupted by the 2026 Iran war.

Religious Significance

Imam Reza was a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad and is known in Islamic tradition for his learning, piety, and spiritual authority. After his death in 818 CE in the village of Sanabad, near the ancient city of Tus, a shrine was built over his grave, and the settlement that grew around it became the city of Mashhad, meaning "place of martyrdom." His shrine is regarded as the spiritual heart of Iran.

Pilgrims visit the shrine to pray at Imam Reza's tomb, seek spiritual healing, and fulfil personal vows. Many Iranians refer to him as "the compassionate Imam" and travel to Mashhad at significant moments in their lives. The shrine also serves as a center for Islamic scholarship and education.

History & Structure

The shrine was built shortly after Imam Reza's death in 818 CE. It was expanded and rebuilt by successive rulers over more than a thousand years.

The shrine complex covers approximately 267,000 square metres and includes mosques, museums, libraries, seminaries, and courtyards. The Goharshad Mosque, built in the 15th century during the Timurid period, is one of the most significant structures within the complex. Major expansions continued over the centuries and transformed the site into one of the largest religious complexes in the world.

Resources

• Wikipedia: Imam Reza Shrine
• Official website: Astan Quds Razavi
• Book: The Shia Revival by Vali Nasr (2006)