Mashhad — Shrine of Imam Ali al-Ridha (AS)
مَشْهَد — مَرْقَدُ الإِمَامِ عَلِيّ الرِّضَا
The city of Mashhad (meaning 'place of martyrdom') in northeastern Iran is home to the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (AS) — the eighth Imam. He was the only Imam to be buried in Persia (present-day Iran), having been compelled to travel there by the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun. He was poisoned in 203 AH (818 CE). The shrine is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world, with tens of millions of visitors annually.
Why it Matters
Imam al-Ridha is known for his immense knowledge and his famous debates with scholars of all religions. The hadith of the Golden Chain (Silsilat al-Dhahab) — 'La ilaha illallah is my fortress; whoever enters it is safe' — is attributed to him. Visiting his shrine carries immense spiritual merit.
Also in this region
4- Karbala al-Mualla — Shrine of Imam Husain (AS) Karbala Aimmah كَرْبَلاَء المُقَدَّ
- Najaf al-Ashraf — Shrine of Imam Ali (AS) Najaf Aimmah النَّجَفُ الأَشْرَف
- Kazimayn — Shrines of Imam Musa al-Kazim and Imam Muhammad al-Jawad Baghdad (Kazimayn) Aimmah الكَاظِمَيْن
- Samarra — Shrines of Imam al-Hadi and Imam al-Askari Samarra Aimmah سَامَرَّاء