Martyrdom Of Imam Reza
The Martyrdom of Imam Reza is a National holiday that’s observed annually on the 30th day of Safar in Iran. It’s a day that commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia, in the 9th century. This is a holiday on which millions of Iranians mark the anniversary of this martyr by attending mourning processions and by attending special religious services.
Iran (National holiday)It’s also a day on which pilgrims from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and several other Islamic countries visit the city of Mashhad and visit Imam Reza’s mausoleum. Of course, there are also other memorial services held across Iran, and those include the ones in the cities of Qom and Shiraz.
The History Of The Martyrdom Of Imam Reza
When the Prophet Muhammad died, there was a period of religious upheaval in the Islamic faith and there’s was a schism of the religion in Iran into the Sunni and Shia branches. The Imam, or spiritual leader, of the Shia, was chosen from descendants of Muhammad. Alī ibn Mūsā ar-Riḍā became the 8th Shia Muslim, or Imam Reza, after his father Imam Musa al-Kadhim died.
For almost two decades, Reza was Imam and became known as a spiritual leader who was very knowledgeable and respected in his community. According to tradition, Imam Reza was poisoned in 818 by Caliph Al-Ma’mun because of his popularity. Imam Reza was then buried at the Imam Reza shrine in what is now known as Mashad in the northeastern province of Khorasan Razavi.
Observing The Martyrdom Of Imam Reza
This religious and National holiday is observed across Iran with religious services, mourning processions, and fasting. Pilgrims from around the Middle East visit Iran on this day to visit the mausoleum of Imam Reza or to visit one of the other shrines across the country that are dedicated to this Imam.
Iran (National holiday)
