Shah Abdol Azim Shrine

The Shah Abdol-Azim Shrine in Rey, just south of Tehran, holds the tomb of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani, a fifth-generation descendant of Imam Hasan and a companion of the tenth Imam, Ali al-Hadi. Fleeing Abbasid persecution in Samarra on Imam al-Hadi's instruction, Abd al-Azim settled secretly in Rey, living in the basement of a Shia household, fasting by day and praying by night, until his death in 866 CE. A note found in his pocket after death traced his lineage back through Hasan ibn Ali, confirming his descent for those who buried him. The shrine that grew up around his grave dates in its present form to the 15th century, with major additions under the Safavid and Qajar dynasties; several Qajar-era monarchs and clergy are also buried within the complex. The complex has a golden dome, twin tiled minarets, a mirror-work iwan at its main portal, and several courtyards, and it also contains the adjoining tombs of Imamzadeh Hamzeh (a brother of Imam Reza) and Imamzadeh Tahir. It was added to Iran's National Heritage List in 1942 and remains one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the Tehran area, particularly for residents unable to make the longer journey to Mashhad or Qom.

Photographs

The Shah Abdol Azim Shrine, a Shia shrine and religious complex in Rey, Tehran Province, Iran.

Photo by Agha Nader, public domain / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons