Attacks on the Sanctity of the Shrine of Imam Reza (AS) According to History

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) has always been a focal point for the people of Iran and Shia Muslims worldwide. Historical records indicate that throughout various periods, the shrine has been attacked and desecrated multiple times by different individuals and groups.

Mohammad Hossein Moravej Kashani – Reporter:

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) has consistently been the center of devotion for the Iranian nation and lovers and devotees of the Household of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from across the globe. An examination of existing records from different historical periods reveals that this sacred shrine and its pilgrims have, for various reasons, been subjected to attack and desecration on several occasions. On the anniversary of the shelling of the dome of the shrine of the Eighth Imam of the Shia by agents of Tsarist Russia, follow this report from a Qods newspaper reporter, which briefly reviews some of these historical events. It is worth noting that this report has utilized materials, reports, interviews, etc., available in archival centers, Qods newspaper, and other media and publications.

A History of Desecrations at the Holy Razavi Shrine

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) has been attacked and desecrated by invaders several times for various reasons throughout its several-century history. Dr. Abolfazl Hassanabadi, a researcher at the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi and an expert in local history and oral history, states: “According to existing historical evidence, the holy Razavi shrine has been desecrated several times over the more than 1,200 years since the martyrdom of Imam Reza (AS), mostly due to political and governmental conditions, ethnic conflicts, etc.”

The first attack was by the Ghuz (a non-Iranian tribe) who attacked Khorasan and Mashhad in 548 AH

A more serious attack was by the Uzbek army in 996 AH during the capture of Mashhad and the assault on the holy shrine. They controlled the city of Mashhad for about ten years, leading to the martyrdom of a number of pilgrims in the area above the sacred burial chamber (Bala-Sar).

Another instance concerns the “Salar Fitna” in the years 1263-1267 AH. This involved rebellion against the central government of Iran, the seizure of the holy shrine, and the use of its treasures and gold for military purposes.

The Incident of the Attack by Agents of Tsarist Russia

Another case of attack on the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) was the shelling of the dome of the sacred shrine by agents of Tsarist Russia on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani, 1330 AH.

Hassanabadi remarks on this: “What is evident from historical evidence is that the Russians attacked the shrine of the Eighth Imam (AS) from several points in Mashhad city in 1330 AH, including from Bagh-e Khuni and Bala Khiaban. Furthermore, there is a map, the original of which is kept in the Documents and Publications Management Department of Astan Quds Razavi, drawn by Mirza Tahir Massna Razavi – the clockmaker of the holy Astana and supervisor of the shrine’s lighting – in 1330 AH after the shelling of the dome. He himself was arrested and imprisoned for composing a poem condemning the actions of the Russians.”

He drew this map based on his own observations, precisely showing the location where prisoners were held, the positioning of Russian forces, and the placement of cannons and other equipment on the roof of the shrine. After this shelling and the expulsion of the rebels, a number of pilgrims were also martyred, and the shrine was closed for three days. There are differing accounts of the number of casualties, ranging from 60-64 to as high as 800. Three days after this bitter event, the custodian of Astan Quds, “Morteza Qoli Khan Tabatabai,” intervened, and the administration of the shrine was handed over to him.

The Massacre of Pilgrims and Residents in the Incident at Mashhad’s Goharshad Mosque, July 1935

Another attack on the structures and sacred places of the holy Razavi shrine, resulting in the massacre of pilgrims and residents, was the incident at Mashhad’s Goharshad Mosque in July 1935 during the rule of Reza Shah Pahlavi. The main cause of this event was a protest gathering of people in the Goharshad Mosque, adjacent to the shrine of the Eighth Imam (AS), against the law on changing attire, which was suppressed by government forces.

According to sources in historical archives, following the religious and social policies of Reza Shah Pahlavi, Mashhad’s clerics called on people through announcements to strike and hold sit-ins in protest of these policies, gathering in the Goharshad Mosque near the shrine.

Military and law enforcement commanders in Mashhad, on Reza Shah’s orders, positioned themselves with full equipment and numerous personnel at sensitive points around the mosque, bringing rifles, automatic weapons, and even cannons to suppress the people. During the gathering, a person named Sheikh Mohammad-Taqi Bohloul delivered a sharp speech against the government and called for people’s resistance. The extreme overcrowding of people in the Goharshad Mosque on July 12, 1935, led to the mosque being completely surrounded by heavy artillery, ultimately resulting in the massacre and arrest of people by military and security forces. Some historical sources put the number of dead and wounded at over 850.

The Attack on the Holy Razavi Shrine in November 1978

On November 20, 1978, agents and lackeys of the second Pahlavi regime savagely attacked the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS), leaving another dark stain on the history of contemporary Iran. This tragic event occurred during the people’s Islamic Revolution movement within the shrine.

On that day, people chanted: “The day has become the eve of grief for all Muslims, the tomb of the Eighth Imam (AS) has been rained with bullets.”

Gholamreza Jalali, a retired researcher from the Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi who was an eyewitness to the attack by Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi’s forces, recounts the event: “In those days, our house was not far from the holy shrine. I was at home when I suddenly heard the sound of gunfire and people’s commotion. I came out and saw people running out of the shrine, shouting that soldiers had attacked the shrine of Imam Reza (AS). I quickly reached the shrine. When I entered, the event had ended, and the Atiq Courtyard was empty of people. The floor of the courtyard was filled with tents and shoes. As I got closer, I saw that they had also shot at the Gold Iwan (portico), and the ricocheting bullets had damaged some of the decorations. The numerous bullet marks on the marbles also testified to the intensity of the Pahlavi regime agents’ attack on the people. When I entered the sacred shrine, under the Hatem Khani dome, just a few steps from the sacred burial chamber – where women now perform their prayers – there were many bullet holes on the wall and ceiling, showing that the regime’s soldiers had even entered the shrine’s corridors and opened fire.”

The Ashura Incident at the Holy Razavi Shrine on June 20, 1994

At 2:26 PM on Tuesday, the 10th of Muharram al-Haram, 1415 AH, coinciding with Ashura and June 20, 1994, while the corridors, courtyards, areas around the shrine, and the vicinity of the sacred burial chamber of the Eighth Imam, Imam Reza (AS), were teeming with crowds, and people, inflamed with love and devotion for the Master of Martyrs, Imam Hussein (AS), were immersed in mourning and lamentation, the terrifying sound of a bomb explosion filled the space of the holy shrine, and a tremendous blast shook everything.

According to documentation, records, and statements from relevant officials from that time, the bomb exploded in the area above the sacred burial chamber (Bala-Sar), causing chaos and terrifying the pilgrims. Due to the intensity of the explosion, which experts estimated was equivalent to 10 pounds of TNT, limbs of some pilgrims – including heads, hands, feet, and fingers – were severed and scattered around the site of the incident, even onto the roof and the ceiling above the sacred burial chamber. What remained from the hatred of the hypocrites and enemies of the Iranian people – the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK) – was 300 wounded, some of whom lost limbs, particularly hands and feet, and 27 people were martyred, their eternal innocence a perpetual indictment of the enemies of religious authority and Imamate. Among the wounded and martyrs were people of all ages and from all walks of life – old, young, children, women, and men. In short, the Ashura of the holy Razavi shrine truly became a memorable Ashura in history, following the Ashura of Hussein (AS).

Source: Qods Newspaper. No. 10757