Shah Chiragh-Shrine of Imam Musa Kazim's Sons

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Shah Chiragh, a popular Imami shrine of Shiraz(Iran) should not only be viewed as the last resting place of two sons of Imam Musa Kazim. Rather, it should also be perceived as a mausoleum with horrifying tales of persecution of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad’s progeny by Abbasid Caliphs. History reveals that sons of the seventh Imam namely Ahmad and Muhammad had taken refuge in Shiraz following persecution from the Abbasid regime.

Shah Chiragh means ‘King of the Light’. The shrine owes its name due to its miraculous discovery by Ayatollah Dastghaib. He used to see light emanating from a distance from his house. He decided to find the course of the light. Upon investigation. Ayatollah found the light originating from a grave within an old graveyard. He got the grave excavated  and a body wearing an armor was discovered. A ring was also found with words ’al- Izzatu lillah,Ahmad bin Musa  written on it(Pride belongs to God ,Ahmad son of Musa). The ring confirmed the body as that of Ahmad, one of the sons of Imam Musa Kazim. Thereafter, the place began earning popularity as the last resting place of Imam’s sons who had migrated to Iran due to their persecution. It is believed that Ahmad had come to Shiraz around 900 AD and breathed his last there.

The Chief Minister of Zengid dynasty, Atabeg Abu Saeed Zangi built the shrine with a dome ,tomb chamber and colonnaded porch around 1130 AD.In 14^th century, Queen Tashi Khatun erected a mosque and established a Madarsa(Theological school) in the vicinity of the shrine. She also carried out essential repairs, constructed an edifice, a hall of audience  and a tomb for herself on the south side. Queen also  presented a unique Quran in 30 volumes written in golden ‘thuluth’ characters with gold decoration, in  the calligraphic style of that era. The mosque again underwent necessary repairs in 1506 and in 1588 AD. In 19^th century, the shrine was damaged several times and was repaired. Nasir- Ul- Mulk once got the dome repaired but it had to be replaced with a new one in 1958 after it developed several cracks. People of Shiraz extended financial support to the endeavor. The decorative work in a mosaic of mirror glass, the inscriptions in stucco, the ornamentation, the doors covered with panels of silver, the portico, and the wide courtyard are most attractive make the present building much attractive. The shrine also figures n the list of national monuments of Iran and is frequented by visitors in large number.(References available on request.Photo Courtesy-Google Images )