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 )

Bara Imambara In Utter Neglect

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Once regarded as one of the most splendid religious structure of Nawabi era, Bada Imambara of Jehanabad is now in a state of utter neglect. The mosque adjacent to Imambara is no longer in use while its outer wall has either collapsed or cracked at several places. The villagers use its courtyard for storing their crops freely and don’t appreciate the visit of Imambara by outsiders.

Built by Miyan Almas Ali Khan, one of the most remarkable courtiers of Nawab Asaf Ud Daula, by the end of 18^th century, Imambara is under the control of Shia Wakf and it has also appointed a caretaker. But he has done little to preserve and restore the lost glory of Imambara. People of Jehanabad told the blogger that he organizes only one Majlis on 12^th Muharram every year and remains silent thereafter. The caretaker however ensures white washing of the main structure before the arrival of Muharram but makes no effort to remove the grass that has covered the entire courtyard menacingly over the years.

The blogger even found the outer enclosure being used for storing the crates of cold drinks during his recent visit. Likewise, the place earmarked as Naubatkhana on both sides of the main entrance was full of wheat bags. A portion of the courtyard was full of scrap. A local journalist Mr.Gauhar Raza informed the blogger that Jehanabad Imambara used to hold Majalis for 12 days but after shifting of Imamis to Pakistan after partition the tradition broke. He showed me the wooden pulpit that was graced by the renowned marsiyakhwans and orators during Nawabi era. The pulpit too requires repairs. He also exhibited a wooden ‘Chowki’  that was used exclusively by Sozkhwans.

Mosque that is No Longer in Use

Architecturally, Jehanabad Imambara resembles with its counterparts in Lucknow. It has separate enclosures for display of relics(Alams,Patkas,Panjas and Zari) and hall for the orator and audience. It is a single story structure and also contains the grave of an official of Miyan Almas who had taken keen interest in the construction of Imambara. Jahanabad is in district Fatehpur and not far from Kunwarpur where a new Karbala has been developed. As Jehanabad Imambara ranks as one of the oldest and most sprawling Imami structure,it also deserves attention from all concerned or else it will reduce to rubble in days to come.