A Brief Biography of Imam Reza (A.S)

Imam Reza( A.S) – the eighth Imam of Shi'ite, Muslims-was born on 11th Zee-al Qidah. 148A.H, in the city of Medina. The world of knowledge and virtue was illuminated by His divine birth. His first name was Ali, and Abul-Hasan was his nickname. Reza was the holy title of His Holiness. He was 35 years old when he was appointed as the Holy Imam (religious leader of Muslim community) by order of His honourable father-Imam Musa-Ibn Jafar(A.S0. For twenty years, Imam Reza (A.S) endeavoured to protect and safeguard Islam-the divine religion. Thoroughly, the period of Imam Reza (A.S) Leadership can be classified into three periods. The first decade of His leadership coincided with the period of Harron-ur-Rashid’s rule. The successive five years of His divine leadership coincided with the dictatorial rule of Mamoon. And finally after two years of His arrival to the Khorasan territory, he was brutally poisoned and martyred by order of Mamoon Abbasi on 29th . Safar, 203A.H.His holy body was buried in Mashhad. After this sorrowful event, the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) became the focus of attention of Shi'ite Muslims. In the course of time, the number of pilgrims increased significantly. On the contrary of many problems and difficulties that these pilgrims faced up to, they abandoned their home forever and came to the holy city of Mashhad to reside and live in the vicinity of the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) this hearty attention of Muslims changed the Holy Shrine into a center of pilgrim’s congregation. In spite of plots and conspiracies of the enemies of the Household of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), the Holy Shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) attained a pervasive popularity among Muslims of the world. Neighbours who reside in the vicinity of the Holy Shrine-and the pilgrims endeavoured to dedicate and endow their properties to the Holy Shrine. They made utmost efforts to construct and manage carefully the Holy Shrine,. They endeavoured to supervise the affairs of the Holy Shrine without using governmental sources and facilities. Directing the Holy Shrine where has been changed into the center of Shi'ite Muslims of the word-required to establish an organization. It was very simple at first to supervise it, but gradually it has converted into one of the most important and largest private organizations in Iran.