Passed away in Tus: Imam Ali al-Rida (as) passed away in 203 AH (818 CE) in Tus, in Khurasan, at about 52 years of age. Shia belief holds that he was poisoned by order of Ma'mun.
Buried in Sanabad: He was buried in Tus, in the village of Sanabad, near the grave of Harun al-Rashid. Around his grave a city grew — the city of Mashhad, which means "the place of martyrdom". Today it is one of the most visited holy places in the world.
Millions of pilgrims: Millions of pilgrims come to Mashhad every year, from Iran and from all over the world, to stand at the shrine of Imam al-Rida (as), to pray, and to ask Allah for their needs.
Example
A city grew around a grave: A city grew around a grave because people kept coming. Mashhad grew around Imam al-Rida (as) because his knowledge and character never stopped drawing people to him.
Key Terms
- Mashhad (مشہد) — "the place of martyrdom", the city that grew around the Imam's shrine in Tus
- Tus (طوس) — the town in Khurasan where the Imam is buried
Quran or Hadith
None quoted in this topic.
Fresh diagram to be drawn: Simple map — Madinah to Marw to Tus/Mashhad, with the shrine marked.
- Imam al-Rida (as) passed away in Tus in 203 AH (818 CE).
- The city of Mashhad grew around his shrine.
- Millions of pilgrims visit his shrine every year.