Many have gathered in the holy shrine of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad to celebrate the auspicious occasion, though the number of pilgrims is significantly lower than previous years due to restrictions imposed to stem the coronavirus outbreak, International Quranic News agency (Iqna) reported
Imam Reza’s (AS) birthday is celebrated on the 11th day of the lunar Hijri month of Dhul Qaada, which falls on Friday, July 3, this year.
Imam Ali bin Mousa al-Reza (PBUH), the eighth Imam of Shia Muslims, is of the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his eighth successor. At age 35 he became the leader of the Islamic community.
His life was contemporary to the Abbasid reign and therefore, he suffered great difficulties made by the Abbasids. He was martyred by Ma’moon (the contemporary Abbasid Caliph) at the age of 55.
Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the contemporary Muslim leader once said in a historic address said that it was source of pride for Iranians as they are living shelter of holy shrine of Imam Reza (PBUH), which is sources of abundance for all believers and faithful people.
Some of key expressions by Imam Khomeini in this regard come as follwoing:
You honorable (audience) who come from the holy city of Mashhad, which is the center for devotion to the pure progeny of the holy prophet, have great spiritual prosperity.
You everyday wake up as your eyes are blessed to be focused on Imam Reza (PBUH)’s the holy shrine, which is center of knowledge and landing place of angels. This is while we all miss this…
(Sahifeh ye-Imam, Vol. 12, P. 106)
Imam Reza (PBUH), who faced all those unpleasant occurring and sufferings for spiritual cause, paved the way with great patience.
He was also committed to keep the people’s persistence and perseverance as well.
(Sahifeh ye-Imam, Vol. 13, P. 426)
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