Customs

Custom of Dust Sweeping (Ghobar-Roobi)

The grand and magnificent custom of dust sweeping in the burial chamber of the holy shrine is performed with many graceful ceremonies. It is performed many times in the year on the eve of the religious festival days like Idd-ul-Fitr or the birthday occasions of the Holy Infallible Imams (A.S.).

Distinguished personalities of the country are given the great honour of sweeping the dust within and around the holy burial chamber, because the lovers of the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) consider this dust as sacred and collyrium for their eyes.

During the ceremony, first all the offerings of the pilgrims present in the Holy Zareeh are transferred to the treasury in special sealed bags. Then the holy grave and the burial chamber are washed with pure rose water. During this sacred and auspicious ceremony, the recitors (Qaris) of the Holy Qur'an, recite continuously the verses from the Holy Qur'an. The elegiac poetries recited in the praise of the Holy Infallible Imams (A.S.) manifolds the spiritual fragrance of the holy burial chamber.

The sublime and spiritual atmosphere spreading over the ceremony, sinks everybody into the divinity and splendour of the ceremony.

And finally, when the glorious rite is finished a precious gift comprising some sacred dust of the Holy Zarih (burial chamber), and sacred candy, is granted by the Grand Reverend Custodian of the Holy Shrine to the invited, orderly standing throughout the holy rite's performance.

Customary Recitation of the Sermons

The rite which is performed exclusively in the Astan Quds Razavi is the custom of recitation of the special sermons on the night of Ashura (the 10th day of Moharram, the day of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (A.S.)) and the night of the day of martyrdom of Imam Rida (A.S.). The reverend custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi invites distinguished personalities to attend this rite.

The invitees along with the attendants of the holy shrine gather in the Dar al-Ziyafah porch. The orator delivers the sermon from the top of the pulpit and narrates the tragical events which occurred on that day in history.

After the completion of this sermon and narration of tragical events, the reverend custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, along with all the distinguished guests and the attendants of the holy shrine with burning candles in their hands enter the Inqilab Courtyard and stand in well-organized and systematic row.

At this moment the attendants move slowly on all the sides of the court while reciting in sad and sorrowful voices, the mournful songs and elegiac poetries in praise of the Holy Imams (A.S.).

After the completion of the recitation of the mournful songs and elegiac poetries, the orator delivers the special sermon from the top of a place especially arranged for this occasion. The sermon includes praise of Allah Almighty, eulogies, blessings and salutations for the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.), and the Holy Imams (A.S.) particularly Imam of the Age, the Twelfth Imam, Hadrat Mahdi (A.S.). (Allah Almighty may hasten his glad advent and reappearance).