The Titles Given to the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S)

Astan-e-Malaik Paseban (the Threshold of Angels): It means that the angels of Allah – the Exalted- are safeguarding the Holy Shrine, and serving the pilgrims.

Arze Aqdas (the Holy Land): It means that the Holy Shrine is the holiest land in the world. It is said that the title “ Holy Land” was given to the region of Toos where Imam Rida (A.S) had been buried there after his martyrdom.

Boqeye Mabarakah (the Holy Mausoleum): Mausoleum is an ornamental building made to hold the dead body of an important person or one of the Holy Imams (A.S). This title is also applied to the place where Imam Rida (A.S) has been buried, and also to the complex of the Holy Shrine.

Haram-e-Motahhar (the Holy Shrine): Shrine means “around or inside a house”. This term is also applied to any place that is regarded as holy because of its association with a special person or event. The Holy Shrine is a sacred place.

Rowzayah Razaviyah (the Holy Burial Chamber): Rowzah means “the Garden of Paradise”, and Razaviyah is a title given to Imam Rida (A.S). In fact, this term is another name for the Holy Zarih (burial chamber) of Imam Rida (A.S).

Rowzayah Moqaddasah (the Holy Paradise): It is another name for the Holy Shrine, and means “a holy garden or paradise”.

Rowzayah Monawwarah (the Illuminated Paradise): It is also another name for the Holy Shrine, and means “an illuminated garden or paradise”.

Atabayah Aliyah: It means “the lofty or sacred threshold”.

The Seventh Qiblah (the Seventh Direction of Prayer): Shiite Muslims believe that the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S) is the seventh holy place among the holy Islamic Premises in the world. The following is a list of these holy places:

1. Kaaba or Temple of Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.
2. The Holy Shrines of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.W), and the Holy Imams (A.S) in Medina, in Saudi Arabia.
3. The Holy Shrine of Imam Ali (A.S) in the holy city of Najaf in Iraq.
4. The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussein (A.S) in the holy city of Karbala in Iraq.
5. The Holy Shrine of Imam Musa Kazem (A.S) and Imam Jawad (A.S) in the holy city of Kazemein in Iraq.
6. The Holy Shrine of Imam Hadi (A.S) and Imam Hassan Asgari (A.S) in the holy city of Samera in Iraq.
7. The Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S) in the holy city Mashhad in Iran.

Kaabayeh Amal: It is one of the other names given to the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S), and it means that the Holy Shrine is a place for pilgrims to worship and implore for Imam Rida’s (A.S) help. They believe that Imam Rida (A.S) can satisfy their needs and desires.

Marghad-e-Malakooti (the Celestial Mausoleum): It means that the Holy Shrine of Imam Rida (A.S) is a Divine and celestial palace. Shiite Muslims believe that this holy place is under the special auspices of Allah –the Exalted-.

Marghad-e-Monawwar (the Illuminated Mausoleum): As we said before, the Mausoleum is an ornamental building made to hold the dead body of an important person or one of the Holy Imams (A.S). The compound name of the illuminated mausoleum is applied to the Holy Tomb of Imam Rida (A.S).

Mazjaae Sharif (the Holy Mausoleum): It is another title given to the Holy Shrine Imam Rida (A.S).Moin-Uz-Zoafaa (the Supporter of the Poor and Weak): It is a title given to Imam Rida (A.S), because His Holiness was supporter and protector of the deprived and poor classes of the society.