Imam Reza (AS)’s Shrine and the Making of Mashhad

TEHRAN -- For centuries, the Imam Reza Shrine has stood as one of the most important religious sites in the Islamic world. But when did this sacred site become the heart of Mashhad, and how did it grow from a quiet burial place into a thriving urban center?

Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the site’s identity has been tied to Imam Reza (AS), the eighth Shia Imam, from its earliest days. Early accounts distinguish between the burial of Imam Reza (AS), often called an arām-gāh (mausoleum or shrine), and that of the Abbasid Caliph Harun al-Rashid, referred to simply as qabr (grave). This distinction in terminology reflects the unique religious and cultural significance of Imam Reza (AS)’s resting place.
While some early sources place both burials in a garden of the village of Sanabad, archaeological findings indicate that the site’s identity has always been associated with Imam Reza (AS). One of the oldest geographic texts in Arabic situates the Imam’s burial about 1.5 kilometers from the village of Noqan, a distance that aligns precisely with the historical location of the shrine.
The earliest recorded use of the term Mashhad appears in Qur’anic endowments. A 327 AH Qur’anic manuscript refers to the site as Mashhad-i Mowlā, signaling that it was recognized as a place of martyrdom and pilgrimage from the beginning. By the late 4th century AH, other documents describe the area as Mashhad-i Tus, while 396 AH endowments mention resident and pilgrim communities, confirming a permanent population clustered around the shrine.
By the mid-5th century AH, Mashhad had emerged as a hub of religious learning, with documented teaching of hadith and active scholarly communities. These records demonstrate that the city’s significance extended beyond the devotional, serving as a center of both learning and population growth.
In medieval Islamic sources, the presence of a permanent market marked a true urban center. Field surveys in Mashhad reveal that by the 4th century AH, the city already had an active commercial network. Contemporary geographers praised Mashhad’s mosque as one of the finest in Khorasan, highlighting its role as a focal point of both religious and civic life.
Archaeological and textual evidence confirms that Mashhad’s early urban fabric included defensive walls, a mosque, and structured markets. Documents from the 7th century AH describe bustling bazaars and religious institutions, showing that these features were not innovations of later periods. Excavations in the central markets—Farsh, Sarsang, and Sadraei—reveal development from the Ilkhanid period onward, with foundations dating to the Seljuk era.
Early minarets and domes also testify to the city’s long architectural history. Foundations of what is now known as the Naderi Minaret date back to 421 AH, while later constructions of the shrine’s dome reflect a transition from the Abbasid to Ghaznavid periods. The building of mosques, restoration of qanats, and construction of caravanserais further cemented Mashhad’s urban infrastructure.
Contrary to claims that Mashhad was Sunni until the Safavid era, evidence from the 4th and 5th centuries AH shows Shia predominance. Records indicate that Abbasid authorities hesitated to even install Harun’s funerary chest due to the influence of local Shia communities. With Shia residents firmly established, the city expanded around the shrine, incorporating markets, mosques, and administrative functions that formed a cohesive urban center by the 5th century AH.
By the 5th century AH, Mashhad had developed as a structured religious and urban complex, featuring defensive walls, organized markets, educational centers, and a significant Shia population. This combination of sacred site, commercial hub, and scholarly center demonstrates how a shrine could seed the growth of a city, shaping political, social, and economic life for centuries.
From manuscripts to pottery, streets to markets, Mashhad’s early history is written not just in words, but in the very foundations of the city—a testament to the enduring power of pilgrimage in shaping the medieval Islamic world.