Shrine of Shah Abd-Al-Azeem (Shrine of Shah Abdul-Azeem)
Mariam Noronha
A revered Shia pilgrim site in Tehran, the Shah Abd-Al-Azeem Shrine complex is about a half an hour drive from the Imam Khomeini International Airport (depending on traffic conditions). Take a taxi to the shrine complex and ask the driver to stay with you so that traveling onwards becomes easy.
If traveling by train you have to head to Shehr-e-Rayy and then take a taxi to the complex. The shrine complex is well known and locating it should not be a problem.
The shrine complex also has its own taxi service so returning from there should not be a problem in any case.
Luggage Restrictions
Most pilgrims visit the shrine complex on arrival or just before leaving Tehran. If you are carrying luggage then the people at the shrine will store it for you while you complete your pilgrimage. You won't even have to ask as you are not allowed to enter the shrine complex with luggage.
Dress Code
The Islamic dress code is strictly enforced in Iran and the Shrine of Shah Abd-Al-Azeem is no exception. Women usually wear trench coats with trousers and cover their heads with head scarves. A chador is a must while entering religious places. Men are not allowed to wear shorts. The shrine is open to people belonging to all religions provided that they observe the Islamic dress code inside the complex.
Traditions & History
Shah Abd-Al-Azeem A.S. was the great grandson of Imam Hassan A.S (the Second Imam of the Shia Isna Asharis or Twelver Shias). He was probably born in Medina and he followed Imam Naqi A.S (the Tenth Imam of the Shia Isna Asharis or Twelver Shias) when the Claiph-al-Mutawakkil compelled the Imam to go to Samarra.
It is widely believed that Shah Abd-Al-Azeem was ordered by Imam Naqi A.S to go to Persia in exile following which he stayed in Tabaristan, and then in Rayy (Rey). He spent his time in prayer, ascetic practices, study and teaching, He was also a companion of Imam Hasan Askari A.S. the Eleventh Imam of the Shia Isna Asharis or Twelver Shias). He is buried in the shrine complex which also houses the tombs of Hazrat Hamze A.S. grandson of Imam Musa-e-Kadhim A.S (the Seventh Imam of the Shia Isna Asharis or Twelver Shias) and Hazrat Tahir A.S. the grandson of Imam Zainul Abedeen A.S the Fourth Imam of the Shia Isna Asharis or Twelver Shias).
It is believed that one pilgrimage to the Shrine of Shah Abd-Al-Azeem is equivalent to seventy pilgrimages to Kerbala in Iraq.
The Complex
The blue and green domes of the shrine with minarets decorated with Persian tiles stand out vividly against the clear sky. Inlay work with several thousand pieces of intricately decorated tiles in the domes and dazzling pieces of cut glass on the walls together with beautiful chandeliers that light up the complex which is particularly crowded with pilgrims on Thursday evenings and Friday afternoon prayers (important days for prayers). Facilities for drinking water, ablutions and toilets are well spread across the complex which has hundreds of visitors.
Praying for your needs or simply watching people come in to pay obeisance to the Imamzadehs is a memorable experience for any visitor to the shrine.
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