Seerah

The Merits of the Ziyarah of Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.)

There are many traditions from the Holy Imams (A.S.) recommending the Shias to perform the Ziyarah of the holy grave of Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) in the holy city of Qum.

Imam Ali-e-Reza (A.S.) said: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of Fatima Masumah (S.A.) will be awarded heaven". Also: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of 'Fatima Masumah' with the knowledge of her status will attain paradise".

Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S.) said: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of my aunt [Fatima Masumah (S.A.)] in Qum will enter paradise".

The holy city of Qum

The holy city of Qum in central Iran, 150 km to the south of Tehran became one of the first bastions of Shi'ism and till the present day it is the leading center of Islamic seminaries where more than forty thousand scholars and students are learning Islamic sciences in the numerable Islamic seminaries. At present about two hundred Islamic research and cultural centers are active in this holy city.

In the year 83 A.H. the Arabs belonging to the Ash'ari tribe migrated and settled in this region and laid the foundation of this city. From the beginning of its establishment the city of Qum became the dwelling place of the Shias and by the end of first century Hijrah more than 6000 Shias settled in this city. The Shias of this city revolted against the Umayyad caliphs and after the inception of the Abbasid caliphate in 132 A.H. they also opposed the Abbasid caliphs.

In the year 200 A.H. Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.) took refuge in this city and Her Holiness expired in the year 201 A.H. and was buried in this city. The sacred grave of Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.) became the pilgrimage center of the Shias and this city became famous as Qum-i Muqaddas. Since then it also emerged as a leading Shia learning center in the world. The holy shrine of Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.) and the city's reputation as a center of theological education of the Shias contributed most to its fame.

In June1963 Imam Khomeini (R.A.) started Islamic movement against the rule of Shah from the holy city of Qum. The uprising of people of Qum in January 1978 convulsed the whole of Iran and led to the victory of Islamic revolution and the establishment of Islamic Republic in Iran in February 1979.