Draft:Mahdīya
 Exterior view of the first Mahdiya building, established by 'Abidzada | |
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Founder | 'Ali Asghar 'Abidzada (first Mahdiya) |
| Established | 1946 |
| Type | Religious place |
| Location | Iran |
| Related events | Al-Nudba Supplication, Mid-Sha'ban |
| Specifications | |
| Status | Active |
Mahdīya (Arabic: مَهدیة) is a religious institution dedicated to ceremonies associated with Imam al-Mahdi (a), such as the recitation of the Al-Nudba Supplication and the observance of Mid-Sha'ban. 'Ali Asghar 'Abidzada established the first Mahdiya in Iran in 1946 in Mashhad. Mahdiya Tehran stands as the most prominent Mahdiya in the country and has served as a pivotal religious center in the capital since the late 1960s. Beyond religious functions, select Mahdiyas offer social services, including aid to the impoverished and the administration of medical clinics. Unlike a Husayniyya or a mosque, a Mahdiya is not subject to the specific jurisprudential rulings (ahkam) governing mosques.
Introduction
A Mahdiya is a venue for religious gatherings centered on Imam al-Mahdi (a), particularly for the Al-Nudba Supplication and the Mid-Sha'ban celebrations.[1] Distinct from a mosque, a Mahdiya does not possess the specific canonical rulings associated with mosques.[2] In Shi'a culture, institutions with similar objectives exist under names such as Qa'imiyya, Muntazariyya, Bayt al-Mahdi, and Dar al-Mahdi.[3]
History
The inaugural Mahdiya in Iran was constructed in Mashhad in 1946 by 'Ali Asghar Chiraghchi-bashi Astana, commonly known as 'Abidzada, who funded the project personally.[4] Through diverse activities, this institution evolved into one of Mashhad's most significant religious centers; its success subsequently inspired the establishment of Mahdiyas in other cities.[5] Ahmad Kafi, with the assistance of local communities, established 72 Mahdiyas across various regions.[6] Additionally, according to his brother, Hasan Kafi constructed another 36 Mahdiyas.[7] By the mid-2010s, approximately 165 Mahdiyas were active throughout Iran, with Mahdiya Tehran occupying a central position.[8]
Famous Mahdiyas
- Mahdiya Tehran: Recognized as the most famous Mahdiya in Iran, this institution has been a key religious hub in Tehran since the late 1960s.[9] It was founded on February 8, 1969, through the efforts of Ahmad Kafi and the support of various merchants.[10] Beyond religious ceremonies, it has provided social and cultural services, including a loan fund (Qard al-Hasana), a clinic, a seminary, and a library. Although activities declined following Kafi's demise, the center experienced a resurgence in the mid-1990s, hosting gatherings for the Hay'at of Razmandigan-i Islam.[11]
- Mahdiya of Haji Abidzadeh (Mashhad): Built in 1946 by 'Ali Asghar Chiraghchi-bashi, this structure holds the distinction of being the first Mahdiya in Iran.[12] 'Abidzada, a religious preacher in Mashhad, financed the construction through income from his tinsmithing business.[13] The Mahdiya's programs included week-long Mid-Sha'ban celebrations, Muharram mourning rituals, lessons by Al-Sayyid Muhammad Hadi al-Milani, and speeches by prominent figures such as Sayyid Abu l-Qasim Kashani and Sayyid Mujtaba Nawwab Safawi.[14] The building was demolished in 2015, with plans announced for reconstruction featuring an appropriate design.[15]
- Mahdiya Isfahan: The Mahdiya Isfahan Charity Complex commenced operations in 1995-96, utilizing a combination of endowments dedicated to Imam al-Mahdi (a) under the supervision of Sayyid Ahmad Rawdati. Its objectives encompass cultural and religious activities, charitable work, support for the underprivileged, and the construction of medical and sports facilities.[16]
Notes
- ↑ Tūnaʾī, Mawʿūd-nāma, 1384 Sh, p. 720; Salīmiyān, Farhang-nāma-yi Mahdawiyyat, 1388 Sh, p. 437.
- ↑ Fāḍil Lankarānī, Iʿtikāf wa aḥkām-i ān, 1427 AH, p. 40; Muntaẓarī, Risālat al-istiftāʾāt, vol. 3, p. 56; Bahjat, Istiftāʾāt, 1428 AH, vol. 2, p. 67.
- ↑ Tūnaʾī, Mawʿūd-nāma, 1384 Sh, p. 720.
- ↑ Mīrdāmādī, "Mahdiya", p. 471.
- ↑ Mīrdāmādī, "Mahdiya", pp. 471, 473.
- ↑ "Yādī az Shaykh Aḥmad Kāfī bunyāngudhār-i Mahdiya-yi Tihrān", Shi'a News.
- ↑ "Ḥikāyat-i Mahdiya-sāz-i Mashhadī ki kāfihā rā kitābkhāna kard", Mehr News Agency.
- ↑ Ṭāwūsī Masrūr, "Mahdiya-yi Tihrān", p. 475.
- ↑ Ṭāwūsī Masrūr, "Mahdiya-yi Tihrān", p. 474.
- ↑ Ṭāwūsī Masrūr, "Mahdiya-yi Tihrān", p. 474.
- ↑ Ṭāwūsī Masrūr, "Mahdiya-yi Tihrān", pp. 474-475.
- ↑ Mīrdāmādī, "Mahdiya", p. 471.
- ↑ "Mahdiya-yi ʿĀbidzāda", Sāyt-i Dānishnāma-yi Mashhad.
- ↑ Mīrdāmādī, "Mahdiya", p. 473.
- ↑ "Bāzsāzī-yi Mahdiya-yi ʿĀbidzāda tā dū sāl-i dīgar", Mashhad Chehreh.
- ↑ "Muʿarrifī-yi Mahdiya-yi Iṣfahān", Mahdiya-yi Iṣfahān.
References
- Bahjat, Muḥammad Taqī. Istiftāʾāt. Qom, Daftar-i Āyatullāh Bahjat, 1428 AH.
- "Bāzsāzī-yi Mahdiya-yi ʿĀbidzāda tā dū sāl-i dīgar". Mashhad Chehreh. Posted: 21 Ādhar 1401 Sh. Accessed: 2 Murdād 1403 Sh.
- Fāḍil Lankarānī, Muḥammad. Iʿtikāf wa aḥkām-i ān. Qom, Markaz-i Fiqhī-yi Aʾimma-yi Aṭhār, 1427 AH.
- "Ḥikāyat-i Mahdiya-sāz-i Mashhadī ki kāfihā rā kitābkhāna kard". Khabarguzārī-yi Mehr. Posted: 30 Tīr 1394 Sh. Accessed: 5 Murdād 1403 Sh.
- Mīrdāmādī, Sayyid Ṣadrā. "Mahdiya". In Farhang-i sūg-i Shīʿī. Edited by Muḥsin Ḥisām Maẓāhirī. Tehran, Khayma, 1395 Sh.
- "Muʿarrifī-yi Mahdiya-yi Iṣfahān". Mahdiya-yi Iṣfahān.
- Muntaẓarī, Ḥusayn ʿAlī. Risālat al-istiftāʾāt. Qom, 1st ed.
- Salīmiyān, Khudāmurād. Farhang-nāma-yi Mahdawiyyat. Qom, Bunyād-i Mahdī-yi Mawʿūd, 1388 Sh.
- Ṭāwūsī Masrūr, Saʿīd. "Mahdiya-yi Tihrān". In Farhang-i sūg-i Shīʿī. Edited by Muḥsin Ḥisām Maẓāhirī. Tehran, Khayma, 1395 Sh.
- Tūnaʾī, Mujtabā. Mawʿūd-nāma. Qom, Intishārāt-i Mīrāth-i Māndigār, 1384 Sh.
- "Yādī az Shaykh Aḥmad Kāfī bunyāngudhār-i Mahdiya-yi Tihrān". Shi'a News.