Ray: Difference between revisions

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'''Ray''' or '''Rey''' (Persian: {{ia|ری}}) is a religious city and a pilgrim destination in [[Iran]] which had a religious and political status since ancient times until the sixth/[[twelfth  century]]. It was the religious capital of [[Zoroastrianism]] and summer capital of Ashkani dynasty. Ray was also the capital of [[Buyid]] and [[Seljuk]] dynasties in Islamic era. After that its importance reduced significantly. Today Ray is known for the [[shrine of 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani]]. A number of [[Shi'ite]] scholars, politicians and artists are buried in Ray including [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]], [[Muhammad Reza Mahdavi Kani]], [[Ayatullah Kashani]], Jalal Al-e Ahmad and [[Nasir al-Din Shah]].

Ray is amongst the ancient cities of Iran with a history that goes back to 7 century B.C. This city was called Ragha in Zoroastrian holy books; even some sources mentioned that Zoroaster and his mother were born in Ragha. In Achaemenid era, Ray was an important and flourishing city. It was also amongst the populous and political cities in first centuries after the [[emergence of Islam]]. In Buyid and Seljuk era, Ray was the capital of the country.

Ray is called Raga in Behistun Inscription which is left from Darius time. It was called Muhammadiyya in the time of [[Abbasid]] [[caliph]]s, as [[Muhammad al-'Abbasi|Muhammad]] or [[Mahdi al-'Abbasi|Mahdi]], the Abbasid caliph was living in Ray in the time of his Crown Princeship; he rebuilt the city. However later the city was called Ray again.

In the 4th/10th century, Abbasids gradually lost their grip on Ray and Buyids took over the city. Rukn al-Dawla and Baha' al-Dawla, the Buyid kings, ordered to repair the buildings of the city. Based on historical sources, Sahib b. 'Abbad built a grand library in the city which contained books carried by four thousand camels. Ray became the cultural capital of Shi'ites in Buyid era and numerous scholars and faqihs were living there.

==Presence of Shi'ites==

There are no accurate information on the exact time of emergence and settlement of Shi'ite Muslims in Ray. However, regarding the title of companions of [[infallible]] Imams (a), "Razi", it can be assumed, Shi'ites appeared in Ray in the 2nd/8th century, i.e. in the time of [[Imamate]] of [[Imam Musa l-Kazim (a)]]. [[Husayn b. Muhammad al-Razi]] a companion of Imam al-Kazim (a), [[Abu l-Husayn al-Razi]] and Muhammad b. Isma'il al-Razi companions of [[Imam al-Rida (a)]] are among the notable companions who lived in Ray. According to historical reports fifty four companions of infallible Imams (a) were living in Ray: Two companions of Imam al-Rida (a), eleven companions of [[Imam al-Sadiq (a)]], six companions of Imam al-Kazim (a), nine companions of Imam al-Rida (a), eight companions of [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]], eleven companions of [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]] and four companions of [[Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari (a)]].

The entrance of [['Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani]] in Ray in 250/864 was a milestone in the history of Shi'ites in Ray. From the 3rd/9th to the 7th/13th centuries a large number of [[Sayyids]] were living in Ray. [[Hasan b. Zayd b. Muhammad]] who was invited by [[Alavis of Tabarestan]] and then established Alavid rule in [[Tabarestan]] in 250/864 was living in Ray.

Throughout history, Ray had rulers with different religious attitudes and religions including Nasibi rulers such as Kathir b. Shahab who disapproved [['Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] as well as Shi'ite Buyid rulers such as Sahib b. 'Abbad. Based on historical reports on Seljuk era, different religious groups had settled in Ray:

* Shi'ites: they were the majority in Ray in Seljuk era.  [[Zaydi]], [[Isma'ili]] and Usuliyya groups were living in Shi'ites regions of Ray.

Ray was amongst the most important cities of Iran before and after the [[emergence of Islam]]. It faced with outrageous religious conflicts in the 5th/11th century. In addition, the attacks of Mongols deteriorated its destruction as the decline of a thriving city began. Selection of Tehran, a city near Ray, as the capital of Iran was another reason that prevented Ray to flourish and retain its significance. Although Ray returned to center of attention in [[Constitutional Revolution]] in Iran as constitutionalists went on a strike in the courtyard of [[Shrine of 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani| 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani's shrine]], today the significance of Ray is only because of the existence of 'Abd al-'Azim's shrine.

As [[Yaqut al-Hamawi]] wrote in [[Mu'jam al-Buldan]], Ray was dealing with conflicts and battles before the attacks of Mongols. According to historical reports, about ten Islamic sects and two non-Islamic sects were living in Ray who were presenting their religious beliefs with different [[Kalam]] and [[Fiqh]]; it was the main reason that heated the conflicts in Ray.

Ray is condemned in a number of Shi'ite narrations. Some of them condemned this city, as its governance played role in [[martyrdom]] of [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]]. Some regarded the soil of Ray as evil and cursed. According to historical reports, [['Umar b. Sa'd]] was preparing to set out for Ray to take over the governance when [['Ubayd Allah b. Ziyad]] ordered him to face Imam al-Husayn (a). At first Ibn Sa'd refused but he was threatened by 'Ubayd Allah that if he refuses to do so, he has to give away the governance of Ray. Then he accepted the order and faced Imam's (a) army in [[Karbala]] with his troops.

The attacks of Mongols to Ray led to the demolition of the city. It was so horrible that Ray could never recover and flourish again. It was partially rebuilt in the time of Ilkhanate and successors of Genghis Khan especially Mas'ud Ghazan but then again another attack by Timur led to the demolition of the city yet again. According to travel accounts of a Belgian traveler: "There was nothing left of the significance and grandeur of this great ancient city." He described that all the palaces, temples, mosques and houses were demolished and turned into wreckage which remained until Safavid era. When [[Shah Tahmasp I]], chose Tehran as the capital of his government in 944/1538, Ray became a part of Tehran. Since then Ray was known only for existence of 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani's shrine.

Besides the shrines of descendants of Shi'ite Imams buried in Ray, a number of political and religious grand figures are buried in Ray as well, especially in the courtyard of 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani's shrine including [[Muhammad b. Zakariyya al-Razi]] a Muslim medic and philosopher, [[Imam Fakhr al-Razi]] or Muhammad b. 'Amr Fakhr al-Din Khatib al-Razi, [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]], [[Nasir al-Din Shah]] and Jalal Al-i Ahmad.

[['Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani]]'s shrine is the most prominent shrine in Ray who is also known as Sayyid 'Abd al-Karim; his lineage goes back to [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] within four generations. He has narrated [[hadith]]s from [[Imam al-Jawad (a)]] and [[Imam al-Hadi (a)]]. Shi'ite scholars like [[Al-Shaykh al-Saduq]] and [[Al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] have regarded him as [[thiqa]] (reliable hadith narrator).

The Ibn Babawayh's mausoleum is the burial place of Al-Shaykh al-Saduq who passed away in 381/991.

Seminary school of Burhan, Seminary of Al-Zahra, Seminary of Amir al-Mu'minin and Seminary of 'Abd al-'Azim al-Hasani were the existing seminaries in the 15th/21st century.