Other Places to Visit

Beyond the shrine and Jamkaran — Bayt al-Nur, Gulzar Shuhada, Khizr Mountain, Shaykhan Cemetery and the many Imam Zadehs of Qum.

Qum and its surroundings hold many other sites of pilgrimage and reflection. A few of the most rewarding to visit are below.

Bayt al-Nur

Located about a 10–15 minute walk from the holy shrine, Bayt al-Nur was the house of Musa ibn Khazraj where Lady Masumah (a) stayed before her demise. Her place of prayer (mihrab) within the house is a frequent pilgrimage site, known for the fulfilment of prayers and hajaat.

Gulzar Shuhada

Gulzar Shuhada is a cemetery in which over 3,000 martyrs of the Iran–Iraq war (1980–1988) are buried. It is a common visiting place for locals and tourists alike, who come to pay their respects, seek blessings and hear some of the remarkable life stories of these martyrs.

Khizr Mountain

Khizr Mountain (Kuh Khizr) lies about 6 km from the city centre. At its summit is a mosque housing the cave in which Prophet Khizr is believed to have prayed — a peaceful place to pray and to take in panoramic views of the city.

The climb normally takes around 20 minutes. Since the path to the top has recently been upgraded and widened, even children and the elderly can make their way up safely and easily.

Shaykhan Cemetery

Shaykhan Cemetery is an ancient burial ground near the holy shrine of Lady Masumah (a). It memorialises notable scholars from across different historical periods — currently over six hundred grand religious figures are buried there, including al-Mirza al-Qummi, Mirza Jawad Maliki Tabrizi and Ayatullah Fadil al-Tuni. A number of companions of the holy Imams also rest there, among them Zakariyya ibn Adam al-Ashari and Zakariyya ibn Idris, companions of Imam al-Sadiq (a), Imam al-Kadhim (a), Imam al-Ridha (a) and Imam al-Jawad (a).

Imam Zadehs

There are many shrines throughout Iran, most of which house the graves of the revered children or descendants of the Infallible Imams. These holy individuals are referred to as Imam Zadehs — literally, the offspring of an Imam — and their sanctuaries serve as important centres of pilgrimage and devotion. Within Qum itself there are over twenty Imam Zadehs, some more famous than others, including:

1. Ahmed bin Qasim, grandson of Imam al-Sadiq (a)
2. Musa al-Mubarqa’, the son of Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (a)
3. Hamzah, grandson of Imam al-Kadhim (a)

A detailed list of Imam Zadehs and their burial sites is available locally for those who wish to visit more of them.