Shrine of Zahrah at-Tahirah
| Shrine of Zahrah at-Tahirah | |
|---|---|
Peristirahatan Kudus Zahrah at-Tahirah | |
 The shrine seen from the surrounding gardens | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Esoteric Shia, pseudo neo-classical |
| Town or city | Mount Ilias |
| Country | Hindia Belanda |
| Completed | 1700 |
| Renovated | 2014 |
| Renovation cost | HBR 9.3 million |
| Height | 30m |
| Known for | Final resting place of Esoteric Shi'ism's first martyress and one of its Seven Figures; resting place of Esoteric Shia figures |
The Shrine of Zahrah at-Tahirah is a structure containing the tomb of Zahrah at-Tahirah, one of the early believers of Esoteric Shi'ism and the first woman to be martyred for professing her faith in the religion. Underneath the shrine are buried her remains as well as the remains of five Auxiliary Imams and two Esoteric Shia figures. Located in the midst of a vast garden on Mount Ilias, in Java, Hindia Belanda, the shrine is one of the sites that Esoteric Shias visit during the Minor Rihlat, the lesser pilgrimage to Mount Ilias. Its surrounding gardens feature benches facing the shrine for pilgrims to recite Prayers of Visitation in commemoration of Zahrah and other figures who are interred in the shrine.
Background
Zahrah is one of the Seven Figures of Esoteric Shi'ism, and one of the Five Martyrs of the religion. She was strangled to death by a Zahiri Shia fanatic in Jasil Salabalar for believing in Esoteric Shi'ism. She was buried in Jasil Salabalar, but her remains were moved a year later to Tanjudan during the Esoteric Shia emigration from Muzdatijer.
History
Transfer of Zahrah's remains
The remains of Zahrah were transferred by sea from Tanjudan to Soerabaja, and from there to Mount Ilias in 1703. Upon its arrival at the port of Soerabaja, the coffin was welcomed by hundreds of Esoteric Shias who wanted to take a glimpse of the procession, which was led by then-Auxiliary Imam, Sayyid Mudaffi and his retinue. From Soerabaja, the remains were transported to Kota Soetji and placed within the local Bayt al-Adhkar for two days, before they continued their journey to Mount Ilias.
Construction
The shrine began construction in 1700 and was completed in 1703.