Khajeh Rabie

Rabie ibn Haitham al-Asadi as–Thawri was among the early Muslims following the companions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.). and among the eight persons in the early history of Islam famous for abstinence and virtuousness. Being the resident of Kufah he was also famous as Kufi. He was a close companion of Imam Ali (A.S.) and friend of Ibn Masood companion of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W).

He along with some other persons requested in the presence of Imam Ali (A.S.) to visualize the visage of the pious people. Then Imam Ali (A.S.) delivered the famous sermon explaining the characteristics and qualities of the pious persons.

It was famous about Khwajeh Rabie that whenever he used to prostrate he used to remain stand still for a long period as if a cloth sheet has been spread on the ground.

He led a very abstemious and virtuous life but was also busy in teaching Tafsir (Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an) and Hadith (the traditions of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W). Shaykh Tabarsi has considered him as the Precursor Master in these sciences. The kind and generous nature were the radiant characteristics of Khajeh Rabie. He used to bring the needy people to his house and served them with the food which he had prepared.

During the last phase of his life he came to Khorasan along with the Islamic army and passed away in the year 63 A.H. / 682 A.D. He is buried underneath a magnificent dome in the middle of the garden and the public cemetery.

The dome and the gates of his burial chamber have been decorated with glazed tiles and different styles of inscriptions. The grave and the dome of Khajeh Rabie is highly respected by the general public and is considered as one of the important pilgrimage centers in Mashhad and Khorasan province. After the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran the dome and the garden around it has been extensively renovated by Astan Quds Razavi.