Shah Cheragh (Persian: شاه چراغ) is a 12th-century funerary monument and religious complex located in Shiraz, Iran. It is centred around the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad, the son of Musa al-Kazim, who is known as Shah Cheragh (King of Light) in local traditions, and hence the building is named as such. The site is the 363rd national monument of Iran.^[1][2][3]

The first structure over the grave of Sayyid Ahmad ibn Musa was built in the 13th century during the rule of the Salghurids, by the minister, a former Buyid prince.^[1] He built a domed mausoleum over the grave and a porch. Local folklore tells that the grave was found when a light appeared over it, which caught the attention of the people, who told the minister about what they had seen.^[1] The mausoleum stayed in that state for several years until the rule of the Injuids.^[1] During that time, female Injuid monarch, Queen Tash Khatun, further expanded the structure.^[1]

During the Safavid era in the 16th century, the building was extensively renovated.^[1] Then in the 18th century, Nader Shah donated a golden chandelier, which was hung under the dome.^[3] But a few years later, an earthquake struck Shiraz, and the complex of Shah Cheragh was heavily damaged by the tremors. The golden chandelier was lost during this time. A year after the earthquake, a man named Qandeel found some remains of the donated gold, which he used to fund the reconstruction of the Shah Cheragh funerary monument.^[2]

During the Qajar era, several repairs were made to the building.^[3] A silver zarih was also installed around the grave.^[3]

The religious complex consists of a mosque and the mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad.^[1][3] A museum for ancient works is also situated in the complex.

The mausoleum of Sayyid Ahmad is topped by a large dome. The mausoleum itself is made of plaster and stone. Around the grave, a silver zarih is visible.^[3]

The dome over the mausoleum contains a lot of mirror work on the interior.^[3] It is a Qajar era construction as well, and it replaces the original Safavid era dome which was destroyed in the earthquake.^[3] It has a metal skeleton as well. Persian calligraphy lines the base of the dome.^[3]

The museum located within the Shah Cheragh complex was established in 1925 in a corner of the shrine.^[3] In this museum, at least 600 pieces of pottery and clay artwork are stored, as well as several coins from the Parthian and Sasanian eras.^[3] Also inside the museum are weapons (such as swords) from the Safavid and Qajar eras.^[3] Several examples of manuscripts and documents are archived there as well.^[3]

On 26 October 2022, at least 15 people were killed in a mass shooting at the complex of Shah Cheragh.^[4] The three attackers are described by Iranian state media as apparently being takfiri terrorists. Two attackers have been arrested; the other is at large. Later the same day, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.^[5] The Iranian authorities said that the attackers are not Iranian nationals.^[6] Iranian semi-official Tasnim news agency stated that children are among the dead.^[6] The United Nations have condemned the attack on the religious site.^[7]

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  Shah Cheragh at night
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  The dome of Shah Cheragh
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  The prayer hall of the mosque in the Shah Cheragh complex
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  The tomb of Mir Muhammad in the mausoleum
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  Tomb of Queen Tash Khatun in the southern side of the complex

Imamzadeh

List of mosques in Iran

• Photos
• The Mausoleum of Shah-e-Cheragh Archived 18 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine
• Video of the inside