Handwriting of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) discovered in Saveh to possibly alter historical fact
If the authenticity of a handwriting of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) recently discovered in the city of Saveh is confirmed, perhaps it will change some historical evidence of the past.
The reason is it hints a different route for Imam Reza’s journey from Madinah to Merv than what historical documents have suggested until now. If this evidence is confirmed, it seems that Imam Reza’s journey place over a slightly different route, including the city of Saveh in the middle.
A Paleographer studying documents and historical inscriptions accidentally came across an ancient commemorative note while visiting the Jame Mosque of Saveh. Upon studying the relic, it turned out to be the handwriting of Imam Reza, peace be upon him, the eights Divinely appointed Imam of the Shiites.
This handwriting is written on a clay brick measuring 31 x 31, and includes an inscription in Kufic script attributed to Imam Reza, peace be upon him. Dr. Emaduddin Sheikh Al-Hokamayi has discovered this script, which is located on a pillar in the Saveh Grand Mosque.
It is possible that Imam Reza, peace be upon him, wrote this note when he was sitting in this mosque, leaning on one of the pillars.
In the past, it was customary for dignitaries and important social, political, and religious figures to write commemorative notes to mark events or visits of significant personalities.
This handwriting contains a phrase that indicates the presence of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) in the Saveh Grand Mosque. It also registers that the Imam asked Almighty Allah for forgiveness for everyone by invoking the names of the Five Companions of the Cloak. The handwriting concludes with the date of the presence of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) in this place.
Although it was very difficult to read this part of the relic, Dr. Al-Hokamayi managed to identify the date as 201 A.H. after serious efforts to make the piece legible.
The year 201 AH, based on historical evidence and authentic documents, is the time when Imam Reza, peace be upon him, started his journey from Mecca and Medina to Merv.
Prio to this discovery, it was thought that this journey took place through Basra, Khuzestan, Fars, Yazd and finally Khorasan, but new evidence presents ambiguities as to what exactly the itinerary has been. In other words, it is not clear whether Imam Reza’s original journey to Merv crossed the city of Saveh, or that it was made at a different time.
Some historical books suggest a secret trip Imam Reza (peace be upon him) made to Qazvin, and now based on the discovered handwriting, it is highly possible that Imam Reza, peace be upon him, spent the night in Saveh Mosque during his secret trip to Qazvin.
Experts believe that confirmation of the authenticity and attribution of this script requires more investigation and research.