The courtyard of Imamzadeh Hamzeh, Qom - Grand Simplicity

The man is walking towards the back exit of the courtyard

Shaded alcoves for sitting around the courtyard, they probably used to be filled with hand woven rugs and cushions where men used to sit and read their Quran, drink 'chai' together or do their studies and ladies the same.  Also, preparation of food was probably done in selected of these alcoves (no slaving away in the kitchen here).  Although they did not have the "conveniences" that we have today - certainly it was a more open and social type of living where even work was more enjoyed and incorporated into living.

One of the rooms of this home.with a domed ceiling and further alcoves in the walls

This is the 'Taj" or the crown of the grounds, designed in the shape of a sha's Taj or king's crown

The fountain of the courtyard giving life and refreshment to the eyes in historical times

I don't know for sure, since I didn't think to ask but I believe this is probably real turquoise stone used in this design.

A man connecting to the soul of a marhoum (deceased) relative and offering a prayer (probably the surah of the Quran and most likely Fatiha although it is also good and recommended to offfer 3 and 7 times Surah Ikhlas (the Unity).  Three times is like reciting the entire Holy Quran for them and 7 times has countless more blessings that are difficult for us to envision with our temporal minds.

This is the actual inner entrance to Shah Hamza which we will visit in a separate post.

The Grand Entrance - Alcoves, windows and detailed arches

They played hard in the sun, they must have been tired.

This was the end of our visit - but its not the end of our posts on this site.  It's almost just the beginning.  We have lots more to share.  This was just an incredible historical place with such detailed simplicity that with every look, there was more to see, I wanted to capture it all to share. 

The home is such a universal need and so personal that imagining the people of 400 years ago in these grounds with children laughing and foundains running, extended families helping with all the cooking and just lots of happiness going around - I imagine this place alive.

Now centuries later, there is a different life force we feel.  A celestial sort of energy that these people, good people as well as the main grand personality buried here - son of Imam Musa Qasim (as) - their bodies are here but their souls are free living a more perfect life with a different journey in another realm, praying for those who pray for them and revisiting the site with their souls whenever the angels call them at the time those prayers are offered.

 It is said in the traditions left behind by our Holy Imams (as) that when you pray for someone at the site of his grave place yur finger on the grave, tap it to alert them that you are here, offer a Fatiha (the first surah of the quran) and then leave your hand on the grave flat.  With your energy the angels go to call the soul of this body from wherever they may be and they will come back to see you.  If you offer the Fatiha and do not leave your hand on the grave but rush away, then the soul will get the "fruits" that you have offered through your prayer but will not be able to see you.  I think of it like sending a letter to someone or a gift.  You get happy when you recieve it from some one good or close but then you miss that person and want to see them.  

I felt a sadness on these grounds, of a past that is no more and a life style that for the most part has ceased to exist but a sense of satisfaction remains for the gratitude I feel for the fact that we still have the ability to learn and benefit from these personalities by visiting, praying and communicating to the energies and souls of these Imam zadehs (families of the prophet).  By becoming the friends of the friends of our Lord, we can continue their life by incorporating their learning into our lives and thereby moving forward in our own.

Visitation is a very deep concept, simple in its idea but deep and rich with meaning.  Through performing our own ziarats or visitations we will gain deeper insights for our own lives.  In the meanwhile if we can not physically visit them, then the recitation is the same for those who wish to but can not go.  And those that have been and continuously go, we offer these pictures and thoughts in a humble way to bring these personalities and plances to those so far away.