Being a funerary monument and mosque in Shiraz, Shah Cheragh houses the tombs of Ahmad and Muhammad brothers, who are the sons of Mūsā al-Kādhim. During the Abbasid persecution of Shia Muslims the two brothers took a refuge.
The tombs of the brothers became a celebrated pilgrimage spot when in 14th century Queen Tashi Khatun built a mosque and a theological school in its vicinity.
Shah Cheragh means “King of the light” in Persian. The name derives from the nature of a discovery by Ayatullah Dastghaib. Ayatullah notices light at the distance and decides to find the source. He approaches and finds out that the light comes from a grave within a graveyard. The grave is excavated and an armored body is found wearing a ring with an inscription; “The Pride belongs to God, Ahmad son of Musa”. Hereinfater it becomes clear that the place was the burial site of the sons of Musa al Kadhim.
This place is a popular pilgrimage site in Shiraz. Ahmad settled in Shiraz at the beginning of the third century and died there.
At first the tomb chamber, the dome and a colonnaded porch were built. Then, 200 years later essential repairs took place. An edifice, a college, a hall of audience were added to the tomb.