Endowment: Authority Over the Shrines of the Sayyids

Practical Laws of Islam as per the teachings of Imam Khamenei

Endowment: Authority Over the Shrines of the Sayyids

English:

Question #1999:

Who should take overall charge of the upkeep of the tombs of the descendants of the Imams (A.S.), that are scattered across Iranian towns and villages, and the collection and expenditure of the donations and vows? And has anyone the right to claim the ownership of the land where the descendants of the Imam are buried and the immediate area around their tombs that is used as graveyards, from old time?

Answer #1999:

The trusteeship of the holy places and public endowments, that have no trustees, belongs to the the wal ī amr of Muslims. The authority to appoint trustees for such endowments has now been vested in his representative in the Office of Endowments and Charitable Affairs. The land where the descendants of an Imam are buried and the surrounding area used from old as a burial ground for Muslims are deemed public endowments unless the contrary is proven by shar‘ī evidence before a judge.

-Imam Khamenei, Practical Laws of Islam, Importance and Conditions of Endowments