Baba Rokneddin

Baba Rokneddin - the Pillar of Faith

• Who was Baba Rokneddin?
• Architecture of the Tomb

Who was Baba Rokneddin?

Massoud ibn Abdullah Beyzavi, known as Baba Rokneddin, was born in Beyza, southern Fars province. Baba Rokneddin lived in Isfahan during the reign of Abu Sa'id Bahadur Khan, the ninth ruler of the Ilkhanate. It was Baba Rokneddin who developed and continued Theoretical Sufism, which had been founded by Ibn al-Arab. Baba Rokneddin Shirazi was a 14th-century Sufi mystic and follower of Ibn Arabi. His name means Father Rukn al-Din, the latter which transliterates as "Pillar of the Faith."

Architecture of the Tomb

This tomb, with its double-layered dome and turquoise tile decorations and Islamic motifs, is considered one of the important buildings of the Safavid period. The interior of the tomb also has a special beauty with its pentagonal design and pyramid-shaped rock dome.

Double-layered dome

The dome of the tomb has two coverings; the lower covering is made of brick and the outer covering is pyramidal and decorated with turquoise tiles.

Decorations

The exterior of the dome is decorated with turquoise tiles and azure and white Islamic motifs. The interior of the tomb is also decorated with tile decorations and calligraphy.

Pentagonal design

The interior of the tomb is built with a pentagonal design and with vaults that ultimately end in the dome.

Entrance Porch

On the northern side of the tomb, there is an entrance porch and two-story rooms around it.

Underground Space

There is also a small underground space on the eastern side of the tomb, which was used as a cellar.

Tombstone

Baba Rokn al-Din's tombstone is made of marble and has poems by Rumi engraved on it.

Inscriptions

A marble inscription on the entrance porch refers to the construction of the building in 1200 AH.

Sundial

On the floor of the tomb, there is a red brick circle with rays, known as a sundial.