This monument is located in ‘Masjid Seyed’ Street. Seyed Mosque was establishment in 13th Century AH in Muhammad Shah Qajar era. It has about 8075 square meters demesne. Calligraphy in Seyed Mosque were done by Mohammad Bagher Sharif Shirazi.
Elements of this mosque can be divided into four main doors, two large hall, two small dome and a large dome, two large courtyards, four upper floors, three porches, and one large minaret, and more than five cells and several atriums.
Seyed Mosque is located on the south side of ‘Masjid Seyed’ Street, this valuable and renowned work is among the best of the 13th century in the study of architecture and tile art, especially knitting, masonry and colorful tiles. The construction of the Seyed Mosque began under the supervision of the late Hojatoleslam Sayyid Mohammad Bagher Shafti. But he deceased before completing his work on the mosque so that deceased's children and grandchildren continued the rest of his wish.
After the Safavi extinction, the tile and the mosque’s construction in general were severely interrupted by the recession that was affecting our country's economy. Therefore, if we say that once the ‘Seyed’ started building the mosque; he renewed the constructions of the mosques in Iran. Architecture and tile work played an important role in Iran. For example, in Iranian traditional house, luxury hotel in Iran and to compare boutique hotels in Iran; the building that has most delicate tile work is more popular.
The northern entrance of the mosque, which is the main entrance, is a double door with two platforms of Persian stone, the sides of which are decorated with tiles, colors, flowers, beetles and inscriptions on the third line (Solce style). These inscriptions contain verses from the Holy Quran.
The southwestern lobby, which is also a remodeled entrance, is decorated with colored tiles, inscriptions, and spiritual sentences. The inscriptions on this passage have been written by Mohammad Bagher Shirazi, the great calligrapher of the Qajar era. The southeastern lantern shines in the alley. The south porch is in front of the dome. The east and west porches are located in front of the mosque's winter dormitory.
On the east and west sides there are four porches. Around the porches, some cells were built for religious science students. Around the porches, you can see beautiful calligraphies. There is also a famous clock which is located on the south porch of the mosque.
To the northeast of the mosque is the tomb of Hojat al-Islam, in front of it you can see the tomb. Inside this monument and porch is adorned with tile and plaster decorations. Above the entrance to the tomb of the Hojat al-Islam some sentences from holy Quran is written by Artists.
Seyed mosque is one of the masterpieces of Qajar architecture due to the presence of very interesting decorations of flowers, shrubs and slims, and the existence of a masonry line and other arts.
An anecdote about Seyed mosque
As it was mentioned, this huge mosque was built by Hojat al-Islam Seyed Muhammad Baqer Shafti. There is a true narrative in the history of it, which is worth to be mentioned.
When Seyed Muhammad Baqir Shafti founded this great mosque, some people asked him: "You were very poor and handcuffed, how could you build this huge mosque?"
He said: "When the famine came and people ate curd and cat meat to survive, I was dying of hunger and famine like others. I took all that I had saved up and went to the bakery to buy a loaf of bread. Crowds gathered in front of the bakery. I gave all of my money and bought a loaf of bread. When I was returning home, a dog was lying on the ground and she was starving out of hunger, also her children were dying.
I thought to myself; if I die I am only one life; but this female dog has several puppies and if she dies all of her puppies will die too. So, for God's sake, I broke the bread and put it in front of the dog. I stood and watched to see what was going on.
The female dog ate the bread; and her breast was filled of milk; in conclusion her puppies began to eat. At that moment I saw the female dog raise her head to the sky; and I felt this female dog is praying for me.
I came to my house and lay down facing the Qiblah and I put a cloth on my head. I said prayers and told my testimony. About an hour passed. Someone came to my door and asked, "Are you Sayed Shafti?" I said yes.
He said, "I'm a businessman." I had brought a ship of clothes from India. I promised to God to dedicate twenty Tomans as soon as I reach Iran in health.
I have come now to make up my vow, and to give you this money. I was very surprised because the twenty Tomans was a huge deal that I had never dreamed of. I asked him, "What can I do with all of the money?" He suggested - you take some of this money - and hand the rest of it to me as partnership of a textile importing, that is, to share in its profits and losses. I accepted the offer.
That person would give me a lot of money every time he imported textiles from India.
I decided to use this money to build a mosque in the Bidabad neighborhood with the money, so I built it.
I showed a little merci to a poor dog, but God rewarded me with huge deal of wealth.”
