Astan Quds Razavi played a prominent role in supporting the fronts of the imposed war, mobilizing forces, and reconstructing war-affected areas. The sacred remains of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) were buried beside the grave of Harun al-Rashid and beneath his dome (the Harunid Shrine).⁠[1] The sacred tomb of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) has always been a center of spirituality and a pilgrimage site for Shiites and groups of Sunnis.⁠[2] Before the Safavid rule, the administration of the Razavi Shrine was entrusted to the Naqibs (supervisors) of the Sayyids; however, Shah Tahmasp Safavid appointed other custodians. Astan Quds Razavi is the institution responsible for administering the shrine of Imam Reza (peace be upon him), its endowments, and its affiliated institutions; the term itself emerged during the Safavid period.⁠[3] During the Qajar period, the administration of Astan was disrupted due to corruption among the custodians.⁠[4] During the Pahlavi period, the custodianship of Astan was nominally held by the Shah, while a government official administered it under the title of Deputy Custodian.⁠[5]

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, on 15‌^th Farvardin 1359, Imam Khomeini appointed Ayatollah Abbas Vaez-Tabasi as custodian of Astan Quds. During this period, many developments and construction projects took place; new porticos and courtyards were built, and Astan Quds took steps in the cultural, medical, agricultural, livestock, and other fields and established factories in Mashhad and other cities.⁠[6]

During the imposed war, Astan Quds, relying on endowment revenues, public donations, and the productive capacities of its affiliated units, became a powerful arm for the Sacred Defense, and the public regarded Astan Quds Razavi as a treasury for supporting the battlefronts. This institution also played a role in propaganda and promoting the culture of self-sacrifice and martyrdom⁠[7]; providing material and cultural support to the fronts, rebuilding war-damaged areas, and supporting displaced persons and veterans of the imposed war were among the activities of this institution during the Sacred Defense. The land for the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Mashhad and the barracks of this organization was also provided by Astan Quds.⁠[8]

Material aid sent to the battlefronts continued from the beginning of the imposed war until its end and included cash, non-cash goods, and supplies needed by the combatants.⁠[9]Each of the Astan Quds factories also independently provided assistance to the battlefronts.⁠[10]

During the final two years of the imposed war, the “ Front and War” Office of Astan Quds Razavi became responsible for activities related to the front and the war and undertook, on behalf of Astan Quds, the task of recording the histories of martyrs, combatants, and veterans and visiting their families. The activities of this office were diverse. At times, it hosted veterans for meals at the Hazrati Guesthouse. At other times, veterans were visited in groups known as “ Ansar al-Mojahidin. ” Food items and other necessities were also delivered to the families of veterans.⁠[11]

In Operation Valfajr 8, combatants and commanders would visit the shrine of Imam Reza (peace be upon him) before operations⁠[12]. The raising of the blessed flag of Hazrat Reza (donated by Astan Quds) at the forefront of the combatants greatly boosted their morale, and after the capture of Faw, this flag was installed on the minaret of the city mosque.⁠[13]

Combatants from Khorasan Province would depart from Shahid Rostami Garrison on Kuhsangi Street and walk toward the holy shrine. On Wednesday nights, wounded soldiers of the imposed war who were hospitalized in Mashhad were brought to the shrine⁠[14]. Circling around the shrine of the martyrs had become one of the cultural practices of the Sacred Defense. People accompanied the martyrs to Imam Reza Courtyard so that they could be buried at the holy shrine, Behesht-e Reza, or Khajeh Rabi. Combatants from outside Mashhad would head to Mashhad after operations and during their leave. Veterans of the imposed war were also brought to Mashhad for pilgrimage and were given some dust from the holy shrine and blessed sugar-coated almonds and sweets.⁠[15]

Astan Quds Razavi, while supporting displaced persons of the imposed war, also followed up on resolving their problems with regard to food and accommodation.⁠[16]For example, in 1361, Hazrati Guesthouse No. 7 of Astan was allocated to displaced persons of the imposed war.⁠[17]Another action by Astan Quds Razavi during the Sacred Defense was the reconstruction of Hoveyzeh. Hoveyzeh was liberated after 16 months of occupation, on 18‌^th Ordibehesht 1361. During the occupation, the city had been completely destroyed.⁠[18] On 12‌^th Khordad 1361, Imam Khomeini issued an order entrusting Astan Quds with the reconstruction of war-affected areas.⁠[19]Astan Quds proposed to Imam Khomeini that the reconstruction of the city be entrusted to Astan.⁠[20] Imam Khomeini agreed and considered Astan the priority for reconstruction⁠[21], and the Hoveyzeh Reconstruction Headquarters began rebuilding the city.⁠[22]During reconstruction, the city was repeatedly targeted by missiles, causing damage to rebuilt homes; six people were also martyred.⁠[23] The new Hoveyzeh, which was three times the size of the ruined city⁠[24], was inaugurated on 22‌^nd  Shahrivar 1364.⁠[25]Astan Quds also contributed to the reconstruction of Khorramshahr.⁠[26]

Cooperation between Astan Quds Razavi and the front for dispatching forces covered virtually every aspect. To train volunteer forces, Bielder Garden (in Torqabeh and Shandiz County) was placed at the disposal of the Basij, and Astan Quds personnel were also among those dispatched. Astan Quds was responsible for supplying some of the specialists needed for road-construction machinery. Volunteer personnel from Astan Quds-affiliated factories, ranging from ordinary guards to welders, electricians, and mechanics, were dispatched to the fronts.⁠[27]During the imposed war, 2,152 employees of Astan Quds Razavi were dispatched to the fronts. Of these, 49 were martyred, 31 became disabled veterans, 5 were released prisoners of war, and 20 remain missing in action. These veterans were employees of affiliated factories and farms, employees or servants of the central organization, and students of educational institutions affiliated with Astan.⁠[28]

On 29‌^th Bahman 1361, during Friday prayers in Mashhad, the Mojahedin-e Khalq attempted to assassinate the custodian of Astan Quds Razavi, but the attempt failed.⁠[29]On Ashura in 1373 SH, a bomb explosion at the Razavi shrine by the Mojahedin-e Khalq resulted in the martyrdom of 27 people and the injury of 141 others.⁠[30]

In the years after the war, Astan Quds Razavi also undertook activities related to the Sacred Defense; among them was the construction of the Shohada Memorial at Shalamcheh, which was inaugurated on 24‌^th Khordad 1383.⁠[31]Approximately 13,294 informational resources on the Sacred Defense, including printed and non-printed books as well as audiovisual and electronic resources, have been collected in the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi. The oral history archive of Astan has also addressed the Sacred Defense through three interview projects: former prisoners of war, wounded veterans and veterans of the imposed war, the 77th Khorasan Division, and the oral history of the reconstruction of Hoveyzeh.⁠[32]

Since 15 Farvardin 1398, Hojjat al-Islam Ahmad Marvi has been appointed custodian of Astan Quds Razavi.⁠[33]