Askhab Mausoleums

The Askhab Mausoleums in Merv are revered as a significant Timurid-era shrine, dedicated to two of the Prophet Muhammad’s earliest and most devoted companions, Abu Dhar al-Ghifari and Abu Buraidah al-Aslami. These two figures were among the first to embrace Islam, earning the honorific title of Askhabs, meaning «associates» of the Prophet. After their deaths, their burial sites became sacred sanctuaries for the local population, and in the 15th century, the Timurid dynasty constructed a religious complex around these tombs.

The tombs themselves are crafted from black marble and adorned with intricate relief carvings featuring floral motifs and inscriptions, showcasing the exquisite artistry of the period. These sacred monuments stand tall at the heart of the mausoleum, flanked by two restored aivans, which are oriented precisely to the south. Historical photographs from the late 19th century reveal that these aivans once stood at an impressive height of about 12 meters and were embellished with vibrant blue and turquoise tiles. The back wall of the mausoleum prominently displays the word «ALLAH» in Kufi script, surrounded by several diagonally positioned squares, adding to the spiritual ambiance of the site.

The architectural style of the Askhab Mausoleums, characterized by the two adjacent iwans (grand entrances or portals), suggests that the original structures were likely constructed during the Seljuq era, between the 9th and 12th centuries. However, these early monuments were destroyed during the Mongol invasions in the early 13th century. The Timurids later reconstructed the site in the 15th or 16th centuries, restoring its former glory.