Geography of Qom City

Covering an area of 11238 km2, Qom province is situated in the central part of Iran. It shares its borders with four provinces; Tehran lies on the north, Semnan on the east, Isfahan on the south and Markazi province on the south-western to the north-western part of Qom. 

Occupying less than 1% of the total area of country, Qom is the 28th and smallest province of Iran. The altitude of the center of town is 928m while the highest point of province in the mountainous areas is Valija Mountain with a height of 3330m and its lowest point being situated on the border of Daryachey-e Namak (Qom Salt Lake) as high as 700 m.  

The resident population of Qom is estimated to be approximately one million people. Based on national divisions in 2000, Qom province consists of 1 city, 4 districts, 5 towns, 9 rural districts and 836 villages, 356 of which are residential and 580 are non-residential. 

The History of Qom City

Based on some historical records, Qom city has existed prior to the advent of Islam and has been one of the prosperous cities of Iran. Its construction dates back to Tahmuras, one of the Pishdadian dynasty of Iran. Nonetheless, some other historians introduce this city as a newly-built city belonging to 1stcentury AH. 

The oldest document that has introduced Qom as one Islamic city is one travel itinerary attributed to the Abi Delf.

  In ancient times, this area was called “Bravestan”, its rural area was known as “Komidan” and the center of village named “Kom”. In 1st Islamic century, this city was called “Kom” considered as one part of Isfahan.  In 23 AH, Qom city was conquered by Islam army after which Islam was penetrated into it in such a way that the people rapidly reverted to Shai Islam.

From 94 AH, the Ash’aris came to Qom and endeavored to make it a flourishing city. Since 142 AH, the people refrained from paying tax to the caliphs/governors of the time. From then on, Qom was converted into a semiautonomous land under Islam governance. In 189 AH, Qom was separated from Isfahan and became an independent city, a place for training Shiite scholars and faqihs/jurits. 

Following the burial of Hazrat Masoumeh (peace be upon her), Qom boomed remarkably and became a safe shelter for Ahl al-bayt (the family of Prohet Mohammad).  Since then, the people gradually built their homes near to the Holy Shrine of Hazrat-e Masoumeh so that they would benefit from her holy shrine pilgrimage. Furthermore, many scholars and scientists have been trained in the vicinity of this generous member of Prophet Mohamad’s family (peace be upon him) and started the development and spread of Islam. 

During the centuries, the holy and religious city of Qom was irreparably damaged by the oppressors, destroyed in numerous attacks and its people were massacred. This oppression was continued by Reza Khan (Pahlavi Shah of Iran) and his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the recent century until the start of Islamic Revolution leaded by Imam Khomeini when a new spirit was blown into the city’s body.  After that, Qom turned into one of the important founding pillars of Islamic Revolution. Uprising of Qom people on 9 January, 1979 was one of the honors of this city during the history. After the victory of Islamic Revolution, with the start of Imposed War, this city effectively fulfilled its function in the holy defense with about 5200 martyrs and 7600 veterans. Presently, at this point, this city will not remain silent on the cultural invasion of the domestic and foreign enemies with the leadership of Ayatollah Khamenei (may he remain alive). With hope in the God’s mercy, this city will do best to pave the way for the reappearance of Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s), the only savior of mankind.