Riza was possibly born in Kashan, as Āqā Riżā Kāshānī is one of the versions of his name; it has also been suggested that he was born in Mashad, where his father, the miniature artist Ali Asghar, is recorded as having worked in the atelier of the governor, Prince Ibrahim Mirza.
Riza kemungkinan lahir di Kashan, dengan nama Āqā Riżā Kāshānī yang merupakan salah satu versi namanya; ia juga dikatakan lahir di Mashad, dimana ayahnya, artis miniatur Ali Asghar, tercatat sebagai orang yang bekerja dalam penugasan gubernur, Pangeran Ibrahim Mirza.