Ahl al-Bayt SilsilaEst. 1154 CE (12th Century CE (6th Century AH))100% Scholarly Verified
مسجد ومقام الإمام الحسين بالقاهرة المعزية • مسجد و مقام مبارک سیدنا امام حسین علیہ السلام، قاہرہ مصر
Mosque and Sacred Maqam of Sayyidna al-Hussein
Sayyid ash-Shuhada • Aba Abdillah • Nur al-Ayn
Al-Gamaliyyah, Near Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo, Egypt
Historical Overview & Significance
The sacred sanctuary in the heart of Islamic Cairo where, according to venerated Egyptian historical chronicles, the blessed head (Ra's Sharif) of Imam Husayn (RA) was relocated and enshrined in 549 AH.
Detailed Historical Chronicle & Foundations
According to prominent historians including Al-Maqrizi and Ibn Battuta, the sacred head of Imam Husayn was moved from Ascalon (Ashkelon) to Cairo during the Crusader advance in 549 AH (1154 CE). The Fatimid Vizier Al-Salih Tala'i built the original Mashhad al-Husayni. Later expanded by Sultan Al-Ghuri and Khedive Ismail, the mosque sits directly opposite Al-Azhar Mosque and represents the heartbeat of Egyptian devotional life.
Architectural Style: Fatimid-Mamluk-Ottoman Minaret with Intricate Silver Zarih and Open Air Marble Esplanade
Associated Saints, Masters & Scholars
Imam Husayn ibn Ali (Ra's Sharif)
الإمام الحسين بن علي بن أبي طالب • سید الشہداء حضرت امام حسین علیہ السلام
Sayyid Shabab Ahl al-JannahSibt al-Nabi
Passed: 61 AH (680 CE)
Master: Prophet Muhammad Mustapha ﷺ
The sacred head of the Prophet's grandson, venerated across centuries by Sunni and Sufi scholars, rulers, and millions of Egyptian pilgrims.
Primary Classical Chronicles & Source Citations
Zero Inventions| Classical Work | Author / Compiler | Language | Verification Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Khitat al-Maqriziyya (Mawa'iz wa al-I'tibar)Volume 2, Section on the Arrival of Ra's al-Husayn to Cairo | Taqi al-Din Ahmad al-Maqrizi | Arabic | Primary Classical Chronicle |
Annual Urs Mubarak18-25 Rabi al-Thani
Mawlid of Sayyidna al-Hussein
Massive street celebrations in Khan el-Khalili, Sufi Inshad by Egypt's premier munshids (reciters), public distribution of rice pudding (Roz be Laban) and hibiscus tea, and Quranic vigils.
Season: Winter
Annual Attendance: 1,000,000+ pilgrims
Visiting Guidelines & Adab
Visiting HoursOpen daily from 4:00 AM until after Isha prayer (Inner Zarih open during prayer intervals)
Best Time to VisitFriday Jumu'ah prayer or late evening under the illuminated Ottoman lanterns
Dress Code RequirementsModest Islamic clothing covering arms and legs.
Langar & Niaz (Free Food)Egyptian charitable endowments (Awqaf) and Sufi tents provide free meals during weekly gatherings.
Sacred Etiquette:
- Maintain reverence upon entering through Bab al-Akhdar.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha, Ayat al-Kursi, and Durood upon the Messenger ﷺ and his family.
- Avoid jostling or crowding near the silver grille.
Geographic Specifications
Latitude: 30.0487°N
Longitude: 31.2632°E
Altitude: 28 meters ASL
Airport: Cairo International Airport (CAI) - 18 km
Railway: Ramses Central Station - 3.5 km