CAIRO, Egypt: Egyptians keep special devotion and unique
contact with mosques and shrines of Ahl’ol Bayt Ar-Rasul, or the holy
progeny of holy Prophet (A.S.), housed in Cairo and other cities.
Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, throngs of Egyptians from all
stratums whose hearts beat in love for Ahl’ol Bayt (A.S.) spend their
nights in these shrines and mosques.
Every evening, large tables filled with Ramadan meals,
desserts and drinks are spread around these shrines and mosques
absorbing thousands of fasting people while people observe their sohur
in tents erected by the mosques and historic houses i.e. Manzel Zeinab
Khatun (p), granddaughter of holy Prophet (S.W.).
Meanwhile, Al-Hussein region in Al-Gamaliah in center of Cairo, which
is distinguished for historic Islamic sites and ancient mosques,
witnesses big trade during this holy month in holy manuscripts,
religious books, perfumes, aromatic sticks, ambergris and musk besides
activities at hotels and green-tea centers.
Sayyidah Zeinab (A.S.) shrine keeps great status in
hearts of Egyptians. Sheikh Sayyid At-Tavil, a Moazzin (one who calls
for prayer) of the holy shrine, says that daughter of Al-Imam Ali
Al-Mortada (A.S.) and Sayyidah Fatemah Az-Zahraa (A.S.), Sayyidah
Zeinab (A.S.), enjoys a lofty status since her arrival to the land of
Egypt after the Umayyad made life for her hell in the holy city of
Medinah, therefore she chose Egypt as her abode for she heard that
there live in Egypt devotees of Ahl’ol Beit (A.S.) and when her feet
touched the soil of Egypt giving it honour, she witnessed Egyptians
celebrating her arrival.
Egyptians visit her shrine throughout the year and particularly in the
holy month of Ramadan and they pray Allah through her (A.S.) for their
recovery from sickness and diseases. People also fulfill their nazoor
at the holy shrine on achieving their needs and desires.
From amongst the mosques of Ahl’ol Beit (A.S.) is Mosque
of Sayyidah Nafisah bint Al-Hassan bin Zayd bin Ali bin Abi Taleb
(R.A.). It also possesses a unique status in hearts of Egyptians, and
even the happiness of young girls and guys does not complete if their
marriage is not held at Sayyidah Nafisah (R.A.)’s site. Egyptians
daily visit her mosque/shrine for successful marriage.
The most attractive and beautiful shrines/mosques which is thronged by
worshippers during Ramadan is holy shrine of Sayyidah Sakinah bint’ol
Hussein (A.S.) who came to Egypt along with her paternal aunt Sayyidah
Zeinab (A.S.) after Karbala tragedy. She lived here and then died and
buried in this shrine.
In Ad-Darb Al-Ahmer region, worshippers pray till dawn
breaks, and they recite holy Quran at Sayyidah Fatemah An-Nabaviah in
her mosque.
Shrine of Sayyidah Roqayyah (A.S.), daughter of Al-Imam Ali (A.S.),
houses in Al-Khalifah region. It also attracts large number of
worshippers.
Egypt is also home to a site of Al-Imam Ali bin
Al-Hussein Zein’ol Abidin (A.S.). This site is situated in a town
named after him “Ha’i Zein’ol Abidin (A.S.)”.
Shrines of Muhammad Al-Jafari bin Al-Imam Jafar As-Sadeq
(A.S.), Sayyidah Kulthom bint Al-Qassem and many other grandsons of
holy Prophet Muhammad (S.W.) are also housed on Egyptian soil.
