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.

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 throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

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, 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.

Dr. Hassan Farhaat, professor in Al-Azhar University, says that 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.

He points out that in Ad-Darb Al-Ahmer region, worshippers pray till dawn breaks, and they recite holy Quran at Sayyidah Fatemah An-Nabaviah in her mosque.

He further tells that 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.

Dr. Farhaat says 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.