Awliya

Shrine of Sayyida Nafisa (RA) — Cairo

مَقَامُ السَّيِّدَةِ نَفِيسَة

Cairo, Egypt
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The shrine of Sayyida Nafisa bint al-Hasan ibn Zayd ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali (RA) — a great-granddaughter of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) and therefore a descendant of Rasulullah (SAW) through the Ahl al-Bayt. Born in 145 AH in Makkah, she memorized the Quran in childhood and was renowned for her knowledge of hadith, her asceticism, and her extraordinary baraka (blessing). She migrated to Egypt around 193 AH and lived there until her death in 208 AH (approximately 824 CE). During her time in Cairo, she received many of the great scholars of Islam — Imam al-Shafi'i (founder of the Shafi'i school of law, followed by the Bohras) reportedly attended her halaqas and prayed that she lead the funeral salah for him; at his request, his bier was brought to her home for her blessing. She is buried in the mosque that bears her name in the Khalifa district of Cairo, adjacent to the famous medieval cemetery. The mosque has been rebuilt and expanded multiple times and remains one of the most actively visited shrines in Egypt.

Why it Matters

Sayyida Nafisa's shrine is revered by Muslims across all traditions in Egypt and beyond. For Bohras, her significance is heightened by her direct descent from Imam Hasan (AS) and her connection to Imam al-Shafi'i — both pillars of Bohra identity. Her dua is believed to be especially efficacious for healing and in times of hardship. Pilgrims visiting Cairo traditionally make ziyarat to her shrine as part of their Fatimid Cairo itinerary.

Dua when visiting

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا بِنْتَ سَيِّدِ شَبَابِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا مَنِ اشْتَهَرَتْ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالتَّقْوَى

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