Maqam of Sayyida Ruqayya bint al-Husain (AS)
مَقَامُ السَّيِّدَة رُقَيَّة بِنتِ الحُسَين عَلَيهِ السَّلَام
The shrine of Sayyida Ruqayya bint al-Husain (AS) — the young daughter of Imam Husain (AS) who was taken captive after the massacre of Karbala in 61 AH. According to tradition, she was approximately 3-4 years old when the caravan of captives arrived in Damascus. She is said to have wept continuously for her father Imam Husain and died of grief in captivity in Damascus, clutching his head after being granted one last sight of it. Her shrine is located in the Old City of Damascus, within the Bab Touma (Gate of Thomas) district, and is one of the most emotionally affecting pilgrimage sites on the Syria Ziyarat route. The shrine complex includes a mausoleum of distinctive architecture and a mosque where visiting pilgrims recite the Quran and Ziyarat duas.
Why it Matters
Sayyida Ruqayya's story — the innocent child who died calling for her father — is one of the most heartbreaking chapters of Karbala's aftermath. For Bohra pilgrims on the Syria Ziyarat route, visiting this maqam alongside that of Maulatona Zainab (AS) in the Sayyida Zainab suburb of Damascus completes the remembrance of the women and children who survived Ashura and carried Karbala's message. Reciting the ziyarat of Sayyida Ruqayya is a deeply moving act of connection with the youngest victims of the events of Muharram 61 AH.
Dua when visiting
السَّلَامُ عَلَيكِ يَا بِنتَ الحُسَينِ الشَّهِيد رُقَيَّةُ الطَّاهِرَة
Also in this region
4- Jannat al-Baqi — Cemetery of the Prophet's family Madina al-Munawwara Ahl al-Bayt جَنَّةُ البَقِيع
- Jannat al-Mualla — Sacred Cemetery of Mecca Mecca Ahl al-Bayt جَنَّةُ المُعَلَّى
- Shrine of Hazrat Abbas ibn Ali (AS) Karbala Ahl al-Bayt مَرْقَدُ العَبَّاسِ
- Masjid al-Aqsa — The Third Sacred Mosque Jerusalem (al-Quds) Anbiya الْمَسْجِدُ الأَقْصَ