The Name
Al-Hussein Mosque
The Reason for this Name
The mosque is named after the belief that the head of Imam Hussein is buried there. Many accounts relate that at the beginning of the Crusades, the Fatimid Caliph, the ruler of Egypt, feared for the safety of the revered head in its original location in Ashkelon, Palestine. He sent for the head to be brought to Egypt, where it was buried in its current location, and the mosque was built over it.
The Location
Cairo, Egypt, near Khan el-Khalili in the Al-Hussein district. Al-Hussein Mosque is considered one of the most important Islamic holy sites in Cairo.
When Was It Built?
It was built during the Fatimid Caliphate in 1154. The mosque contains many important artifacts, such as:
The oldest known copy of the Holy Quran
The Describe of the mosque and what it contains
From the Outside
The Al-Hussein Mosque features a blend of Fatimid and Ayyubid architectural styles, and a towering minaret rising above the Green Gate, one of the mosque's three entrances.
From the Inside of the Al-Hussein Mosque
A dazzling masterpiece: soaring marble columns, distinctive domes, intricate Quranic inscriptions, and a mihrab made of glazed tiles instead of marble.
The Doors
Three doors built of white marble overlook Khan al-Khalili.
And another door next to the dome, known as the Green Gate.
The Stone
The Al-Hussein Mosque is built of red stone in the Gothic style.
Its minaret was built in the Ottoman style; it is cylindrical in shape with two galleries and topped with a cone.
The Shrine Has
Three doors on the western facade.
One door on the southern facade.
And another on the northern facade leading to a courtyard containing the ablution area.
Among the most important finds in the Al-Hussein Shrine is a beautiful wooden sarcophagus discovered in a chamber beneath the copper enclosure in the center of the dome, accessible through two small openings. On the floor.
The Columns
The mosque features five rows of arches supported by marble columns.
The Mihrab
It is made of fine scrap metal, with small pieces of colored glazed tiles used instead of marble. It was crafted in 1303 AH.
The Minbar
The minbar is made of wood and has two doors leading to the dome and a third leading to the relics room.
The Relics Chamber
Built in 1311 AH / 1893 CE, where the Prophet's relics were deposited.
Inside the mosque is the largest chandelier in the Arab world.
Weighing five tons, it is made of crystal adorned with pure gold, and its base is made of pure silver.
The Shrine of al-Husayn
Al-Husayn is al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. He was born in the fourth year of the Hijra in Medina and grew up in the Prophet's household. After the people of Kufa deceived him into believing they had pledged allegiance to him as Caliph instead of Yazid ibn Mu'awiya, he traveled to Kufa. At Karbala, the soldiers of Abdullah ibn Ziyad attacked and killed him and his family, beheading him on the Day of Ashura in 61 AH. Opinions differ regarding the location of his head. It is said that al-Husayn's head was buried in the al-Husayn Shrine in Cairo after being brought from Ashkelon in 1154 CE.
The Coffin
This coffin has three sides and is made of teak wood imported from the East Indies. Its front and sides are divided into rectangles, each surrounded and separated by frames carved in decorative Kufic and Naskh scripts. These rectangles are arranged in geometric patterns, each containing a panel adorned with delicate floral motifs of varying shapes and arrangements.
At the far south end, you will find a room containing precious relics of the Prophet
Two hairs from the Prophet's beard
Two rare Qur'ans
And pieces of the Prophet's shirt
This room was built during the reign of Khedive Abbas Hilmi II to preserve what remained of the sacred Islamic heritage.
A Brief History of the Mosque
The Noble Head
There are six cities where it is said that the head of al-Husayn is buried: Damascus, Raqqa, Ashkelon, Cairo, Karbala, and Medina in the year 549 AH (1154 CE). The mosque was built during the Fatimid era under the supervision of the vizier al-Salih Tala'i.
In 549 AH
The shrine of al-Husayn was established to house the head of al-Husayn ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib. Only the gate, known as the Bab, remains today.
In 634 AH
The minaret above the gate was built in the late Ayyubid period, and only its square base remains.
In 1175 AH (1750 CE),
Prince Abd al-Rahman Katkhuda renovated the upper part of the minaret, as well as the shrine and the dome over the tomb. The interior of this dome was decorated with colorful inscriptions interspersed with gilding.
Between 1209 and 1295 AH (1880-1885 CE),
When Khedive Ismail assumed power in Egypt, he ordered the renovation and expansion of the mosque. Work continued for ten years, until it was completed in 1290 AH (1870 CE), except for the minaret, which was finished in 1295 AH (1875 CE).
In 1939 CE,
King Farouk, I ordered the dome's floor to be repaired and paved with marble. The Department of Arab Antiquities seized this opportunity to investigate the presence of this sarcophagus. Upon finding and examining it, they removed it from its place, repaired it, and then transferred it to the Museum of Arab Antiquities for display.
The Development Work
Despite architectural changes, the mosque has retained its majestic character and original Fatimid structure. It continues to fulfill its religious role by hosting prayers and religious ceremonies. It is also a frequent destination for study and research missions documenting the history of Islamic arts in Egypt. Furthermore, the mosque is linked to the history of Shi'a jurisprudence in Cairo and stands as a testament to the transformations of Islamic thought throughout different eras, giving it an intellectual dimension in addition to its religious function. It is regularly included in the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' plans for promoting Islamic heritage.
The Cost
- The latest development work on the mosque cost 150 million Egyptian pounds.
The Marble cladding - Decorative work
Restoration of the shrine. Strengthening of windows and treatment of decorative elements.
Illumination of the facades to highlight the decorations. Restoration of the Ayyubid minaret next to the shrine.
The Women's Prayer Area
The women's prayer area inside the mosque was expanded, and the ceiling was renovated.
Replacement of damaged flooring and cladding of wooden doors.
Installation of an elevator for people with disabilities and the elderly in the women's prayer area. Upgrading of the electrical and sound systems.
The Celebrating Ashura
Firstly: How did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Sunni Muslims celebrate Ashura?
1- The Fasting
Imam al-Bukhari narrated in his Sahih on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with him) who said: “I never saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so keen to fast on any day, giving it precedence over others, except this day, the Day of Ashura, and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting the Day of Ashura]
And Aisha, the mother of the Believers (may God be pleased with her), said: “The Day of Ashura was a day that the Quraysh used to fast in the pre-Islamic era, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast it in the month of Ramadan.” The pre-Islamic era. When he arrived in Medina, he fasted on that day and commanded others to fast as well. Then, when Ramadan was made obligatory, he said, “Whoever wishes may fast on it, and whoever wishes may leave it.” [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting on the Day of Ashura, Hadith]
Imam al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with them both) who said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. He asked, ‘What is this?’ They replied, ‘This is a blessed day. This is the day on which God save the Children of Israel.’” Israel was among their enemies, so Moses fasted on that day. He said, “I am more entitled to Moses than you are,” so he fasted on that day and commanded others to fast on it. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting on the Day of Ashura]
2- The Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) Celebration of Ashura
The Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) celebration of Ashura was a celebration of the victory of faith, a remembrance of God's blessings upon His servants, and a reaffirmation that Islam is the final religion of God, the one with which He sent all the prophets.
3- The Nature of His (peace and blessings be upon him) Celebration
This celebration was not with feasts or mourning rituals, but rather with fasting, for it is a day of gratitude to God for His blessings. And one of the greatest forms of gratitude is for a servant to abstain from food and drink seeking the pleasure of his Lord.
4- The Virtue of the Day of Ashura
Imam Muslim narrated in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura, and he said: “I hope that Allah will expiate the sins of the previous year.” [Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Recommendation of Fasting the Ninth and the Day of Ashura] Furthermore: “O you who have believed, pious Allah as He should be piety and do not die except as Muslims [in submission to Him].” [Al Imran: 102] And venerate what Allah has venerated of the sacred months, the best of which is the sacred month. On the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) (that The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Medina and found the Jews fasting on the Day of Ashura. He asked them, “What is this day that you are fasting?” They replied, “This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and his people and drowned Pharaoh and his people. Moses fasted on this day in gratitude, so we fast on it too.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “We are more entitled to Moses than you are.” So, he fasted on that day and commanded others to fast as well. (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the wording is from Muslim.)
As for what follows: At the beginning of his migration to Medina, the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace
used to fast only on the Day of Ashura, neither before nor after it. When he was commanded to differ from the Jews and Christians, the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, said: “If God wills, next year we will fast on the ninth day.” He said: But the next year did not come before the Messenger of God, may God bless him and grant him peace, passed away. Narrated by Muslim.
Second: An example of what Shia Muslims do to commemorate Ashura
The Political criticism over children tied up in an Ashura procession in Berlin on June 30, 2026
Children participated in a historical reenactment in Berlin, depicting the "abduction of women and children," symbolizing what is known as the tragedy of the "Ahl al-Bayt" (the Prophet's family). The "abduction of women and children" symbolizes the events of Ashura. With the extremely hot weather, politicians criticized the event, deeming it very harmful to the children. The children in Berlin participated in the event, which took place in temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, and appeared in the reenactment tied up. Police reported that the police chief immediately halted the performance after a cooperative discussion with the organizers. The organizers then stopped the performance. The police added, "Due to the heat, the children left the procession of their own accord after a few meters." The issue became a subject of controversy and debate in Germany after a video and photos from the public event, held on a Berlin street, were published. The footage shows at least three children wearing long green robes, separated by ropes, following a man dressed entirely in yellow. The gathering was announced as the "Ashura March," as reported by the Berlin-based public broadcaster RBB. Ashura is a day of mourning in Shia Islam, commemorating the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. During Ashura, pilgrims participate in mourning processions. However, for many Shia Muslims, the day is also a social occasion, a time to meet with family and friends. Some Shia Muslims also engage in self-flagellation during Ashura to commemorate Hussein's suffering.
They are chanting political slogans
Police said the gathering was "generally peaceful," but Berlin's Interior Minister, Iris Spranger, strongly criticized the children's participation in the theatrical performance. "In our constitutional state, we protect freedom of expression and assembly," Spranger said in a statement. "However, exploiting and using children in gatherings like Saturdays to convey political messages through emotionally charged images is completely unacceptable." She added that displaying children at demonstrations in such high temperatures had nothing to do with freedom of expression, "but rather endangers the children's safety," according to Deutschlandfunk radio. Police estimated that around 600 people participated in the gathering. Due to the high temperatures, several participants required medical attention for circulatory problems. A planned temporary gathering was canceled, and the march was temporarily halted to allow participants to rest in the shade. Some participants displayed pictures of Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic regime in Iran who was killed in the war this year, as well as pictures of his son Mojtaba who succeeded him in office, and pictures of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah in Lebanon who was killed in an Israeli bombing in 2024. The police concluded that during the gathering, "the interpreters did not detect any criminal content in the chants, speeches, or on the banners and flags." Therefore, the gathering was generally peaceful.
Finaly,
it must know that the first to introduce mourning rituals in the name of the martyrdom of al-Husayn (may God be pleased with him) were the Buyid dynasty in 352 AH (962 CE) in Baghdad, Iraq.
Al-Dhahabi said in his account of the events of the year 352 AH (963 CE): Thabit said: “Mu’izz al-Dawla ordered the people to close the markets and prevented the cooks and grain merchants from cooking. They erected tents in the markets and hung sackcloth on them. They brought out women with disheveled hair, wailing and beating their chests in the streets, and held mourning ceremonies for al-Husayn (peace be upon him). This was the first day mourning was observed for him in Baghdad.”
Then, over the years, these heretical celebrations evolved into mourning rituals, until the misguided masses embraced them. The heresy grew, and repugnant practices emerged that disgusted the soul. So beware, may God have mercy on you, of heresies and their proponents, for their matter is serious. Beware of sins against God, for they bring about calamities and the loss of blessings. May God guide us all to the best of deeds and help us on the Day when no child can avail a parent.
The Visiting Hours for Al-Hussein Mosque
The visiting hours for Al-Hussein Mosque are available daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
During Friday prayers, the mosque is temporarily closed for the prayer and then reopens immediately afterward.
It is recommended for visitors to visit the mosque before sunset to experience the beauty of the day and the spirituality of the night, especially during Ramadan or other religious seasons.
