Imam Hussain's Head in Cairo Mosque?A Historical Account

A Devotee Praying before 'Zareeh' In Cairo where Holy Head of Imam Hussain is Believed to be Buried by a section of Imamis. 

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

The history of Imam Hussain mosque in Cairo is somewhat similar to his father Hazrat Ali’s shrine popular as Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan. While Najaf is considered to be the last resting place of Imam Ali, a large section of Afghani Imamis believe that he lies buries in Mazar-E-Sharif. Likewise, Karbala is considered as burial place of Imam Hussain but some of his admirers have believed for centuries that his head was buried in Cairo Mosque. It implies that only body of Imam Hussain was buried at Karbala after his martyrdom but his severed head reached Cairo mosque around 1154 AD.    

There is no doubt that severed head of Imam Hussain was taken to Damascus and presented in the court of Yazid(L.A.)Later on, several accounts surfaced about the blessed head of holy Imam. While majority believe Imam Zain-ul-Abdeen carried the blessed head through divine power to Karbala and joined it with the body of his father. There are some people who floated the story that the head was buried initially in Damascus.Then, it was shifted to Asqalan in Palestine.Then,it reached Cairo  on Sunday ,August 31, 1153 AD and remained buried for a year in the  Fatimid palace  in  Khan Al Khalili area of Cairo. Then, it was placed in a silver coffin and the present mosque in Egyptian Capital, between Khan Al Khalili and Al Azhar became its permanent abode. Soon a beautiful mausoleum was also erected around the shrine. The rulers also developed it on different occasions.

Outer View of Imam Hussain Mosque in Cairo(Egypt)

 Abu El Kassem Yahia  built a minaret on the door of the mausoleum in 1235.It was richly decorated with beautiful arabesque on gypsum, but only the square base with two foundation plates remained. During the  reign of King Al Naser Mohamed  the mosque was widened, with the construction of an esplanade and rooms for the Alawuite jurists added in 684 H.A. In  the Othman era, Sultan Salim -1st extended the mosque to accommodate the increasing numbers of worshippers and visitors. From 1004 to 1006 H, the Othman Wali Mohamed Pasha undertook the restoration of the mosque and its decorations. Emir Hassan Katekhda improved greatly. He also built a wooden tomb decorated with shell and ivory with multicolor silk curtains. Emir Abdul Rahman Katekhda and added a basin, a fountain and two halls.

There is a splendid wooden mimbar in the mosque gilded with gold. The esplanade comprises 44 columns carrying a wooden ceiling covered with very fine, multicolored plant paintings and gilded geometrical shapes. There are about thirty big bronze windows covered with gold, with small windows at the top, surrounded by marble circles. The mosque has two minarets. One was built by Abou Al Kassem in 1236. The second 17.5m minaret, located at the back, is characterized by Othman architecture and carries two plates- one with 90 verses of Sura Al Ana’am and the second a hadith of the Prophet: saying "Al Hassan and Al Hussein are the dearest members of my family to me". 

The grounds of the esplanade of the green door are covered with Turkish carpets. In the mosque, one finds a door leading to the room of the relics of the Prophet, founded by Abbas Hilmi II Illuminated by lamps and crystal chandeliers. The relics of the Prophet and his companions include a piece of his shirt, the container of kohl, "marwad" (eyeliner pencil), part of his stick, two hairs from his beard and two Korans written in ‘Kufic’ style, one by Imam Ali and the other by Othman Ben Affan. 

These relics were  in Saudi Arabia and were bought to Egypt by an Egyptian Minister, Taj Uddin  in 17th century. Despite existence of several legends about the blessed head’s burial place, Imam Hussain Mosque is held in high esteem and remains a must on the list of people visiting Cairo. A large number of them not only visit the mosque to worship but also to have a glimpse of the holy relics and its status as the burial place of Imam’s holy head among a section of people. (References available on request. Photo Courtesy Google Images)