Al-Imam al-Shafi'i wrote about his longing to visit Egypt, the place which he eventually lived for only four years before he passed away in 820 CE. It was as if he knew he was going to be buried in Egypt, the place where he fell in love with its people and these people fell equally in love with him, and still do today. This fascinating dome and shrine was built by al-Sultan al-Kamil in the 12th century, and since then. Egyptians have been burying their dead in surrounding areas, and it is why it became known as Qarafat al-Imam al-Shafi'i. It is also known as al-Qarafa al-Sughra, which is unique to al-Qarafa al-Kubra, the first Muslim cemetery in Egypt, located near al-Fustat. But among the locals, this place became known as Qarafat al-Imamayn. This is because before al-Imam al-Shafi’i was buried in 792 CE, the fifth Imam, al-Imam al-Layth bin Sa’ad was buried there. Al-Imam al-Layth was born in 715 CE in Qalyubiyya. Al-Qarafa al-Sughra became home to many of Ahl al-Bayt from the Fatimid era as well as many Egyptian burials. Whether they belonged to kings, like in madafin al-familia (Tombs of the Family) or Hawsh al-Pasha or people who lead simple lives, everyone wanted to rest in peace near al-Imaymayn.

We'll be waiting for you next Saturday, February 26, to go on a walk amongst the cemeteries and visit the shrines of Ahl al-Bayt from the Fatimid era, which also happen to be the oldest domes and mihrabs in Egypt. We will also visit the shrine of al-Imam al-Layth bin Sa’ad, where the princes and sultans left their marks to remind visitors of the significance of this blessed place. We will pass by Hawsh al-Bash also known as the Tomb of the Family. The tour will end with a look inside one of the most beautiful mausoleums, the mausoleum of al-Imam al-Shafi’i, with its beautiful wooden door carved with silver, sheltered by the biggest colored and carved wooden dome in Egypt. All of which was made visible through Megawra’s conservation project since 2016. As we reach the end of our tour, visitors will then have a chance to choose from a range of activities.