Egypt

 

Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt is one of the oldest universities in the world. It is connected to the masjid in Cairo named to honour Fatima Az-Zahraa (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) from whom the Fatimid Dynasty claimed descent. Studies began at Al-Azhar in the month of Ramadan 975 CE. The university (Jami’ah) had faculties in Islamic law and jurisprudence, Arabic grammar, Islamic astronomy, Islamic philosophy, and logic. In the 12th century, following the overthrow of the Shia Fatimid dynasty, Salahuddin Ayyubi converted Al-Azhar to a Shafi’ite Sunni center of learning.

 This is the mausoleum (in Cairo) of Imam Shafi, the founder of one of the four rites of Sunni Islam who died in 820 CE. The cenotaph was put here by Salahuddin Ayyubi  and the mausoleum by his brother’s wife, who is also buried here.

The Citadel (Al-Qalaa) is one of the most popular tourist sites in Cairo. It was originally founded in 1176 CE by the famous Muslim general Salahuddin. Contained within it are the mosques of Mohammed Ali, the Mamluk Mosque of El Nasser Mohamed, and the smaller Mosque of Suleiman Pasha El Khadim.

 Body of Fir’awn
 
This is the body of Fir’awn (Rameses II), believed to be the Pharoah in the time of Musa (upon him be peace). His mummy is preserved and is currently on display in the Royal Mummies Chamber in Cairo Museum, Egypt.

• Fir’awn was a mighty tyrannical ruler who greatly persecuted the Bani Israil (Children of Israel). Musa (upon him be peace) was sent to invite him towards the truth but he rejected his teachings, considering himself to be God. Musa (upon him be peace), accompanied by his brother Harun (upon him be peace) and Yusha (upon him be peace) led the Bani Israil out of Egypt, Fir’awn and his army pursued them but were drowned in the Red Sea.

• There is great debate as to the identity of the Pharoah in the time of Musa (upon him be peace) with some identifying him as Merneptah. However, most of the evidence backed up by verses of the Holy Quran point towards him being Rameses II. The Quran and the Bible [Exodus 14:21-30 and Exodus 15:19-21] state that the Pharaoh was drowned in the sea. However, the Qur’an differs from the Bible and it makes a very unique statement that the body of the drowned Pharaoh was saved as a sign for future generations. The Quranic statement about rescuing Pharaoh’s body would be in total agreement with the fact that the body of Rameses II has survived in a mummified form. It was discovered in 1881 among a group of royal mummies that had been removed from their original tombs for fear of theft. Priests of the 21st Dynasty had reburied them in a cache at Deir al-Bahari on Luxor’s west bank. Nothing whatsoever was known at the time of the revelation of the Quran about the mummy of Rameses II.

• With regards the end point of his life, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) makes mention in the Holy Quran in Surah Yunus:“We brought the tribe of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his troops pursued them out of tyranny and enmity. Then, when he was on the point of drowning, he [Pharaoh] said: “I believe that there is no god but Him in Whom the tribe of Israel believes. I am one of the Muslims.” [10:90]

• However, this last-minute conversion was not accepted, for it was not sincere. According to the Quran, Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) further exclaimed: “What, now! When previously you rebelled and were one of the corrupters? Today we will preserve your body so you can be a Sign for people who come after you. Surely many people are heedless of Our Signs.” [10:91-92]

Mosque of Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him)

Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) was a Sahabi (companion) of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and a military commander who is most noted for leading the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 640 CE. This mosque, in Egypt is built on the site of his tent in the city of Fustat (meaning City of the Tents). The original structure was the first and oldest mosque ever built on the land of Egypt and Africa.









 

Mount Sinai

Rising to a height of 2,286m, Mount Sinai is held to be the place where Musa (upon him be peace) received the 10 Commandments. At the summit is a 12th century mosque (masjid) and a small chapel. Note that some archaeologists regard Jabal Al Lawz in Madyan, Saudi Arabia to be the real Mount Sinai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Burning Bush

According to Christian sources, this bush, located in St. Catherine’s Monastery in the Sinai is a descendant of the original Burning Bush from which Musa (upon him be peace) heard the Lord speak.  The exact location of the Burning Bush is disputed but it is largely agreed to have been within this region of Mount Sinai.