 | ||
The Mashhad of Sayyidah Ruqayyah (Arabic: مـشـهـد الـسـيـدة رقـيـة), also known as Mashhad al-Sayyidah Ruqayyah, Sayyidah Ruqayyah Mashhad, and Ruqayyah Mashhad, is a 12th-century religious shrine in the madinah (Arabic: مـديـنـة, city) of Cairo, Egypt. It was built over the grave of a woman called "Sayyidah Ruqayyah" in 1133 ACE as a memorial to her.
Ruqayyah was an ‘Alid saint who was related to Muhammad by marriage, her mother being one of the wives of the Caliph who married Muhammad's daughter Fatimah. She is traditionally considered to be a patron saint of Cairo, and the Mashhad is still used as an oratory where vows and intercessionary prayers to her are offered.
Structure
It has notable Fatimid architecture. Among other features, the Mashhad has a central mihrab (Arabic: مـحـراب) with an exceptionally fine stucco decoration. This mihrab is of a similar design to the main entrance-gate of the Aqmar Mosque. The overall layout of this Mashhad is similar to that of the Masjid of Al-Juyushi. The silver zarih was built by Mohammad Burhanuddin, Da‘i of the Dawoodi Bohrah, using Fatimid architectural designs in its construction.