Facts about Abu El-Haggag mosque, Luxor

Name: Cairo Top Tours
Address: Egypt - Giza - Al-Ahram St.5th Hassan Said St. from Ahram St Giza P.O. Box 6, Egypt, EG
Telephone: +201022772955
Price range: 40$

Latest Articles

Temple of Nadura - Kharga Oasis

Nadora Temple, a 2nd-century AD temple dedicated to Roman goddess Serapis, is a unique architectural masterpiece in Egypt. It blends Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles, featuring well-preserved reliefs and inscriptions that reveal religious practices of the time. The temple served as a significant center for worship and pilgrimage, reflecting the cultural syncretism of ancient Egypt under Roman influence, and remains a testament to the Kharga Oasis' rich history.
The Temple of Hibis at Kharga Oasis

The Temple of Hibis, in Al Kharga Oasis, Egypt, is a well-preserved Persian-era temple dedicated to the deity Amun. Its intricate carvings and inscriptions reflect ancient Egyptian religious practices. The temple's architecture blends traditional Egyptian styles with Persian influences, showcasing its historical significance. Today, it attracts visitors interested in Egypt's rich history and archaeological heritage.
Saladin Citadel - Taba Attractions

Salah El-Din Castle, also known as Taba Fortress, is a historic fortress in Taba, Egypt, built in the 12th century by Ayyubid Sultan Salah El-Din to protect against Crusader invasions. It features impressive stone walls and towers with stunning views of the Gulf of Aqaba. Restored to attract tourists, it serves as a symbol of Egypt's rich history and military architecture.
Anwar Sadat | Biography

Anwar el-Sadat, Egypt's third President from 1970 to 1981, initiated the peace process with Israel, leading to the Camp David Accords in 1978. He shifted Egypt's foreign policy towards the West and implemented economic reforms called "Infitah" to open the economy. However, he faced criticism for political repression and economic challenges. His presidency ended when he was assassinated by extremists.
President Gamal Abdel Nasser

Gamal Abdel Nasser, a prominent Egyptian leader, served as the country's second president from 1956 to 1970. He was a key figure in the Arab nationalist movement and nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to the Suez Crisis. Nasser advocated for social and economic reforms, land redistribution, and education, aiming to modernize Egypt and strengthen Arab unity. His vision of pan-Arabism continues to influence regional politics today.
King Farouk I: The last king of Egypt

King Farouk I, born in 1920, was the last Egyptian monarch. He ruled from 1920 to 1965, amidst political instability, corruption, and growing discontent. Abdicated in 1952, he was exiled to Italy, where he died in 1965. His reign significantly shaped Egypt's modern history, with his lavish lifestyle and military coup leading to his death.

Facts about Abu El-Haggag mosque, Luxor

05 16, 2023

The Mosque of Abu'l Haggag at Luxor Temple

One of the most famous mosques in Luxor and Upper Egypt, the Luxor Sufi Pole Mosque dates back to the venerable scholar Yusuf bin Abdulrahim bin Isa al-Zahid, who was born in the late sixth century in the city of Baghdad and came from there to Luxor in the Ayyubid era.

In Ramadan, the mosque will host several religious activities, organized by the Luxor Endowments Directorate, and science circles in conjunction with Al-Azhar scholars. Outside the mosque, Sufi schools are participating in praise circles for the Prophet's biography, religious chanting, and praise of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Luxor's Abul Hajjaj Square is home to many events organized by the Culture Palaces Authority, as well as other cultural events, folk arts and Ramadan cultural nights. When the Sufi pole Abu al-Hajjaj came to Luxor, at that time Luxor was owned by a Coptic princess called “Therese bint al-Qums”, so Abu al-Hajjaj wanted to own a piece of land next to the Luxor Temple, so he asked her to give him that piece, which is the size of a camel's skin, and she agreed immediately As a result, he made ropes of camel skin that encircled the entire city, including the ruins of a church built on the Luxor Temple, and thus the Abu al-Hajjaj Mosque in Luxor embraces three civilizations, “Pharaonic, Islamic and Coptic.”

After the death of Sidi Abu Al-Hajjaj, his son Sheikh Ahmed Najm built a mosque in memory of his father in 658 AH-1286 AD over the ruins of the Luxor Temple, indicating that the Abu Al-Hajjaj Mosque has a dome, called the minaret, consisting of three layers, and at the top of it is a group of windows and openings.

It is considered one of the unique Islamic monuments, and the entrance to the mosque overlooks the Luxor Temple, and has inscriptions and drawings, recording the history of its construction, in terms of the old minaret that was built in the Mamluk era, and the modern minaret, which was built in the Abbasid era.

The mosque is described as having all 18 of its interior columns inscribed with ancient Egyptian writings, and the artist was creative in covering the columns with a sandstone mortar to preserve the inscriptions and decorations from destruction and distortion.

The mosque mixes three civilizations, as it belongs to the Islamic civilization, but it was built on the ruins of a church built over a Pharaonic temple, so as you pray inside the mosque, you find in front of you a hollow oyster in one of the ancient temple columns and you see a frieze with ancient Egyptian inscriptions and writings, and around and inside many columns with hieroglyphic writings and scenes.

Share On Social Media:

Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Sheikh Yusuf Abu'l-Hajjaj was honored by the mosque's construction. He was a Muslim teacher and scholar who moved to Luxor from Baghdad when he was young. He immediately had a reputation for being wise and pious. He most likely resided on the site of the half submerged temple and taught religion there.

The Abu El Haggag mosque in Luxor is known for its historical significance and architectural beauty. It is located in the heart of Luxor's old town and is considered one of the most important Islamic landmarks in the city.

Abu El-Haggag, also known as Sheikh Yusuf Abu El-Haggag, was a revered Islamic saint who lived during the 13th century. He played a significant role in spreading Islam in the region and is considered the patron saint of Luxor.

Abu al-Hajjaj Yusuf ibn Musa al-Dhareer (d. 520 AH = 1126 AD) was a scholar of grammar, theology and beliefs, from the people of Zaragoza, who was an authority in the Ash'ari doctrine, as he left a famous system of belief, namely: (Al-Nabih wa al-Irshad fi ilm al-Iqlid), a treatise in more than a thousand and six hundred verses, in which he organized the Ash'arite doctrine.

;