Sayyidah Nafisah bint al-Hasan al-Anwar ath-Thahirah (q.s.): Rare Lady Saint of the Egyptians

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is excerpted and adapted from “From the Light of the Ahl al-Bayt: My Spiritual Experiences Unveiled” by Imam Muhammad Mu’tawalli ash-Sha’rawi (r.a.). 

Sayyidah Nafisah bint al-Hasan al-Anwar (q.s.) was born in Makkah on the 11^th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, the same night that the Prophet (s.a.w.) was born, in the year 145 AH.  Her father had been appointed governor of Madina al-Munawwarah in the year 150 AH.  She accompanied her father to Madina at the tender age of five.  There, she memorised the entire Qur’an and studied Islamic jurisprudence in-depth.  Being extremely intelligent, she also became adept in explaining the Qur’an despite her young age. 

She was the daughter of Sayyid al-Hasan al-Anwar (r.a.), the son of Sayyid Zayd al-Ablaj (r.a.), son of Sayyidina al-Hasan (r.a.), brother of Sayyidina al-Husayn (r.a.), son of the daughter of the Prophet (s.a.w.) Sayyidatina Fathimah az-Zahrah (r.a.).  She was from the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.) about which Allah (s.w.t.) said in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

...ۤ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُذۡهِبَ عَنڪُمُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ أَهۡلَ ٱلۡبَيۡتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ تَطۡهِيرً۬ا (٣٣) 

… And Allah only Wishes to Remove all abomination from you, you members of the Family, and to Make you pure and spotless. (Surah al-Ahzab:33) 

Young Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) frequented the grave of her grandfather, the Prophet (s.a.w.).  The people of Madina loved her deeply.  She became renowned for her abstemiousness, zuhd, and piety, taqwa, for fasting the day, spending the nights in prayer and for her excessive devotion to worshipping Allah (s.w.t.). 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) had many titles by which she was known among the people, derived from her many different karamat, miracles.  She was known as “Nafisah al-‘Ilmi wa al-Ma’arifat”, “Nafisah of Knowledge and Gnosis”, because of what she achieved and accumulated from the knowledge of the Family of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  She was also called “Nafisah ath-Thahirah”, “Nafisah of Purity”; “Nafisah al-‘Abidah”, “Nafisah the Worshipper”; “Nafisah ad-Darayn”, “Nafisah of the Two Abodes”, in this life and the next; “Swahibah al-Karamat”, “Lady of Miracles”; “Sayyidat Ahl al-Fatwa”, “Nobility in Deriving Rulings and Verdicts”; “Umm al-Awajiz”, “Mother of the Elderly Women”, and “Nafisah al-Maswriyyin”, “Nafisah of the Egyptians”, because of the Egyptian people's intense love for her and her love for them, and her being their recourse for their every problem - collectively and individually. 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) used to pray the five prayers regularly behind her father in Masjid an-Nabawi from the age of six.  Her father used to take her by the hand and enter inside the room of the grave of the Prophet (s.a.w.), which is the house of Sayyidatina ‘Aishah bint Abu Bakr (r.a.).  He would address the Prophet (s.a.w.) directly saying, “O Beloved Prophet of Allah!  I am pleased with my daughter, Nafisah!” 

He continued these visits repeatedly until one day the Prophet (s.a.w.) appeared to him in a dream saying to him, “Ya Hasan, I am pleased with your daughter, Nafisah, because you are pleased with her, and Allah is Pleased with her because I am pleased with her.” 

Here, Imam Muhammad Mu’tawalli ash-Sha’rawi (r.a.) has elucidated the true meaning of shafa’ah, intercession, in the understanding of the scholars and awliya’, saints, of Islam, showing that it is a method chosen by as-salaf asw-swalih, the early spiritual pioneers of Islam, as the most excellent means of approach to Allah (s.w.t.) and His Good Pleasure - the path to perfection and purification. 

On the 5^th of Rajab, 161 AH, at the age of sixteen years, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) married her cousin, Sayyid Ishaq al-Mu’thaman, a direct descendant of Sayyidina al-Husayn (r.a.).  She bore from him a son named al-Qassim and a daughter they named Umm-Kultsum. 

She performed haj thirty times - most of them on foot.  She would say, “I am following my grandfather, al-Husayn in doing that, for he said, ‘I feel shy to meet my Lord having never walked to His House,’” for which reason he used to make the pilgrimage walking.  It is said that on her circumambulation around the Ka’bah, she asked Allah (s.w.t.) “O Allah!  Be satisfied with me, I see nothing that Veils You from me.” 

She memorised the Qur’an and its explanation.  It is said that when she recited Qur’an she would pray, “O Allah, make it easy for me to visit the grave of Ibrahim al-Khalil,” for she knew he was the father of prophets and father of her grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  She knew that the mission of her grandfather, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) was due to the prayer of Ibrahim (a.s.), when he said: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

رَبَّنَا وَٱبۡعَثۡ فِيهِمۡ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِكَ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَيُزَكِّيہِمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡحَكِيمُ (١٢٩) 

“Our Lord!  Send amongst them a Messenger of their own who shall rehearse Your Signs to them and instruct them in Scripture and wisdom, and Purify them; for You are the Exalted in Might the Wise.” (Surah al-Baqarah:129) 

It was only after many years that Allah (s.w.t.) Answered that prayer, making it possible for Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) to visit the grave of al-Khalil, the Prophet Ibrahim (a.s.), in Palestine.  When she finally arrived, she sat there in front of his grave weeping and reciting: 

سُوۡرَةُ إبراهیم

وَإِذۡ قَالَ إِبۡرَٲهِيمُ رَبِّ ٱجۡعَلۡ هَـٰذَا ٱلۡبَلَدَ ءَامِنً۬ا وَٱجۡنُبۡنِى وَبَنِىَّ أَن نَّعۡبُدَ ٱلۡأَصۡنَامَ (٣٥) 

Remember Abraham said: “O my Lord!  Make this city one of peace and security: and Preserve me and my sons from worshipping idols.” (Surah Ibrahim:35) 

As Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) sat in front of the grave of Ibrahim al-Khalil (a.s.), reciting the Qur’an, she felt an intense presence and saw the image of Ibrahim (a.s.) in front of her.  Of that moment she said, “My heart began to beat harder and my eyes to blink.”  She called upon him saying, “O my grandfather!” – “Ya Jiddi!" in the present tense.  "I came to you in body and spirit as my soul has come to you before many times, I now come to you in body as well.  I seek your good pleasure with me and I seek your guidance and instruction in order that I may worship Allah until my dying breath.” 

At that moment, she heard a voice emerge from the image of Ibrahim (a.s.) saying, “Good tidings, my granddaughter!  You are chosen to be one of the sanctified, worshipful maidservants of your Lord.  My advice to you is to recite Surat al-Muzzammil, wherein Allah Says, ‘O thou folded in garments!  Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night …’ until its end and seek to meditate on what you recite. 

By reciting this chapter, you will be guided to the forms of worship and devotion that contain no hardship, as Allah Says, ‘Allah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.'  O my granddaughter!  The intensity of your worship has made your body weak - try to keep everything in balance.” 

Sayyidah Zaynab bint Yahya (q.s.), Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) niece, accompanied her throughout her life as her assistant, staying with her even after her marriage until her passing.  Sayyidah Zaynab (q.s.) related that Ibrahim (a.s.) continued guiding her, saying, “Read the verse ‘Your Lord does Know that you stand forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so does a party of those with you …’ until the end of Surat al-Muzzammil.’ 

Know that Allah made the night prayers voluntary, after it had been made obligatory on the Prophet (s.a.w.), for He Knows that many of His servants are engaged during the day in the struggle to educate people in God’s Way, or working for their provision, and this work therefore is a form of worship.  Have mercy on yourself and give yourself a chance to rest in order to have strength for the next day.  You are already considered among the first ranks of the pious.” 

At that time, she said, “O my great-grandfather, I am going to fulfill your instructions.  And I wish from your pure soul to grant to my soul purity and refinement until I meet Allah (s.w.t.) and He is Pleased with me.” 

She heard the voice of Ibrahim (a.s.) saying “O my granddaughter, Good Tidings for you.  Allah Inspired to me that He has Accepted your du`a.  And I will accompany you until we meet in the world of souls in the everlasting life, and we meet on the Judgment Day.”  Then he recited the verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَٱتَّقُواْ يَوۡمً۬ا تُرۡجَعُونَ فِيهِ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۖ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفۡسٍ۬ مَّا ڪَسَبَتۡ وَهُمۡ لَا يُظۡلَمُونَ (٢٨١) 

And fear the Day when you shall be Brought back to Allah.  Then shall every soul be Paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly. (Surah al-Baqarah:281) 

When Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) was 44 years old she moved to Cairo.  She arrived on the 26^th of Ramadhan in the year 193 AH.  On her way, she passed through the city.  When people knew of her arrival, they rushed forth en masse to meet her, for her renown as a devout worshipper and lady saint had preceded her.  Historians say the men and women of Egypt went to receive her in a huge procession, riding on horses, camels, donkeys and on foot; waiting overnight in tents; greeting her in the morning with the chanting of “Laa ilaha illa Allah”, and “Allahu Akbar”, and accompanying her in a huge procession to Cairo, according her great dignity and respect. 

One of the notable merchants of Cairo, Jamal ad-Din ‘Abdullah al-Jaswswas, hosted her in his home for many months.  From every distant corner of Egypt, people used to come to visit her and to take blessings from her.  Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) felt that her presence might become too great a burden on her hosts, so she moved to a place of her own, in the District of Khalaf, in the Mosque of Shajarat as-Durr, in Khalifa Street, now known as the al-Hasaniyya District.  The house to which she moved was owned by an Egyptian woman named Ummu Hani, renowned for her piety.  This move did not bring any surcease to the flood of Egyptians coming from every far distant area, often in huge groups, to visit her and receive her barakah, especially women who came simply to touch her and request her du’a. 

Imam Abu al-Qasim Sulayman ibn Ayyub ath-Thabarani (r.a.), and Imam Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Hanbal (r.a.), in his Musnad, with a sound chain, as stated by Imam Nur ad-Din Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Abu Bakr al-Haytsami (r.a.), narrated through Sayyidina Hanzhalah ibn Hudzaym (r.a.) that the latter went with his grandfather, Sayyidina Hudzaym (r.a.), to the Prophet (s.a.w.).  Sayyidina Hudzaym (r.a.) said to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.), “I have sons and grandsons, some of whom are pubescent and others still children.”  Motioning to the young child next to him, he said, “This is the youngest.” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) brought this young child, Sayyidina Hanzhalah (r.a.) next to him, wiped on his head, and said to him, “Barakallahu fik,” which means, “May Allah Bless you.”  After that, people started to bring Sayyidina Hanzhalah (r.a.) a person with a swollen face or a sheep with a swollen udder.  Sayyidina Hanzhalah (r.a.) would place his hand on that part of his head the Prophet (s.a.w.) wiped, then touch the swollen part and say, “Bismillah,” and the swelling would be cured. 

At that point, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) began to feel a tremendous burden due to the huge gatherings of people visiting her and asking her du’a, who came camping around her home, often overnight.  She decided to leave Egypt and return to Madina al-Munawwarah, feeling she was losing time for worship in meeting the endless throngs.  Discovering her decision to leave, thousands of people sought out Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), begging her to reverse her decision and remain in Egypt. 

They swarmed the Governor of Egypt, as-Sirri ibn al-Hakam, asking him to request Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) to stay.  He paid her a visit, politely urging her to stay for the sake of the people who so needed her barakah and her prayers.  She informed him that she had decided to stay in Egypt.  “However,” she said, “I am a weak lady and these people have gathered in thousands, which prevents me from observing my daily recitations.  Also, my home is tiny and unable to accommodate these huge crowds.  I began to feel extreme longing for my grandfather (s.a.w.), so my heart is calling me to return to Madina to visit my grandfather's (s.a.w.) grave.” 

The governor replied, “O granddaughter of my Prophet (s.a.w.)!  I promise you I will try my best to solve this problem, for I know your house is small.  But from the depths of my heart, without asking anything in return, for the sake of Allah I am giving you a mansion I own in the district of Dirr asw-Swabah.  I beg you to accept this house from me and to use it in whatever way you wish.” 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) paused for many minutes, engaged in deep meditation.  Finally, she lifted her head from her reverie and said, “I accept your offer of your house.”  Then she asked, “O governor of Egypt!  What am I to do with these huge crowds of people?” 

He replied, “Assign Saturday and Wednesday for people to visit, and dedicate the other days purely for worship.” 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) moved to the larger house, granted to her as a gift, for the governor had granted it to her solely out of regard for her personal piety and sincerity.  She followed his suggestion, relocated her residence and received people on Saturdays and Wednesdays, devoting the remaining days to worship of her Lord. 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) hosted most of the scholars of her time, experts in jurisprudence, hadits, and Qur’anic explanation.  But by far the greatest scholarly gatherings were those she hosted for the pillars of taswawwuf and the pious of her time, aqthab at-taswawwuf.  Among these pillars of taswawwuf and fiqh was Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) who had moved to Egypt from Baghdad in 109 AH., five years after Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) arrival in Cairo. 

Imam ash-Shafi`i (r.a.) stayed in Egypt for over four years until his passing.  There he classified his books and assembled his school of jurisprudence; it was in Egypt that he acquired fame and people came to sit in his majlis, association.  His new school of thought was modified greatly from the school he had developed earlier in Baghdad, according to the change of times, culture and customs.  His judgements were written in the book, al-Umm. 

From Imam Shafi’i’s (r.a.) careful tuning of his Baghdadi school to produce the different Egyptian school, we see the importance he gave, in making a juristic decision about an issue, of taking into account not only the relevant verses of Qur’an and applicable hadits, but the characteristics of the people he was giving the ruling for as well, including aspects of culture, behaviour, the overall public level of morality and other intangibles.  So whereas Imam Shafi’i (r.a.) could be said to have differed with himself on some issues, unfortunately today, differences in jurisprudence between the a’immah have caused one group of Muslims to accuse another of insincerity; bid’ah, innovation; kufr, unbelief; and worst of all, shirk, polytheism. 

Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) began teaching after fajr prayer.  Every day, his students of Qur’an and its tafsir, exegesis; and other distinguished scholars would sit to study.  Immediately after sunrise, the hadits students would arrive and the students of exegesis would leave.  Following them were the students of hadits explanation, followed by the group of kalam, speculative philosophy, students, then students of fiqh, jurisprudence, shortly before noon.  Thus, Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) would sit at least six hours, with different groups of students, teaching one course after another.  The fertility and fruitfulness of Imam ash-Shafi’i’s (r.a.) fiqh was a result of his vast intellect and life experience, acquired during his extensive travels throughout Muslim lands, and in his ongoing debates with other scholars. 

When Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) arrived in Egypt, a relationship evolved with Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), based on adherence to faith and piety in religion.  He used to visit her in her home going to and returning from his associations at the Mosque of ‘Amar ibn al-‘Aasw (r.a.), in al-Fistat district. 

Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) used to lead tarawih in the Masjid of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) and she would pray following him for the entire Ramadhan.  Historians say that despite his tremendous scholarship, Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) used to visit Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) to ask her invocation, du’a, and seek her barakah, blessing. 

Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) also used to sit in Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) association, learning ahadits from her.  When on occasion he was sick, he would send one of his students to sit in her association.  He would invariably tell her, “Your cousin ash-Shafi’i is sick and requests your du’a.”  Immediately, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) would raise her hands in supplication, asking Allah (s.w.t.) to cure Imam ash-Shafi`i (r.a.).  Often, by the time the messenger returned to Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.), he would find him already cured, by means of her du’a. 

One time, Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) fell sick and as usual sent his messenger asking Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) du`a.  She sent him the message, “Tell him that may Allah Make his meeting with Him the Best of meetings, and may Allah Lift him to His Proximity.”  When the messenger returned with this message, the imam understood that his death was imminent.  Immediately, Imam Shafi’i (r.a.) wrote his will, stating that Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) should pray the funeral prayers, swalat al-janazah, over him.  He died at the end of Rajab, 204 AH. 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) also executed his will.  Incapacitated due to her constant worship, they brought the imam’s body from his house in al-Fistat district to her home.  There, she prayed the funeral prayer over him from the women’s section, following Imam Abu Ya’qub Yusuf ibn Yahya al-Buwayti (r.a.) who lead the prayer. 

Not only did Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) sit with her, learn hadits from her, request her du’a and seek her barakah, but so too did many other scholars and great Sufis.  Among them were al-Imam ‘Utsman ibn Sa`id al-Miswri (r.a.), Shaykh Dzu an-Nun Abu al-Faydh Tsawban ibn Ibrahim al-Maswri (q.s.), Shaykh Maswri as-Samarqandi (r.a.), Imam Abu Bakr al-Adfawi (r.a.), the author of one of the greatest explanations of Qur’an, al-Istiftah fi ‘Ulum al-Qur’an, and Shaykh Abu al-Hasan ibn ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim (r.a.) who wrote ten volumes on Qur’anic grammar, and many others. 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) was renowned for asceticism and for living a life of hardship, zuhd.  When asked what her meals consisted of, Sayyidah Zaynab (q.s.), daughter of her brother, replied, “My aunt used to eat once every three days.  She had a basket hanging in her niche.  Whenever she wanted something small to eat she would find something in that basket, Sent from Allah (s.w.t.).  She never ate anything other than food from her husband and that which Allah (s.w.t.) Sent her as a Gift.” 

One day, the governor of Egypt sent Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) 100,000 darahim, equivalent to perhaps millions of dollars in today’s money.  He said, “Take this money from me.  I ask nothing in return, but I thank Allah for this opportunity to repent.  I give this money to you because of your piety.”  She took that money as her own and distributed it to the poor until nothing remained.  Princes, nobles and many ordinary people sent her gifts.  She accepted them, then distributed them in whatever way she liked. 

Historians report her niece, Sayyidah Zaynab (q.s.) saying, “I served my aunt, Sayyidah Nafisah for forty years.  I never saw her sleeping at night and I never saw her eating during the day, except the days forbidden to fast - the two days of ‘Iyd and the days of tashriq.”  Sayyidah Zaynab (q.s.) once said to Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), “You must take care of yourself.” 

She replied, “How shall I take care of myself before I reach my Lord?  Ahead of me are so many barriers which no one can cross except the successful ones.” 

When she began to feel her death approaching, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) dug her grave with her own hands inside her home.  Every day, she would enter the grave and worship in it, as a reminder of the coming afterlife.  She used to pray all her supererogatory prayers inside that grave.  Imam ‘Abd al Birri ibn ‘Abdullah al-Ajhuri (q.s.) said, “She completed the Qur’an while sitting in her grave six thousand times, and she granted the Rewards of that recitation to all deceased Muslims.”  This is in contradistinction to the Salafi ideology's rejection of gifting recitation of the Qur`an to the dead. 

When Sayyidah Nafisah's (q.s.) illness worsened, she wrote to her husband, Sayyid Ishaq al-Mu’thaman, who was living in Madina al-Munawwarah, asking him to return to Egypt.  He came with their son, Qassim; and daughter, Umm Kultsum.  She became very ill at the beginning of Ramadhan, 208 AH.  Her companions asked her to stop fasting to keep her strength.  She refused, saying, “I have been asking Allah to die fasting for thirty years; now you want me to break the fast?” 

Upon her passing, her husband prepared to move her body to Madina al-Munawwarah, to be buried in Jannat al-Baqi’, but the people of Egypt asked him not to do that, but to bury her in the grave she had dug with her own hands.  The governor of Egypt along with many people asked Ishaq al-Mu’thaman to bury Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) in Egypt.  They collected a large sum of money and offered it to him.  Returning the next day, they asked for his decision. He replied, “I have decided to bury her here.  I saw the Prophet (s.a.w.) in a dream last night, and he told me, ‘Give them back their money and bury your wife in Egypt.’” 

The night Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) passed away, was an immense tragedy for the people of Egypt, who were stunned at the news.  Coming from every village in Egypt, people gathered at her house in Cairo, lighting candles and weeping.  For them, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) was a beacon of knowledge and a source of blessing, barakah, from the family of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  It was a day of sorrow and mourning throughout Egypt.  The day they attempted to bury her, it was very difficult to move her body to her final resting place, due to the crowds of people lamenting, crying, and calling on Allah (s.w.t.) by His Names and Attributes.  The like of that gathering was unprecedented in all of Egypt. 

More than 150 miracles were recorded by historians as appearing from Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.).  Imam Shihab ad-Din Abu al-Fadhl Ahmad ibn Nur ad-Din ‘Ali ibn Hajr al-‘Asqalani (r.a.) wrote about them. 

The story is related that when Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) arrived in Egypt and settled in her home, there was a non-Muslim family living beside her, whose daughter was paralysed from the waist down.  One day, the girl’s mother brought her to Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) to watch while she went shopping.  She left her daughter in one corner of Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) house.  Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) began making ablution and water from her ablution flowed towards the girl.  As the water touched the body of the girl, she experienced something strange.  She began to take the water from Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) ablution and rub it on her paralyzed feet and legs.  Suddenly by Allah's (s.w.t.) Mercy, the paralysis disappeared completely, and she was able to stand. 

Meanwhile, Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) was busy in prayer.  The girl stood up and seeing her mother just returning from the market, ran to meet her to tell her what had happened.  Her mother cried with joy declaring, “That woman is truly holy, and her religion is the truth.”  She came in, hugged Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), thanked her for healing her daughter and asked her to pray that she be guided from darkness to light.  Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) then taught her to recite the shahadah. 

When the father of the girl, whose name was Ayyub Abu Tsurayyah, returned home that evening, and saw his daughter cured, he was overjoyed.  He asked his wife about what happened, and she told him the whole story.  He raised his head heavenwards saying, “O Allah!  You guide whom You Like and I now know that Islam is the true religion, completing what we believe in.”  He went to the home of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.).  Speaking to her from behind a veil he said, “I believe in your religion, and I accept it.  I testify that there is none to worship except Allah and that your grandfather Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”  That miracle was the cause for the entire tribe of Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) neighbours to enter Islam. 

One of Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) miracles relates to a Muslim man married to a Christian woman.  They had a son. When he grew up, he began to travel.  While travelling in a country far from home he was captured, and held prisoner.  After hearing of his capture, his mother used to frequent the church, praying that her son be released and returned to them.  Years passed but he was not released.  One day she told her husband, “I heard that there is a saintly woman, Nafisah bint al-Hasan al-Anwar, whose prayers are always answered.  Since you are Muslim, go and ask her to pray for the return of our son.”  He went and asked Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) for her du’a. 

Late that night, they heard a knock at the door.  Waking and wondering who it could be, they went and opened the door.  To their astonishment, they found their son standing there.  They asked him, “How did you come here?” 

He said, “Tonight, I was sitting there in prison, in chains.  Suddenly I felt a spiritual presence, and I heard a voice saying, ‘Free him!  Nafisah bint al-Hasan interceded for him.’  Suddenly, I found myself standing here at the door of our house.”  That day his mother went to visit Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), thanking her for saving her son, then accepting Islam at her hand. 

In the year 201 AH, 816 CE, the Nile failed to flood, as is its normal annual custom.  People went to Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) asking her to pray that Allah (s.w.t.) Cause the Nile to flood, for without the usual flood no crops would grow.  Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) gave them her face veil, telling them, “Throw that in the Nile and, by Allah’s (s.w.t.) Grace, it will flood.”  They took her burqa and threw it in the Nile.  Immediately, the river began to rise and overflow its banks. 

One should note here this is a miracle extremely similar to the incident of the shirt of Sayyidina Yusuf (a.s.), which when cast on the face of his father, Ya’qub (a.s.), was the cause for his sight to be Restored by Allah's (s.w.t.) Will.  Again, such incidents clarify the true meaning of tawaswswul and shafa`ah, intercession, by means of objects related to pure, pious individuals. 

Imam ‘Abd ar-Ra’uf Muhammad ibn Taj al-‘Arifin al-Munawi (r.a.) mentioned a story of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), related to him from Shaykh al-Azhari (r.a.) in his book al-Kawakib as-Sayyarah: There was an old lady who had four daughters.  This woman used to spin wool into yarn, then take the yarn and sell it.  With half the earnings, she would buy more wool, spending the rest on their food and drink for the week.  One day the old lady set out for the market, with the spun wool wrapped in a red package.  Without warning an eagle dove out of the sky, grabbed the package in its claws and flew off. 

The old lady, overcome with fear and worry, fainted.  When she awoke, she began crying.  People around her, hearing her story, told her about Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.).  She went to Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) and related this strange incident.  Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) said, “O Allah!  Exalted in Power and Owner of this Creation: Put Right what the affairs of Your servant this lady fulana.  She is Your servant and her children are Your servants, and You are Powerful over all things.”  She told the old lady to return to her home and wait. 

The old lady went home crying with worry for the sake of her young children.  Night found her still crying.  Suddenly a commotion was heard outside.  It was a group of people seeking Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.).  They told her, “Something very strange just happened to us.  We came to you because we have been ordered to do so.” 

She asked, “What happened?” 

They related, “We were on a ship travelling at sea.  As we began approaching land, one of the planks suddenly sprung loose and the boat began to flood.  Some of us did not know how to swim, and we were in deep water still five hours from shore.  The boat began to fill up and sink. All of a sudden, an eagle appeared holding a red package in its claws.  It threw that package, which was full of spun wool, into that crack filling it.  The water stopped flooding, and we managed to reach shore safely.  We heard a voice saying, ‘Go to Sayyidah Nafisah.’” 

The boat crew presented Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) a gift of 500 dananir.  Sayyidah Nafisah began to cry, “O Allah, You are so Merciful to Your servants.”  She asked the old lady, “How much did you usually get for your wool each week?” 

The lady replied, “I used to get 20 dananir.” 

Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) gave her the 500 dananir, and she went home overjoyed.  She told her neighbours what happened, and they came in droves to see Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.).  Many ended up giving themselves over to her service, helping her cook food for the poor, distribute alms and aid the sick and lame. 

The miracles after Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) death are too numerous to mention.  Once, thieves entered her mosque in 683 AH. and stole sixteen silver lamps.  As the thieves tried to escape, they discovered there was no longer a door.  They were trapped inside until morning, when the caretaker arrived, opened the door and found the thieves with the lamps. 

Recently in 1940, fifty years ago, a similar occurrence took place.  A person, well-known in the area, entered the Mosque of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) and hid himself.  When everyone had left, that person stole a beautiful Kashmiri shawl, a gift from the King of Kashmir to Sayyidah Zaynab (q.s.).  When he tried to escape he could not find the door.  He was kept prisoner until morning, when the people found him and took him to the police. 

It is related in history that Abu al-‘Izz al-Yamani said, “I was very well-known in my community, rich in my family, owning many farms.  I was proud of myself and arrogant.  Then I came down with a sickness that caused me to lose my sight and I fell into great difficulties.  I spent most of my wealth seeking a cure, but alas doctors were unable to help me.  They told me I would be blind for the rest of my life.  Finally, I sought out Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) help.  While waiting to see her, I fell asleep. I saw a dream in which Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) visited me and put something in my eyes.  When I awoke my sight had been fully restored.” 

Historians relate the story of an Egyptian named ‘Affan ibn Sulayman al-Maswri.  He bought a house and one day discovered a treasure buried under it.  He began to spend his newfound wealth on the poor and the unfortunate. 

One day he bought 1,000 camel-loads of wheat from Prince Ahmad ibn Kighalgh.  After some time the prices soared due to scarcity of wheat, shooting up to thrice its normal value.  Prince Ahmad called ‘Affan to his palace.  The prince told him, “Either return the 1,000 camel-loads or pay me for the wheat at today's price.”  ‘Affan ibn Sulayman refused, leaving angry.  He went and distributed all the wheat to the poor and needy, leaving only a small portion for himself and his family. 

Prince Ahmad went to the governor of Egypt Taqin ibn ‘Abdullah al-Harbi, an arrogant and ruthless ruler.  He ordered that all of ‘Affan ibn Sulayman’s wealth and holdings be impounded.  ‘Affan ibn Sulayman decided to leave Egypt, running from the oppression of the governor, Taqin.  He told his story to a descendant of the Prophet (s.a.w.), Sharif ‘Ali ibn Abdullah (q.s.), a very pious man.  He took him to the grave of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) and both of them sat facing the grave reciting verses of Qur’an, asking Allah (s.w.t.) to Send the rewards of the recitation to Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) and asking Allah (s.w.t.) in her presence and for her sake and the sake of her grandfather the Prophet (s.a.w.) to solve the problem of ‘Affan ibn Sulayman. 

Suddenly they both fell asleep.  They both saw Sayyidah Nafisah in the dream telling him, “Go together with ‘Affan ibn Sulayman to the governor of Egypt Taqin.  I solved his problem.” 

Together they left and visited the governor, who to their surprise hosted them in grand style.  The governor said, “Sayyidah Nafisah appeared to me in a dream saying, ‘Be generous and host as-Sayyid ‘Ali very well and return all ‘Affan’s money to him; he asked for our intercession.’” 

Taqin, raising his hands said, “O Allah, Forgive me for what I did.”  Turning to ‘Affan ibn Sulayman he said, “I am releasing all your money.”  The governor, Taqin, ordered ‘Affan’s money returned to him and ordered that his own treasuries be opened and spent on the poor.  He used to say, “All Egyptians are afraid of me, but I am afraid of ‘Affan ibn Sulayman and his du’a at the grave of Sayyidah Nafisah.”  With that du’a, the governor of Egypt corrected his wrong and unjust ways and lived as a righteous governor for the rest of his life.  He wrote in his will that he should be buried in Bayt al-Maqdis, Jerusalem.  When he died, that took place according to his wish. 

The first one to build a masjid by the grave of Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) was the governor of Egypt, ‘Ubaydullah ibn Sirri ibn al-Hakam.  Then it was renovated by Badr al-Jamali, the commander in chief of the army of Egypt, in the year 482 AH.  It was renovated again by Muhammad ibn al-Qalawun in 740 AH.  Then, Prince ‘Abd ar-Rahman Katakhadah renovated it further in the year 773 AH.  Finally, the Ministry of Religious Endowments renovated it in 1314 AH. to the structure it has today.  The copper room which is entirely hand-carved over her grave was made in 1266 AH.  The door which is now there is ornately engraved, and was placed there by ‘Ali Pasha, governor of Egypt in 1170.  Water was piped in for people to drink.  Above the water-dispensing room is a room for memorising Qur`an.  All Abbasid caliphs were buried on the eastern side of the grave in the time of azh-Zhahir Baybars. 

From her death and until today, around the year and around the clock you will find people visiting Sayyidah Nafisah’s (q.s.) grave: from the highest Islamic scholars to common people.  Over her grave her lineage to the Prophet (s.a.w.) is engraved.  Under that is written, “Anyone experiencing difficulties in his life should visit the grave of Sayyidah Nafisah, recite Surah al-Fatihah, Surah al-‘Ala, Surah al-Ikhlasw and al-Mu’awwidzatayn: Surah al-Falaq and Surah an-Naas; gift that recitation to her and make du’a for Allah (s.w.t.) to solve that problem.” 

The method of greeting Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.) is also described.  In a low voice say, “Peace be upon you, as-salaamu’alayki, O Sayyidah Nafisah (q.s.), daughter of Hasan al-Anwar, son of as-Sayyid Zayd al-Ablaj, son of as-Sayyid Hasan, son of Sayyid ‘Ali, and of Sayyida Fathimah, daughter of the Prophet (s.a.w.).”