15th Ramadhan: Urs of Sayyida Nafisa at-Tahira, The Rare Lady of Purity

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

Tonight marks the halfway point of Ramadhan, and the passing of The Rare Lady of Purity, Sayyida Nafisa at-Tahira (RA).

She was born in Makkah on the same night as the Prophet ﷺ, in the year 145 H. 

She was the daughter of al-Hasan al-Anwar, the son of Zaid al-Ablaj, son of al-Imam al-Hasan (RA), brother of al-Imam al-Husayn (RA), son of the Daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Sayyida Fatima al-Zahra (RA). 

At the age of five, she relocated with her father after his appointment as the Governor of Madina al-Munawwara. There, she memorized the Qur’an and gained expertise in Islamic jurisprudence.

From the age of six, she would pray the five daily prayers behind her father in Masjid an-Nabawi.

Her father would often bring her to the room where the grave of the Holy Prophet ﷺ is situated, and address the Prophet ﷺ directly, saying:

“Ya Rasullullah! O Beloved Prophet of Allah! I am pleased with my daughter Nafisa!”

He continued these visits repeatedly until one day the Prophet ﷺ appeared before him in a dream saying,

“Ya Hasan, I am pleased with your daughter Nafisa, because you are pleased with her, and Allah ﷻ is pleased with her because I am pleased with her.”

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 ﷻ.

Sayyida Nafisa (RA) had many titles, derived from her many different miracles (karamat).

This included:

1. Nafisat al-Ilmi Wal-Marifat, (the Rare Lady of Knowledge and Gnosis) because of what she achieved and accumulated from knowledge of the Family of the Holy Prophet ﷺ

2. Nafisat al-Tahira, the Rare Lady of Purity

3. Nafisat al-Abida, the Rare Worshipful Lady

4. Nafisat al-Darayn, the Rare One among ladies in this life and the next

5. Sahibat al-Karamat, the Lady of Miracles

6. Sayyidat Ahl al-Fatwa, the Leading Lady in deriving rulings and verdicts

7. Umm al-Awaajiz, the Mother of Elderly Women

8. Nafisat al-Masriyyin, the Rare Lady of the Egyptians, because of the Egyptian people’s intense love for her and her love for them

Sayyida Nafisa’s Devotion

Sayyida Nafisa (RA) performed Hajj thirty times, most of them on foot.

She would say,

“I am following my grandfather, Imam al-Husayn, in this practice, for he said, ‘I feel shy to meet my Lord having never walked to His House.'”

During her circumambulation of the Kaaba, she would make this heartfelt supplication:

“O Allah ﷻ, be pleased with me (matiani bi-ridaaka annee), for I see nothing that veils You from me.”

Sayyida Nafisa (RA) memorized the Qur’an along with its interpretation. While reciting, she would often pray,

“O Allah ﷻ, make it easy for me to visit the grave of Sayyidina Ibrahim al-Khalil (as)”

She recognised him as the Father of the Prophets, and the ancestor of her own grandfather, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

She was deeply aware that the mission of her grandfather ﷺ, was a result of the prayer of Prophet Ibrahim (as), who supplicated:

“Our Lord! And raise up in their midst a messenger from among them who shall recite unto them Thy revelations, and shall instruct them in the Scripture and in wisdom and shall purify them. Lo! Thou, only Thou, art the Mighty, Wise.” [2:125]

Sayyida Nafisa and Prophet Ibrahim (as)

Many years later, Allah ﷻ answered her prayer, allowing her to visit the grave of Prophet Ibrahim (as), in Palestine. When she finally arrived, she sat in front of his grave, weeping and reciting:

“And when Ibrahim (as) said: My Lord! make this city secure, and save me and my sons from worshipping idols.” [14:35]

As she sat, immersed in recitation, she felt an intense, almost tangible presence. Before her, she saw the image of Sayyidina Ibrahim (as).

Describing that moment, she said,

“My heart began to beat harder, and my eyes started to blink.”

Overcome with emotion, she called out,

“O my grandfather! – Ya Jiddee! I have come to you in both body and spirit. My soul has visited you many times before, and now I come in person. I seek your good pleasure with me, and I seek your guidance so that I may worship Allah ﷻ until my dying breath.”

At that moment, she heard a voice emerge before her, saying,

“Glad 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-Muzammil, wherein Allah ﷻ says:

“O thou folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night.'” [73:1]

She was instructed to recite and deeply contemplate its meaning, a testament to her devotion and spiritual journey.

Relocation to Cairo

At 44, Sayyida Nafisa (RA) moved to Cairo on the 26th of Ramadhan, 193 H.

As she passed through Arriche, crowds gathered to welcome her, having heard of her piety.

People traveled on horseback, camels, and on foot, waiting overnight in tents and chanting praises of Allah ﷻ. She was honored with a grand procession as she made her way to Cairo, where she was widely revered as a Saint and devout worshipper.

Healing Hands

The tradition of seeking blessings (baraka) from pious individuals was well known, as seen in the story of Handhalah Ibn Hudhaym.

After the Prophet ﷺ blessed him, Handhalah was able to heal the sick by touching them with the same hand.

Similarly, Sayyida Nafisa (RA) was sought after for her prayers and spiritual blessings, drawing large crowds wherever she went.

Sayyida Nafisa’s Longing for Her Grandfather ﷺ

Feeling overwhelmed by constant visitors, Sayyida Nafisa (RA) considered returning to Madina to focus on worship. The people of Egypt pleaded with the Governor, As-Sirri bin al-Hakam, to convince her to stay.

He gifted her a larger home in Dirr as-Sabah, which she accepted.

To balance her devotion and the people’s needs, she set specific visiting days—Saturdays and Wednesdays—while dedicating the rest of her time to worship.

Sayyida Nafisa and Imam Shafi`i

Sayyida Nafisa (RA) was known for hosting scholars and saints, creating an environment of deep learning and spirituality in Cairo.

Among the scholars who benefited from her company was Imam Shafiʿi, who moved to Egypt from Baghdad in 109 H, five years after her arrival.

A strong spiritual and scholarly relationship developed between Sayyida Nafisa and Imam Shafiʿi. He frequently visited her on his way to and from teaching at the Mosque of Umar ibn al-Aas and even led taraweeh prayers at her mosque during Ramadhan, with Sayyida Nafisa (RA) praying behind him.

Despite his vast knowledge, he sought her prayers and blessings, recognizing her deep piety. He also learned hadith from her and would send requests for her supplications when he fell ill. It is said that her prayers often led to his immediate recovery, further cementing her reputation as a saintly figure.

One time, Imam Shafiʿi fell sick and as usual, sent his messenger asking Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) du’a. She sent him a message hinting at his approaching death, saying,

“Tell him that may Allah ﷻ make his meeting with Him the Best of meetings, and may Allah ﷻ lift him to His proximity.”

Upon his passing, his body was brought to Sayyida Nafisa’s home, where she performed Salat Janaza (funeral prayer) from the women’s section while Imam al-Buwaiti led the congregation.

This final act reflected the deep respect and spiritual connection between the two, underscoring Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) esteemed status among scholars of her time.

Sayyida Nafisa’s Majlis

Sayyida Nafisa’s gatherings were attended by many esteemed scholars and Sufis, who learned from her, sought her prayers, and benefited from her spiritual presence.

Other notable attendees included Imam Uthman bin Saeed al-Misri, Dhun-Nun al-Misri, Masri al-Samarkandi, Imam Abu Bakr al-Adfawi, and Abul Hasan bin Ali bin Ibrahim, all of whom were renowned for their scholarly and spiritual contributions.

Her Asceticism

Sayyida Nafisa (RA) was known for her extreme asceticism, eating only once every three days from what Allah ﷻ provided or from her husband’s food. She never sought wealth or luxury.

When the Governor of Egypt sent her a vast sum of money, she accepted it only to distribute it entirely to the poor. She treated gifts from nobles and commoners alike in the same manner, using them to help others rather than for herself.

Her devotion extended to worship, as Zainab, who served her for forty years, never saw her sleep at night or eat during the day except on non-fasting days.

Concerned for her well-being, Zainab urged her to take care of herself, but Sayyida Nafisa (RA) 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 (Al-Faizun).”

Her Passing

Sensing her time approaching, Sayyida Nafisa (RA) prepared her own grave within her home, frequently praying and reciting the Qur’an inside it.

She completed the Qur’an in her grave six thousand times, dedicating the rewards to all deceased Muslims. Despite her illness, she refused to break her fast in Ramadhan, stating that she had prayed for years to die while fasting.

After her passing, her husband intended to transport her body to Madina, but a dream of the Prophet ﷺ instructed him to bury her in Egypt instead.

Her funeral drew an unprecedented gathering, with thousands mourning her loss.

Miracles Attributed to Sayyida Nafisa

Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) miracles were widely recorded, with over 150 attributed to her.

One of the most well-known involved a paralyzed non-Muslim girl left in her home. As Sayyida Nafisa (RA) made ablution, the water flowed towards the girl, who instinctively rubbed it on her legs. By Allah ﷻ’s mercy, she was instantly healed.

Overjoyed, her family embraced Islam, and soon their entire tribe followed.

In another miracle, a man’s son was imprisoned in a distant land. When Sayyida Nafisa (RA) prayed for his release, the son mysteriously appeared at his family’s doorstep the same night, saying he was freed by unseen forces after hearing her name mentioned.

His mother, witnessing this divine intervention, also accepted Islam.

Another famous miracle occurred when the Nile failed to flood, threatening agriculture and survival. People sought Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) help, and she handed them her veil, instructing them to throw it into the river.

Immediately, the water began to rise, saving the land from drought.

A similar miraculous event involved an impoverished woman whose spun wool was stolen by an eagle. The bird later dropped the package onto a sinking boat, sealing a hole and saving the passengers.

The grateful sailors, directed by a divine voice, visited Sayyida Nafisa (RA) and gifted her 500 dinars.

She then gave the money to the woman, far exceeding her usual earnings, demonstrating her generosity and divine favor.

Miracles after Her Passing

Even after her passing, Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) miracles continued.

In 683 H, thieves broke into her mosque to steal silver lamps, but found themselves trapped inside until morning.

A similar incident occurred in 1940, when a man attempted to steal a Kashmiri shawl; he too was unable to exit until he was discovered.

Another miracle involved a blind man, Abul Izz al-Yamani, who, after exhausting all medical treatments, sought Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) help.

Falling asleep while waiting, he dreamt of her placing something in his eyes, and upon waking, he found his sight miraculously restored.

The Story of Affan bin Sulayman

The miracles extended to the powerful as well.

Affan bin Sulayman, a merchant, faced financial ruin after a Governor confiscated his wealth.

Seeking Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) intercession, he prayed at her grave. Soon, the Governor had a dream in which she instructed him to return Affan’s property.

The next day, the Governor complied, not only restoring Affan’s wealth but also using his own treasury to help the poor.

Transformed by the experience, he ruled justly for the rest of his life, crediting Sayyida Nafisa’s (RA) blessing for his change of heart.

These accounts highlight her enduring spiritual presence and divine grace.

Her Maqam

The first mosque at her gravesite was built by Ubaydullah bin Sirri, and later expanded by various rulers. Her shrine remains a place of pilgrimage, visited by scholars and commoners alike.

Over her grave her lineage to the Prophet ﷺ is engraved.

Under that is written, “Anyone experiencing difficulties in his life should visit the grave of Sayyida Nafisa, recite Surat al-Fatiha (Qur’an, 1), Surat al-Ala (87), Surat al-Ikhlas (112) and al-Muwadhitayn (113, 114), gift that recitation to her and make du’a for Allah ﷻ to solve that problem.”

The method of greeting Sayyida Nafisa (RA) is also described, “In a low voice say, ‘Peace be upon you, as-salaamu ‘alayki, O Sayyidina Nafisa, daughter of Hasan al-Anwar, son of as-Sayyid Zayd al-Ablaj, son of As-Sayyid Hasan, son of Sayyida Ali, and of Sayyida Fatima, daughter of the Prophet ﷺ.'”

Tonight, we offer Al-Fatiha for the soul of this great lady.

Till today, she continues to intercede through her miraculous presence, with stories of her blessings still heard.

Full post here.

Wassalam.