Abu El Hagag Mosque: The most famous mosque in central Luxor

Abu El Hagag Mosque of Luxor is considered one of the important destinations for devotees and tourists alike, while the mosque was founded during the era of the Ayyubid state in the year 658 AH – 1286 AD. It is distinguished by its special charm, which is full of history and spirituality.

The Abu al-Hagag Mosque of Luxor, or Abu El Hagag Mosque as the public calls it, is a mosque in the Egyptian city of Luxor, dating back to the Sufi “Youssef bin Abd al-Rahim bin Yusuf bin Issa al-Zahid,” known as Abu al-Hajjaj of Luxor, who was buried inside it.

About Abu El Hagag Mosque

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Abu El Hagag Luxor Mosque is of great importance to a large segment of the population of Upper Egypt, not just Luxor, as it is considered a masterpiece mixed with decorations and calligraphic paintings in the Islamic style of ancient mosques in Egypt.

The history of Abu El Hagag Al-Aqsari dates back to the era of the Ayyubid Empire, when he left Baghdad and moved to Egypt and settled in Luxor.

He became famous as a religious scholar among the people thanks to his piety, asceticism, and piety. Then he moved to the city of Alexandria, to learn from the knowledge of Abd Al-Razzaq Al-Jazouli before returning to Luxor again.

The shrine of Abu El Hagag Mosque in Luxor receives thousands of citizens on a daily basis, who distribute small bread, rice with milk, and dates to its devotees.

The bride also goes to it before her wedding to ask for blessings from God’s righteous people.

The construction of the mosque dates back to the year 658 AH, corresponding to 1286 AD. It was built in the courtyard of the Luxor Temple in the style of the ancient Fatimid mosques, to crowd out the statues of Ramesses II

One of the greatest Ramesside kings, who is credited with establishing the Luxor Temple, and it stands as a witness to 3 human civilizations.

Its Islamic character permeates the lobby of Luxor Temple, which contains many aspects of the Pharaonic civilization, including columns, statues, inscriptions and drawings that are still alive on the walls of the temple.

Design of Abu El Hagag Mosque Luxor

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Abu El Hagag Mosque, with its Islamic character, penetrates the lobby of Luxor Temple, which contains many aspects of the Pharaonic civilization, including columns, statues, inscriptions and drawings that are still alive on the walls of the temple.

It also includes the remains of an ancient Coptic church that was buried under the mosque building, which rises more than 10 meters above the surface of the temple grounds. Abu El Hagag Mosque of Luxor was registered as an Islamic monument on June 21, 2007.

Abu El Hagag is a square-shaped courtyard, covered with a vault, and its main entrance is located on the western side. Many buildings were built on it in the Ayyubid, Mamluk, Ottoman and modern eras.

It was built on the northeastern side of Luxor Temple. Its entrance is 12 meters high, and it lacks the geometric and floral decorations and calligraphy paintings known in Islamic architecture.

In 2019, Abu El Hagag of Luxor witnessed the largest support and development plan in its history during the last period, as the plan of the Luxor Endowments Directorate

led by Sheikh Sayed Muhammad Abdel Dayem, to renew and develop the mosque, which is considered the most famous and oldest in Luxor Governorate, was completely completed.

To serve its visitors around the clock, alongside the tourist groups that visit the temple during the winter tourist season as part of their visit to Luxor Temple.

Given the historical value of Abu Al-Hajjaj Mosque and its Pharaonic walls, he explained that the shrine in the mosque has a special character

As it contains antique columns and includes parts of the Luxor Temple, which made its annexation to the Ministry of Antiquities inevitable.

Abu El Hagag Mosque and the shrine, which was built more than 8 centuries ago, is distinguished by its unique shape and its location in the middle of a unique archaeological mass that is visited by tourists from various countries, making it attract the attention of tourists intending to visit Luxor Temple.

For many of them, it has become a main item in their programs to visit the antiquities of the city of Luxor, as it is a historical and archaeological value that catches the eyes of those coming to the Luxor Temple, to research the history of Abu El Hagag mosque and the reason behind its presence in the embrace of the Luxor Temple in this way.

Building of Abu El Hagag Mosque

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Abu El Hagag mosque is surmounted by a strip of balconies built of red brick, but what distinguishes the mosque from the rest of the mosques is that it contains columns, lintels, and inscriptions very similar to the Luxor Temple.

The discovery of these inscriptions came by pure chance after the mosque was exposed to a fire. The surprise was when the restoration workers revealed the presence of ancient Pharaonic columns buried in the Abu El Hagag mosque.

It turns out that these columns are part of a huge Pharaonic temple covered by a mound of dirt and silt, which is the same hill on which Abu Al-Hajjaj Al-Aqsari built his mosque.

The ancient minaret of Abu Al-Hajjaj Mosque is one of the oldest and most famous minarets in Egypt. It is the oldest part of the old mosque and dates back to the era of Abu Al-Hajjaj.

It consists of three layers, the first square in shape, and the second and third in cylindrical shape. Near its end is a group of windows and openings, built of mud brick, and the lower square part is reinforced with wooden columns.

The minaret of Abu El Hagag Mosque resembles the old Fatimid-style minarets of Upper Egypt and is about 14 meters high. Several buildings and expansions were made to the mosque.

It was restored in the early twentieth century, and during the first half of the same century a new mosque was built in the same style next to the old mosque.

In 2009, restoration work was completed in the Abu El Hagag mosque, which took two years. It was carried out under the supervision of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, and its cost amounted to 7 million pounds.

The new architecture included expanding the prayer square, strengthening the dome, and changing the roofs, after the mosque was exposed to a fire in 2007.

Finally, what is beautiful about Abu El Hagag Mosque is that every day at six in the morning, you will find flocks of pigeons in the courtyard of Abu Al-Hajjaj Al-Aqsari Mosque, circling around its two feeders in the square

Where the numbers of pigeons increase day after day, and even settle around the walls of Abu Al-Hajjaj Al-Aqsari Mosque and the Luxor Temple.

The mosque’s courtyard has occupied a great place in everyone’s hearts, for many years. The square is a witness to all the major events and activities that are organized within the governorate.

It also holds the largest comprehensive prayer for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, and all national celebrations have been organized there for 50 years, because the background of Abu al-Hajjaj Square is that It brings together diverse civilizations.

There is the famous Sufi Qutb Mosque with its unique designs, carved within the walls of the Pharaonic Temple of Luxor, one of the most important Pharaonic monuments in the world.

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FAQs

Where is Abu El Hagag Mosque located within the Luxor Temple complex?

Abu El Hagag Mosque is uniquely built on top of the ancient Luxor Temple in central Luxor, Egypt. It sits above the temple’s court, blending Islamic and Pharaonic architecture in one location.

Who was Abu El Hagag, and why is the mosque named after him?

Abu El Hagag was a revered Sufi saint who lived in Luxor during the 12th century. The mosque is named after him to honor his spiritual influence and legacy in the region.

What makes Abu El Hagag Mosque unique compared to other mosques in Egypt?

The mosque is distinctive because it was constructed directly over an ancient Egyptian temple, making it a rare example of continuous religious use on the same sacred site for over 3,000 years.

How old is Abu El Hagag Mosque, and what is its historical significance?

The mosque dates back to the 12th century during the Fatimid era. Its location atop Luxor Temple symbolizes Egypt’s layered religious history, from ancient Egyptian beliefs to Islamic traditions.

Can visitors enter Abu El Hagag Mosque during a visit to Luxor Temple?

Yes, visitors can view the mosque as part of the Luxor Temple complex. However, access inside the mosque may be limited to prayer times or special religious events.