Did The Salaf Destroy Cairo’s Churches
Question: I know you lived in Egypt. Is it true that Islam oppressed Christians there and destroyed their churches?
Answer: That is incorrect. Historians note that most of the ancient churches in Cairo were built during the era of the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, such as the Church of St. Mark in Alexandria between the years (39 AH) and (65 AH).
During the governorship of Muslim ibn Mukhlid over Egypt between the years (47 AH) and (68 AH), the first church in Fustat was built in the Haret Al-Rum. Additionally, Abdul Aziz ibn Marwan, when he established the city of Helwan, allowed the construction of a church there and permitted some bishops to build two monasteries.
The renowned historian Al-Maqrizi mentioned in his book ‘Al-Mawaiz wal-I’tibar bi Dhikr al-Khitat wal-Athar’ (4/374, Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyya) many examples of the churches of the People of the Book, then stated: [All the mentioned churches in Cairo were newly built during the Islamic era without any dispute.]
Churches that were destroyed by the overzealous were rebuilt by the state in coordination with religious scholars:
Abu Amr Al-Kindi narrated in his book ‘Al-Wulaat wal-Qudaat’ (p. 100, Dar Al-Kutub Al-Ilmiyya): [When Musa ibn Isa was appointed as the governor of Egypt by the Commander of the Faithful Harun Al-Rashid, he permitted the Christians to build the churches that Ali ibn Suleiman had demolished. All these churches were rebuilt with the consultation of Al-Layth ibn Saad and Abdullah ibn Lahi’ah, who said that it was part of the country’s development. They argued that most of the churches in Egypt were built during the Islamic era, in the time of the Companions and their followers.”
Allah Knows Best,
Suhaib Webb