photo: inside the tomb of imam shafi’i

we visited the tomb of imam shafi’i while in cairo.
the wealth of knowledge that this man had
contrasted deeply with the poverty of the area.
people were begging outside the doors of the masjid
that his tomb was in.

the tomb is encased in wood
lined with green glass.
somehow folks slipped in pictures, letters, money and etc.,
i assume, beseeching one of Allah’s beloved ones for spiritual help.

i’ve been told that there is a protocol for visiting the tombs
of one of the companions of the prophet (saws)
or scholars.
it includes greeting them as if they are alive
and making dua of some sort,
but letters, money, and pictures… i don’t know about that.

i was a bit taken aback,
but maybe that’s how they show
their understanding
of the benefit imam shafi’i is to islam.