No Roof Holds Above It: Villagers See It as Sacred and Seek Blessings There — Scenes from the Prison of Prophet Yusuf

Local folklore and historical references speak of the two villages of Al-Aziziyah and Busir, both part of Al-Badrasheen District in Giza Governorate, located about 20 kilometres south of Cairo. These villages are believed by locals to have been a centre of Prophet Yusuf’s (Joseph, peace be upon him) life, with a prison said to be where he was held and interpreted visions.

Historically, the two villages are among four in Al-Badrasheen, which also includes Saqqara and Mit Rahina. Together, these formed the ancient city of Memphis, founded by King Menes as Egypt’s first capital.

The name Al-Aziziyah is derived from “Aziz of Egypt” (Qutayfir or Potiphar son of Ruhayb), the vizier during Prophet Yusuf’s time, according to biblical accounts. Egypt’s ruler then was Rayyan bin Al-Walid, and the Aziz’s wife was Ra’il bint Ramayil, famously known as Zuleikha.

Despite the absence of any material evidence confirming that the structure in Abu Sir village, near the Step Pyramid, is indeed Prophet Yusuf’s prison, the place, according to villagers, brings spiritual comfort and a sense of peace that keeps visitors returning. They consider themselves blessed despite severe poverty, living amid the natural beauty of palm trees and ancient mountains that hold secrets of Pharaonic Egypt, still waiting to be uncovered.

Restricted Access

Accessing the site known as “Yusuf’s Prison” has become difficult due to tourist police guarding the area under orders from the Ministry of Antiquities, which temporarily closed the prison to visitors for restoration, citing neglect and concerns over illegal excavations.

Once past the newly built two-meter stone wall, one sees only sand hills broken by sparse shrubs swaying in the hot wind. Visitors walk across the scorching sands for dozens of meters to reach what is said to be Prophet Yusuf’s prison.

In the final stretch of the desert stands an ancient, crumbling room whose stones are repeatedly damaged by weather, forcing villagers to rebuild it so that the prison’s location is not lost. One villager said this ensures the site remains a reference for future generations.

Simple Windows, Sacred Light

The room is sealed with a heavy black iron door, secured by a bolt that visitors struggle to open. Inside are bare stone walls pierced by simple windows that let light in from every direction. In the centre stands a concrete block draped in a green cloth, topped with prayer mats donated by visitors seeking blessings.

At first glance, it feels like the shrine of a saint. However, an archaeologist explained that beneath the block is a passage leading underground for several meters to a larger chamber. The ceiling is made of wooden beams that barely shield from the sun but certainly do not protect against rain — its holes, according to the archaeologist, were designed “so that light would descend each night onto Prophet Yusuf’s bed in the prison.”

While there is no definitive proof that this was Yusuf’s prison, some clues suggest a connection, including remnants of Aziz’s palace and Zuleikha’s bath, both dating back to the First Intermediate Period, which coincides with the timeline attributed to Yusuf’s imprisonment.

Not a Pharaonic Tomb

Foreign groups still visit occasionally, the latest being a Brazilian delegation last week, according to tour guide Amr Ibrahim. He noted that the site was once unguarded but is now protected by the Ministry of Antiquities. A Russian team is currently working on developing the Mit Rahina archaeological zone. Various institutions have researched the site but found no evidence of it being a Pharaonic tomb or temple; thus, many still believe it to be Yusuf’s prison.

The archaeologist added that groups of students from Al-Azhar University visit the prison site exclusively, ignoring other ancient sites nearby. What caught his attention most, though, were the Indonesian visitors who remove their shoes upon entering the outer gate, then walk barefoot across the burning sands to reach the humble room rebuilt many times to mark the prison’s location.

Visitors believe that prayers offered there are answered, approaching with humility to seek blessings. The place is also locally known as Zawira Prison, believed to be the location where Prophet Yusuf was held.

An antiquities inspector in Saqqara noted: “To this day, families from nearby villages come to visit the ‘prison’ for blessings. Some come to fulfil vows they made after their prayers were answered.”

Legends of the Collapsing Roof

Striking tales passed down through generations describe the sanctity of the so-called Zawira Prison. One popular legend claims the place rejects any roof above it: whenever one is built, it collapses on its own. Once, villagers constructed an iron roof, only to find the metal beams torn down overnight and lying on the ground — a sign, they believe, that light must reach the prison. So, they settled on building a perforated roof that lets in light.

Locals share another tale: thieves who once stole villagers’ livestock found themselves frozen in place when passing the prison until they were caught — since then, no thief dares approach houses near the site. Others claim a snake protects the area, attacking anyone attempting to excavate nearby.

A Sacred Grave

One villager recounted how, when diggers try to excavate around the site, the sands miraculously refill the holes to keep the prison safe, protecting what they believe is a sacred place.

Scholarly View

Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt and member of Al-Azhar’s Council of Senior Scholars, explained that when Prophet Yusuf entered prison, he was accompanied by the king’s baker and cupbearer. The prison at that time was more of a holding place than a harsh detention centre — Aziz of Egypt knew Yusuf was innocent and never attempted adultery with Zuleikha, peace be upon him. Thus, his imprisonment was more a social exile than punishment.

Speaking on the TV program “Egypt: Land of the Prophets” on Egyptian State TV, Dr. Gomaa clarified that this prison’s location in Al-Badrasheen is an unverified folk tale, created over generations for blessings and offerings. He confirmed that no conclusive evidence supports it.