[2] In 370 AD Saint Athanasius has consecrated the Church of Bendideion (Ancient Greek: Βενδιδείων) on the site of the former temple of Bendis, in the northern part of the Canopic street.

[3] In the 7th century, monks began building cells around an ancient church, laying the foundation for a monastery in the area.

This initial monastery was destroyed by an earthquake, and was later rebuilt by a wealthy man, who dedicated it to Saint Sabbas the Sanctified.

But after his death, the mosque became neglected until the rule of Khedive Abbas II of Egypt who ordered his men to plan a restoration.

[8] In the eastern part of the mosque, accessible from the eastern entrance, is a small mausoleum dedicated to a local patron saint, Muhammad ibn Sulayman, who is the grandson of the famed military commander, Khalid ibn al-Walid.