[1]: 37–38 [5]: 414  Historian Gaston Deverdun argued that the mosque, the mida'a, the fountain, and the hammam of this complex were likely all built at the same time during the original construction, while the minaret, the small adjoining madrasa (no longer preserved), and the msid (Qur'anic school for children) formerly adjoined to the mida'a were of later construction (possibly later in the Saadian period).

This central aisle is aligned with the mosque's mihrab (niche in the southeastern wall symbolizing the qibla) and is also highlighted at either end by a decorative cupola above.

The transverse aisle is also highlighted by a square-based muqarnas cupola at both ends, in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the mosque.

[1]: 40–41 At the southwestern corner of the mosque, extending from the transverse aisle in front of the qibla wall, is a room called the bayt al-'itikaf (Arabic: بيت الاعتكف) which served as a space for spiritual retreat.

It consists of a small square chamber, accessed via a short staircase, with a double-arched window that opens back onto the prayer hall of the mosque.

The window's arches have modest stuco decoration and its column is made of marble and features a capital carved with muqarnas.

This architectural arrangement may have precedents as far back as the Almoravid period, seeing as the Qubba Ba'adiyin, a former ablutions kiosk for the Ben Youssef Mosque, has a very similar layout.

(A wooden bar across the fountain's opening traditionally prevented large animals from reaching the water intended for humans.)

[1]: 70–72  In addition to floral motifs, the top lintel is carved with an inscription in Thuluth script which reads (approximate translation): "The most beautiful words that have been said are: praise to God in all circumstances!

"[1]: 72 The hammam (bathhouse) of the complex was another service rendered unto the neighbourhood's residents, allowing for the maintenance of personal hygiene and the accomplishment of the ghusl.

The peripheral space around these pillars forms a narrow gallery covered by wooden ceilings and featuring a large frieze of stucco along its upper walls carved with 16-pointed star motifs.

The wooden lintels and corbels of the gallery arches are carved with low reliefs of vegetal arabesques and abstract calligraphic motifs.

According to Xavier Salmon, the ornamentation in this room, which is more elaborate than that of the Mouassine hammam, are among the most superb examples of woodcarving from the Saadian period.

A small Qur'anic school for children, a msid, was also formerly attached on the east side of the fountain, in a room located on an upper floor reached by a steep staircase, but it too has disappeared.