[1] As such, the location is considered one of the most notable places of Islamic history and the most popular tombs to visit among Sunnis and Isma'ili Shi'ites.

However, many other people, primarily Twelver Shias, believe that Sayyida Zaynab was buried in Damascus, Syria, where the mosque of the same name is located today.

There is no accurate record of when the mosque was built over the grave of Sayyida Zaynab, and no historical references are currently available except for Ottoman Ali Pasha's order for renovation in 1547, and since then there were other renovations, including the one conducted by Amir Abdul Rahman in 1768 and the one in 1940 by the Ministry of Endowment which demolished the old building completely and built the current building.

On the opposite side of the qibla wall is the mausoleum of Sayyida Zaynab, surrounded by a brass fence and topped by a tall dome.

[2] In 2022, the Egyptian authorities commenced maintenance and renovation efforts at the Al Sayeda Zainab Mosque,[3] culminating in a visit by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Mufaddal Saifuddin on May 12, 2024, to mark its completion.