Marrakech Islamic History & Seven Saints Tour
Description
Delve into the rich spiritual heritage of the Red City on this unique guided walking tour dedicated to the Seven Patron Saints of Marrakech (Sab'at Rijal) and renowned Islamic scholars. Marrakech is deeply intertwined with the legacy of these legendary figures, and on this journey, your expert local guide will lead you through historic neighborhoods to the sites of ancient madrasas and peaceful mausoleums (zaouias). Discover the fascinating legends, profound wisdom, and lasting cultural impact of the spiritual leaders who shaped the religious landscape of Morocco. This tour offers a rare, tranquil, and deeply educational perspective on the authentic soul of Marrakech.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Also called: Abou el Abbas Ahmed ben Jaafar el Khazraji. Origin: Originally from Sebta. Education: Disciple of Cadi Ayyad, He lived for 40 years in a cave on a hill in Guéliz, without ever entering the city. He spent his life caring for and defending the weak and the blind. Died in: 1205 (601 AH) Buried in: Sidi Marouk cemetery, near Bab Taghzout.
Sidi Abdelaziz Tebbaâ Also called: Abou Fares Abdelaziz. Origin: Silk merchant from Fez. Education: Principal disciple of Sidi Ben Slimane. Particular Sign: He propagated the Sufi ethics in the corporations of craftsmen. Died in: 1508 (914 AH). Buried: not far from the Ben Youssef Mosque.
Also called: Sidi Mohammed ben Slimane ben Said al Jazouli. Origin: Originally from Souss. Education: He was enrolled in the Essaffarin Medersa of Fez where he excelled in the hadiths. Special Signs: He is the founder of Moroccan Sufism for a mobilization against the Iberian invasion. He is the author of the famous collection of prayers "Dala’il al-Khayrat" (the paths of benefactions). He died praying. Died in: 1465 (870 Hegira) Buried in: La zaouïa Jazoulia, north of the medina, near Dar-el-Glaoui.
Sidi Abdellah El Ghazouani Also called: Moul El Ksour Origin: Originally from the Gazouane tribe. Education: After continuing his studies in Fez and then in Granada, he moved to Marrakech to complete his training with Sidi Abdelaziz Tabaa. Special signs: Sultan Sidi Mohamed Cheikh incarcerated him in Marrakech, jealous of his good reputation with the people. He was released a few years later. Died in: 1528 (934 AH) Buried: not far from the Mouassine Mosque.
Imam Souheili Also called: Abou el kassim, Abou zaid Abderrahmane ibn al Khatib Abou Amer ben Abi al Hassan Asbagh ben Houssine ben Saadoun ben Redouane ben Fattouh Souhaili. Origin: Originally from Souhail, near Malaga. Education: Was brought back from Spain by Yacoub El Mansour. Special Signs: He is known for his Sufi poetry and open-mindedness. Dead in: 1186 (582 AH) Buried: near Bab Robb.
Cadi Ayyad Ben Moussa Also called: Abou Al Fadl Ayyad ben Amer Ben Moussa Ben Ayyad Ben Mohamed Ben Abdellah Ben Moussa Ben Ayyad Al Yahsob OR "Cadi de Grenade". Origin: Yemeni, originally from Sebta. Education: Student of Abou Abdellah ben Issa, Imam Abou Abdellah ben Hamdine, Abou Al Hassan ben Siradj and Imam Abou Al walid Ibn Rochd. Particular Sign: He is the most famous of the school in the Muslim West: his love for the Prophet expressed in his work "Al-Chifaa" Died in: 1149 (544 Hegira) Buried: near Bab Aïlen.
Also called: Abou Yaakoub Youssef ben Ali. Origin: Yemeni, from Marrakech. Education: He was the brilliant student of Sheikh Abou Asfour. Particular sign: Affected by leprosy, he kept until his death an immense faith in God. Died in: 1196 (593 AH). Buried at: Bab Ghmat.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(7)
It’s a blessing to find and meet Azeddine. A true gem of a man in Marrakech his deep knowledge of national and local history and culture will leave you knowing the ‘real’ Morocco and Marrakech. Being a local he will show you insights you will struggle to find with any other guide. I was blessed to go on this journey with Azeddine as my guide, and in the end my friend. I need a lot more time&space to give you the full picture, but a journey through Marrakech with Azeddine, it’s an adventure and memory for a lifetime. Thanks Azeddine! P.s. ask him about food spots too! ;)
Thanks bro it was a great time with you.
The tour guide was very good and informative . The five saints we saw were amazing. It’s shame never got to do all the saints as two were closed
Thank you for your comment.
Great tour! tourgide Az-Eddinne Ben Jouhra gives so much historical information, we walked trough the medina from 1 patron saint/scholar location to the other were some extra information was told.Its quit a hike but absolutely worth it, Thanks Az-Eddine Ben Jouhra!
Thank you so much for your review, it was a great tour and guiding you through Marrakesh alleys and and exploring this part of the city heritage.
We were really looking forward to this tour but due to the total ignorance and rudeness of the tour guide we missed the tour we booked via viator. This tour is carried out by an individual by the name of 'Az Eddine Ben Jouhra'. As with other tours in Marrakech you usually get a message or email from the tour operator or guide the day or night before to advise you on where to meet the next day. We never got anything. Next morning (27th November) as I haven't had any communication from the tour operator nor the tour guide I click on the 'get directions' button on the viator app. This takes you to a location named 'riad dar assanfou'. So we get here for 9am and no one to be seen. We waited and waited but no sign of anyone so I messaged Viator and they tried contacting the tour guide. Not even sure if they got through. Viator messaged back explaining that the meeting point was a certain Cafe at 9am and it's gone past that time now. I explained that on your app directions it doesn't take you to this cafe instead it takes you to 'riad dar assanfou' which is a 20 minute walk. They couldn't offer any explanation and were basically unable to help. They did however give me the tour guides direct number instead. What use that was! He never answered any of calls or didn't bother to respond to my wattsup messages even though he read them. I lost £44 through this experience and as a result will never use the company or tour guide again. In the end I took this sacred tour with one of the local Moroccan tour guides on Thursday 30th November for 250 dirhams, approximately £24. Something I wish I had thought of and done earlier.
The guide was very good and gave a good overview of the saints and the history of Marrakech. Unfortunately, if you are not muslim you cannot enter the mosques where the relics of the saints are, but the tour turned out to be interesting anyway.
Thank you so much i was pleased to guide you. Thank you
An amazing tour, with excellent information provided. Our tour guide was brilliant, very helpful and informative. Highly recommend for anyone looking to appreciate culture and historical figures, especially Islamic saints and scholars. A must for all, however, please note there is a lot of walking involved so good walking shoes is a must
Thank you so much i was pleased to guide you. Thank you
Az-eddine was an excellent guide. He took my group of six people on a detailed and highly enjoyable journey through the history of Marrakech's seven saints. He was knowledgeable and very kind. Highly recommended!
