Gravestone

A seven-line Arabic inscription is engraved within a decorative frame. According to islamic eschatology, the dead are visited in their graves by two angels, Munkar and Nakir, who test their faith and see if they were true Muslims. This was often demonstratd to the angels by placing the profession of faith (in Arabic:shahada) on the gravestone, as is the case here. Numerous gravestones are known from 9th century Egypt.