Some time in 1343, near a heap of dung in the vicinity of the gate known as Bāb al-Lūq, a resident of Cairo unearthed what he claimed to be an old mosque. A “rowdy” (ba‘ ḍ shayāṭīn al-‘āmma) named Shu‘ayb could not miss this golden opportunity. He claimed that an apparition revealed to him that the site was an ancient grave of a Companion of the Prophet. He started to preach there, and many gathered to listen to his sermons. Excavations were begun by the commoners, including women, and indeed a “shrine” surfaced. That new discovery further increased the number of visitors, and industrious Shu‘ayb organized “guided tours” for fees, in which wives of dignitaries also took part. He spread the rumour that the shrine was blessed with supernatural powers, by which the sick could be healed and the blind regain their eyesight. Indeed, Shu‘ayb was credited with performing miracles. Every night celebrations were held at the site. Ultimately, the chief qadis and some of the emirs were alarmed and sent the prefect of Cairo to investigate what exactly was happening. At first the official had to retreat under a hail of stones and only additional force was able to disperse the crowd. In the mean time Shu‘ayb disappeared with large sums of money in his pocket. Now it became clear that he was a mere swindler and that the shrine was his pure invention.