Al-Jame-al-Azher is the first of the grand masaajid erected by Fatemi Imams in al-Qahera. Moulana Qaid-Johar, the chief commander of Imam Moiz(AS)'s victorious armies, on Imam's stipulation, laid down its foundation on the fourth of April 970 AD 24th Jumada-al-Ukhra 359 H. The Jame was completed in a period of two years, during which the Imam(sa) was in Magharib.

With great pomp and gaiety Imam(sa) entered the city of al-Qahera in 362 AH and on the first Jumaa of Ramadan offered Salat-al-Jumaa.

A renovation project of al-Azher was initiated in the era of Imam Aziz Billah(AS). In 372 AH the Imam authorized its establishment as a place of study and learning and from that day on al-Azher became center of universal science and arts and in time was converted into a renowned and matchless university.

In the period of Imam Hakim-be-Amrillah(AS) an array of beautification schemes was ordered including the renovation of the minaret and placing of silver lamps. Imam Hakim(AS) also issued an order for a wooden door to be built for the masjid on which his mubarak name is inscribed. In the era of Imam-al-Amir-be-Ahkamillah(AS) unique wooden, moveable mehraab was made for al-Azher. This mehraab is an artifact put on display in the Islamic art museum of al-Qahera by the Egyptian government.