The Egyptian giants returned from another impressive FIFA Club World Cup, and started amongst others Ali Lotfi in goal, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Sherif and Taher Mohamed.
Hilal, who lost their group stage opener to South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, looked to make their home ground advantage count from chances fell to Abdul Jeleel Ajagun and Ibrahim Mustapha.
The visitors weren't threatened in any way by their host and fashioned their own chances through Mohamed and Sherif whilst the half began to drift away.
This tight nature and spell of play from the two outfits towards the closing minutes of the half and saw the first spell finish goalless.
Both these outfits made a casual start to the second half, as the half chances particularly for Hilal continued but it were once again fluffed by their front men.
Pitso Mosimane opted for fresh faces in order to turn the context of the result midway in the clash, with Mohamed Magdy Afsha and Hussein El Shahat called on.
However, Hilal had a smart chance to go ahead a minute before time through a loose ball on the edge of the area but it was slammed over by Mustapha.
Ahly responded a minute into added on time when Maaloul drew a cutback wide of the area following a corner-kick and curled against the post.
The host continued to search for the late winner from a corner of their own, but the reigning champions cleared their lines to leave the clash goalless.