Famous Women in Islamic History

Muslim Women in History

Scholars and Muhaddithat Worshippers and Mystics Orators and Preachers Warriors Benefactors Women of General Excellence Poetesses and Women of Eloquence Many Women of Political Acumen

Some Generalizations About Women in the Prophetic Age

Critical

Consciousness Counselors Women and the Hijaab Women at Work Facility of Movement Women and Dynamic Participation Rich, Mature, Helpful, Honorable Lives Knowledgeable 3

KHADIJAH: THE ARCHETYPE

Family and Character Wealth and Status The First of the Believers Esteemed Counselor

Famous Companion Women

Sumayya - first martyr of Islam Umm Aiman Barakah Umm Salamah Fatima Samra bint Nuhayk al Asadiyya - market inspector Ash Shifa bint Abdullah - skilled in medicine public administration - Umar appoints her wali of administration of the marketplace Too many! 5

WARRIOR WOMEN

Took part in battles by carrying water, nursing wounded, some also fought! Safiyya bint Abdul Muttalib, ras saw aunt killed a spy with a tent pole Khaibar & Umayyah bint Qais & the women of Banu Ghifaar The Yarmuk contingent Azdah bint al Harith: Heroine of Battle of Maisaan - banners made out of headscarves to reinforce the army! THE BLACK KNIGHT: Khawlah bint al-Azwar
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Nusaibah bint Kab alAnsariyah

Al-Aqabah The Battle of Uhud The Prophets Praise - I did not turn right or left in the Battle of Uhud but that I saw her fighting near me. Her Wounds Later Events: Ridwaan & Yamaamah

Muslim Women and Hadith

Women An Essential Element From the Beginning to the End Bearing the Light of Aishah Transmitters of Hadith & Scholars of Hadith Transmitters = Raawiyaat From the Prophetic Period till the Compilations Scholars = Muhaddithaat From the Compilations till the modern age 8

Aishah: The Greatest Woman of Her Age

Aishahs Breadth Aishah the Scholar of Law Aishah the Giver of Fatwaas [Independent Rulings] Transmitter of Hadith Among The Six Transmitters of 1000 (Aishah 2210) Aishah as Educator and Public Speaker Aishah Teacher of a Nation The Seven Fuqahaa of Madinah [Maalik] Aishah Unmatched in Eloquence and Oratory
Whenever we Companions of the Prophet encountered any difficulty in the matter of any hadith we referred it to Aishah and found that she had definite knowledge about it. (Abu Musa al-Ash'ar)

Women of Power:

The number of women who were politically prominent are well over a hundred: Umayyads, Abbasids, Turks, Persians, Mongols, Indians, and others. Shajar ad-Durr - Sultana est control over Egypt, led resistance against 7th Crusade, captures leader St. Louis Shaghab - ruled Abbasid empire for a time, helped public audiences, governors and judges reported to her Radiyah Begum - ruled Delhi took firm control of the govt., did justice, led her armies and was famed for fair dealing. Two Rulers in Modern Times: Sakandar Begum took authority in the principality of Bhopal in Central India- Great pilgrimage 1863 daughter ruled until 1901 Contemporary times

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Al Udar al-Karimah Shihaab ad Din Salaah

Died 762 H / 1360 CE - VICEGERENT QUEEN OF YAMAN Lordly Lady of Piety, Goodness, Sharp Intelligence, Decisive Resolve, Calm Forbearance, & Supreme Political Acumen Patroness of Scholars and Upright Men of Religious Piety Champion of the Poor and Needy: She would go secretly from house to house of the poor, seeking to learn their needs and giving them Generous Gifts She built great schools and mosques in Zabid, Taizz, and throughout the land In the 14 Months of Her Sons Absence (Jihad to protect the Egypt):

She Established Internal Security in Yaman She Established Administrative Order She Established JUSTICE throughout the land She Did Remarkable Good by way of Charity

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Famous Women Benefactors in Islam

Mosque endowments, Great School Builders, Stipulations and Trusts Turkaan Khatuun 487 / 1094, wife of Malik Shah Radiyah Begum of the Dehli Sultanate Nur Jehan & Jehangir - The Coinage, Helping the People, Hindu Reform Saint of Fez: Fatimah al-Fihriyah d. 265/ 880

Her Family and Inheritance, The Qarawiyiin Mosque Project Al Andalus mosque in Fez built by sister Restorer of a City Renovating Baghdad Her Own School and Endowment, Her Special Zakat al-Fitr

Banafshaa ar-Rumiyah d. 399 / 1008:

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Zubaidah bt Ja'far b alMansur d. 216/831

Wealthiest and most powerful woman in the world of her time. Wife of Harun ar-Rashid Benefactor of political acumen and standing. Noble woman. Great wealth. Generosity. Munificence. Great Intellect and profound opinions. Eloquent master of Arabic Builder of cities and Civilization Makkahs Water Supply The Pilgrimage Route Patroness of Writers, Poets, and Physicians - even Christians, the poor the needy, religious scholars and men of piety

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Famous Women of Knowledge in Islam

Law and General Islamic Sciences The Legacy of the Prophets Wives and Companions
Rabi'ah Bint Mu'awwad - great scholar of fiqh, taught ntellectual scholars of Madina Umm 'Atiyyah - sahabah and learned scholars among the tabi'een used to come to her to learn various aspects of Islamic jurisprudence, narrated many ahadith. A'isha bint Sa'd bint ibn Abi Waqqas - daughter of great Sahabi. She was very learned in Islamic sciences to the point that Imam Malik, Hakim ibn Utaybah and Ayyub as Sakhtiyani, the famous jurists and scholars of ahadith were her pupils. Sayyida Nafisa: Granddaughter of Hasan - A large number of pupils came to her from different places to learn from her. Imam Shafi'i was one of her pupils. Fatima bint Qays - discussed a juristic point with 'Umar and 'A'isha. Imam Nawawi said, "She was one of those who migrated in the early days, and possessed great intellect and excellence. Hafsa bint Sirin - sister of M. Sirin. Memorized Quran at 12, read 1/2 Quran each night. Prayed and fasted incessantly.

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Famous Muslim Women Poetess

Walladah bint Mustakfi (c. 1001-1080 C.E.) - daughter of the caliph of Cordoba in Islamic Spain. Cordoba was a tolerant, multicultural society, famous for its many libraries and sophisticated literary life, in which women were often scholars. After her father's death, Walladah inherited enough wealth to guarantee her independence. She was well known as a poet and hosted literary gatherings for both men and women. Nana Asmau, Maryam bint Sh. Uthman dan Fodio poems and compendiums on legal commentaries

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Rabia al Adawiya al Qadsiyya

Named rabia 4th girl, orphan, slavery, freed, known as Rabia of Basra Retreated to desert for life of worship Led a life of poverty and rejected rich marriage offers Many famous ppl came to learn from her including Hasan al Basri Rabi'a is probably best known for her emphasis on unselfish love for Allah (swt): loving Allah (swt) only for His sake, and not for fear of punishment or desire of reward. She prayed:

"O Allah! If I worship You for fear of Hell, burn me in Hell, and if I worship You in hope of Paradise, exclude me from Paradise. But if I worship You for Your Own sake, grudge me not Your everlasting Beauty. "

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The Critical Consciousness of the Companion Women

What made them amazing? Women are the full sisters of men Full Social and Political Participation Work in and outside the Home Social Contributions Social and Societal Maturity Education: Obtained Ijazas, attended study circles, taught others, est. institutions 17

Quranic Women

Hawwa - not to blame Maryam - Quranic ideal Bilqis - queen of sheeba - consulted advisors, ruled her kingdom, passes judgements, leads her ppl to Islam Asiyaa wife of Firawn, saves Musa Wife of Aziz, Ibrahim, Lut Response to women - Mujadilah 18

Contemporary Heroines

Zaynab al Ghazali - Return of the Pharoah Maryum Jameelah -prolific author, corresponded with Maududi Khadijah Haffajee Shahina Siddiqui Ingrid Mattson Maha Genaidi ...
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Conclusions

Finding the balance Searching Out the Real Picture Our Need of a Definitive View Himaar Miskeen :) - moral for Muslim women of today

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