"A friend is the one who you don’t have to remind to remember you in his supplication, and that you don’t have to flatter and impress, and that you don’t have to apologize to."
- Yahya ibn Mu’aadh
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Women Scholars
The Prophet Muhammad (may the praise and peace of Allaah be upon him) said:
“ …and certainly the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets and the Prophets did not leave wealth as an inheritance, they only left behind knowledge, so whoever takes from it, has taken an abundant portion…” (Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee and Ibn Hibbaan)
She was the great Muhaddithah, a non-Arab, of the 13th Century.
‘Non-Arab’ is outlined because many feel that these great women were great only because they were lucky to have Arabic as their mother-tongue and sinece their ancestry was from the Arabs. On the contrary, many of our great scholars, even from among the men, the likes of Imam Bukhari, were not from the lineage of the Arabs. In the same way, the Muhaddithah, Amat al-Ghafoor bint Ishaaq al-Dihlawee (rah), was from Delhi – India.
Her father was one of leading scholars of India and so she would learn from his company,... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1206 Farhat Hashmi is one of the most influential contemporary Muslim scholars or Ulema particularly in Pakistan, the United Kingdom and the United States. She has had a profound impact on the religiosity and understanding of Islam by women since the 1990s when she started her program of Qur'anic education.
Personal Life
Dr. Hashmi (or Dr. Farhat as she is referred to by many of her students) was born in Sargodha, Punjab, and is the daughter of the (Late) Abdur Rehman Hashmi, another prominent Muslim scholar.She received her masters in Arabic at the Punjab University, Lahore, and was married shortly afterwards to Dr.... Women Scholars 17 Jan 2010 Hits:3609 Asma (rah) is a well-known figure in Islamic history; not only was she the daughter of Abu Bakr (ra) and the sister of Aishah (rah) but she was the obedient wife of the Sahabi Zubayr ibn al ’Awwaam (ra).
Her role in supporting the Prophet (saws) and her examples of sacrifice and forbearance are ever-alive in the annals of Islamic History. She was named ‘Dhat an-Nitaqayn’ (the One with the Two Waistbands) due to an incident in which she used two waistbands in order to tie food for the Prophet (saws) and her father Abu Bakr (ra). They had left Makkah... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1219 We are now going to meet one of the greatest Faqeehah (woman-scholar of Islamic Jurisprudence) of her time. She was renowned for her grounded knowledge of Hanafi Jurisprudence and was no other than the daughter of the great scholar and jurist, Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Abu Ahmad `Ala' al-Din al-Samarqandi (rah), whose book ‘Tuhfat al Fuqaha’ is well-known by the scholars and students of knowledge. Not only did she learn Fiqh from her father, but she memorised his book ‘Tuhfat al Fuqaha’.
Being a jurist in itself is no small matter; one needs to be well-acquainted with the Qur’aanic verses, ahaadeeth... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1228 Fatimah bint Yahya (rah) was a great Mujtahidah of the 9th Century. A Mujtahidah (which is the feminine version for the term 'Mujtahid') is a scholar of great calibre who can deduce from the sources of Islamic law. In turn they use these deductions to give rulings in accord with both the contemporary and individual needs of the society. For one to be given the title ‘Mujtahidah’, one must have knowledge on both the consensus and opposing views of the Companions, the Successors, and the leading Scholars of Fiqh and Mujtahidoon. Hence, to be a Mujtahidah was not small matter,... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1130
Over a number of years, while listening to talks, reading books and articles, time after time again I came across the name ‘Hafsah bint Seereen’. This continued to be the case until recently I quickly scribbled down her name on my sticky-pad with the intention of doing some thorough research about the life of such a great, yet to many in the west, unknown personality. And so, I began writing this article with the hope of raising ignorance from myself, and hopefully others. Little did I know... I was to stumble upon a treasure from the... Women Scholars 19 Jun 2010 Hits:2181 An Epitome of Shyness and Modesty:
Travelling on the path of the Names and Characteristics of Allah (a'zza wa jall) is a journey never to be forgotten. One of the most striking realities of the Names of Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala), is that Allah, the Most High, loves for His creation to manifest aspects of the meanings of His Names.
For example,
Allah (subhaanahu wa ta'ala) is Al-‘Aleem (the Most Knowing) and loves the scholars.
Allah (a'zza wa jall) is Just and loves justice.
And Allah (a'zza wa jall) is Modest and loves those who are modest.
The Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Certainly... Women Scholars 22 Sep 2010 Hits:1190 The Importance of Youth:
As time passes by, each second in it is similar to a leaf, flying away from the tree of our life. Today these seconds loyally cling to us; tomorrow they may stand against us. Blown away by destiny, their outcome we will surely see in the hereafter. That will be The Day (al-Yowm) when people will be drowning in sweat, running away from the most beloved to them. Few indeed will be those under the cool shade of the magnificent Throne of Allah, witnessing a day unlike any other.
Those who defied the passions and illicit desires... Women Scholars 07 Oct 2010 Hits:1286 A Devoted Worshipper:
Today, when few indeed are those who devoutly and wholeheartedly worship Allah, Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) stands out like a shining star to be followed in her worship of Allah. Mahdi ibn Maymoon said:
“Hafsah bint Seereen stayed thirty years without leaving her prayer place, unless for sleep or to answer the call of nature.” (Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa’)
Hishaam said that:
“Hafsah used to enter her Masjid, then pray in it Adh-Dhuhr, Al-‘Asr , Al-Maghrib , Al-‘Ishaa’ and As-Subh (i.e. Fajr). Then she would stay in it (the Masjid) until the day rose. She would then bow... Women Scholars 02 Nov 2010 Hits:981
Islaamic history is rich in its account of the many writers that were fortunate to live within its midst. In fact, the books of great scholars and historians live on centuries later imparting great benefit for the believers. We ask Allah [azza wa jall] that the Muslim scholars and writers continue to gain the reward for the seeds they sowed, the benefit of which continues to be reaped by the Muslims after them. Ameen.
From amongst these blessed names we find the names of many Muslim Women who also participated in striving to spread the words of Allah [azza wa jall]... Women Scholars 07 Nov 2009 Hits:1630
To recite the Qur’aan with tajweed is in fact an implementation of Allah’s command. Allah ('azza wa jall) says, “And recite the Qur'ân (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style.” [Qur’aan [73]:4]
Women today, as in the past, have not lagged behind in serving this science. Around the world we see women ardently working to teach themselves, their children and their community how to correctly pronounce and recite the words of their Creator. Some have done so by teaching in masaajid and schools, others by writing and setting up websites.
One such sister is Kareema Carol Czerepinski, an author of... Women Scholars 18 Dec 2009 Hits:5202 In truth all praise is due to Allah alone and may the choicest peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam] - whose words men, as well as women, were and are ever ready to study and teach. Aameen
Around the world thousands flock yearly to the holy city of Makkah. The rich history behind this city illuminates a yearning within the hearts of the believers, inflaming a desire within them to visit its Haram [Holy Sanctuary] time after time again. Truly a blessed city, it has been -and still is- ripe in imparting... Women Scholars 26 Dec 2009 Hits:1130 Muslim women excelled, not only in Fiqh, Ahaadeeth and Tafseer but also in other Islamic Sciences. One such example is of Maryam bint Jahsh (rah), who lived in the 4th Century; she was an expert of the language in which Allah (az) chose to reveal the Qur’aan.
She was married to the great Yemeni scholar Jamaal al-Deen ‘Ali ibn Abeel-Fawaaris al-Hamdani (rah). Not only was it due to her knowledge of the Arabic language, but also the acuteness of her mind, that Maryam bint Jahsh (rah) was able to subtly resolve a difficult point for her husband.
Her husband had been engaged... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1085
A Teacher Unlike Any Other:
In the life of a student of knowledge, the presence of a teacher plays a weighty and momentous role. It is under the shade of one’s teacher that not only does the individual gain knowledge but a refinement of mannerism and thought. This is why, before mentioning the biography of someone great, there is no harm in first mentioning the teacher. In fact, this is a source of respect for the one to be spoken about especially if the teacher holds great respect and awe within the hearts of the masses...such... Women Scholars 29 Dec 2009 Hits:1522 True Love:
When we read the life of Mu’aadhah, we come to see the great love she had for her husband. For not only was he a great mujaahid (combatant in the way of Allah [a'zza wa jall]), but he was also a great 'aabid (worshipper) and therefore shared and strived for the same goal as her - to worship the Lord of the heavens and the earth.
Indeed, it is a great blessing for a Muslim woman to be blessed with a righteous and Allah-fearing husband with whom she can work to improve herself, both knowledge-wise and eemaan... Women Scholars 01 Jan 2010 Hits:1470 Knowledge vis-à-vis Implementation:
Beauty within a person or an object is usually described as something which is rare, eye-catching, attractive and alluring to the eyes of the beholder. One such rare attribute within the believers is the beauty of beneficial knowledge intertwined with implementation.
For sure, the implementation of knowledge is one of the most beautiful and intriguing characteristics Mu'aadhah, the great muhaddithah and teacher had. She wasn’t from those unfortunate women who possessed knowledge, yet never saw the fruits of it within their lives, because such knowledge is then just a burden for the one who acquires it, rather than... Women Scholars 18 Jan 2010 Hits:1445 The 'Aabidah of Iraaq:
Mu’aadhah [rahimahallah] was not only known for her knowledge of hadeeth, but also for her extensive worship. This is why in her time, as well as later on in classical books, we find many scholars have referred to her with the prestigious title of "Muhaddithah" (woman scholar of hadeeth), as well as the honourable title of "Al-A’abidah" (the worshipper) (Tuhfah al Ahwazee, baab al istinjaa bil maa’, vol 1, pg 77.) For example, in the famous book pertaining to the lives of our pious predecessors ‘Sifah as-Sawfah,’ we find her name appearing under the chapter... Women Scholars 19 Mar 2010 Hits:1411 Mu’aadhah’s (rahimahallah) Asceticism from this WorldAlthough we know for sure that death is an impending event, anytime to take us into its clutches, how many of us are actually prepared for it? How many of us actually begin and end our day with this certainty in mind?This great Muhaddithah Mu‘aadhah was a unique woman in this regard. She was a realistic woman, who knew the reality of this temporal life. That is why it has been narrated that Mu’aadhah [rahimahallah] would say at the advent of a new day:“This is my day, in which I will die.” In... Women Scholars 05 Apr 2010 Hits:1338 Ibn Katheer mentioned as those who done favours to others, a devout, ascetic, and of abundant virtue. The teacher of Imaam ash-Shaafiee.
Hadeeth scholarship first came to Egypt in the first century. Perhaps the best woman scholar to come to Egypt was the righteous and noble Nafeesah.
Ibn Katheer says:
‘She was a wealthy lady, did a lot of favours to the people, especially those paralysed, those with severe illness, and to all other ill people.
She was a devout, ascetic, and of abundant virtue.
When Imaam al-Shaafi’ee arrived in Egypt, she did good to him, and sometimes Shaafi’ee led her in prayers in Ramadhaan.’... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1268
Umm Saleem, Umm Anas - She was the mother of the famous companion Anas. She was a highly respected Sahaabiyyah (Woman Companion). Ibn Hajar says, "Her laudable qualities are too many to mention and she was very famous." Imam an Nawawi calls her an excellent scholar among the Sahaabiyyah." (tahdhib at tahdhib vol.2 p 363)
'Aa'ishah bint Talha - The grand daughter of Abu Bakr (radhi Allahu anhu), she was taught by the Prophe t(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)'s wife Aisha (radhi Allahu anha). Abu Zahra, the early Muslim said, "Aisha was cited because of her authentic knowledge." Aisha was also graced with... Women Scholars 07 Sep 2010 Hits:1062 Madinah, a city situated in the Hijaaz region of Western Arabia, is where the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) did hijrah (migrated), settled down and was later buried. Madinah was a safe haven from the persecution the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions faced in Makkah.
For many of us, when we remember the noble city of Madinatul Munawwarah (The Enlightened City), memories of the green dome, the white marble tile surrounding the Masjid, the cool winds, peacefulness and tranquillity occupy our minds. Certainly, blessed moments spent in Madinah can’t be forgotten by souls which reside so far... Women Scholars 30 Apr 2010 Hits:2388
After Umm Al-Sa'ad completed her memorization of the Qur'aan at the age of 15 she went to the Shaykhah Nafeesah bint Abu Al-Alaa, who was known as "The Shaykhah [woman scholar] of her time" to request from her to learn the 10 Qira'aat (recitations). Nafeesa agreed on an peculiar condition; that Umm Al-Sa'ad never marry. She used to refuse to teach girls because they would marry, become busy, and neglect the Quran. What was even more amazing was that Umm Al-Sa'ad accepted the condition from her Shaykhah who was known for her strictness and harshness against those whom she... Women Scholars 13 Dec 2009 Hits:3868 Imaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) was amazed by her knowledge and she knew most of al-Mughni (a book of fiqh which consists of 15 volumes) by heart. Shaykh Ibn Katheer and Shaykh al-Dhahabee have also mentioned her.
She was a fine example and proof that respect for knowledge and those who possessed it was not confined to the formative period of Islaam. Umm Zaynab's knowledge of Jurispudence was respected and admired by her male peers. She learnt Fiqh with Shaykh Shams al Din and other Maqdisi Scholars. (Al Dhahabi, al-Juz’ al-maqfood min Siyaar A’laam al-Nubalaa’, 416)
Shaykh al-Dhahabee also said,
‘A large number of women... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1179 Regarded as an authority of hadith and fiqh, she was the grand daughter of one of the famous companions, Asad ibn Zararah Ansari (radhiAllahu anhu). The scholar, Imam Bukhari said that she was like the secretary for Aisha (radhiAllahu anha), the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam)'s wife, and one of her best students. People who sent Aisha gifts/presents and letters, would send it through her.
Imaam Ahmad said,
"She was an eminent theologian and a great scholar. She was tutored in the lap of 'A'isha (radhi Allahu anha), narrated many ahadith from her and she is very reliable, had an excellent memory... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1178 History records few scholarly enterprises, at least before modern times, in which women have played an important and active role side by side with men. The science of hadith forms an outstanding exception in this respect.
Islam, as a religion which (unlike Christianity) refused to attribute gender to the Godhead,[1] and never appointed a male priestly elite to serve as an intermediary between creature and Creator, started life with the assurance that while men and women are equipped by nature for complementary rather than identical roles, no spiritual superiority inheres in the masculine principle.[2] As a result, the Muslim community was... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:843 Shaykhah Umm ‘Abdillaah ‘Aa’ishah Bint Muqbil Ibn Haadi, Al-Wadi’eeyah: She is the daughter of Shaykh Muqbil, a late Yemeni scholar. She is one who loves the Sunnah [Prophetic Guidance] and calls to Allaah upon knowledge and understanding, and is a strong researcher who hates blind following and strives on understanding the proof and acting upon it. Her students love her and she loves them with a strong love, and Allaah benefited her students by her, and made some of them callers to Allaah as well.
She teaches ‘As-Sunnah’ by Ibn Abee ‘Aasim, and ‘Qatarun-Nadaa’ and she has previously taught ‘Al-Qawlul-Mufeed’ by... Women Scholars 27 Dec 2009 Hits:1670
Today, as my eyes were scanning through the various books on an Islamic bookshelf, I happened to pick up a copy of Saheeh Muslim. It is the second most authentic Hadeeth collection after Saheeh Al-Bukhari and was written by the illustrious scholar, Abu'l-Husain 'Asakir-ud-Din Muslim b. Hajjaj al-Qushayri al-Naisaburi.
Imaam Muslim was from Nishapur - a place, as we will come to learn, where some of the most prominent female scholars who studied and taught the Saheeh of Imaam Muslim resided. Nishapur (or Nishabur) is a city in the Razavi Khorasan province in northeastern Iran and is situated in a fertile plain... Women Scholars 22 Sep 2011 Hits:1402
She was one of the the teachers of the Shaykhs Ibn Taymiyyah, Al-Mizzi, and al-Dhahabee, al-Birzaali, and other famous scholars of that time.
Mohammad Akram Nadwi, in his book ‘al-Muhaaddithat’ wrote,
‘…Imaam ibn Taymiyyah (d. 728) probably the greatest thinker and jurist of his time, received hadeeth from a number of women and included some hadeeths from them in his Forty Hadeeths. He expressed very high esteem for their knowledge, understanding and intelligence, as well as their righteousness and piety, and he praised some of them fulsomely for their efforts in preaching and reform…’ (Pg 141, Al-Muhaddithat: the women scholars of Islam... Women Scholars 02 Apr 2010 Hits:1679Amat al-Ghafoor bint Ishaaq al-Dihlawi
Farhat Hashmi
Fatimah bint al-Mundhir ibn al-Zubayr ibn al ‘Awaam
Fatimah bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad
Fatimah bint Yahya
Hafsah bint Seereen (Part 1)
Hafsah bint Seereen (Part 2)
Hafsah bint Seereen (Part 3)
Hafsah bint Seereen (Part 4)
Kaamilah Al Kawaaree
Kareema Carol Czerepinski
Kareemah bint Ahmad Al Marwaziyyah
Maryam bint Jahsh
Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 1]
![Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 1]](/images/stories/scenery/Scenery0494-1.jpeg "Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 1]")
Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 2]
![Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 2]](/images/stories/scenery/natural-scenery-20.jpg "Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 2]")
Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 3]
![Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 3]](/images/stories/frontpage_slider/books.jpg "Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 3]")
Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 4]
![Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 4]](/images/stories/scenery/1270015318-P2G5HG7.jpg "Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 4]")
Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 5]
![Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 5]](/images/stories/frontpage_slider/nightmoondawn.jpg "Mu 'aadhah Al 'Adawiyyah [Part 5]")
Nafeesah bint Ameer al-Mu’mineen al-Hasan ibn Zayd
Short Miscellaneous Biographies of Women Scholars
The Women Scholars of Madinah
Umm Al-Sa'ad Al-Askandariyyah
Umm Zaynab, Fatimah bint 'Abbas ibn Ali al-Fath, al-Baghdaadiyyah
Umrah Bint Abdur-Rahman
Women Scholars of Hadeeth
Women Students of Shaykh Muqbil
Women who Studied and Taught Saheeh Muslim
Zaynab bint Makki ibn Ali
Women Scholars