Muslim Women’s Contribution towards Education

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Today, some of us have the biased perception that, there is a restriction in Muslim women education in Islam and they are in a backward position in acquiring knowledge then other women. Sometimes we want to deny the contribution of Muslim women in spreading knowledge. But when we will study the Muslim women contribution in spreading knowledge and their significance in every sector of science in the Golden age of Muslim our perception about Muslim women education in Islam will change.

There were some extraordinary women from the Golden age of Muslim civilization who left their mark on their societies, and worked alongside men to advance their communities. Their inspiring stories, charismatic personalities and determination to contribute to the development of their environment make them beacons that guide young women and men today.

Fatima Al-Fihri is one of them from 9th century. In the year 859, founded the University of Al Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, which is possibly the first university in the world. Students travelled there from all over the world to study Islamic studies, astronomy, languages, and sciences. Arabic numbers became known and used in Europe through this university.

Fatima and her sister Mariam vowed to dedicate their wealth for the benefit of their community. The university produced great thinkers such as Abu Al-Abbas, the jurist Muhammad Al- Fasi, and Leo Africanus, a renowned traveler and writer. Other prominent names associated with the institution include the Maliki jurist Ibn Al-Arabi, the historian Ibn Khaldun, and the astronomer Al-Bitruji(Alpetragius).


Figure: University of Al Qarawiyyin

According to UNESCO, the University of Qarawiyyin is the oldest operational educational institution in the world. The fact that the first university in the world was founded by a woman is fascinating, and her being a Muslim woman makes it even more so.

Al-Ijliya Al-Astrulabi is another woman from 10th century. The making of astrolabes, a branch of applied science of great status, was practiced by many include one woman from Aleppo(Syria), Mariam* “Al-Astrolabiya” Al-Ijliya (Al-‘Ijliyah bint al-‘Ijli al-Asturlabi), who followed her father’s profession and was employed at the court of Sayf al-Dawlah, one of the powerful Hamdanid rulers in northern Syria who guarded the frontier with the Byzantine empire in the tenth century CE.


Figure: Mariam "Al-Astrolabiya" Al-Ijliya

Sutaya Al-Mahmali is another Muslim woman from 10th century who did not specialize in just one subject but excelled in many fields such as Arabic literature, hadith, and jurisprudence such as mathematics. It is said that she was an expert in hisab(arithmetic) and fara’idh (success oral calculations), both being practical branches of mathematics which were well developed in her time. It is said also that she invented solutions to equations which have been cited by other mathematicians, which denote aptitude in algebra. Although these equations were few, they demonstrated that her skills in mathematics went beyond a simple aptitude to perform calculations.


Figure: Sutaya Al-Mahmali

Zaynab Al Shahda another Muslim contributor from 12th century who was a famous female calligrapher renowned for her work in fiqh (Islamic law) and hadiths, in addition to her husn-I khatt. She was highly praised and positioned, and was appointed as teacher of Yaqut, the last Abbasid Caliph. She was also the calligrapher in the Musa Palace. She spent her time studying science and literature.


Figure: Zaynab Al Shahda

So we can see that the Muslim women were not backward and they contributed to the spreading of knowledge across the world. Muslim women are more braving, stunning and more adventurous than any other women. There is no way to deny the contribution of Muslim women in spreading knowledge which is also enlightens us in the modern age. After discussing the contributions of Muslims women in education and in spreading knowledge across the world who does not want to admit the importance of women education and women empowerment my suggestion for them, go back to your mother’s womb!

from: google, saudigazette, qz, 1001inventions

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