Outstanding Women Scholars of Islam

8th century to 20th century

By Zakaria Virk, Toronto, Canada

There is a misconception that there have been no women scholars in Islam. In this article we are
presenting brief biographies of 55 eminent Muslim women who were gifted scholars. Some
woman established girls schools and some were matrons of scholars. Some were rulers who
spent money stupendously in disseminating knowledge. Some were lecturers, authors and some
were translators. Some women were so learned that men drank from the fountain of their
knowledge. Each woman described here contributed to the sum total of human knowledge in her
own unique way.

We agree there should have been more woman scholars, but the severe social taboos and
religious restrictions placed on women in Islamic countries were insurmountable barriers in their
pursuit of knowledge. Women were not allowed to go out of their houses. To this day in many
modern Islamic societies women are considered a distracting influence. Some men feel
threatened by the educated woman or consider them a challenge to their authority. Women were
obliged to observe veil-purdah which was a hindrance in interacting with male professors. They
were not allowed to talk to strangers. Mothers taught their young daughters acquiescence to
male domination. Men were considered inherently superior. Women were expected to procreate,
satisfy men, stay at home and raise children. Any time a woman did something on her own free
will it was considered disgrace to family honour. In the 10th century Muslim scholars banished
women from mosques claiming dogs, donkeys (unbelievers) and women disrupt prayer just by
passing too near a mosque. Independent travel by women was not allowed. Women, evil
temptresses, who acted like men were cursed. Immodest women aroused uncontrollable urges in
men. (M. French, History of Women, page 281)
Some woman, however were allowed to attend schools, hence they made a name as we shall see
in this article.

Muslim woman daring to read a book

- the best person in the sight of God is one

reading a book.

Things are improving around the world. In particular those Muslim woman who have been born
or raised in the Western culture. These women are making big strides in every field. Those
women, who emigrated from Muslim countries to Europe or America, have made tremendous
advances because they are free to think and make choices. As for Muslim countries, women are
scoring victories, small and large. Iran's parliament compromised with conservative clerics to
allow a single young woman to study abroad, albeit with her father's permission. Bangladesh
passed legislation increasing the punishments for crimes against women, including rape,
kidnapping and acid attacks. Egypt has banned female circumcision and made it easier for
women to sue for divorce. In Qatar women have the right to participate in municipal elections
and are promised the same rights in first-ever parliamentary balloting in 2003. Bahrain has
assured women voters and candidates that they will be included in new elections for its
suspended parliament. Saudi Arabia has started issuing ID cards to women since 2010 so they
can travel in the absence of a guardian though permission is still needed. Turkish parliament has
reformed family law. Previously, a man was the head of the household, able to make unilateral
decisions concerning children. No more. The law also establishes community property in
marriages and raises the marriageable age of girls from 15 to 18. In India and Pakistan womens
plight is so egregious that it is better not to say anything. In May 2014 a pregnant 25 years old
woman was bricked to death near the Lahore High Court because she married the man she loved.
When we compare the plight of women in Muslim countries with that in the Western world it
was no different. In Europe and America university women were confined to basement
laboratories and attic offices. They crawled behind furniture to attend science lectures. They
worked in universities without pay as volunteers, in the US as late as 1970s. Science was
supposed to be rigorous and rational; women were deemed to be soft, physically weak and
irrational. Until 1920s most European high schools for girls were finishing schools. Women who
wanted university training had to hire private tutors to learn math, science, Latin and Greek
required subjects for admission to a university.
If a woman established a scientific partnership with a man, it was assumed that he was the brains
and she was the brawn. Western women suffered racial and religious discrimination. German

mathematician Emmy Noether (1935), founder of abstract algebra & who did difficult
calculations for Einstein, lectured in Gottingen under another mathematicians name after the
Prussian government refused her to be a university lecturer. Nobel Prize winner Italian Rita LeviMontalcini began her research in her bedroom hidden from the Nazis. China born C.S. Wu
(d.1997) who overturned law of parity could not get a research job during WWII due to
discrimination against Asians. Gertrude B Elion, winner of Nobel Prize in medicine 1998 worked
without pay. In the US universities were the main sponsors of research positions for men. Gerty
Cori (Nobel Prize 1947) husband Carl was offered a job of his dreams at an American university,
provided he stopped working with his wife. Collaborating with ones wife in the 1920s was unAmerican.
For women science education was much easier than getting a research job. Most colleges,
universities, industry and government refused to hire women. Majority of women scientists
taught in womens colleges. Only 4% of women scientists in the US were employed by colleges
and universities, in low ranking positions such as instructors, assistants, and assistant professors.
Where some women succeeded in science it was due to religious values stressing education.
Astronomer Joycelyn Bell Burnell, discoverer of pulsars was a Quaker. Half of the women who
won Nobel prizes had Jewish background. Of the three women born and educated in the US, &
who won Nobel prizes two are Jews. The Jews commitment to learning and abstract thinking
has helped them immensely.
Before the WWII in the 40s Princeton Institute NJ, Columbia University NY, and Massachusetts
institute of Technology refused to admit women as students. Maria Mayer, Emmy Noether, Lise
Meitner and Hertha Sponer none of them became a regular professor in Germany. Johns Hopkins
in Baltimore was a coeducational medical school, but the university JHU was vehemently
opposed to admitting women as regular undergraduates. Maria Mayer, winner of 1963 Nobel
Prize in physics, was never listed with 30 male research associates at Johns Hopkins in its
catalog. When she asked for an empty office on the main floor, she was sent to the attic. She
worked there for a number of years without pay just to stay active in physics.
(Nobel Prize women in Science by Sharon McGrayne, Joseph Henry Press, Washington dc 1998

Brief Biographies of Muslim woman scholars

Rbya al-Adawyya

(d. 801) Iraq

Hadhrat Rabya Basri (or Rabya al-Adwiyya ) was a prominent scholar of Sufi Islam. She was a
women-slave of the tribe of Qais bin Addi, hence she was called Adwiyya. By virtue of her
external and internal beauty she was given the title of Umm al-Khair (mother of virtues). One of
her title is Taj al-Rijal that is Crown of Men.
She was born in Basra (Iraq) in 713 in a very poor family. As she was the fourth daughter of her
parents, she was given the name of Rabya (fourth). In her childhood someone snatched her and
sold her as a slave, so she grew up as a slave. While doing the house work, whenever she got a
free moment she prayed. Seeing this owner freed her. There is no written record of her education,
her teachers, nor that did she get education from male teachers while sitting behind a screen.

Some historians say she remained a celibate all her life, while others say she got married, had
children but became a widow in her old age. No one knows how many children she had. All of
her biographers have praised her piety, her wisdom, and her ascetic high status.
It is stated that after freedom from slavery she lived in a desert. In this period she had close
contact with God. Now she settled down in Basra, her fame spreading far and wide on account of
her ascetics, her mystic knowledge and direct communion with the Creator. People started
flocking to her which included many pious people, religious divines like Imam Sufian Sauri,
Hazrat Malik bin Dinar, Hazrat Shafiq Balkhi.
Her discourses were penned down which show she was intoxicated with the intense love of God.
All she wanted was the pleasure of God. Her love of God was selfless, it was totally for Him.
She would exhort people to do the same. She founded Sufi school of Divine Love, which
emphasizes the loving of God for His own sake, rather than out of fear of punishment or desire
for reward. She lays this out in one of her poems:
O God! 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.
Once someone suggested to her why you dont ask for help from those who profess their loyalty
to you. She replied I am ashamed of asking for something from God who is owner of all things,
then why should I ask for something from those who are not true owners. On one occasion she
said: Is God going to forget the poor on account of their poverty, or is He going to remember
rich due to their wealth? When He knows the situation I am in, why should I remind him?
Whatever He wills we should submit to that.
Once Rabaya noticed a young man wearing a head band. She asked him the reason for this; he
said it was due to headache. She asked how old are you? He replied 30. She asked him during
these 30 years did you ever fall sick? He replied NO. Hazrat Rabia retorted: In these 30 years
you did not wear a headband of thankfulness but one days sickness you are wearing a band of
ungratefulness.
A man asked her do you consider Allah to be your friend. She replied indeed I consider Him my
friend. The man asked now do you consider Satan your enemy? She replied I am so engrossed in
the love of Allah that I am not the least fearful of Satan, nor do I have time to think about it.
Once a group of Basra residents came to her and asked why have men been given certain
positions which women were not? Does this not mean that women are dim-witted, and for this
reason evidence of two women is equal to one man? Then only men have been given the prophet
hood, and God deprived women of this distinction. Hazrat Rabaya said: O my brothers have you
ever heard of any women claiming to be God, only men have done this. As far why no women
have been granted the status of prophethood, you should also think about all those prophets,
siddiq, Shaheed and wali who were given birth by women. They were educated & raised by
women. This is no mean feat. Everyone was speechless with this reply.

She was an accomplished poet. Imam Ghazali has quoted many of her poems in his book Ahya
Uloom-dim. She passed away in 801 and was buried in Basra, Iraq. (Mashahir Niswan, Tazkirat
ul aulia, Daira Maarif Islamia).

Princess Aaliyya

8th century Iraq

Princess Aaliyya was the daughter of 3rd Abbasid Caliph Mahdi (d.785). Her father made sure she
was given good education. She studied Quran and Hadith and was conversant of other subjects.
She loved poetry and music. She was a beautiful combination of faith and worldly matters.
Aliyya was a devout Muslim who offered her Salat and fasted religiously. After Fajr prayers she
used to recite Quran in a melodious voice, later on studied books of all sorts. In her spare time
she would shut the door of her room and played music.
She was intelligent and a paragon of beauty. However she had a scar on her forehead which
looked awful. In order to cover this scar she invented a piece of jewellery which was studded
with diamonds. After she started wearing it, it wasnt very long that it was copied in many other
countries. In India and Pakistan this piece of jewellery is called Jhoomer which is worn usually
by brides on the occasion of their wedding. Hence her memory is alive in the form of this
unusual jewellery. She passed away during the reign of Caliph Mamoon al-Rasheed at the age of
fifty. (daily Kohistan, Lahore 20th March 1964 & Aqdal Fareed).

Hazrat Amna Ramliyya

b.780 Baghdad

Hazrat Amna Ramliyya was a distinguished scholar and mystic of 8th century. She was born in
780 in Ramla, a suburb of Baghdad. As her parents were poor she could not get good education.
However she participated in the lectures of Majid Haram in Mecca and gained intimate
knowledge of Quran and Hadith. Imam Malik was giving lessons in Medina, so she moved there.
She was trained in the science of Hadith for many years and memorized one hundred Prophetic
traditions.
She journeyed to Mecca for the second time to be instructed in problems of jurisprudence. She
was 36 at time. When Imam Shafee left for Egypt, she moved to Kufa which was a magnet for
scholars and writers. She took lesson from various scholars; soon she was an outstanding scholar
in her own right. She started her own halqa dars circle of study which was attended by top
class learned men of Hadith. Hazrat Imam Hanbal was an admirer of her high status, fertile
mind, and unique abilities. (Daira Maarif Islamiyya, Mashaheer Niswan)

Hazrat Nafeesa binte Hassan

d.824 Egypt

Hazrat Nafeesa binte Hassan is considered to be one of the preeminent scholars and mystics of
8th century. She was a descendant of Hazrat Ali bin Talib (599-661). She was raised in the family
of the Prophet of Islam. She was an embodiment of sterling virtues. She committed to memory
entire Nobel Quran, then mastered tafseer, hadith and various other religious sciences. She would
spend most of her time in remembrance of Allah. After her marriage to cousin Ishaq bin Jaafar
Sadiq she lived for a long time in Medina and Mecca. During this period hundreds of scholars
were educated under her guidance so much so that she was given the title of Nafisatul Ilm wal-

maarifat. She went to Egypt with her illustrious husband, and settled there permanently. While
in Egypt she devoted more time to worship and seeking pleasure of God. She would tremble at
the recitation of word Allah. She recited istighfar (Gods forgiveness) all the time. She performed
Hajj 30 time in her lifetime.
Famous Islamic jurist Hazrat Imam Shafee (d.820) was a contemporary of Hazrat Nafeesa. Both
exchanged views on important intellectual questions. One report says that Imam Shafee sought
guidance in matters of Hadith from her. Both recognized each others high scholarly status.
Imam wrote in his Will that when I die my body should be taken in front of her house, so she
performed funeral prayer inside her house. When she passed away in 824, her husband wanted
her to be buried in Medina but people of Egypt would not let this happen. It was a national day
of mourning in Egypt. Accordingly she was buried near Cairo. Her tomb is called Mashad
Nafeesa which is visited by millions every day.
(Mshaheer Niswan, Ibn Khallikan)

Fatima Muhammad Al-Fihri

(d.880)

She was chiefly known as the founder of the world's first academic degree-granting institution of
higher education, which is still in operation today as the University of Qarawiyyin in Fes,
Morocco. Fatima Al-Fihri was the daughter of Muhammad Al-Fihri, a wealthy businessman.
After Fatima and her sister Mariam inherited their deceased father's fortune, they decided to
support the construction of mosques or educational institutions such as the Qarwiyyin mosque as
a waqf endowment.

University of Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco.

In 859, Fatima founded the world's first academic degree-granting institution of higher
education, which is still in operation today as the University of Qarawiyyin in Fes, Morocco.[1]
The university was regarded as a major intellectual centre in the Mediterranean. Its excellent
reputation attracted Gerbert of Auvergne to study there. Auvergne later went on to become Pope
Sylvester II and has been given credit for introducing Arabic numerals and the concept of zero to
the rest of Europe. Fatima's sister Mariam is said to have been responsible for the construction of
the Al-Andalus (Andalusian) Mosque in Fez. (Wikipedia).

Queen Boran

9th century

Khadija commonly known as Queen Boran was wife of Caliph Mamoon al-Rasheed (786-833).
She was born in 806, and got married to Mamoon at the age of 10. Mamoons Prime Minister
Hassan bin Sahal spent five million dirham at the wedding. In the role of a Queen, Boran was
famous for her obedience, her superb abilities, and incredible housekeeping. Soon she
overwhelmed the Caliph with her wit and wisdom. She was generous and gave out large sums as
charity. In Baghdad many hospitals and schools were constructed especially a girls school. She
passed away at the ripe old age of 80.

Bibi Safiyya and Bibi Muazzina

-9

th

century

Bibi Safiyya was an eminent scholar during the reign of Amir Abdur Rahman III (889-961), ruler
of Islamic Spain. Her father was Abdullah Razi. Besides having mastery over several branches of
knowledge, she was an incredible calligrapher. She had good command over poetry. Her poetry
style was simple but full of meaning. The ruler admired her poetry greatly.
Bibi Muazzina lived also during the reign of Amir Abdur Rahman III in Islamic Spain. She was
a slave in the haram of the ruler. She was blessed with melodious voice. She was exquisite poet
enjoying felicity of phrase. Caliph used to listen to her poetry in her own voice. She was an
excellent writer; her articles were prime example of elegant composition and style.

Bibi Qadeyfa 10

th

century

Bibi Qadeyfa was a leading scholar during the reign of Caliph al-Hakam II (ruled 961-976) of
Islamic Spain. Caliph Hakam himself was very well versed in numerous sciences. He would
have books purchased from Damascus, Baghdad, Constantinople, Cairo, Mecca, Medina, Kufa,
and Basra and brought to Spain. As a patron of sciences brought him fame across the Muslim
world to the point that even books written in Persia were dedicated to him. During his reign, a
massive translation effort was undertaken, and many books were translated from Latin and Greek
into Arabic. He formed a joint committee of Muladi Muslims and Mozarab Catholics for this
task. His personal library was of enormous proportions. Some accounts speak of him having
more than 600,000 books. The catalogue of his royal library consisted of 44 volumes.
Qadeyfa was passionate about reading books on various sciences and collecting books for her
private library. She had a worthy collection of books. With an elegant speech she became a
prodigious orator. (Jose Antonio Conde -History of Spain, Historia de la Dominacin de los rabes en
Espaa,)

Lubna of Cordoba

(d. 984).

Originally a slave-girl of Spanish origin, Lubna rose to become one of the most important figures
in the Umayyad palace in Cordoba. She was the palace secretary of the caliphs Abd al-Rahmn
III (d. 961) and his son al-Hakam b. Abd al-Rahmn (d. 976). She was also a skilled
mathematician and presided over the royal library, which consisted of over 400,000 books.
Famous Andalusian scholar Ibn Bashkuwl says: She excelled in writing, grammar, and poetry.

Her knowledge of mathematics was also immense and she was proficient in other sciences as
well. There were none in the Umayyad palace as noble as her. [Ibn Bashkuwal, Kitab alSilla (Cairo, 2008), Vol. 2: 324]. In the library of Cordoba, she was responsible reproduce, write
and translate new volumes. She was also with Hasdai ibn Shaprut at the initiative of creating the
fabulous library of Madinat al-Zahra.
According to Arab chronicles, at the time of Al-Hakam II, there could be, in some areas of
Cordoba, more than 170 women literate responsible for copying books, which gives an idea of
the culture, but also the place of women in the reign of this enlightened Caliph.

Lubna, scribe and scholar of Cordoba

Bibi Aayza bint Ahmad

Bibi Aayza lived in Cordoba during the reign of Caliph al-Hakam. She copied by hand several
dozen books for her patron. Spanish historian Ibn Hayyan says no one could match writings and
discourses of Aayz. She was a one of a kind in Andalus. She was top class poet also.

Bibi Meryem Andalusia

10th century

She was an accomplished scholar born in Shalab (Islamic Spain), later moved to Seville. She
studied religious as well as secular sciences. She founded a girls school in Seville where women
came to study from all over the country. Daughters of well-to-do families of Seville studied
under her guidance. She taught them rhetoric, creativity, literature, belles-lettres and meaning of

poems. Those who completed their education under her became reputable civil servants. Spanish
historian Allama Maqari 15781632 has quoted many of her poems in his celebrated book
Nafh-tayyab (Breath Of Perfumes).

Fatima Bintey Zaka Riyat al-Zableri

10th century

Fatima was Georgian woman in the haram of Caliph al-Hakam II (d.976) , the ruler of Islamic
Spain. She lived in al-Qasr in Lubna. She was a well-educated lady who had a good grip on
grammar, literature, mathamatics and various other secular sciences. Al-Hakam gave her
preference over other ladies of the palace due to her magnificent style of composition and
elegant writing. She was given the task of composing all of imperial letters & orders which were
sterling example of eloquence. No man in Andalus could claim to be equal to her. She had
collected a vast number of literary and technical books. (Jose Antonio Conde, History of Spain, Historia de la
Dominacin de los rabes en Espaa,)

Ayesha bintey Ahmad

10th century Cordoba

Ayesha lived in the 10th century in Cordoba. Historian ibn Hayyan states no women in Andalus
were so proficient in poetry, knowledge and deep understanding of intellectual matters. All the
rulers of Andalus respected her greatly and would shower her gifts and awards. Besides being a
master of various secular sciences she was a magnificent calligrapher. Whoever saw her
handwriting was dumbfounded. She copied scores of books with her own hand and scholars of
Andalus benefited immensely. She was considered one of the top most poets among her
contemporaries. (Mashaeer Niswan).

Bibi Arooziyya

11th century

Bibi Arooziyya is considered one of the internationally renowned scholars of 11th century. She
was a freed slave of Allama Abul Mutrif Abdur Rahman. Bibi lived in Valencia, Islamic Spain.
She was one of kind expert of science of prosody, philology, rhetoric and grammar. She mastered
the subject of grammar from her owner but very soon surpassed her teacher. She knew by heart
Kitab Kamel of Mubarrad and Kitab al-Niwader of Qali. She passed away in 1065 and was
buried in the city of Dania.
(Nafh tayyab by Maqqari)

Ummay Zainuddin

11th century

She was a consummate scholar of 11th century. Although she had good understanding of all the
religious sciences, her speciality was commentary of Nobel Quran. Her brother Imam Abdul
Wahhab was a learned commentator of the Quran who penned a large commentary in thirty
volumes. It is said Ummay Zainuddin had committed the entire volumes of tafsir to memory. Her
son Zainuddin was also a polymath. Her favorite pastime was spending time in worship ibadat
sitting on the musalla. It is said she spent 40 years on the prayer-mat (musalla).

Kareema bintey Ahmad Marozi

11

th

century IRAN

She was a famous scholar of 11th century, daughter of Ahmad bin Muhammad abee Hatem of
Merv Iran. She was enrolled in the study of religious sciences for many years. She studied
Hadith from a variety of divines and received IJAZA (diploma or certificate). The renowned
Hadith narrator of Andalus Abu Bakr bin Sabeq al-Siqli was a disciple of Bibi Kareema Marozi.
After the fall Islamic government in Sicily Abu Bakr travelled to Mecca where he became a
student of Bibi Kareema, subsequently he travelled to Islamic Spain. He settled down in Granada
where he gathered many followers. Famous historian Allama Khateeb Baghdadi has written in
his multi-volume History of Baghdad that he attended the lectures (Daras) of Kareema during
the days of Hajj in Mecca. She was acquainted with mysticism also. This learned lady passed
away 1079.
(History of Sicily)

Fatima Bintey Muhammad Saljooqi

12th century IRAQ

She was daughter of Sultan Ghayasuddin Saljooqi. Fatima was married to 31st Abbasid Caliph alMuktafi lay-Amrillah (d1165). She was a well-mannered, talented lady. She had penetrating
insight in household affairs but politics as well. She used to read and write all royal
correspondence of her illustrious husband. Her opinion in state matters was wide-ranging. Her
official residence Dargah-Khatoon was an important gathering place for all. She died in 1157.
(Syed Ameer Ali)

Ft ima b. Ab al-Qsim Ghlib al-Ansr al-Sharrt

(d. 1216).

She was one of the most learned women in al-Andalus during the late twelfth and early thirteenth
centuries. Her engagement with works of legal theory, jurisprudence as well as mysticism makes
it apparent that she was familiar with a wide variety of Islamic sciences. She was the mother of
the eminent professor Ab al-Qsim b. al-Taylasn. According to the Andalusi scholar Ab
Jafar al-Gharnt (d. 1309): She memorized innumerable books under the guidance of her
father, including al-Makkis Tanbh, al-Quds al-Shihb, Ibn Ubayd al-ulayt alsMukhtasar,
all three of which she knew by heart.
She also memorized the Quran under the guidance of Ab Abd Allh al-Madwar, the great
ascetic who is considered from among the abdl [an important rank within Sufism]. With her
father, she also learned Sahh Muslim, Ibn Hishms Sra Rasool Allah, al-Mubarrads al-Kmil,
al-Baghdds Nawdir, and other works.[Ab Jafar Ahmad b. Ibrhm al-Gharnt ,Kitb Silla
al-Silla (Beirut, 2008), p. 460].
(from the internet)

Safiyya bintey Abdul Malik 12th century, Cordoba

She was daughter of most renowned Andalusian royal surgeon & physician Abu Marwan Abdul
Malik bin abee Ala Zuhr (d.1162). She was trained in obstetrics. Her brother Abu Bakr
Muhammad bin Abdul Malik (aka al-Hafeed) was royal physician of Caliph Yaqoob al-Mansoor
Billah (d.1199). She worked alongside her celebrated brother. Every woman in the royal
household was treated by Safiyya especially during gestation.

Bintey Zuhr

Cordoba

According to some reports Bintey Zuhr was daughter of Abu Bakr al-Hafeed but some say she
was his niece. She was an expert in obstetrics. She treated women in the royal palace also.

Umm al-Hina

Cordoba

She was an Andulasian scholar of 12th century. She was born and raised in Cordoba. Her father
Qazi Abu Muhammad Abdul Haq was a renowned Jurist of his age. Hence she was also
proficient in jurisprudence. Umm al-Hina was a top notch poet and authored books also. Her
father was governor of city of Murcia. She passed away towards the end of 12th century & laid to
rest in a suburb of Cordoba.

Al-Malika al-Hurra Arwa al-Sulayhi

d. 1138

Her full name was Arwa b. Ahmad b. Muhammad al-Sulayh . From 1067 to 1138, she ruled as
the queen of Yemen in her own right. An Isml Shia who was well-versed in various
religious sciences, Quran, hadith, as well as poetry and history. Chroniclers describe her as
being incredibly intelligent. The fact that she ruled in her own right as queen is underscored by
the fact that her name was mentioned in the khutba (Friday sermon) directly after the name of the
Fatimid caliph, al-Mustans ir-billah.

Jibla, Queen Arwas magnificent capital in Yemen

Arwa was given the highest rank in the Yemeni Fatimid religious hierarchy (that of h ujja) by the
Fatimid caliph al-Mustans ir. She was the first woman in the history of Islam to be given such an
illustrious title and to have such authority in the religious hierarchy. Her reign was marked by
various construction projects and improvement of Yemens infrastructure, as well as its increased
integration with the rest of the Muslim world. She was perhaps the single, most important
example of an independent queen in Muslim history.

Shuhda Muhaditha wa katiba

12th century, Baghdad

She was daughter of Abu Nasr Ahmad bin Umar al-Ibri who was a distinguished Islamic scholar
of his time. She was born in 1088 in Deenwar, Iran. She received her early education from her
father, later learnt calligraphy from him as well. She was such a skilled scribe & calligrapher that
expert admitted her high status. She studied Hadith from leading Muhaditheen like Muhammad
bin Ahmad al-Shashee, Ahmad bin Abdul Qadir bin Yusuf and abul-Hussaini. She grew up in
Baghdad as her father moved there at the invitation of the Caliph. She gained reputation in the
science of Hadith so much so scholars visited her from far off places. Her lectures were attended
by prominent scholars. She had good knowledge of history and literature. She was a fiery orator.
Because of her learned status, calligraphy and oratory she was given the title of Fakhru Nisa
(pride of women). Abbasid Caliph Hassan al-Mustade be-Amrillah (r.1170-80) gifted her big
estate so she could continue dissemination of knowledge. With revenues from this gift she built a
school on the banks of Euphrates where hundreds of students were enrolled for free education,
all expenses born by her. She passed away in 1179. Her funeral was offered in the great mosque
Jamay al-Qasr in Baghdad, attended by hundreds of illustrious scholars. (Ibn Khallikan, & Syed
AmeerAli)

Zaifa Khatoon

12th century, Cairo

Zaifa was born in 1186, daughter of al-Malik al-Adil Saifuddin Ayub -brother of Sultan
Salahuddin Ayubi, conqueror of Baitul Maqdas. Zaifa ruled Halab for a while. She was generous,
pious and a stateswoman of extraordinary calibre. She was given the title of al-Malika alRaheemiyya Esmatu Din wa-Duniya. She established many institutions during her rule i.e. a
mosque, a school (madrassa-tul-Firdaus), & a monastery in Halab (Aleppo, Syria).

Khadija bintey Qayyam

b.1213

century Baghdad

She displayed remarkable intellect at an early age. In view of this her father encouraged her to
study. Soon she learnt Kitabat calligraphy and the art of reciting Quran (qirat). She attended the
lectures of Karima Muhaditha and ibn Shirazi in Baghdad, later she attended lectures in Egypt of
Ibn al-Khamizi and Ali bin Mukhtar Aamri. After these travels she started her own scholarly
lectures attended by countless women. In Tabuk and Damascus she imparted knowledge through
Hadith lectures. She had a knack for Arabic literature, especially outstanding literary work of
Maqamat Hariri; her commentaries on this book were noteworthy. http://www.arabacademy.com/arabicblog/arabic-books/hariris-al-maqamat/

Raziya Sultan

d. 1240

Raziya Sultan was the ruler of the Sultanate of Delhi (1236 -1240). In fact she was the first
woman ruler of India. Raziya refused to be addressed as Sultana because it meant "wife or
mistress of a sultan". She would answer only to the title "Sultan"
Her father, Sultan Shams al-Dn Eltumish (r. 1210-1236) had Raziya designated as heir apparent
before his death, thereby making her the official sovereign of the sultanate. Her father took
special care of her education. From her childhood she showed signs of keen observation and

intelligence. After studying the Quran she was schooled in traditional Islamic subjects by
prominent Muslim scholars. As far the art of war, she was instructed in horsemanship, swordswomenship, and bow shooting. Her father personally mentored her in the art of governance, so
much so he would at times seek her political advice. When going out of the capital on an
expedition, her father would designate her all powers. Sultan Shamsuddin had 8 sons, but he
favoured her over all of them. She had all the qualities of a monarch.
She was a major patron (or matron) of learning, establishing schools and libraries across northern
India. She gave funds for preaching of Islam by successors of Khawaja Qutubuddin Kaki. In all
matters, she behaved like a sultan, leading armies, sitting upon the throne and even adopting the
same royal dress as her father; to the outrage of many. She also insisted on appearing unveiled in
royal court because she felt veiling was a hindrance for ruling with an even hand. Author of 23
volume Islamic world history book Tabaqat-e-Naseri (Pesian 1260), Maulana Minhaj-i- Siraj
conferred upon her the title of Aalem-Nawaz matron of scholars. In 1240, she was overthrown
in a rebellion by the nobles of the kingdom, whoamong other thingswere strongly opposed
to

Indian actor Hima Malini played the role of Raziya Sultan

She was a major patron of learning, establishing schools and libraries across northern India. She
gave funds for preaching of Islam by successors of Khawaja Qutubuddin Kaki. In all matters, she
behaved like a monarch-sultan, leading armies, sitting upon the throne and even adopting the
same royal dress as her father; to the outrage of many conservatives. She also insisted on
appearing unveiled in royal court because she felt veiling was a hindrance for ruling with an even
hand. Maulana Minhaj-i- Siraj, author of 23 volume Islamic world history book Tabaqat-eNaseri (Pesian 1260), conferred upon her the title of Aalem-Nawaz patron of scholars. In

1240, she was overthrown in a rebellion by the nobles of the kingdom, whoamong other things
were strongly opposed to being ruled by a woman and killed her.

Rafiq Zakarias Razia: Queen of India (1966), Ibn Batuta- Travelogue, Sayyara Digest Lahore March 1988, Nigar Lucknow Feb.
1948

Shajar al-Durr

d. 1257

She was the widow of the Ayyubid sultan al-Slih Ayyb (r. 1240-1249) and played an important role in
Egyptian politics following her husbands death. She was most likely of Turkic origin, beginning her life
as a slave-girl in the Ayyubid court. By 1250, she had become the ruler of Egypt; her reign is generally
considered to mark the beginning of the Mamluk dynasty of Egypt.
She played an important role in the preparations in defending northern Egypt against the Seventh
Crusade, defeating the crusaders (although she herself was not present) at the Battle of Fariskur (1250)
and taking King Louis IX of France captive. She was the effective head-of-state and her name was
mentioned in the khutba and coins minted in her name with the title Malikat al-Muslimn (Queen of the
Muslims).
However, it was difficult for people to accept being ruled solely by a woman and in August 1250, as a
result of various pressures, she married her commander-in-chief Izz al-Dn Aybak, who became the first
Mamluk sultan. Despite the marriage, Shajar al-Durr maintained her power and was even able to ensure

that documents of state bore the names of both sovereigns, rather than only that of Aybak.
However, in 1257 she decided to eliminate her husband in bath. When this was discovered, she
was deposed and brutally killed, bringing her reign to a tragic end. History of Egypt

Tomb of Shajar al-Durr in Cairo

Umm al-Khair Jamal-u-Nisa

d.1241

She was born in Baghdad. By virtue of her intelligence and wisdom she became a bright star on
the horizon and reached greatest heights of fame. She was given the title of Jamal-u-Nisa (jewel
of women) because of her breadth of knowledge. She mastered the science of Hadith from such
distinguished scholars of age as ibn al-Batee, Abul Muzaffar Kaghzi, and Shuja al-Harbi.
Thereafter she started her own lectures which were attended by hundreds of people. Her famous
students were eminent Muhaditheen in their own right - Fatima bintey Sulaiman, Ibn Shahna, Ibn
Saada, Ismail bin Asaakar, Qazi Taqiuddin Sulaiman. She passed away in 1241.

Zaynab b. Ahmad

(d. 1339).

She was one of the most eminent Islamic scholars of the fourteenth century. Zaynab belonged to
the Hanbal School of jurisprudence and resided in Damascus. She had acquired a number of
ijazas (diplomas or certifications) in various fields, most notably hadith. In the early fourteenth
century, she taught such books as Sahh Bukhri, Sahh Muslim, the Muwatta of Mlik b. Anas,
the Shamil of al-Tirmidh, and al-Tahws Sharh Man al-Athr.
Among her students was the world famous traveler Ibn Battta (d. 1369), Tj al-Dn al-Subk (d.
1355), al-Dhahab (d. 1348), and her name appears in several dozen of the isnads of Ibn Hajar alAsqaln (d. 1448). It is important to point out that Zaynab was only one of hundreds of female
scholars of hadith during the medieval period in the Muslim world. For more on the role of Muslim
women in hadith scholarship, read Asma Sayeeds Women and the Transmission of Religious Knowledge in Islam
(2013) and Mohammad Akram Nadwis Al-Muhaddithat: The Women Scholars of Islam (2007).

Malika Bibi Rajee

India d.1477

She was a devout, intelligent, religious stateswoman of 15th century. She was the granddaughter
of Syed Khizar Khan who was the founder of Saadat Family rulers of Delhi. The third ruler

Muhammad Shah (1420-1432) was her brother. She was married to ruler of Jaunpur Sultan
Mahmud Shah who ruled 1440-1457. She undertook many welfare projects in Jaunpur and was
passionate about the dissemination of knowledge. She built mosques, schools, monasteries,
guesthouses, and bridges.
Some of the magnificent structures are still standing today i.e. Masjid Laldarwaza Jaunpur,
Masjid Bibi-raja, Village of Syed Alipur, Dargah Sulaiman which was built 65 feet above ground
with a spectacular dome. She supported a large number of scholars and admired intellectuals.
She used to give them stipends as well as prizes. She was generous towards those desirous of
seeking knowledge. Students received scholarships, even paid their living expenses. She was a
feminist, advocating womens right to education, to this end founded a girls school. She made
sure women could get education even while observing veil. She started new names for Islamic
calendar months so uneducated women could relate to Hijri-calendar. Some names gained much
acceptance from the populace in India like Teera-tezi, barawafat, shabrat, eid, baqareid.

Maleka Gauharshad Aga Begum 1457 Afghanistan/ Iran

She was queen of Mirza Shahrukh (1377-1447) son of Ameer Taimur (Tamerlane 1336-1405).
She was educated by outstanding teachers when she displayed interest in literature and history.
She loved to be in the company of scholars, like her illustrious husband, and generously looked
after the maintenance of learned people.
Both husband and wife were interested in the dissemination of knowledge. They rebuilt several
mosques and theological colleges (madrassa) that were destroyed by Tatars. New mosques and
madrassas were built as well, of which Mashad mosque is noteworthy which was built near the
mausoleum of Imam Ali Raza (d.800). Maleka Gauharshad funded the construction of a grand
mosque and a madrassa in Herat in 1437. She established department of Auqaf to take care of the
expenditure of this college. Many world renowned teachers taught here like Pride of Scholars
Aseeluddin, Kamaluddin Masood Sherwani, Maulana Khalilullah Samaqandi. This mosque and
school were torn down at the express orders of Ameer Abdur Rahman, ruler of Afghanistan at the
ill advice of a British engineer. This patron of scholars and learning was assassinated by her
grandson Mirza Aboo Sayeed in 1457.
Her son Mirza Ulugh Beg (1449) was a celebrated astronomer, brilliant mathematician and
patron of sciences.
As described in Wikipedia Ulugh Beg was also notable for his work in astronomy-related
mathematics, such as trigonometry and spherical geometry. He built the great Ulugh Beg
Observatory in Samarkand between 1424 and 1429. It was considered by scholars to have been
one of the finest observatories in the Islamic world at the time and the largest in Central Asia.[2]
He built the Ulugh Beg Madrasah (14171420) in Samarkand and Bukhara, transforming the
cities into cultural centers of learning in Central Asia.

Sayyida al-Hurra

d. 1542 Granada

Sayyida al-Hurra was one of the most intriguing Muslim figures of the sixteenth century. She
was originally from the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, but was forced to flee following its
conquest by Christian Spain in 1492. Like many Andalusi Muslims, she settled in Morocco and,
along with her husband, fortified and ruled the town of Tetouan. Following the death of her
husband in 1515, she became the sole ruler of the city, which grew in strength and population as
more Andalusi Muslims were exiled or driven out of Iberia in the early sixteenth century. For
various reasons, including the desire to avenge the destruction of al-Andalus and the forcible
conversion to Christianity of Muslims there, she turned to piracy and transformed Tetouan into a
major base of naval operations against Spain and Portugal. She allied with the famous Ottoman
corsair-turned-admiral Kheireddin Barbarossa (1478 4 July 1546) in Algiers and together
they dealt a serious blow to Spanish imperial power in North Africa and the Western
Mediterranean.
For a good look at her life, see Fatima Mernissis The Forgotten Queens of Islam (1997), where the author discusses al-Sayyida
al-Hurra as well as other important female figures in the medieval Muslim world. (article from the internet )

Par Khn Khnum

(d. 1578). Iran

She was a Safavid princess and daughter of Shah Tahmasp I (r. 1524-1576) by a Circassian
mother. She was one of the most influential Iranian women in the sixteenth century. She was
renowned as an educated woman and was well-versed in traditional Islamic sciences, i.e.
jurisprudence. She was also known to be an excellent poet. Par Khn Khnum played an
important role in securing the succession of her brother Isml II to the Safavid throne.
However, during Ismls short reign, her influence waned. During the reign of Ismls
successor, Mohammad Khodabanda, she was killed because she was seen to wield too much
influence and power. For more, see Shohreh Gholsorkhis Pari Khan Khanum: A Masterful Safavid Princess, Iranian
Studies 28 (1995): 143-156.

Gulbadan Begum 16

http://www.loonwatch.com/tag/pari-khan-khanum/
th

century India

She was daughter of King Zaheeruddin Babar, founder of Mughal dynasty in India. Born in
Kabul in 1522 when her august father was ruling over vast swath of territory, instead of the tiny
city state of Farghana. Gulbadan showed signs of brilliance early on. Her family took special
interest in her education. Soon she was accepted as a leading poet of Persian and Turkish
languages. She was 3 when Babar went to India to conquer it. In 1575 she went to Mecca to
perform Hajj with an entourage of royal ladies. On the way back from Hajj, their ship struck a
mountain near Aden, where they were stuck for 1.5 years. She returned to Fatehpur Seekri after
seven years in 1582.

published by Sang-e-Meel Publications, Lahore Pakistan 2002 - 427 pages

Upon her arrival, her nephew King Jalaluddin Akbar commissioned her to chronicle the story of
her brother Humayun. Akbar was fond of his aunt and knew of her storytelling skills - requested
her to write biography of King Humayun. Accordingly she penned Humayun Nama. For 300
years this biography lay hidden until Mrs Annette Beveridge discovered this book after a lot of
effort and going through records of European libraries. Mrs. Beveridge added some stuff as well
like bio of Gulbadan, had it translated into English, explained many Turkish words, gave brief
biographies of many royal ladies (harem) whose names were listed in the book, prepared a
detailed list of peoples names. English translation was printed from London in 1902.
She appears to have been an educated, gentle, virtuous, and cultured woman of royalty. She was
avid reader and enjoyed the confidence of both her brother Humayun and nephew Akbar. From
her account it is also apparent that she was an astute observer, well versed with the intricacies of
warfare, and the intrigues of royal deal making. She died in Agra in May 1603. Gulbadan and
one of Akbars wives, Salima Sultan were the driving force behind Akbars patronage of the arts
and literature. Of the many things Akbar inherited from his grandfather Babar and father
Humayun was a magnificent library housed in the Shermandal building of Sher Shahi Fort in
Delhi. It is reported there were 24,000 books housed here, whereas 225 topnotch scholars were
attached to his royal court.
Akbar carried the casket on his shoulders for a short distance, stood at the grave for an extended
period of time to show his respect, deep sorrow and invaluable loss. (Maqalate Shibli, Humayun Nama, Urdu
daira Maarif Islamiyya) http://www.boloji.com/index.cfm?md=Content&sd=Articles&ArticleID=703

Saleema Sultan Begum

D.1612 India

She was grand-daughter of Emperor Babar. Her first marriage was to Abdur Raheem
Khanekhana. After his murder she was married to Emperor Akbar. She was youthful, quick on
his feet, good natured, prudent, intelligent, seeker of knowledge, devout and a big hearted lady.
She was well versed in many sciences and was passionate about poetry. She had her own
personal library which house priceless hand written manuscripts and books. Some of the books
from this library are now found in European libraries.

Ksem Sultan

(d. 1651).

Many English-speaking audiences are quite familiar with Roxelana or Hurrem Sultan, the queenconsort of Suleyman I (r. 1520-1566). However, Ksem Sultan seems to be much less known. As

the wife of Ottoman sultan Ahmed I (r. 1603-1617), the mother of the sultans Murad IV (r. 16231640) and Ibrahim (r. 1640-1648), and the grandmother of the sultan Mehmed IV (r. 1648-1687),
she wielded immense influence and can be considered to be perhaps the most powerful woman
in Ottoman history. Originally a Greek with the name Anastasia, she was enslaved at a young age
and brought to the Ottoman palace, where she became the concubine of the sultan Ahmed I.
According to a contemporary source, Cristoforo Valier, in 1616, Ksem was the most powerful
of the sultans associates: she can do what she wishes with the Sultan and possesses his heart
absolutely, nor is anything ever denied to her. Between 1623 and 1632, she served as regent for
her son Murad IV, who took the throne as a minor. Until her assassination in 1651, as a result of
court intrigue, she exercised a major influence on Ottoman politics. For more on Ksem Sultan
and the institution of the Ottoman imperial harem, see Leslie Peirces The Imperial Harem:
Women and Sovereignty in the Ottoman Empire (1993).

Janaa Begum

d.1659 India

She was daughter of one of the most influential minister of Emperor Akbar Abdur Raheem
Khanekhana (1552-1627). Abdur Raheem was renowned scholar in his own right. He had
mastered sciences of Tafseer, Hadith, Fiqah, mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy. He could
write with ease in Hindi, Persian and Turkish. He was a bibliophile who had a passion for
collecting precious and hard to find books.
Janaa Begum was married to Prince Danyal, son of Emperor Akbar. She was a scholar of high
standing, blessed with stunning good looks and charm. She authored a commentary of The Nobel
Quran in Persian.

A well decorated manuscript of the Quran, made during the reign of the Mughal
Emperor Jahangir.(Courtesy Wikipedia article Jehangir )

Satee u-Nisa 17

th

century Iran

She was sister of poet laureate Taleb Aamli. She had committed the Nobel Quran to memory. She
was a distinguished scholar of medicine, recitation of Quran, & Persian literature. She acquired
knowledge of medicine from her husband Naseeraee Kushaee. She was provided authentic
training in obstetrics. Her hometown Aamil was a town of Mazindaran. Satee came to India to
visit her brother during the reign of Emperor Jehangir (d.1627) and decided to settle down here.

Nawab Shahjahan Begum

d.1901 India

She became ruler of state of Bhopal (India) in 1868 at age 31. She was genius, patron of
scholars, and author of several books. Mention must be made of Taj-al-Iqbal which is history of
Bhopal in Persian and has been translated into English. Her other notable books are Khazeenatul
Lughat & Tahzeeb-e-Niswan. She wrote poetry in Urdu and Persian. Her husband Nawab
Siddiq Hassan Khan (1890) was author of 222 books i.e. Fatah-al-Bayan fee Maqasid al-Quran
in 7 volumes, Tarjaman al-Quran in 15 volumes. (monthly Faran Karachi 1971, & Begamat Bhopal)

Dr Azarme Dukht Safavi

born 1947 India

She did her doctorate from Aligarh Muslim University and was appointed professor of Persian in
1974. She is a recipient of President of India Award 2006. She has written more than 100 Persian
articles, authored 30 books during the last 40 years. She was editor of monthly Fikr-o-Nazar for
10 years. In English her book Revolution and Creativity is noteworthy with reference to Persian
literature produced in Iran after the 1979 revolution. (Tahzibul Akhlaq, Aligarh, July 2013)

Qurratul-Ayn Tahereh

1817-1852 Iran

Ftimih Baraghn was her name and Qurratul-ayn was her title. She displayed keen intellect at
an early age and studied literature, tafsir, hadith, and fiqah. It is said she had committed to
memory the Nobel Quran. She was a dazzling beauty, having razor sharp intellect, impudent,
liberal minded and an innovator.
When Mirza Muhammad Ali (1850) founded the Babi faith, she became his zealous follower.
She gave up veiling, and dedicated herself totally in proslytizing people to Babism. She was a
passionate poet and firebrand preacher. Throngs of people came to her lectures, some crying and
some absolutely mesmerized. Her stunning beauty was a magnet which attracted people towards
her. As a charismatic individual, she was able to transcend the social restrictions placed on
women in a traditional society.

Home of Tahereh in Tehran

After preaching in Qazwin, she moved to Karbala and then Baghdad. Later travelled to
Kirmanshah, Hamadan and Tehran. She was engaged in debates with Muslim scholars. When she
did not give up her preaching activities, she was locked up in a house at the express orders of the
King. She was excuted in 1852. In the Bahai literature she is mentioned as an example of

courage in the struggle for women's rights. She was womens rights activist who openly
denounced polygamy, repugnant veil and other cruel manacles put upon women by men with the
result Iranian women flocked to see and hear her words of wisdom. Of her important works
about a dozen on Babi faith and a dozen personal letters have survived. Twenty poems are
attributed to her, and are regarded highly in Persian culture.

Nana Asmau

1793-1864 Nigeria

Nana Asmau was the daughter of Usman dan Fodio, (17541817) founder of Sokoto Caliphate
(1809-1903) which was one of the most powerful kingdoms in northern Africa of the time. For
some, Asmau represents the education and independence that is possible for women under Islam
and remains a model for African feminists into the present.

Nigerian Poet, Scholar, scribe

Erudite and well versed in Arabic, Greek, and Latin classics and fluent in Arabic, Fulfulde,
Hausa, and Tamacheq, Asmau was reputed to be a leading scholar in the most influential
Muslim state in West Africa. She represented the number of highly educated Muslim women of
the time. Bearing witness to the Fulani Jihad (1804-1810) in which her father conquered Nigeria
and Cameroon, she recorded her reactions in The Journal. Asmau also left an impressive corpus
of poetry which is comprised of historical narratives, elegies, laments, and admonition, which
became tools for teaching men and women the principles of the caliphate. (Courtesy:
wisemuslimwomen.org)

BadruNesa Begum b.1865 India

She was mother of renowned Urdu scholar and historian Naseeruddin Hashmi, Hyderabad, India.
She was a devout Muslim, learned, compassionate, and intelligent and a foremost writer. She
authored several books of which two were very popular: Mumalekey Islamiyya kee sair (Travels
in Islamic Countries) and Gulzare Auliya (biographies of saints).

Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum 1858-1930 Bhopal India

Nawab Sultan Jahan Begum was taught translation of the Glorious Quran with commentary by
Prime Minister of Bhopal Jamaluddin Khan Bahadur who was a leading scholar of his time. She
learnt English, Urdu, Persian and Arabic, then became proficient in horseback riding and
marksmanship. She became a devout Muslim reciting Quran daily after the Fajr-morning
prayers. After her crowning she performed Hajj, and wrote the travelogue Riyadh al-Raheen. She
traveled widely within India later visited Europe. She was appointed vice-chancellor of Aligarh
Muslim University, and donated large sums of money to this University. When Indian Islamic
scholar Allama Shibli Noamani (1857-1914) appealed for funds so he could write Sirat-u-Nabi,
biography of Prophet Muhammad, she generously gave 50,000 rupees to him for this noble
cause. She authored 50 books on religion and ethics. There was a publication department in the
state of Bhopal, whose manuscripts she used to revise her books.

Bibi Khajista Akhtar Bano 20

th

century Pakistan

Bibi Khajistas father was principal of of Madrassa Aalyia in Dacca. She was mother of Hussain
Suharwardi, former prime minister of Pakistan. She was conversant in Persian, Urdu, Bengali,
Arabic and English. An excellent writer her insightful articles were published in various Urdu
newspapers. Kaukab Dari is her biography of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Fatema Mernissi

b.1940 Morocco

She is an Islamic feminist author and sociologist. She is best known for her focus on reconciling
traditional Islam with progressive feminism.1 In the early 1990s, she published Dreams of
Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood, a memoir. In addition to this personal account, much of
her academic works deal with harem life, gender, and the public and private spheres. These
works include Beyond the Veil: Male-Female Dynamics in Modern Muslim Society, which was
her first and best known work. Written in English and published in 1975, it compares Western
and Islamic conceptions of sexuality and femininity. Published in Morocco in 1983, Le Maroc
racont par ses femmes (called Le monde nest pas un harem in the revised version appearing in
1991 and appearing as Doing Daily Battle in the English edition) is based on a series of
interviews conducted with 11 Moroccan women from different social classes about the personal
and economic problems they face.
In The Veil and the Male Elite: A Feminist Interpretation of Islam, Fatema profiles influential
women in early Islam and discusses the equality women of that period enjoyed with men in areas
like property rights and spiritual exercise. In Scheherazade Goes West: Different Cultures,
Different Harems (2001), Fatema returns her attention specifically to the institution of the harem
and its sharply different connotations in the West and in the Muslim world. Other titles she has
written include: LAmour dans les pays musulmans (1984), La Peur-Modernit: Conflit Islam
Dmocratie (1992), and Womens Rebellion and Islamic Memory (1993). Courtesy
www.wisemuslimwomen.org

Sameera Moussa

1917-1952 Egypt

She was an Egyptian nuclear scientist who held a doctorate in atomic radiation and worked to
make the medical use of nuclear technology affordable to all. She organized the Atomic Energy
for Peace Conference and sponsored a call for setting an international conference under the
banner "Atoms for Peace". Famous quote: 'I will make nuclear treatment as available and as
cheap as Aspirin" She died on her first visit to US when her car fell 40 feet, It's alleged that the
Israeli Mossad was behind Moussa's murder. (Wikipedia)

Laleh Bakhtiar

Iran/ born in New York 1938

Laleh Bakhtiar is the first American woman to translate the Quran into English from a feminist
viewpoint. She did Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. Bakhtiar is a Licensed Professional
Psychotherapist in Chicago. She also taught courses on Islam at the University of Chicago.

She is co-author of A Sense of Unity: The Sufi Tradition in Persian Architecture (University of
Chicago Press) and author of SUFI Expressions of the Mystic Quest (Thames and Hudson), as
well as a three volume work, Gods Will Be Done, on Moral Healing and some 15 other books on
various aspects of Islam. She has also translated over 30 books on Islam and the Islamic
movement into English. Her teacher and mentor is, Dr. Seyyed Hossein Nasr. She has translated
first volume of Ibn Senas magnum opus al-Qanoon fil Tibb into English.

Dr Amina Wadud

USA

Dr. Amina Wadud is a visiting scholar at the Starr King School for the Ministry in California and
a visiting consultant on Islam and gender at the International Centre for Islam and Pluralism in
Indonesia. Dr. Wadud achieved full Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond,
VA. USA, before taking early retirement. She is the author of several books, including Inside the
Gender Jihad (Oneworld Publisher, 2006), and Quran and Woman (Oxford University Press,
1999), now available in 7 translations. A core member of Sisters in Islam, Malaysia since 1989,
Dr. Wadud contributed the theological basis for the organization in its earliest stages of
development. She continues to combine academia and activism; progressive Islam and
spirituality in her work. She continues to travel extensively providing consultation on areas
related to Islam and Pluralism and is an expert on the theology of Islam and gender equality. She
is doing research on knowledge production and gender in Islam
(http://www.wisemuslimwomen.org/muslimwomen/bio/amina_wadud/)

Asma Barlas

b.1950, Pakistan

She served as Spinoza Chair in Philosophy at the University of Amsterdam in the spring of 2008. Her
credentials include a Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of Denver, an M.A. in Journalism
from the University of Punjab in Pakistan, and a B.A. in English Literature and Philosophy from
Pakistans Kinnaird College for Women. In 2002 her focus shifted to the hermeneutics of the Quran,
Muslim sexual politics, and relations between Islam and the West (Re-understanding Islam, 2008; Islam,
Muslims, and the U.S., 2004; Believing Women in Islam, 2002).

Khalida Adeeb Khanum 1884-1964 Istanbul

She is considered one of the most prominent scholar and political figure of modern Turkey. Her
father was chief secretary of Sultan Abdul Hamid II (d.1909). Her first literary work was English
translation of American author Jacob Abbotts The Mother in Her Home. She was appointed
inspector general of womans education in Syria and Lebanon. In 1924 she was exiled by Ataturk
Kamal to England. In 1935 she came to India and lectured on Turkish literature, politics and
history in various universities. In Qarool Bagh Dehli she delivered 8 lectures; one of these was
presided over by Allama Iqbal (d.1938). Her travels in India resulted in a book Inside India.
After a stint of 11 years as professor she was elected to Turkish parliament. She authored 45
books, 35 in Turkish, one in English, 9 were translations from other languages. (Maarif Lahore June
75)

Dr Azarme Dukht Safavi

1947 India

She did her doctorate from Aligarh Muslim University and was appointed professor of Persian in
1974. She is a recipient of President of India Award 2006. She has written more than 100 Persian
articles, authored 30 books during the last 40 years. She was editor of monthly Fikr-o-Nazar for
10 years. Her tome Revolution and Creativity is noteworthy with reference to Persian literature
produced in Iran after the 1979 revolution. (Tahzibul Akhlaq, Aligarh, July 2013)

Dr Mansoora Shamim (Bhatti)

Lalamusa, Punjab, Pakistan

She completed Master of Science degree in 1998 from Punjab University Lahore then spent
some time at Abdus Salam Internatioinal Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste Italy. Later
moved to USA where she received her doctorate from Kansas University. She is one of the
thousands of scientists who took part in the discovery of Higgs boson in CERN in 2012. She has
given talks and taken part in seminars in various US cities like Fresno (CA), Manhattan (KS),
Fermilab (Batavia, IL), East Lansing, MI. She has been working at CERN since 2008.

Maryam Mirzakhani

May 1977 Tehran

She is an Iranian mathematician, Professor of Mathematics (since September 1, 2008) at

Stanford University. Her research interests include Teichmller theory, hyperbolic geometry,
ergodic theory, and symplectic geometry. She is an alumna of the National Organization for
Development of Exceptional Talents (NODET), in Tehran, Iran. She studied at Farzanegan high
school. She found international recognition as a brilliant teenager after receiving gold medals at
both the 1994 International Mathematical Olympiad (Hong Kong) and the 1995 International
Mathematical Olympiad (Toronto), where she finished with a perfect score.

Mirzakhani obtained her BSc in Mathematics (1999) from the Sharif University of Technology.
She holds a PhD from Harvard University (2004), where she worked under the supervision of the
Fields Medallist Curtis McMullen. She was a Clay Mathematics Institute Research Fellow and a
professor at Princeton University. (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Dr Pardes Sabeti

25th December 1975 Tehran

She is an Iranian-American computational biologist, medical geneticist, and

evolutionary geneticist. She developed a bio-informatic statistical method which
identifies sections of the genome that have been subject to natural selection and
an algorithm which explains the effects of genetics on the evolution of disease.
Sabeti is an associate professor in the Center for Systems Biology and
Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and
on the faculty of the Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics at the Harvard
School of Public Health, and is a senior associate member at the Broad Institute.
After graduating from MIT, she did her M. Sc and D. Phil from Oxford
University. Later she obtained her M.D. from Harvard Medical School, only 3rd
women to graduate summa cum laude. In 2009 she won NIH Innovator Award.
Dr Pardes Sabeti

Dr Sultana NoorNahar

Dacca Bangladesh

She moved to USA in 1979 and did her masters in Quantum Optics, later doctorate in Atomic
Theory in 1987. She was elected member of American Physical Society in 2006. She is a
research scientist at Ohio State University. She has been awarded numerous by US and
Bangladesh governments.

Aliya Sabur

22nd February 1989

New York City, NY

Her mother Julie Kessler married Pakistani-American Muhammad Sabur. She holds the title of
youngest professor in the world. At age 14 she entered the graduate school. In 2006 she did her
MSc. Next year she started teaching at Southern University, New Orleans.

American material scientist

In 2008 she was given the title of youngest professor by Guinness Book of World Records. She
was only 9 when she got a black-belt in Tae Kwan-do. For one year she was teaching at Konkuk
University, South Korea in the department of Advanced Technology Fusion. Aalia is a recipient of
the 2007 Dean fellowship from Drexel University. In 2007 she took a temporary position at Southern
University in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As a motivational speaker she has given 15 talks in
the US, Malaysia, and Korea.
alia.sabur@gmail.com

Muslim lady reading a book

References:
1. Talib al-Hashmi, Tarikh-e-Islam kee 400 Bakamal Khwateen, Islamic book foundation Dehli 2006
2. Sharon McCGrayne, Nobel Prize Women in Science, Washington DC 2008
3. Gisela Webb, Muslim woman scholar-activtist in North America, Syracuse U.P. 2000
4. Beverly Mack, One Womans Jihan Nana Asmau, Bloomington, Indiana USA 2000
5. M. French, History of Women, From Eve to Dawn McArthur & Company, Toronto, 2002
6. Monthly magazine Tahzibul Akhlaq Urdu, Aligarh
7. Time magazine Nov. 25, 2001 The Women of Islam
http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,185647,00.html
8. Internet sources and various books on history of Islamic Spain.
9. Wikipedia

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