Contribution of Muslim women in different professions

women, leadership in islam

In the history of civilization, Islam has sided with oppressed women from the very beginning, and the scope for debate is limited. The first person to convert to Islam was a woman, Khadija (RA). The first person to be martyred for Islam was a woman, Sumaiya (RA). These are famous events. But beyond that, we see that by living according to Islam, Muslim women have left a mark of unparalleled achievement in the world of professionalism. Here are the names of some of them: Ayesha (RA) was an expert in hadith narration, Islamic law, jurisprudence, history, genealogy, poetry and medicine. Asma bint Abi Bakr (R.) and Umm Abidullah bin Jubayr were experts in narrating hadith. Ayesha bint Talha was an expert in poetry, literature, astrology and astronomy. Sakina bint Hossain and Khansa were experts in poetry and literature. Maymuna bint Saad (RA) was an expert in Hadith. Hazrat Ali (RA) has also narrated hadith from her. Karima Marjia (Rah.) Was a scholar of Hadith. Imam Bukhari (RA) has collected hadith from her. Fatima bint Abbas is a renowned Islamic jurist. She is an influential leader in Egypt and Damascus. Ukhat Majni (Rah.) Was the teacher of Imam Shafei (Rah.). Allama Maradi (Rah.) has narrated the masala on zakat from her. Hujaima bint Hai (Rah.) Was a renowned Tabi'i and Hadith scholar. Imam Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah have narrated hadith from her. Ayesha bint Ahmed bin Kadim was a native of Spain. She was an expert in calligraphy. Lubni (Rah.) Was a linguist and an expert in Arabic grammar. Fatima bint Ali bin Husain bin Hamzah was a scholar of the Hanbali school (Mazhab). Contemporary scholars have learned hadith from her and have sought permission from her for the famous hadith book Daremi Sharif. Rabia Kasisah was a well-known speaker. Imam Hasan Basri (Rah.) Has also benefited from her in various ways. Fatima bint Kayes was an educator and lawyer. Umme Fazal, Umme Sinan was the narrator of the hadith. Shifa bint Abdillah was a renowned jurist. Omar (RA) entrusted her with the responsibilities of ‘Islamic Accountability Court’ and ‘Market Administration’ of the Islamic Court. (Source, Tabkat Ibn Saad: 6 / 45-48; Dalailun Nabuyah: 5/417; Ibn Asir: 5/450; Al-Bedaya wan Nehaya: 5/6)

Read More: The state of women and family in the Jahiliyyah period

Shaykh Alauddin Samarqandi (Rah.) Wrote a book called ‘Tuhfatul Fuqaha’. The explanation of this has been written by his student Abu Bakr Ibn Masud Kastani (Rah.). The name of the commentary is 'Badaye As Sanaye'. It is an unprecedented book in Islamic jurisprudence. Seeing this, the teacher gave his daughter in marriage to his student. The girl's name was Fatimah bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad. Contemporary kings were interested in marrying the girl. She was a Mufti. Numerous fatwas signed by her have been issued. (Fatwa Shami: 1/100)

According to Ibn Qays, about 22 female Companions (Sahabah) became famous for their fatwas and Islamic law. Seven of them were the wives of the Prophet. During the Mamluk rule in the 11th century, the then Muslim women established five universities and 12 learning centers in Damascus. These universities were run entirely by Muslim women.

Women in war

Ayesha (RA) and Umme Salma (RA) took part in the battle of Uhud. Sufia bint Abdil Muttalib, the aunt of the Prophet (peace be upon him), took part in the battle of Khaybar. Umme al-Khair, Jurka bint Adi, Ikrama bint Atrash and Umm Sinan assisted in defensive work in numerous battles. Azra bint Haris bin Kalda led the army and fought against the Ahl al-Bisan. Umme Ammara (RA) created a defense zone to protect the life of the Prophet (SAW) in the battle of Uhud. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave her the title of ‘Khatune Uhud’. Umm Haram bint Milhan was the first martyr in the first naval expedition in the history of Islam. Umm Atiyah Ansari (RA) took part in seven battles with the Prophet (SAW). Umayya bint Qays Kifaria took part in the battle of Khaybar. Umm Hakim bint Haris took part in the war against the Romans. Umm Ayman Habashi (RA) took part in the battles of Uhud, Hunain, Khaybar and Mota. Umm Sulaim took part in the battle of Khaybar and Hunain. Umm Haram bint Milhan is the first female naval fighter of Islam. Rabi bint Muawaz (RA) took part in the battle of Badr. Nasibah bint Kab Ansaria took part in the battles of Uhud, Bani Quraiza, Hudaybiya, Khaybar, Hunain and Yamar. (Source: Tabkat Ibn Saad: 6/415; Dalailun Nabuyah: 2/612)