MUHADDITHAT

Bibi Aliyyah bin Hassan

Bibi Aliyyah was mother of Imam Ismael ibn Ibrahim. She was slave of Banu Shaybaan in Basra. Imam Ismael father Ibrahim ibn Maqsam was a cloth merchant in Kufa and he frequently traveled to Basra in connection with his business. He took Aliyyah in marriage after having got her manumitted from Banu Shayban. She was a noble soul, wise and illustrious. Her erudition in Hadith and Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) caused the contemporary notables of Basra including Allama Saleh-Al-Mari come to her house to discuss scholarly, the various issues concerning religion and Islamic law.

Imam Ismael was born to her in 110 H. She rendered her son an excellent upbringing and sent him to great scholar of Hadith to ensure the excellence in learning. Allama Abdul Warith Jawwadi, very known narrator of Hadith at that time says, 'one day Aliyyah brought her son to me and said, 'This is my son. Associate him with you so that he may be imbued with qualities like yours.' Imam Ismael became known ibn Aliyyah after his mother, instead of his father. It was partly because of his mother's exceptional grace of knowledge and mainly because his mother had rendered great efforts in his upbringing. Bibi Aliyyah persisted to live in Basa even after her marriage. Her another son, younger to Ismael Rabei ibn Ibrahim too, became a famous scholar and Muhaddith. He also was called Rabei ibn Aliyyah after his mother. A number of scholars, jurists and Muhaddith would descent from her lineage in intervening centuries.
(Ghulaman Islam-Khilafat awr Hindustan).

Aminah Ramlyah

Aminah Ramlyah is regarded a member of the learned elite of the time and one of great mystics of second and third century Hijrah. She was born about 163 H in Ramla, a suburb of Baghdad. She was very intelligent and had longing to attain knowledge since early childhood. But her parents were very poor so they could not do enough for her education. Only, which she could have, was, what more or less available at home. When she grew young, she accompanied her mother to Haj}. In those days an old man with scholarly figure delivered Dars (lecture) in Masjid-Al-Haram (Holy mosque in the Ka'bah).

She joined his Dars and learned from him the knowledge of Al-Quran and Hadith. After his death, she went to Madinah where Imam Malik had laid his rug for seekers of knowledge. Aminah joined his class and continued learning the Hadith from him for long. She memorized a number of Ahadith. Hafiz ibn Abdul Birr held the number of Ahadith, reported by her around 100.

She, afterwards returned to Makkah and had study of Fiqh from Imam Shafe'i. She had attained the age of thirty-six when Imam Shafe'i went to Egypt and she to Kufa.

She took benefit of the presence of many eminent scholars there and gained knowledge from them with great interest. She got excellence in all fields of studies. When she returned to her nativity from Kufa, fame of her erudition already had spread all around. She instituted delivering the Dars to enlighten the heart and soul of people who would throng to achieve the knowledge of Hadith. A number of notable scholars came to listen her Dars on Hadith. She happened to visit Baghdad in 209H where a dervish, by the benefit of his consideration caused her life change entirely. She gave away all her belongings as charity and took the life of a dervish. Her days and nights were started to be spent in praying and wailing in fear of Allah. During those years she went on Hajj for seven consecutive years and journeyed on foot. People called her 'chosen by Allah' for her piety, continence and mysticality, and extended great respect. Her dignity and grace could be judged by the fact that an illustrious Wali Allah (friend of Allah - saint) of her time Bashar Hafi (RA) (obiit: 227H) would visit her occasionally. So was the fourth Imam of Ahlus Simna Wal-Jama'ah. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (RA) (obiit: 241H), appreciative of her glory and grace.

Once Bashar hafi fell ill and Aminah went to see him. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, too, incidentally came to inquire after his health. He asked Bashar Hafi who was that lady. He told that she was Aminah Ramalyah, came to hear of his illness. Imam ibn Hanbal expressed great pleasure on her presence and said, it was his longstanding desire to visit her. He begged Bashar Hafi to ask her to pray for him. Bashar hafi conveyed his will to Aminah. Aminah raised her hands and prayed with immense humility, "O, Allah! Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Bashar, both seek Thy protection from Fire. Thou are the Most Merciful, save them from it."

(Some biographers narrated an occurence and held it in terms of Amman's miracle. They attributed to Imam ibn Hanbal the anecdote, that he reportedly said, "the same night a piece of paper dropped unto me from heaven. Written on the paper was: In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. We did it and we could do even more (or we have even more of the bounties)."

Once a very rich person offered her ten thousand gold coins but she refused to accept, though she agreed to keep later on his insistence but did not even touch them. She made announcement to the beat of drum in the town that whosoever was needy, might come and take money. So the indigents thronged therein and she gave them enough to their need. All the money was disbursed till the evening while she had nothing to eat that very day.

Bashar Hafi narrates that Aminah woke up by midnight and prayed prayers with great concentration and humility till dawn. Once I heard her praying, "... O, Creator of the earth and the heavens, Thou hath stock of bounties, beyond :nits but the wrong doers are unmindful. Thou art the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, but the people have forrgotten Thee.
... O, My Lord, my welfare is in Thy hand. Abase me -?t on the Day of Judgement before all, otherwise people would say. Allah abaseth His obedient slave who loved Him
greatly"

She had made a principle not to accept food from any one saved it was sure the host was pious and his sources of income were pure. The historians are silent about her matrimonial life, and neither has been detailed how she managed years long stay at distant towns to attain knowledge and who was her patron therein. Year of her death is not known to any one. It is presumed that she died sometime in third century Hijrah.
(Pairah Ma'araflslamia, Mashahir Niswan, Bakamal Muslaman Khawteen)

Bibi Qadfah

Bibi Qadfah was daughter of Ghaffar ibn Nusayr Tamimi. She was regarded lady of excellence in Muslim Spain in the reign of the Caliph Hakam Thani (Al-Mustansar). She had the longing to collect books on various subjects and she had collected a stockpile of invaluable books on literature, art and different other subjects. She was a melodious reciter and convincing speaker. She swayed her audience with her eloquent speeches. (Kanday)

Bibi Karimah bint Ahmad Maruzi

She had been a world reputed scholar in fifth century Hijrah. She was daughter of Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Hatam. She was born in Iranian town of Merv. She studied theology for years and learnt Ahadith from great scholars. She went to Makkah after having been qualified to narrate Hadith. She commenced delivering Bars at Makkah. The noted Muhaddith of Muslim Spain, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Sabaq Saqli was a devoted learner from her. He, after the Muslim rule at Saqqlyah (Sicily) ended, had gone to Makkah where he achieved learning of Hadith from her. He, afterwards went to Spain and made her abode in Granada to narrate Ahadith, he had learnt at Makkah. Ibn Bashkwal says...
(Abu Bakr Muhammad reported Ahadith from Karimah bint AhmadAl-Maruzi and others, He came to Andalus and the people of Granada passionately learned from him).
AIlama Khatib Baghdadi says in Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad) that he, in 463H, during the days of Hajj, heard Sahih Bukhari from Karimah. Hundreds of seekers participated in the Dars session of Muhaddithah Karimah and quenched their thirst of learning. Besides Abu Bakr Muhammad, Allama Khatib Baghdadi and Allama Abu Talib Zaynabi, a number of other scholars of great esteem attained knowledge of Hadith from her. Bibi Karimah was said to have achieved perfection in mysticism besides other faculties of studies. She presumabty died about 464H with the controversy on the exactness of the date.
(Khazinat-ul-Asfia, Tarikh Saqqlya)

Shaykhah Shuhdah, Fakhr-un-Nisa - Muhaddithah, Katibah

Fakhr-un-Nisa was daughter of a distinguished scholar, Abu Nasr Ahmad ibn 'Umar Al-Abri. She herself was an illustrious Hadith scholar and a skilful calligraphist. She was born in 484H in the Iranian city of Denvar. She had her early studies from her father and learnt calligraphy from him. She achieved perfection in the art, driving the master calligraphist of the time appreciate her. She received learning of Hadith and studied other branches of knowledge under the guidance of the reputed scholars like Abu 'Abdullah Hasan ibn Ahmad Nomani, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ahmad-As-Shashi, Ahmad ibn Abdul Qadir ibn Yusuf and Abu-Al-Husayni. Shuhdah commanded great name in the studies of Hadith and the seekers of learning came from distant places and took it a pride if were allowed to join her session of Dars. Many scholars of great fame were said to be regular audience of her Dars and would acquire authority from her to' report the Ahadith on behalf of her. She not only exhibited her erudition in study of Hadith but also would make scholarly speeches on history, linguistics and literature, leaving lasting impression on heart and soul of the audience. She came to acquire the title of Fakhr-un-Nisa (Pride of the Women) for her erudition, calligraphic art and highly acclaimed oratory. Her husband died after forty years of marriage. She endured the great shock with courage and patience and occupied herself with learning and educating. The Caliph Al-Muqtadi Bi-amr-Allah granted her a large estate to enhance the scope of her scholarly activities. She, with the help of new fortunes established a grand Darsgah on the banks of river Tigris where hundreds of students had had their studies. Its all expenses were borne by Shuhdah herself. Shuhdah retained her loyalty to the virtuous job of brightening the world with the light of knowledge till the last moment.

She died in 574H at the age of more than 90. Her funeral prayer was said at Jama'e Al-Qasr in Baghdad. Thousands of sorrowful people including the scholars, students and the state dignitaries participated in her funeral proceedings. The noted Muhaddith, ibn Jawzi says, "Shuhdah was a pious and devoted lady."
(ibn Khallikan, Sved Amir AH)

Bibi Safri

Bibi Safri had been a distinguished Hadith scholar in the sixth century Hijrah. She was daughter of Qadi Yaqub ibn Sulayman. She had her studies of Hadith under the guidance of her grandfather and brother and then she herself educated the people for long time.
(Mashahir Niswan)

Bibi Fatimah bint Ibrahim

Bibi Fatimah had been a scholar of high rating in seventh century Hijrah. Her father Ibrahim Mahmud ibn Jawhar was a learned and sagacious person. She had the opportunities to receive education of highest grade and was taught by the authentic scholars. She, after having completed her studies, commenced herself imparting education and very soon her fame spread far and wide. Great scholars like Allama Shaykh Taqi-ud-Din ibn Ab-ul-Hasan and Shaykh Dhahabi visited her darsgah to listen to her. Bibi Fatimah died in 71 OH.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi 'Aishah bint Muslim Harrani

Bibi 'Aishah was native of Harran. She was born in 647H. She had great longing to seek knowledge since early childhood. Allah had granted her a penetrating mind. Her father encouraged and sent her to the most learned elite of the time. She achieved perfection in studies of Hadith and Fiqh. She was regarded an authority in aforesaid fields of knowledge. She enlightened the heart and soul of people by imparting to them knowledge for years. One of her brothers Mahasin ibn Muslim completed his study of Hadith from her and touched the peak. Allah granted her as well, the good physical health. She died in 737H when she was 90.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi Shirin bint Abdullah, Hindyah
Bibi Shirin was the native of India. She was slave of the renowned scholar of Hadith Imam ibn Bandayhi who had set her at liberty. She bore a distinguishable place among the scholars owing to her erudition and dignity. She attained the knowledge of Hadith with great efforts. She learned Ahadith from Abdul Mone'm ibn Kulayb and then commenced imparting education to the seekers and made literate the people in large number. Two names, Allama Abar Kohi and Abul Fateh ibn Hajab are very prominent among those who learned from her. Allama Abar Kohi was her trusted student so she came to be known as shaykhah Al-Abar Kohi. Bibi Shirin died in 640H.
(Khilaphat-i-Abbasiah Awr Hindustan from Qadi Athar Mubarakpuri with reference to Al-AKamal)

Fatimah bint Jamal-ud-Din

Fatimah was daughter of Jamal-ud-Din ibn Sulayman ibn Abdul Karim ibn Abdur Rehman Ansari and was called Umm 'Abdullah. Her father was an eminent scholar of Hadith.
Damascus was her native town. She, like her father earned great name in learning of Hadith and established her separate Darsgah for coaching the learners. She died in 708H.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)


Jamal-un-Nisa, Umm-ul-Khayr
Jamal-un-Nisa was born in Baghdad and became known far and wide for her vast knowledge. Her erudition brought her great respect and fame and she was given the title of Jamal-un-Nisa (Elegance of women).
She attained the knowledge of Hadith from the big names like ibn Al-Bati, Abu-Al-Muzaffar and Shuj'a Al-Harbi. Afterwards she founded her own Darsgah and made hundreds of people learned including highly placed scholars like Fatimah bin Sulayman, ibn Shehnah, ibn Sa'dah, Isma'el ibn 'Asakir and Qadi Taqi-ud-Din Sulayman.
Umm-ul-Khayr commanded great honour for her piety and continence besides her high rated knowledge and grace. She made frequent visits to Makkah for Hajj. She died in 640H.
( Tadhkara- Ul-Khawteen)

Khadijah bint Ahmad

Khadijah was a great scholar of Hadith in ninth century Hijrah, daughter of Shihab-ud-Din Ahmad ibn Khalf ibn Abdul Aziz Badran Al-Hassani. She was born in 798H. She was still a child of two years when her parents took her to the Madrassah (school) of Allama Jawheri and Allama Munsafi who were pre-eminent among the scholars of Hadith of their age. People in those days took it as pride to send their children to the learned people. They both treated the tiny girl affectionately and wished that Allah might bless her.
Khadijah took very keen interest in her studies and soon she attained very respectable place among the literati. Her dazzling rating of erudition confirmed her scholarly status. She set up her Darsgah and imparted education for years to the seekers. Her scholarly place could be judged from this fact that an erudite like Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti had completed the Learning of Hadith from her.
(Mashaheer-i-Niswan)

Bibi Rajab

Bibi (lady) Rajab was a great Hadith scholar in ninth century Hijrah. Shihab-ud-Din Ahmad ifrn Muhammad ibn 'Umar Qaleihi was her father. She was born in 800H. Her father made special arrangements for her education. She had become known all around for her wisdom and sagacity before she formally completed her studies. She acquired a good name in all fields of learning particularly a distinction in studies of Hadith. Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti, too is said to have learned from her. Bibi Rajab died in 869H.

Bibi Maryam bint Hani

Bibi Maryam was called Umm Hani. Scholarly signs were evident on her broad forehead since her childhood. She memorized the Holy Quran in very early age and with it Mil-hah, as well, the well-known book on 'Nahve' (syntax) and Mukhtasir Abi Shuja'a, the noted book of Shafe'i school of the jurisprudence. She was counted an authority at 'Nahve', Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith. She founded her own Darasgah and engaged herself for years in spreading light of knowledge. Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti was very prominent among those who were taught by her.

Bibi Zaynab bint Abdur-Rehman
Bibi Zaynab was native of the historical city of Jerusalem. Her lineage is as following:
Zaynab bint 'Abdur Rehman ibn Ahmad ibn 'Abdul Malik ibn 'Uthman ibn 'Abdullah ibn Sa'd ibn Musleh ibn Haybatullah ibn Numayr. She was an illustrious scholar of Hadith of her days. She was authorized by Ibrahim ibn Khalid (RA) and the other authentic narrators to narrate Hadith. Afterwards she commenced coaching of the seekers of learning and continued for years. The noted scholar Salah-ud-Din As-Safai is said to be educated by her. Bibi Zaynab died in 710 H.

Bibi Habibah Muhaddithah

Habibah bint Abdur Rehman ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim ibn Ahmad ibn Abdur Rehman ibn Isma'el ibn Mansur Maqdisi had been a glorified scholar of Hadith in eighth century Hijrah. She had her Hadith studies from Shaykh Taqi-ud-Din ibn Abi Al-Fehm Al-Baldani and Khatib Marwan while she attained knowledge of current fields of studies from Ibrahim ibn Khalid. Besides these scholars, she also acquired the authority from Sibt Hafiz Sufi, the Muhaddith (chief scholar of Hadith) of Alexandria, Ibrahim ibn Abi Bakr Al-Zaghabi, the Muhaddith of Baghdad and Fadlullah ibn Abdur Razzaque. After she had completed her studies, she commenced coaching and spent most of her life in this blessed task. She had an excellent memory and had memorized hundreds of Ahadith. Many eminent scholars obtained knowledge of Hadith from her including Allama Salah-ud-Din As-Safai, the world reputed savant. He had taken the authority from Bibi Habibah in 728H, which, he had mentioned in his book A'yan-ul-Asr A'wan-un-Nasr. Bibi Habibah died in Sha'ban 733H.
(Mashahir-i-Niswan)

Bibi Zaynab bint 'Abdullah Al-Azhari

Bibi Zaynab bint 'Abdullah possessed erudition in the study of Hadith. Her knowledge and grace commanded the acclaimation from all over the Islamic world. The dignity of her scholarship could be ascertained by the fact that a person of great learning like Imam Suyyuti attended her sermons and discourses. She was born in 870H. Year of demise is not known.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi 'Aishah Andalusyah

Bibi 'Aishah went to Andalus (Muslim Spain) when the Muslim rule in that land was at its climax. She made her abode there and resided. She had memorized ten thousands Ahadith anH also the names of the narrators up to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
(Nafkh-ut-Tawab)

Bibi Satt-ul-Fuqaha

Bibi Satt-ul-Fuqaha was a noted narrator of Hadith in eighth century Hijrah. She had no equal in piety, continence and excellence of conduct. She gained knowledge of Hadith from scholars of repute like Ja'far Hamadani Ahmad Harrani, Abdur Rehman ibn Sulayman and Abdul Latif ibn Qibti. Besides Hadith she acquired mastery on Islamic jurisprudence. After having been qualified, she founded her own Darsgah and taught thousands of seekers of knowledge. People were taught by her, in particular, lessons of Sunan ibn Majah and then the other collections of Hadith.
(Mashahir-in-Nisa)

Bibi Hanifah

Bibi Hanifah was the daughter of Shaykh Abdur-Rehman ibn Ahmed ibn 'Umar ibn Al-Qimni. She is considered one of the world reputed scholars and narrators of Hadith of the ninth century Hijrah. She had her learning of Hadith from Allam Kama! ibn Khayr, the most illustrious Muhaddith of the day. After having completed her learning, she setup her own Darsgah and gave away wealth of knowledge to thousands of finders. Many contemporary big names had their learning at her Darsgah. Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti regarded her one of his spiritual guides.
(Tadhkara-ul-Khawatin)

Bibi Malikah
Bibi Malikah was the daughter of Sharf-ud-Din ibn Abdullah Maqdisi. She had been a well-known narrator of Hadith in eighth century Hijrah. She remained attached to the task of coaching the seekers of knowledge for most of her life. A large number of people studied Hadith from her. Imam ibn Hajar 'Askalani is also said to be conferred authority to narrate Hadith by her. Bibi Malikah died in 802H.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi Umm 'Umar

Bibi Umm 'Umar was daughter of Hafiz Taqi-ud-Din Rife As-Salami. She had been a notable Muhaddithah. She learned Hadith from Allama Abdur-Rahim ibn Abi-Al-Yesir and some other known scholars. Afterwards, she founded her own darsgah. She is also one of those glorified scholars from whom ibn Hajar 'Askalani and the others took the authority. She died in 805H.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi Amat-ul-Khalique

Bibi Amat-ul-Khalique was daughter of Abdul Latif ibn Sadaqa ibn 'Aws Al-Manadi Al-'Aqabi. She was born in 814H. During studies she read books including Masnad Ahmad, Mna'jjam Tabrani, Sir ah ibn His ham, Minhaj and memorized some of them. She joined the class of Allam Jamal-ud-Din Hanbali and received learning from him. She. afterwards, setup her own Darsgah and occupied herself with coaching the finders of knowledge for many years to come. A number of noted Muhadditheen reported Ahadith only after they had heard from her. Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti too. learned Traditions from her. She was a gifted poetess as well. Here are some of her couplets.

"It is my destiny, which owns me sometime and forsakes me sometime. I may commit a mistake but not my destiny should make. When Allah wills any of His slaves, do a task. He holds back his hearing and thinking, though he may be man of sagacity, good hearing and watching. He pulls wisdom out of him like a hair is removed from butter, till he does the work and then his wisdom is restituted so that he could re-start to learn his lesson." Bibi Amat-ul-Khdlique died in 920H.
(Tadhkirah Al-Khawteen)

Bibi Fatimah bint Ibrahim

Bibi Fatimah bint Ibrahim had been a very famous Muhaddithain eighth century Hijrah. She had no equal in learning, excellence, piety and abstinence. She died in 741H.
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Bibi Zaynab bint Sulayman

Bibi Zaynab was daughter of Sulayman ibn Ibrahim ibn Rahmat-as-Shae'riah. She commanded authority in the study of Hadith. She gave lessons in Syria, later went to Egypt and spent rest of the life there in taking lessons and giving. Her exceptional abilities made her known as Mustanad-ud-Dameshkyah (a lady authorized from Damascus).
(Mashahir-un-Nisa)

Zumarrad Khatun

Zumarrad Khatun was Sultan Salah-ud-Din Ayyubi's sister. She was generally known as Satt-ush-Sham (Queen of Syria). She was virtuous, appreciative of literacy and knowledge, and generous. She founded a grand institution where various faculties of studies were established and most illustrious of all the scholars of the time Shaykh 'Uthman ibn Abdur Rehman ibn Assalah Sheherzori was appointed its head. The institution commanded prominence among all the others of its kind.
(Dairah-Al-Ma 'araf)

Bibi Sattul-Ahl

Bibi Satt-ul-Ahl was daughter of 'Alwan ibn Sa'id ibn 'Alwan ibn Kamil. She had been one of the distinguished scholars and mystics in the seventh century Hijrah. She was native of Ba'lbak (Iraq) and follower of Hanbali school of jurisprudence. She reported Ahadith from Bahaud-Din Maqdasi. She died in 703H.
(Mashahir- un-Nisa)

Bibi Hamdah

Bibi Hamdah had been an excellent oratoress in the last years of Fourth century Hijrah. She was native of Baghdad. She achieved knowledge of Hadith from Shaykh Ahmed ibn Ali ibn Badran Al-Halwani. Bibi Hamdah had established her Darsgah at Bab Al-Maratab in Baghdad and held her Dars (discources) sessions there and gave lessons of Hadith and Fiqh. It is said that an eminent contemporary ibn Sama'ani learnt the art of speech and had his study of Hadith from Bibi Hamdah.
(Tadhkarah Al-Khawteeni)

Bibi Amaim

Bibi Amaim was the daughter of Allama Hisam-ud-Din ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub Al-Hussayni. She had been a noted Hadith scholar in the ninth century Hijrah. A number of reputed scholars gained knowledge of Hadith from her.
(Mashahir-i-Niswan)

Daughter of Imam Tahawi

Daughter of Imam Tahawi was a woman of outstanding intellect. She performed as secretary to her father He dictated the lessons on Hadith and Fiqh and she would write it down. His death had been an event to be elaborated One day he was dictating his daughter the comments on sorrs issues of Fiqh pertaining to the females including that of the sexual intercourse. He dictated the words:
(When we have sexual intercourse with woman, this has to be done, like taking a bath becomes due, etc.) she wrote and unintentionally an embarrassed smile reddened her face. The Imam, by sheer of chance had a look on her face. Sensing the feelings on her face, he was put to shame and was so overwhelmed that it left him dead on the spot.
(Lo, verily we are for Allah and to Him we are to return.)

The above incident displays that the sense of shame is felt by the righteous people only. Both father and the daughter truly represented modest folk. It is notable that priorly the Mothers of the Faithful, the Sahabyat and other modest women exhibited the true Islamic way of life. They were the women of outstanding knowledge and qualities, yet they observed perfect Hijab (veil) but Muslim women of today, though are educated but uncontrolled sense of liberalism has driven them to unveiledness. If Hijab caused any hurdle in the way of learning, how 'Aishah (RA) would become the most illustrious scholar, keeping at home, veiled and without ever having gone to any school or college, that some of the commanding Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sought guidance from her, staying behind a curtain. Besides, as all Muslim know, she was rewarded with half the knowledge of Prophethood.

The other revered woman Khadijah (RA) was knower of the intimacies of the Prophethood. When the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was embarrassed after the first revelation, Khadijah consoled him and took him to Waraqah ibn Nawfal, a great knower of the Holy writ, as she knew, who could treat her husband. Then there are women Successors, the Followers and a number of lateral entries like Rabe'a Basryah and Rabe'a Advyah who were the most accomplished ladies and had achieved outstanding grade of knowledge but all they had, was attained inside the walled houses.

Fiqh and Fatawa of Muhaddithat
(Women Hadith Scholars who made decrees and verdicts in the light of Islamic jurisprudence)

Imam ibn Qayyam gave detailed accounts of twenty-two Sahabyat who were known for making Fatwah (decree) under the rules of Fiqh.

Shaykh 'Alauddin Samarkandi, a Hanfi scholar, author of Tuhfah-ul-Fuqaha (Gift for Jurists) had a daughter, Fatimah who was a great Islamic jurist. Her husband Shaykh Alauddin Kasani authored the glorious book Albada'awassana'a, which was exegesis of Tuhfah-ul-Fuqaha and if, during that he made any mistake, his wife would rectify it. The decree was signed by all three, Fatimah, her husband and father. Amatul Wahid Satinah bint Qadi Hussayn ibn Isma'el Mahamali had memorized Al-Quran and Fiqh and attained perfection in Fiqh Shafe'i. She made decrees with attestation of Shaykh Ali ibn Hurayrah. Amatur Rehman bint Shaykh Taqiuddin ibn Ibrahim ibn Ali Wasti was known for decrees and Fiqh and was called 'Satt-ul-Fuqaha'. Umm Zaynab Fatima bint Abbas Baghdadyah was a noted scholar, jurist and commanded dominence among the contemporary women.

Memorization of Al-Quran, Recitation and
elucidation of Al-Quran by Muhaddithat

Hafsah bint Sirin had memorized A-Quran with its meanings in the early age of twelve. She was an excellent Qaryah (melodious reciter). Hisham narrates that whenever her brother Muhammad ibn Sirin had any doubt or misperception in Qirat, he would send one of his pupils to ask Hafsah how she recited it. Hafsah would read half of Quran every night.

Fatimah Nishapuryah, the noted explicator of the Holy Quran spoke ever with the context of the meanings of the Quran. Ibn Muluk asked Dhun-Nun Misri about her. He said. "She is Waliyya (one of the friends of Allah) and my teacher and mentor."

Maymunah bint Abu Ja'far Madnayah was a Qariah (reciter) of great fame. She had learnt it from her father. Imam Al-Qura' ibn Jazri told about his daughter Salma that she memorized the Holy Quran with seven modes of Qirat while she knew ten styles of Qirat. No male could equal her in this field.

In the palace of Zubaydah Khatun, wife of the Caliph Harun-Rashid, one thousand maids were always reciting the Noble Quran. The palace resounded with their harmonious voices, which mingled out to become like buzzing of bees.

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's grand daughter princess Shad Khanum wrote the Holy Quran in Rihan writing style and her own name and lineage in Riga' writing style.

Safiyya bint Ibrahim acted as guide to the female worshippers, continents and the mystics in the Holy Houses of Makkah and Madinah. She took care of male indigents and worshippers, too.

Khatib Baghdadi and ibn Jawzi narrate about Fatimah bint Abdur-Rehman Harranyah that she was called Sufia as she always put on Sufe (wool) clothing. She let herself sleep on her prayer rug without laying bed and it continued for more than sixty years. The female institutions were established in houses till fourth century Hijrah where lessons of different skills and studies were taught. When formal schools were started to be setup, the Muslim women too, established schools for women.

The noted scholar of Muslim Spain Alimah bint Muhammad imparted education in various fields to women and was known as Al-Mo 'allimah (great lady teacher). So was Maryam bint Yaqub Shalbiah Hajjah. Both had female schools.

Umm Hussayn bint Shaykh Shihabuddin Tabri, the Oadi of Makkah worked a great deal for the welfare of Makkans. Imam Farsi writes that she had established a Madrassa for orphans in Makkah.

Princess Rabiy'a Khatun was a learned woman of high grades. She had founded a grand institution in Syria at Jabal and was buried in the courtyard of the Madrassa.

DEVOTED WOMEN IN ISLAM

::: "The woman is the queen of her house" (Hadith)

::: Hadhrat Sauda (RA)
::: Hadhrat Khansa (RA) Exhorts Her Sons to Bravery
::: Hadhrat Safiyyah (RA) Kills A Spy
::: Hadhrat Asma (Radhiyallaho anha's) interview with
    the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) regarding the Reward for Women.
::: The Story of Hadhrat Umme Ammarah (RA)
::: Story of Hadhrat Umme Hakim (RA).
::: Martyrdom of Hadhrat Sumayyah (RA)
::: The story of Hadhrat Asma bint Abu Bakr (RA)

::: ARIFAT

::: MUHADDITHAT

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