Muslim Women: Past and Present

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Throughout the ages, from the earliest days of Islam to contemporary times today, Muslim women have been and continue to be active leaders in their communities and countries across the world. This directory is a growing archive of leading Muslim women scholars, activists, writers, politicians, artists, religious and spiritual leaders, civil society leaders and more. Please contribute to this archive by suggesting Muslim women to be featured through our recommendation form.

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Bibi Hayati Kermani

“Her Persian Diwan is among the most remarkable of Muslim collections of mystical poems of the last century.”

—Eliot Deutsch, Ronald Bontekoe, A companion to world philosophies (Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell, 1997), p. 110

Known For: Sufi poet
Dates: Hijri uknown-1269 (AH)
Common Era unknown-1853 (CE)
Country: Iran

About

Bibi Hayati Kermani was born in the Kerman province of Persia, to a Persian family with a long tradition of Sufism. She was raised by her brother, from whom she received her early training. She was initiated into the Ni’matullahi order by its master, Nur ‘Ali Shah. She trained in the esoteric development—and exoteric ethics—of the Sufi path.

Bibi Hayati was the Ni’matullahi master’s first disciple, and later she married him. They raised one child. During her life, Hayati became well-known for her erotic and mystical Sufi poetry, and her passionate expressions of love.
In addition to being a poet, Hayati cared and cooked for the community at large until her death.

Sources

Eliot Deutsch, Ronald Bontekoe. A companion to world philosophies. Massachusetts: Wiley-Blackwell, 1997, p. 109-110.

Hirschfield, Jane. “In Praise of the Sacred,” Yoga Journal for Health and Conscious Living 117 (1994), p. 76.

Kohlke, Marie-Louise and Luisa Orza. Negotiating Sexual Idioms. New York: Rodopi, 2008, p. 24

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This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women by their Country. We are actively building the archive of Muslim women leaders from the past, as well as from today, and we would welcome your recommendations of women to feature. Please complete our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.
This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women leaders by entering the keyword(s) of your choice. If you cannot find a particular woman that you are looking for, please let us know by completing our “Recommend Muslim Women” form and check the site again in the near future as we actively expand this section of the portal with your suggestions.