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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Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi

“Show her respect, for by Allah she will be the preserver of our race and our crown.”

– King Ali of Yemen in regards to Queen Arwa
Natalie Maydell and Sep Riahi, Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World (Lancaster: Global Content Ventures, 2007)

photo of Queen Arwa al-Sulayhi Credit: Heba Amin

Known For: Queen of Yemen for over 50 years
Dates: Hijri: 440-533 (AH)
Common Era: 1048 – 1138 (CE)
Country: Yemen

About

Queen Arwa was orphaned at a young age and adopted by the king and queen of Yemen, her uncle and aunt. The queen, Asma, educated Arwa with poetry and the Qur’an, and she was known for her great memory.
Arwa married the crowned prince; yet in a series of traumatic events, the king and queen died. Their son (Arwa’s husband) was paralyzed, and retreated from the public eye. Consequently, Arwa was catapulted into rule much sooner than she had ever expected.

Queen Arwa focused her attention on the welfare of her people, setting up several centers for education for cultural and religious studies.  She built roads, mosques, fountains, and Dar al-Izz, a grand palace of whose remnants exist today.

She was the first woman to be accorded the prestigious title of hujja in the Isma’ili branch of Shi’a Islam. With religious authority, she ruled peacefully for over fifty years. She never lost support from the Yemeni people, who affectionately called her “Little Queen of Sheba.”

Sources

Cortese, Delia and Simonetta Calderini: Women and the Fatimids in the World of Islam pp. 127-140 

Dowe, Badriya Yasmeen: Women of power and influence

Maydell, Natalie and Sep Riahi. Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World, pp. 38-45

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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.