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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Umm Hani

Known For: Authoritative hadith transmitter and Traditionist
Dates: Hijri 777-870 (AH)
Common Era 1376-1466 (CE)
Country: Egypt

About

Umm Hani, also known as Maryam, was a prominent hadith transmitter. She was raised by her grandfather, the respected Egyptian judge, Muhammad Ibn Muhammad al-Qayati. She began studying hadith at the early age of seven, when the judge took her to Mecca, to learn with some of the masters at that time. Upon her return, her grandfather began to teach her himself and she received several certificates. She was well traveled, having performed the pilgrimage to Mecca thirteen times.

Umm Hani married twice. When her second husband died, she decided to use the inheritance to independently purchase and run a spinning-wheel workshop. During this time, she also taught hadith to both men and women, who praised her learning and piety. She never wrote a book and received training on short and basic texts of Shafi’i jurisprudence.

Sources

Francis Robinsonand Ira M. Lapidus, eds, The Cambridge Illustrated History of the Islamic World (Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1999), 190. 

T.J. Winter,The Cambridge Companion to Classical Islamic Theology(Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2008), 103-104.

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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.