Muslim Women: Past and Present

Recommend a Muslim Woman

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.

  • By Category
  • By Name
  • By Century
  • By Country
  • Search

This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women alphabetically by their first names. Many Muslim names have alternative spellings once rendered into English so if you cannot find the name you are looking for, please try the general search tab where you can enter keywords of your choice.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

Umm Kulthum

photo of Umm Kulthum The Arab World’s Most Famous Singer

Umm Salamah

no photo available Prophet Muhammad’s Wife and ‘Mother of the Believers’

Umm Hani

no photo available Authoritative hadith transmitter and Traditionist

Umm Habibah

no photo available Early convert to Islam; Prophet Muhammad’s wife; a Mother of the Believers

Umm Waraqa bint Abdallah

no photo available Qur’anic scholar; nicknamed ‘the female martyr’; led first mixed prayers

Umrah bint Abdur-Rahman

no photo available Early Jurist and Hadith transmitter

Uzma Farooq

photo of Uzma Farooq Vice President of the Muslim Women’s Coalition (MWC)/ Director of the Greater Washington DC Area office

This search feature will enable you to find Muslim women chronologically by the Common Era century. 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 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.