The Forgotten Legacy: Female Sufis and Their Impact on Islamic Spirituality

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 12 July 2025 Main Points: 1. In early Islam, women had high respect and were active partners with men in society, religion, and spirituality. 2. After the Great Fitna, women’s roles declined due to strict religious laws limiting their participation. 3. Many women joined Sufism despite challenges, expressing deep faith and spiritual strength. 4. Much of the female Sufi legacy was lost over time, but what remains shows their important spiritual leadership. ----- A long time ago, during the early days of Islam, Muslim women lived with great respect, honour, and high status. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself called this time the best of times. This is not just a story, but something well recorded in the sayings and stories of the Prophet and his companions. Women were not just silent bystanders; they were active and equal partners with men. They took part in family life, worshipped at the mosque, helped in times of peace and even in wars. They worked hard to be good, kind, and spiritually strong. This shows us that women made up half of the community and were deeply involved in society from the very start of Islam. Islam itself never pushed women aside or ignored them — this is clear from the early history. Instead, women helped build the foundations of Islamic civilization. But, unfortunately, this positive situation did not last forever. After a very difficult and chaotic time called the Great Fitna, which included the murder of Caliph Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him), women’s important role began to shrink. The whole Muslim community faced serious problems, and women were affected too. One major reason for this decline was the rise of strict and narrow religious laws that made it harder for women to fully participate in religion and society. These laws focused too much on rules and stopped people from understanding the true, balanced teachings of Islam. Because of this, some groups began to form in order to protect the real spirit and truth of Islam, opposing the harsh rules. How Sufism Started in the Islamic World Sufism, a special spiritual path, started to appear around the 9th century CE (3rd century AH). It began as individual people choosing to live simply and focus on worship, prayer, and avoiding worldly distractions. Over time, Sufism grew into an important part of Islam. It became a way of thinking, feeling, and acting, a complete lifestyle that includes worship, good behaviour, and deep understanding. From the very beginning, Sufism produced great teachers and holy people who made a lasting impact on Islamic heritage. Why Women Turned to Sufism As mentioned earlier, Muslim women were very active in the early days of Islam. So, it was not hard for them to join the Sufi way, even though the field was mostly men’s territory. People often thought Sufism was too hard for women because it involved a lot of spiritual struggle, patience, giving up worldly comforts, and focusing only on God. Many believed women could not handle such hardships because of their natural makeup. But despite this, women did join and contributed deeply to Sufism. Examples of Female Sufis Many women showed great faith and strong character through their Sufi lives. They expressed their feelings and beliefs using poetry, wise sayings, and stories. These words showed how much they loved God and how little they cared about worldly things. Unfortunately, only a small part of their works still exist today because much was never written down or has been lost. Most female Sufis grew up in families known for Sufism. They were often wives, sisters, or daughters of famous spiritual leaders. For example, the sister of Ibrahim ibn Adham (a famous early Sufi) followed her brother’s path of living simply, being pious, and trusting in God. (al-Sulami, Abu Abd al-Rahman: “Mention of the Devout Sufi Women,” p. 9). Another example is Zubda, sister of Bishr al-Hafi, who also followed her brother’s ways and said something beautiful about repentance: “The heaviest thing for a person is their sins, but the easiest thing is to repent. So why wouldn’t someone remove the heavy burden with something light?” (Ibn al-Jawzi, Abu al-Faraj Abd al-Rahman ibn Ali: “Sifat al-Safwa,” p. 514). What Female Sufis Said About Their Path Some female Sufis shared their own experiences. Abu Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami recorded the words of Mu’mina bint Bahlul, a devoted worshipper from the 3rd century AH. When asked where she got her spiritual states, she answered simply: “By following the command of God, and following the Sunnah (way) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).” (Al-Sulami, Abu Abd al-Rahman: “Mention of the Devout Sufi Women,” p. 34). The Role of Sufi Institutions and Environment Sufi groups and institutions helped many women become strong in their faith. Places like spiritual lodges (called Zāwiyas), retreat centres (Takiyyas), and monasteries (Ribāts or Khanqahs) were important in training and supporting women Sufis. These women were active not only in their private spiritual lives but also in public life. Where women lived and grew up affected how they practiced Sufism. Many were from families known for their religious devotion. It is often said that people are shaped by their surroundings, and this was true for these women too. In North Africa, some tribes were especially known for their Sufi traditions. For example: Ṣanhāja: A big tribe with debated origins, some saying they came from ancient Arabs. Ragrāga: A tribe known as the first to accept Islam in Morocco. Haskūra: A Berber tribe whose origin is also debated, but closely linked to other tribes known for Sufism. These tribes helped shape the spiritual lives of women within their communities. The Sad Truth: A Lost Legacy When we look closely at the history of female Sufis, we find a sad story. Much of what they created—writings, teachings, and spiritual insights—has been lost. Sometimes their works were never written down and passed only by word of mouth, and sometimes their writings disappeared over time. Because of this, only small pieces of their stories remain today. Some of these pieces can be found in big historical books like: Tarikh Baghdad by al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir, and many books that tell the biographies of scholars and spiritual leaders. These fragments show us a bright and powerful history. They tell us that women were important spiritual leaders and that their path was true and righteous. They followed God’s commands and lived according to the example of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Conclusion The story of female Sufis is one of faith, strength, and deep devotion. Although much of their work has been forgotten or lost, what remains proves their important role in Islamic spirituality. These women were not just followers; they were leaders who helped shape the spiritual heritage of Islam. Their journey reminds us of the rich spiritual legacy of Muslim women and calls us to remember and honour their contributions. ----- Kaniz Fatma is an Islamic scholar and a regular columnist to New Age Islam. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/female-sufis-islamic-spirituality/d/136154 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism