Monday, May 5, 2025

Fatima al-Fihriya: The Pioneering Scholar Who Shaped Centuries of Learning

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 5 May 2025 Fatima Al-Fihriya Founded Al-Qarawiyyin, The World’s Oldest University (859 CE), Championing Inclusive Education. Her Legacy Highlights Islam’s Support For Women’s Empowerment, Fostering Scholars Across Disciplines And Inspiring Global Recognition For Bridging Knowledge And Equality Main Points: 1. Fatima al-Fihriya established the world’s oldest continuously operating university (859 CE) in Fez, Morocco. 2. Used inherited wealth to create an educational institution, rejecting personal luxury. 3. Al-Qarawiyyin taught religion, Arabic, mathematics, and sciences, attracting scholars globally. 4. Produced luminaries like Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Rushd, and Maimonides, shaping intellectual history. 5. Debunked myths about Islam restricting women’s education; promoted universal access to learning. ------ Image representation courtesy: MPAC.org ------ In the 9th century, amidst the bustling intellectual landscape of North Africa, Fatima al-Fihriya emerged as a visionary whose legacy would transcend time. Born in 800 CE in Kairouan (modern-day Tunisia), Fatima belonged to a family of prosperous merchants. Her father, Muhammad Bannu Abdullah al-Fihri, relocated the family to Fez, Morocco, where his success in trade laid the groundwork for Fatima’s future endeavours. Following the deaths of her father and husband, she inherited considerable wealth, but rather than indulging in luxury, she channelled her resources into a monumental project: the founding of Al-Qarawiyyin University in 859 CE. Established during the holy month of Ramadan, the institution began as a mosque but quickly evolved into a beacon of knowledge, recognized today by UNESCO and the Guinness World Records as the oldest continuously operating university in the world. Al-Qarawiyyin’s curriculum was revolutionary for its era, blending religious studies with secular disciplines such as mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. By the 10th century, it had become a magnet for scholars across the Islamic world and beyond, attracting minds like the historian Ibn Khaldun, whose works laid the foundation for modern sociology; the philosopher-physician Ibn Rushd (Averroes), who bridged Islamic and Western thought; and Moses ibn Maimon (Maimonides), the Jewish polymath whose medical and philosophical treatises remain influential. The university also nurtured ground-breaking women, including Aisha al-Mannubiyya, a mystic revered across North Africa, and Umm al-Darda, a scholar who advised caliphs and taught in mosques. Fatima’s leadership extended beyond architecture and administration. She personally mentored students, offering both academic guidance and financial support, earning her the affectionate title “Mother of the Children” (Umm al-Banine). Her vision, “Education is for everyone”, was radical in an age when access to learning was often restricted by gender or social class. Al-Qarawiyyin admitted students from diverse backgrounds, including women, challenging misconceptions about Islam’s stance on female education. Fatima’s life became a testament to the idea that Muslim women could not only pursue knowledge but also shape institutions that democratized it. Centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire. In 2017, Tunisia inaugurated the Fatima al-Fihri Award, honouring those advancing women’s education and empowerment. Scholarships bearing her name support students across Europe and North Africa, while in Fez, she is venerated as a saint. Her story, preserved in the medieval chronicle Rawd al-Qirtas by Ibn Abi Zar, serves as a reminder of education’s transformative power. The closing lines of a poem dedicated to her spirit capture her enduring message: “Jhatak Ke Apne Paron Ko, Chal Ud Chale Aasmaan Mein, Ki Tujhe Pankh Diye Hain Mere Rabb Ne Udaan Hi Ke Vaaste.” “Shake off your wings and soar into the sky, For my Lord has given you wings meant to fly.” Fatima al-Fihriya’s life embodies the timeless truth that knowledge, when made accessible and inclusive, can uplift civilizations. Her story resonates powerfully today, urging us to break barriers and ensure education remains a universal right, not a privilege. ------ Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession. She primarily writes about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education. URl: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/fatima-al-fihriya-scholar-learning/d/135428 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

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