Monday, June 9, 2025
Dayfa Khatun: The Pioneering Ayyubid Kurdish Princess and Ruler who Built Khanqah al-Farafra and Al-Firdaws Madrasa, Supporting Sufism And Education
By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam
6 June 2025
Dayfa Khatun, an Ayyubid princess, ruled Aleppo as regent, using diplomacy to maintain stability against Mongols and others. She built Khanqah al-Farafra and Al-Firdaws Madrasa, supporting Sufism and education, leaving a legacy as a pioneering female Islamic ruler.
Main Points:
1. Dayfa Khatun, an Ayyubid Kurdish princess, married Az Zahir Ghazi, uniting family branches.
2. She ruled Aleppo as regent for her son (1216–1231) and grandson.
3. Her diplomacy averted wars, maintaining Ayyubid independence against Mongols and others.
4. She built Khanqah al-Farafra, supporting female Sufis and vulnerable women.
5. Al-Firdaws Madrasa, funded by her, became a key religious education centre.
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Aleppo Madrasa Firdows
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Dayfa Khatun was an Ayyubid Kurdish princess believed to have been born in the late 11th century.
Her father was the Sultan of Egypt, Al-Adil al-Malik. Although he was sultan for a short time (1207–1218), he was the brother of Salah-ad-din Yusuf, who founded the Ayyubid dynasty.
Her life was spent in a city where different ethnic and cultural groups lived together. Kurds, Arabs, Persians and Turkmen all shaped Aleppo's politics and society.
Dayfa Khatun was one of her father's four daughters. She married Az Zahir Ghazi, son of Salah-ad-din, the Emir of Aleppo. Their marriage was more of a political alliance, done to end the conflict between two branches of the family. Their marriage was a grand affair and Dayfa Khatun was recognised as a respected female member of the Ayyubid court.
Dayfa Khatun gave birth to a son, Al Aziz, who was the heir to the throne of Aleppo. Dayfa Khatun's status at court rose as she was now the mother of a sultan.
In 1216, her husband Az Zahir died and the throne passed to her minor son.
She first served as her son's guardian and ruled in her son's place from 1216 to 1231 until his son came of age and then handed over the throne to her son. But Al Aziz could rule for only 4 years (1231–1235) and he also died.
Dayfa Khatun's grandson was only 7 years old at that time. A regency council was formed to rule in place of her grandson. Dayfa Khatun became the head of this council. No work could be approved without her signature and consent. Thus Dayfa Khatun became the first woman ruler to rule in Islam.
Diplomacy
Dayfa Khatun's diplomatic understanding was unique. During her rule, she faced many conflicts not through war but through diplomacy and negotiation. It was a period of political turmoil. Even in that difficult time, she protected her empire by averting many conflicts with her wisdom. She avoided costly wars and did more public welfare work.
Dayfa Khatun kept herself away from fratricidal wars and protected her kingdom. During her reign, she strongly faced the attacks of Mongols, Khwarazmians, etc. and maintained the independence of her Ayyubid dynasty.
Dayfa Khatun also contributed significantly to the cultural and architectural development of the city, building important schools and fortifications. Her rule challenges the common belief that medieval Islamic politics was exclusive to men. She conducted many public welfare works.
Khanqah al-Farafra
Dayfa Khatun built a Khanqah for female Sufi saints. Also known as ar-Ribat al-Nasiri, this was a special place, its importance also increased because it was like a shelter center for elderly, divorced and widowed women where these women could spend their entire life and live their lives in a spiritual environment.
Dayfa Khatun also embraced Sufism wholeheartedly. She provided a dignified life to the women living in this Khanqah and also ensured their religious and social participation. This Khanqah is still operated in Aleppo today.
Al-Firdaws Madrasa
Al-Firdaws Madrasa, also known as Paradise School, is a 13th-century complex established by the Khatun with her personal resources. The madrasa was a major centre of religious education. An inscription carved on the side of the madrasa translates as, "She ordered its construction: the high-veiled and impenetrable queen, the compassionate queen... Dayfa Khatun, daughter of Sultan al-Malik al-Adil..." This inscription further solidifies the power of a Dayfa Khatun as a female patron.
Ibn Wasil wrote about Dayfa Khatun in his book that, "She was just towards her subjects, very charitable and loving towards them. She repealed various taxes in all areas of Aleppo. She favoured jurists, ascetics, scholars and people of religion and gave them many charities." This testimony is confirmed by Khatun's architectural patronage, which upheld her Sufi beliefs.
Dayfa Khatun faced many difficult situations in her lifetime and with her wisdom, she provided stability to her empire. She did not get distraught at the time of death of her loved ones and established peace in her kingdom by ruling firmly and this was recorded in golden letters in the pages of history.
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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/dayfa-ayyubid-kurdish-farafra-al-firdaws-madrasa-sufism/d/135793
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