Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri: The Sufi Saint of Wisdom and Devotion

By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam 11 June 2025 Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri, a brilliant Sufi saint from Nishapur, mastered Quran and Hadith, married Ahmad bin Khidruya, and lived simply, dedicating her wealth to charity. Her profound teachings influenced many Sufi saints, earning her widespread reverence for her wisdom and devotion. Main Points: 1. Born in Nishapur, Iran, to a wealthy family. 2. Mastered Quran and Hadith, student of Al-Hakim Al-Nishapuri. 3. Married Sufi Ahmad bin Khidruya, lived simply. 4. Influenced Sufi saints like Dhul-Nun al-Misri, Bayazid Bistami. 5. Known for profound spiritual teachings and charity. ----- Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri was born in Nishapur, Iran. Her father Abu Ali was a nobleman of Balkh. Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri was very intelligent and sharp-witted since childhood. She memorized the Quran very soon and also became proficient in the study of Hadith. She was a promising student of Al Hakim Al Nishapuri. Gradually she started getting inclined towards Sufism and spirituality. She proposed marriage to the famous Sufi Ahmed bin Khidruya through her father, which Ahmed refused at first, but Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri sent a proposal again and also explained to him that this marriage would be a blessing from God, then Ahmed agreed to marry her. After marriage, she spent her life with great simplicity and in a natural environment. She lived a very simple life. She used her wealth for the welfare of people and to help the poor. (Photo Credit: Rana Safvi) ----- Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri spent most of her time in solitude and spirituality. She is also credited with being the teacher of the famous Sufi saint Hazrat Dhul-Nun al-Misri. Once a teacher asked Hazrat Dhul-Nun, “Who do you think is the greatest of the Sufis?” He replied: a woman living in Mecca, named Hazrat FatimaNishapuri, whose sermons contained a deep understanding of the inner meanings of the Qur’an, which was astonishing. Once in Jerusalem, Hazrat Dhul-Nun requested Hazrat Hazrat Fatimato give him some advice. He told her, “In all your actions, take care that you act sincerely and in opposition to your lower soul (Nafs).” In addition, she was well acquainted with many Sufi saints of her time, prominent among whom were Hazrat Bayazid Bastami and Hazrat Abu Hafs al-Haddad. Hazrat Bayazid Bastami was greatly amazed by her spiritual power. He once declared: In my life I encountered only one real man and one real woman - Hazrat Fatima of Nishapur. There was no stop (on the way) that I told her about that she had not already passed through. "Anyone who struggles to follow the purity of Sufism should act with the noble aspiration and conduct of Fatima, the wife of Ahmad Khidruya. Anyone who wants to see a true man in the guise of a woman should look at Fatima". These statements reflect the exquisite character of Hazrat Fatima Nishapur and her pure character essential to Sufism as well as her unique knowledge and understanding. Hazrat Abu Hafs al-Haddad narrates that "before he met Hazrat Hazrat Fatima he always disliked listening to women. However, after meeting her, he said "I finally saw that the Almighty grants knowledge and understanding to whomever he wishes." Her knowledge has been praised by the great people of that time as well. Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri made several pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem and spread her teachings to the people. She was a divine woman who presented her lifetime as an excellent example and lived her life according to Sufism. She did not consume her wealth but donated it to charity so that the good of the people could be done. Hazrat Fatima Nishapuri presented many quotes and teachings, some of the excellent quotes and teachings are as follows. "When God ignores a person, he will roam aimlessly in every city square and will keep chattering incessantly with every tongue. When God does not ignore a person, He silences him apart from the truth and forces him to hold Him in reverence and sincerity". "A person who does not keep God in his consciousness, no matter what language he speaks, no matter what fellowship he holds, remains in error and in confusion. Yet, a person who fellowships with God never speaks without sincerity and practices humility and sincere devotion in his conduct". "In this age, a truly spiritual, upright and pious person is being tossed about in a sea whose waves are troubling him. He prays to God to free him, to grant him freedom from the waves". "He who works for the vision of the truth is the knowledgeable ('Arif) and whose conduct is based on the fact that God is constantly watching him is the devotee". "God invited people to himself through various kinds of subtle graces and goddesses, but they did not respond to his call, so he afflicted them with various calamities, so that through this suffering they would return to him, because he loves his creation". "It is much easier to conquer our desires than to be humiliated in the pursuit of them". ------ 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/hazrat-fatima-nishapuri-sufi-saint-wisdom-devotion/d/135834 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