Fatima al-Samarqandi
Fatima bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi (فاطمة بنت محمد بن أحمد السمرقندي) was a twelfth-century Muslim scholar and jurist.[1][2]
Fatima al-Samarqandi فاطمة السمرقندي | |
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Personal | |
Born | |
Died | 581 A.H. = 1185 A.D. |
Religion | Islam |
Era | Islamic Golden Age |
Denomination | Sunni |
Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
Creed | Maturidi |
Main interest(s) | Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) |
Muslim leader | |
Influenced by
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Biography
Early life
Fatima was born to Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi, a preeminent Hanafi jurist who took active part in his daughter’s education. He authored the book Tuhfat al-Fuqaha'.[1]
Marriage and career
She married 'Ala' al-Din al-Kasani, a student of her father and an expert of fiqh. Fatima’s dowry was Al-Kasani’s book, Bada'i' al-Sana'i' (The Most Marvellous of Beneficial Things), a commentary that he wrote on her father’s book, Tuhfat al-Fuqaha'. Her father was so impressed by the book that he accepted it as her dowry on behalf of Ala over the kings that had asked for her hand and offered more.[3] When her husband had any doubts and erred in issuing a fatwa, she would inform him the correct judgment and explain the reason for the mistake.[4] Although al-Kasani was a competent jurist, Fatima corrected and edited his legal opinions.[1]
Fatima al-Samarqandi was a personal counselor of Nur ad-Din, the mentor of Saladin.[1]
Legacy
According to researcher Hoda Gamal, she is credited with establishing the tradition of setting up voluntary iftars for male fuqaha.[5]
References
- Abdullah, Umar Farooq. "The Empowering Jurist: Fatima al-Samarqandi". MSA McGill. Muslim Students' Association. Archived from the original on February 17, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- Suleman, Mehrunisha; Rajbee, Afaaf. "The Lost Female Scholars of Islam". Emel. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- "Fatima bint Mohammed ibn Ahmad Al Samarqandi". Mosaic: Recognizing extraordinary Muslim women. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- Nadwi, Mohammad Akram (2007). Al Muhaddithat: the women scholars in Islam. London: Interface Publishers. p. 144. ISBN 978-0955454516.
- El-Akkad, Farah (March 20, 2014). "Women in early Islam". No. 1189. Al Ahram Weekly. Al Ahram Weekly. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
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