Fatima bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad 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]
Biography
Early life
Fatima was born to Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi, a preeminent Hanafi jurist and took active part in his daughter’s education. He authored the book Tuhfat al Fuqaha[1]
Marriage and career
She married Ala al-Din Abu Bakr ibn Masud Al Kasani, a student of her father and an expert of fiqh. Fatima’s dowry was Ala’s book, Al-Badai 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 judgement and explain the reason for the mistake.[4] Although al-Kasani was a competent jurists, 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]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 Abdullah, Umar Farooq. "The Empowering Jurist: Fatima al-Samarqandi". MSA McGill. Muslim Students' Association. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ↑ Suleman, Mehrunisha; Rajbee, Afaaf. "The Lost Female Scholars of Islam". Emel. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ↑ "Fatima bint Mohammed ibn Ahmad Al Samarqandi". Mosaic: Recognizing extraordinary Muslim women. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ↑ Nadwi, Mohammad Akram (2007). Al Muhaddithat: the women scholars in Islam. London: Interface Publishers. p. 144. ISBN 978-0955454516.
- ↑ El-Akkad, Farah (20 March 2014). "Women in early Islam" (1189). Al Ahram Weekly. Al Ahram Weekly. Retrieved 18 February 2015.