By Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Al Menoufy

Some people might unknowingly think that the Arab-Islamic civilization was a male-dominated civilization that celebrated male scholars without glorifying the achievements of women. This is far from the truth. The truth is the opposite, as many history books, biographies tell us about many female scholars who left a clear mark in various fields of knowledge and science.  While in medieval Europe, the female body was seen by men, as an inferior, subordinate version of the male body, in the Islamic societies during this period and before, women were seen as equal to men, were seen in diverse roles, including those of religious scholars, doctors, scientists, and key figures in governance and preserving Islamic Arab culture. Among those women is the astronomer Maryam al-Asturlabi.

Maryam al-Asturlabi: The Arab Muslim lady of astronomy and inventor of GPS a thousand years before the world discovered it

Maryam al-Asturlabi was born during the tenth century CE/ fourth century AH. She grew up in Aleppo to a scholarly family. Her father, Kushyar al-Jili or al-Daylami, was a renowned geographer and astronomer, and authored numerous well-known scientific works on astronomy, including “Mujmal al-Usul fi Ahkam al-Nujum مجمل الاصول في احكام النجوم ” (The Comprehensive Book of Astronomy Principles), “al-Asturlab”, and “al-Mudhal fi Sina’at Ahkam al-Nujum المدخل الى صناعة أحكام النجوم” (Introduction to the Making of Astrology Rules). In Aleppo, Maryam al-Asturlabi became the most famous astronomer at the Hamdanid court from 944 to 967 CE.

The Astrolabe: Its Origin and Uses

While the astrolabe originated in ancient Greece, it was further developed and perfected by the Arabs. It enabled them to become pioneers in astronomy and other sciences.

The astrolabe was important to Muslims because of its use in determining the direction of the Qibla (direction of prayer), due to its great accuracy, also determining religious occasions, including the times of prayer, fasting, breaking the fast, and Hajj, as well as the beginnings and ends of the Arabic months. The astrolabe was also used for maritime navigation and remained of great importance until the eighteenth century, when the telescope and other observational instruments were invented.

What did Maryam add to the astrolabe?

Maryam al-Asturlabi invented the complex astrolabe and developed it over several stages. The Arabs called this astronomical instrument “”ذات الصفائح” the one with the plates.” It was known as a two-dimensional model of the celestial dome, describing the shape of the sky. Maryam developed the complex astrolabes used for navigation and astronomy, influencing the development of space navigation. 

In those distant times, astrolabes were small computers used to precisely determine the location of celestial bodies such as the sun, stars, and planets. It was a technological revolution similar to the GPS system.

Fatima bint Muhammad al-Fihri built Al Qarawiyyin mosque which was considered the first university in the world

Fatima bint Muhammad al-Fihri was born in 800 AD in the Tunisian city of Kairouan, her father was Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Fihri, whose lineage goes back to Uqba ibn Nafi al-Fihri, the conqueror of Morocco. She migrated from Kairouan in Tunisia and then settled in the city of Fez.

Fatima Al-Fihri was known for her generous spending and charity, especially during the month of Ramadan. She would lavish the money she inherited from her wealthy father and husband on the poor and needy, as well as on students. She was given the nicknames “the righteous and generous woman” and “Umm Al-Banin-meaning mother of the boys.”

Fatima al-Fihri played a great role in the Islamic civilization. She grew up with her sister in an educated family and learnt Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) and Hadith. In 859 AD, Fatima established the Qarawiyyin mosque, which subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Islamic Golden Age, and possibly the first university in the world. Students travelled from all over the world to study Islamic studies, astronomy, languages, and sciences, Arabic numbers {1,2,3,4,….} which became known and used in Europe through this university.

Rufaydah Al-Aslamiyah: A female companion of the Prophet ص who built the first field hospital and spent her own money treating patients.

While the world celebrates Florence Nightingale, the so-called founder of modern nursing, on May 12th of each year, her birthday, and the International Council of Nurses has declared this day “International Nurses Day” in recognition of her great role, Muslim female nurses and doctors emerged in the early days of Islam before Florence Nightingale, and centuries before she practiced nursing. Rufaydah bint Sa’d al-Aslamiyyah, born approx. 620 AD, was a Muslim Arab woman who practiced nursing and treating the wounded and injured on the battlefield. She also established the first field hospital during the Islamic conquests.

Medicine is her father’s legacy

Rufaidah bint Sa’d al-Aslamiyah al-Khazrajiyah al-Ansariyyah was born into the Banu Aslam tribe in Medina. Her father, Sa’d al-Aslami, was a skilled physician. Rufaidah acquired much of her medical knowledge growing up alongside him, and became fascinated by the profession of medicine and treating patients.

The noble female companion Rufaydah participated in the Battles of Al Khandaq and Khaybar. She was the first female doctor and nurse in Islam, a scholar and writer, and had a large fortune that she used to support her work. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, gave Rufaydah permission to build a tent inside the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina to provide nursing care and train Muslim women to work as nurses. She treated sick men and women there, and it was called “Rufaydah’s Tent.”

Rufaydah participated in battles, transporting her tent, along with all its supplies, tools, and necessities, on camels, to set it up near the Muslim camp. Her mobile tent became the first field hospital in Islam. 

These are just few examples of the role of Muslim women played in the advancement of education and civilization. The undeniable truth is that there are many great Muslim women who stood out as exceptional governors, scientists, thinkers alongside men, throughout the Islamic civilization. Their inspiring stories make them beacons that guide generations.

https://en.mugtama.com/articles/discover_the_enduring_contributions_of_muslim_arab_women