1. ALIYYAH BINT HASAN (d. 2nd cetury AH)
She was the mother of Ismael ibn Ibrahim. She was a slave of Banu (tribe of)
Shayban in Basra. Ismael's father was a cloth merchat who would travel to
Basra frequently. He married Aliyyah after he manumitted her (set her free
from slavery). She was a noble soul, wise and illustrous. Her kowledge of
hadith ad fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) caused the nobles of Basra including
Saleh al-Mari to come to her house and discuss with her religious andIslamic
law.
Ismael was born to her in 110 AH. Abdul Warith Jawwadi, very know narratorof
hadith at that time said, 'one day Aliyyah brought her son to me and said,
"This is my son, associate with him so he may be imbued with qualities like
yours"'.
[Ref: Ghuulaman Islam, Khilafat awr Hindustan]

2. AMINAH RAMLYAH (d. 3rd centuryAH)
Aminah was regarded as one of the learned of the 2nd ad 3rd century hijrah.
She was bor in 162 AH in Ramla, a suburb of Baghdad. She was very
intelligent ad had a longing to attain kowledge since early childhood, but
as her parents were very poor they could not afford her education. When she
was young she accompanied her mother on hajj. In those days an eldery male
scholar gave Dars (lectures) at the mosque in Mecca. She joined his lectures
and learned from him the knowledge of the Quran and Hadith. After his death,
she went to Medina where Imam Malik had laid his rug for seekers of
knowledge. Aminah joined his classes and learned hadith from him. Hafiz ibn
Abdul Birr said that the number of ahadith reported from her is around 100.
Afterwards she returned to Mecca and studied fiqh from Imam Shafi. When she
was aged 36, Imam Shafi left for Egypt ad she left for Kufa. By the time she
reached Kufa word had spread about her knowledge and she began to deliver
lectures (Dars) to those seeking kowledge. Her reputation was so great that
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal would visit her.
[Ref: Dariah Maaraf Islamia, Mashahir Niswa, Bakamal Muslaman Khawteen]

3. QADFAH BINT GHAFFAR IBN NUSAYR TAMIMI
Qadfah was a lady of excellence during the Muslim rule of Spain under Caliph
Hakam Thani (Al-Mustansar). She collected books on various subjects and
created a stockpile of invaluable books on literature, art and other
subjects. She was a beautiful reciter of the QUran and she always swayed her
audiences with eloquent speeches.
4. KARIMAH BIN AHMAD MARUZI (d. 464 AH)
Karimah was a world reputed scholar in the 5th century Hijrah. Born in the
town or Merv (Iran), she studied theology for many years and learned from
the great scholars. She wentto Mecca after havig been qualified to narrate
hadith where she began to give lectures (dars). The noted Muhaddith (scholar
of hadith) of Spain, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Sabaq Saqli was a devoted learner
from her. After the Muslim rule of Sicily ended, he went to Mecca where he
learned from her. Afterwhich he went to Spain and made his abode in Granada
so that he could narrate hadith.
Ibn Bashkwal said, 'Abu Bakr reported hadith from Karimah and others. He
came to Andalus (Islamic Spain) and the people of Granada passionatly
learned from him'
Khatib Baghdadi says in Tarikh Baghdad (History of Baghdad) that he, in
463AH, during the days of haj, heard Sahih of Bukhari from Karimah. Hudreds
of seekers of knowledge would be at the lectures (dars) of Karimah. As well
as Abu Bakr and Khatib Baghdadi and Talib Zaynabi, many other scholars of
that age learned knowledge from her.
[Ref: Khazinat ul Asfia, Tarikh Saqqlya]

5. SHUDAH, FAKR UN NISA (d. 574 AH)
Shudah was the daughter of the scholar Abu Nasr Ahmad ibn Umar Al Abri. Born
in the Iranian city of Denvar she too became a scholar and a skilful
calligraphist. She leared from scholars such as Abu Abdullah Hasan ibn Ahmad
Nomani, Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Ahmad as Shashi, Ahmad ibn Abdul Qadir ibn
Yusuf and Abu Al Husayni.
Shudah had such an excellent reputation for teaching hadith that people
would come from all over the world to listen to her lectures (dars). It is
said that many scholars of great fame would be perpetual members of her
audience when delivering lectures.
Shudah showed such great knowledge of hadith, giving speeches on history,
linguistics and literature - such that she became known as 'Fakr un Nisa'
(Pride of the women).
The Caliph, Al Muqtadi BiamrAllah granted her a large estate to enhance the
scope of her scholarly activities. With these resources she established a
school on the banks of the river Tigris where hundreds of students studied.
When she died aged 90, her fueral prayer was held at Jame Al Qasr in
Baghdad. Thousands of sorrowful people including the scholars, students and
dignitaries participated in her funeral. Ibn Jawzi, the noted scholar of
hadith said, 'Shuhdah was a pious and devoted lady'.
[Ref: Ibn Khallikan, Syed Amir Ali]

6. SAFRI (d. 6th century AH)
Safri the daughter of Qadi Yaqub ibn Sulayman was a distiguished scholar of
hadith. She studied under the guidance of her grandfather and brother and
then she herself educated the people for a long time.
[Ref: Mashahir Niswa]

7. FATIMAH BINT IBRAHIM (d. 710 AH)
Fatimah the daughter of Ibrahim Mahmud ibn Jawhar was a learned and
sagacious person. She had the opportunities to recieve the best education
and was taught by the best scholars. After completing her education her fame
spread far ad wide. The great scholars such as Taqiud-Din ibn Abuul-Hasan
and Shaykh Dhahabi visited her school to learn from her.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

8. AISHA BINT MUSLIM HARRANI (d. 737 AH)
Aisha was a native of Harran born in 647 AH. From a young age she had wanted
to aquire knowledge ad her father sent her to the best scholars to learn.
She achieved excellent knowledge in hadith and fiqh and became known as an
authority of knowledge in these subjects. Amongst her students was one of
her brothers who completed his study of hadith from her.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

9. SHIRIN BINT ABDULLAH (d. 640 AH)
Shirin was a native of India.She was the slave of the renowned scholar Ibn
Bandayhi who set her free. She bore a distiguishable place among the
scholars showing to her erudition and digity. She gaied kowledge of hadith
from Abdul Monem ibn Kulayb and then begand to teach people in large
numbers. Amongst herstudents was a man who later became a scholar, Abar
Kohi. In later years people would refer to her as the Shaykh of Abar Kohi.
[Ref: Khilaphat Abbasiah Awr Hindustar, Qadi Athar Mubarakpuri]

10. FATIMAH BINT JAMAL UL DIN (d. 708 AH)
Fatimah was nicknamed Umm Abdullah. Her father was an eminent scholar of
hadith.She lived in Damascus and later established her own school.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

11. UMM-UL-KHAYR (d. 640 AH)
Umm-ul-Khayr was born in Baghdad and was know far-and-wide for her vast
knowledge of hadith. She reached such a high level of knowledge that she was
given the title Jamal-un-Nisa (Elegance of women).
She gained knowledge from scholars such as Al-Bati, Abu Al Muzaffar, and
Shuja Al Harbi. Later she established her own school which inturn generated
many more scholars such as Fatimah bi Sulayman, Ibn Shehnah, Ibn Sadah, Ibn
Asakir and Taqi-ud-Din Sulayman.
[Ref: Tadhkara-Ul-Khawteen]

12. KHADIJAH BINT AHMAD (d. 9th century AH)
Khadijah was the daughter of Shihab ud-Din. She was taken to the schools of
Jawheri and Munsafi who were scholars of that time, when she was aged but
two.
She became a great scholar and later established her own school in which she
inturn taught scholars such as Jalal-ul-Din Suyyuti.
[Ref: Mashaheer-i-Niswan]

13. RAJAB (d. 869 AH)
Born in 800 AH, Rajab was a great scholar. Her father made special
arrangements for her to learn from the scholars. She attaied the reputation
of wisdom and sagacity before she completed her studies. She was one of the
teachers of Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti.

14. MARYAM BINT ALI (d. 8th or 9th century AH)
Maryam was nicknamed Umm Hani. She has extensive knowledge having memorised
the Quran at an early age, as well as the well known book on Nahve (sytax)
ad Mukhtasir Abi Shujaa, a noted book of the Shafi jurisprudence. She was an
authority on 'Nahve', Islamic jurisprudence and hadith. She established her
own school and one she was one of the teachers of Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti.

15. ZAYNAB BINT ABDUR REHMAN (d. 710 AH)
Zaynab was a native of Jerusalem. She was taught by scholars such as Ibrahim
ibn Khalid. She spent many years teaching Islam and was one of the teachers
of the scholar Salah-ud-Din As-Safai.

16. HABIBAH MUHADDITHAH (d. 733 AH)
Habibabah bint Abdur Rehman ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim bin Ahmad ibn Abdur
Rehma ibn Ismael ibn Mansur Maqdisi was an amazing scholar. She studied from
scholars such as Al-Baldani ad Khatib Marwan who taught her about Islam, and
she also leared about current fields of study from Ibrahim ibn Khalid. She
also gained knowledge from Sibt Hafiz Sufi (the Chief scholar of
Alexandria), Ibrahim ibn Abi Bakr Al Zaghabi (the Chief scholar of Baghdad)
and Fadlullah ib Abdur Razzaque.
After completing her studies she spent many years teaching Islam. Her memory
allowed her to memorise hundreds of hadith with many scholars taking
knowledge from her, such as Salah-ud-Di As-Safai, a world renow scholar of
his time, where he mentions being taught by her in his book Ayan-ul-Asr
Awan-un-Nasr.
[Ref: Mashahir-i-Niswan]

17. ZAYNAB BIT ABDULLAH AL-AZHARI (d. 10th century AH)
Zaynab was famous for having learned hadith, her reputation expanded along
the entire Islamic world. The value of her knowledge is shown when scholars
such as Suyyuti attended her lectures (dars) to learn from her.
[Ref: Mashahir-in-Nisa]

18. AISHAH ANDALUSYAH (d. during rule of Muslim Spain)
Aisha went to Andalus (Muslim Spain) when the Muslim rule was at it's
climax. Her memory was such that she memorised over ten thousand hadith
including all of the narrators from the time of the Prophet to the present
date.
[Ref: Nakhf-ut-Tayyab]

19. SATT-UL-FUQAHA (d. 8th cetury AH)
Satt was a scholar of hadith who had no equal in piety, continence and
excellence of conduct in her time. She gaied knowledge from scholars such as
Jafar Hamadani Ahmad Harrai, Abdur Rehman ibn Sulayman and Abdul Latif ibn
Qibti. Besides hadith she mastered Islamic urisprudence. She established her
own school and taught thousands.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

20. HANIFAH (d. 9th century AH)
She was the daughter of Abdur Rehman ibn Ahmed ibn Umar ibn Al-Qimni. She
was considered one of the world known scholars of the 9th century. She
learned hadith from Kamal ibn Khayr, the Chief Scholar in her time period.
She established a school and taught thousands. Many scholars of the calibre
of Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti considered her as their guides and advisors.

21. MALIKAH (d. 820 AH)
Malikah was the daughter of Sharf-ud-Din ibn Abdullah Maqdisi. She was a
well known narrator of hadith and spent most of her life teaching people
hadith. Among the famous people to learn from her was Ibn Hajar Askalani; he
was given authority to narrate hadiths which she taught him.

22. UMM UMAR (d. 805 AH)
Umm Umar was the daughter of Taqi-ud-Din Rafe As-Salami. She was a notable
scholar of hadith. She was taught by the best scholars of herday including
Abdur Rahim ibn Abu-Al-Yesir. Later she established her own school. She is
also one of the scholars who taught Ibn Hajar Askalani.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

23. AMAT-UL-KHALIQUE (d. 920 AH)
Amat was the daughter of Abdul Latif ibn Sadaqa ibn Aws Al Manadi Al Aqabi.
Whilst studying she memorised the Musnad of Imam Ahmad, the Muajjam of
Tabrai, the Seerah of Ibn Hisham ad the Minhaj. Amongst her teachers were
Jamal-ud-Din Hanbali. Later she established her own school and helped those
who seek knowledge to seek it. There were many chief scholars who would only
narrate hadith after they heard it from her. One of her students was
Jalal-ud-Din Suyyuti. Amongt matters she was also a poet, to follow is one
of her couplets:
"It is my destiny, which owns me sometime and forsakes me sometime. I may
commit a mistake but not my destiny should male. When Allah wills any of His
slaves, do a task, he (i.e. a man) holds back his hearing and thinking,
though he may be a ma of sagacity, good hearig and watching. He pulls wisdom
out of him like hair is removed from butter, till he does the work ad then
his wisdom is restituted so that he could re-start to learn his lesson"
[Ref: Tadhkirah Al-Khawteen]

24. FATIMAH BINT IBRAHIM (d. 741 AH)
Fatimah was a famous chief scholar of the 8th century. She had no equal in
learning, excellence, piety and abstinence.
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

25. ZAYNAB BINT SULAYMAN
Zaynab was the daughter of Sulayman ibn Ibrahim ibn Rahmat as Shareeh. She
commanded an authority on hadith. She have lessons in Syria, then later
moved to Egypt where she spent the rest of her life teaching. Her skill gave
her the name 'Mustanadud-Dameshyak' (A lady authorised from Damascus).
[Ref: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

26. ZUMARRAD KHATUN
Zumarrad was the sister of Sultan Salah-ud-Din Ayyubi. She was known as
'Satt-ush-Sham' (Queen of Syria). She was virtous, appreciative of literacy,
knowledgable and generous. She founded a grad istitution where various
faculties for study were established. And she appointed the most learned
Scholar of the time, Uthma ibn AbdurRehman ibn Assalah Shehezori as its
head. The school was the best of it's kind in the Islamic world.
[Ref: Dairah-Al-Maaraf]

27. SATT-UL-AHL (d. 703 AH)
Satt was the daughter of Alwan ibn Said ibn Alwa ibn Kamil. She was a
distinguished scholar in the seventh century. She was a native of Balbaq
(Iraq) and a follower of the Hanbali school of thought. She reported hadith
from Bahaud-Din Maqdisi.
[Re: Mashahir-un-Nisa]

28. HAMDAH (d. 4th/5th century AH)
Hamdah, a native of Baghdad, was an excellet orator. She gained knowledge
from many scholars icluding Al-Halwani. She established a school at Bab
Al-Martaab in Baghdad, held lectures (dars) and taught hadith and fiqh. It
is said that the eminent scholar Ibn Samaai learnt the art of speech from
Hamdah.
[Ref: Tadhkarah al-khawteen]

29. AMAIM (d. 9th century AH)
Amaim was the daughter of Hisan ud-Din ibn Muhammad ibn Ayyub Al-Hussayi.
She was a noted hadith scholar of the 9th century. A number of scholars
gained knowledge from her.

[Ref: Mashahir-i-Niswan]

30. Daughter of IMAM TAHAWI
    She was a woman of outstanding intellect. She performed as the secretary to
    her father. He dictated lessons on hadith and fiqh and she would write them
    down.
    One day his daughter was writing down comments on some issues of fiqh
    pertaining to females including that of sexual intercourse. He dictated the
    words 'When we have sexual intercourse with women, this has to be done, like
    taking a bath becomes due, etc...'. She wrote these down, ad untentionally
    an embarrassed smile reddened her face. Whe Imam Tahawi saw this, sensing
    the feelings of embarassment, he felt so overwhelmed that he died on the
    spot.
    
    OTHER SHORT FACTS
    Ibn Qayyam gave a detailed account of 22 female companions who were known
    for issuing fatwas under the rules of fiqh.
    Alauddin Samarkandi, author of Tuhfah-ul-Fuqaha (Gift for Jurists) had a
    daughter, Fatima who was a great Islamic jurist. Her husband authored a
    book, which was a commentary o her father's work, and if there was any
    mistake in, she would correct him.
    
    Umm Zaynab Fatima bin Abbas Baghdadyah was a scholar, jurist and commanded
    dominence among the contemporary women.
    
    Hafsah bint Sirin had memorised the Quran by the age of 12, she was a
    beautiful Qaryah (reciter). Hisham narrates that whenever her brother
    
    Muhammad ibn Sirin had any doubt or misperception in Qirat (recitation) he
    would send one of his pupils to ask Hafsah how she recited.
    
    The Mughal emperor ShahJahan's grand daughter princess Shad Khanum wrote the
    Quran in Rihan writing style ad her ow name and lineage in Riqa writing
    style.
    
    Safiyya bint Ibrahim acted as guide to the female worshippers in Mecca and
    Medina. She also took care of the male worshippers as well.
    Alimah bint Muhammad of Muslim Spain, imparted education in various fields;
    so much so that she was known as Al-Moallimah (The Great Lady Teacher).
    
    Umm Hassayn bint Shaykh Shihabuddin Tabri, the Judge of Mecca worked a great
    deal for the welfare of Meccans. Imam Farsi writes that she had established
    a school for the orphans in Mecca.
    
    Maymunah bit Abu Jafar was a reciter of great fame. She memorised the Quran
    with seven forms of recitation while she knew ten styles of recitation. No
    male equalled her in this field.
    
    [Quotes above referenced from: 'Leading Ladies: who made a differece in the
    lives of others, approved by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, and Mufti Abdul
    Qadir, published by Idara Talifat e Ashrafia]

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