Fatima al-Samarqandi فاطمة السمرقندي | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Fāṭimah bint Muḥammad ibn Aḥmad al-Samarqandī |
| Personal life | |
| Born | 12th century CE (c. 500 AH) |
| Died | 1185 CE (581 AH) |
| Resting place | Aleppo,Syria |
| Spouse | Al-Kasani |
| Era | Islamic Golden Age |
| Main interest(s) | Jurisprudence (Fiqh) |
| Occupation | |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Sunni |
| Jurisprudence | Hanafi |
| Creed | Maturidi |
| Muslim leader | |
Influenced by | |
Fatima bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi (فاطمة بنت محمد بن أحمد السمرقندي), known asFatima al-Samarqani, was a twelfth-century femaleSunniMuslimHanafi–MaturidiScholar andJurist.[1][2] She is widely regarded to be known as one of the most influential female figures inIslamic jurisprudence history. She was also a personal advisor ofNur al-Din Zengi, ruler of theSeljuk Empire ofSyria.[3]
Fatima was born to Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi, a preeminentHanafi jurist who took active part in his daughter’s education. He authored the bookTuhfat al-Fuqaha'.[1]
She married'Ala' al-Din al-Kasani, a student of her father and an expert offiqh. 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.[4]When her husband had any doubts and erred in issuing afatwa, she would inform him the correct judgment and explain the reason for the mistake.[5] Although al-Kasani was a competent jurist, Fatima corrected and edited his legal opinions.[1]
Fatima al-Samarqandi was a personal counselor ofNur ad-Din, the mentor ofSaladin.[1]
According to researcher Hoda Gamal, she is credited with establishing the tradition of setting up voluntary iftars for malefuqaha.[6]
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