Fatima al-Fihri: A Moroccan woman in the intellectual world

Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 5 September 2022 On teachers day we commemorate the memories of Fatima al-Fihri, the founder of first university in the world. Fatima bint Muhammad Al Fihriyyah was born in Tunisia in the early 800s AD. She is known as Fatima Al Fihri. She earned the honor of Al Fihri by establishing at his own expense the 'Al Qarawiyeen' mosque, library and university in the city of Fez in 859 AD. This amazing university was named after his hometown of Al Khairawan. Al Qarawiyyin was the first university in the world to award degrees, which greatly influenced and restated the lives of the communities in the 9th century and the place of women in the society at that time. The university's admission to all irrespective of religion and age is a testament to the innovative vision of a North African Muslim woman towards the educational system and her extraordinary commitment to the community. Al Qarawiyyeen University, the oldest and still functioning today, inspired the establishment of the world's most prestigious and impressive University of Bologna (1088), University of Oxford (1096), University of Salamanca (1243) and Harvard University (1636). The codes and ways of thinking that exist in higher education today are related to some of the practices that Al Qarawiyeen University has maintained. Al Qarawiyeen Library, the oldest in the world, dates back to A.D. There is a copy of the Holy Qur'an written in Kufi script in the 9th century and thousands of handwritten manuscripts on various subjects. The library also has an Arabic copy of the Twelfth Gospel. The establishment of Al Qarawiyeen University greatly influenced the world of education in the following centuries and molded countless world-renowned personalities. In addition to many prominent Muslim scholars, the university also attracted Judeo-Christian scholars. World famous people like Hassan Al Wassan (Leo Africanus), the diplomat and geographer of Andalusia, Moses ben Maimun (Maimonides), Islamic philosopher Ibn Rushd (Ayros), historian and thinker Ibn Khaldun, and Sufi poet and philosopher Ibn Hasm studied in this university. The medical scholar Ibn Beja, the grammarian Ibn ben Ajr, the Dutch orientalist and mathematician Jacob van Gool, the prominent Sufi Muhammad al-Jasuli, Ger Bert of Orillac Free education, quality of curriculum and various training courses have made Al Qarawiyeen University a destination for intellectuals, scholars and philosophers. Al Qarawiyeen University's contributions to and nurturing of scientific and rational debates in the branches of knowledge of language, literature, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, Islamic law, and Islamic jurisprudence were extensive. In particular, Karmashastra has played a major role in Maliki school of thought. Apart from a major historical debate, scholars at Al Qarawiyeen University have been at the forefront of many political debates. A Muslim woman of the 9th century, devoted and far-sighted, at a time when medieval European societies were plunged into darkness, It defied the times itself to create a rare space for intellectual advancement and enlightenment. The entire world owes its gratitude to Fatima Al-Fihri, the mother of geniuses, for her tremendous impact on the history of the university. The woman who left her mark Fatima al-Fihri was one of the two children of a wealthy merchant named Mohammed al-Fihri of Khairawan (present-day Khairun, Tunisia). Famous as early as the 7th century, Khairawan City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its impressive architectural style that still stands today. Founded by the Umayyad dynasty in 670, the city of Khairawan was at the height of Islamic wisdom, cultural richness and sophistication. This earthly paradise of spirituality and knowledge has attracted the attention of many scholars. The town served as a military post during the conquest of Al Gharb in northwest Africa. Khairawan was ruled by the Aghlabid dynasty during the 8th and 9th centuries under the Abbasid Empire. They captured Sicily and made Ifricia a demilitarized zone. Globe Aghlabid palaces were also very popular. The Al-Fihri family left the soil and wine they were born and grew up in to build an intellectual paradise in Fez, which was relatively backward in terms of education, and traveled to Fez. In fact, not much information is available about Fatima Al-Fihri. They belonged to the Qarawiyya (those who came from Khairwan) community among the first citizens of Fez, the seat of the Muslim dynasty of Idris. Fatima and her family migrated from Khairwan to Fez in the early 9th century. At that time, the city of Fez was under the rule of Idris II, a devout believer and respected ruler. Fez was the center of attention and a city of joy and fortune in the Maghrib at that time. Fez became one of the most glorious Muslim cities in the world, and Fes was admired for its rich blend of traditional and secular piety and cultural richness. Fatima's family lived in this town on the left bank of the Fez River. Finally, Fatima married from Fez itself. Al Qarawiyeen: The heart of the city Fez Today, Fez has become one of the most fascinating tourist destinations in the world. In particular, the old town of Fez, 'Fez al Bali', is fascinating. The old town is amazing with its many narrow alleyways criss-crossing like a labyrinth. The colorful and beautifully designed gates and 14 fort gates including the famous 'Blue Gate', the ancient transport arrangements through the streets and the local sculptural ingenuity will enthrall anyone. Al Qarawiyeen is still the heartbeat of Fez today. As a result of early hard work and effort, the Al Fihri family was blessed with wealth. Then Mahathir's father, Muhammad bin Abdullah, became the ruler of a huge business empire. When Mahati's husband, father and brother died in short intervals, Fatima and her only sister Maryam achieved great financial security. They became famous in the last days of their lives. The Maryam-Fatima sisters strove to achieve higher education and spend their immense wealth for the upliftment of society. Realizing that the mosques of Fez were not large enough to accommodate the refugees from Islamic Spain and the growing Muslim population of Fez, a beautiful Andalusian mosque was built in 859. Fatimah, on the other hand, as part of making her mark, immersed herself in the construction of Al Qarawiyyeen University and its attached mosque, which historians have described as the world's first degree-granting and still standing university. Authentic history shows that despite not having the slightest knowledge in the field of construction, due to their dedication and sincerity, they directly led and gave instructions to the construction work. From the beginning of the construction of the church and the university to the completion of the work, it was their custom to fast and pray for the entire days. They have shown the determination, patience and dedication needed to build such a successful structure. Al Qarawiyeen Mosque, one of the largest mosques in North Africa, started the university, which is at the forefront of advanced studies in the Islamic world. Among the contemporaries who left their mark in various fields, the famous Muslim thinker Abul Abbas, Khali Muhammad Al Fazi, the Sufi scholar Ibn Arabi, the father of sociology and famous historian Ibn Khaldun, the geographer Muhammad Al Idris, and the astronomer Nuruddin Al Bitruji (Alpetragius) became famous for Al Qarawiyeen University. The university, which initially emphasized on the Holy Quran and Islamic Karma, then expanded into various branches of knowledge such as Mathematics, Arabic Linguistics, Medicine, Astronomy, Chemistry, History, Geography etc. None of the courses were restricted to Muslims, rather, it opened its doors to students from Jewish Christian fraternal communities as well. As Fatima bore the entire cost of this institution, its absolutely free education attracted the lovers of education. The famous writer and traveler Leo Africanus, the Jewish priest and philosopher Maimonides, and Pope Sylvester II are all graduates of Al Qarawiyyin. ---------- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. --------- URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/fatima-al-fihri-moroccan-woman-world/d/127880 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism