Women’s Activities in Scientific and Cultural Fields
Islam instigated an intellectual and cultural revolution, illuminating every aspect of life and filling the hearts of Muslims with the light of knowledge and faith. The verses revealed in praise of knowledge demonstrate that Islam encourages learning. Thus, from the early years of Islam, the pursuit of knowledge accelerated, whereas before Islam, the number of literate individuals familiar with scientific tools and instruments was limited.
During the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), circles of knowledge and gatherings for religious and educational learning were not exclusive to men; women actively participated as well. Throughout the Prophet’s mission, women competed with men in these circles, attending gatherings for the study of hadith, instruction, and guidance.
The hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) established equality and parity between men and women regarding the pursuit of knowledge. In a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever seeks a path in pursuit of knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.” This hadith applies to both men and women alike and underscores equality in seeking knowledge, encouraging everyone to pursue this wise endeavor. Even those who are servants are asked to dedicate time to learning, attend knowledge gatherings, and compete in this field.
The women of the Prophet’s era (peace be upon him) would inquire from him and his Sahaba about things they did not know. Besides fulfilling their duties toward their husbands and children, they would also engage in learning and compete in good deeds, seeking knowledge for the pleasure of Allah and rewards in the Hereafter. When men returned home, each woman would approach her husband, father, or brother to ask about the Quranic verses revealed to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the rulings related to religious and worldly matters. They listened attentively, memorized the teachings, and became knowledgeable about religious affairs. Their eagerness for knowledge reached such an extent that they requested the Prophet (peace be upon him) to dedicate a day for them.
Islam, just as it encouraged men to pursue knowledge and noble conduct, did not deprive women of this vast resource. It did not limit the role of learning to any specific gender but emphasized thought and knowledge rather than the individual who possesses it. A student seeks knowledge, not just the scholar; they find answers regardless of who provides them. Time and place do not restrict them; knowledge can be pursued at home, in the mosque, or even on the battlefield. In Islam, forbidding knowledge is not permissible.
Another cultural activity for women is teaching. Given their prominent role in raising and nurturing future generations, women are considered primary builders of societal culture. Although few women were literate at the advent of Islam, with the encouragement of the Prophet (peace be upon him), some began teaching other women their skills.
Lady Shifa bint Abdullah was the first female teacher in Islam. She had learned to read and write in Mecca before converting to Islam. After embracing Islam, she taught Muslim women purely for the sake of Allah and the reward of the Hereafter, establishing her as the first female teacher. One of her students was Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her), the daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) and the honorable wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him). In an authentic hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) requested Lady Shifa to teach Hafsa how to write and some specific supplications. Lady Shifa recounts, “One day, the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to the house of Hafsa while I was there and said, ‘Will you not teach Hafsa the prayer for protection as you taught her writing?'”
In the pre-Islamic era, Lady Shifa used to perform healing prayers. After accepting Islam and migrating, she presented herself to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, as you know, I used to perform healing prayers in the pre-Islamic era. Now I want to present them to you.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Present it.” After she demonstrated it, he allowed her to continue using it and instructed her to teach it to Hafsa (may Allah be pleased with her) as well.
From these accounts, it is evident that during the Prophet’s era (peace be upon him), women participated in circles of knowledge alongside men, received and transmitted hadiths, and exerted great effort in all these areas. These endeavors were consistently encouraged and endorsed by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
One of the essential duties’ women undertook during the Prophet’s era (peace be upon him) was the propagation of Islam. They would invite their relatives who practiced polytheism to embrace Islam. For example, Umm Rumaan made great efforts to encourage her son Abdul Rahman to accept Islam, although her efforts only bore fruit after the conquest of Mecca. Khansa bint Amr, from the Banu Sulaym tribe, led many to embrace Islam. Umm Sulaym bint Milhan from Khazraj told her suitor that she would only marry him if he converted to Islam, which he did. Umm Shareek Ansariyah constantly encouraged others to accept Islam. Safana bint Hatim invited her brother, Adi ibn Hatim, to Islam, and Fatima bint Khattab (may Allah be pleased with them) played a significant role in her brother Umar ibn al-Khattab’s conversion to Islam.
