“Our traditions have grown weak, and when people are weak, they grow cautious. When they’re cautious, they don’t give their women freedoms. God has given girls qualities and potential. If they aren’t allowed to develop them, if they aren’t provided with opportunities to study and learn, it’s basically a live burial.”

— Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

The first believer of Islam and the beloved wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Hazrat Khadija (RA), was the first person to dedicate her entire wealth to the cause of Islam. The contribution of women in Islam, however, remains underrepresented in traditional discourse. Throughout history, there have been over one thousand female Muslim scholars since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), each playing a vital role in understanding, preserving, and spreading the scholarly teachings of Islam.

Female scholarship is a central pillar of Islamic intellectual history, demonstrating how women scholars contributed significantly to the transmission and development of Islamic knowledge. These scholars upheld the intellectual integrity that defines the essence of knowledge itself. From Hazrat Ayesha (RA) — a leading authority in Hadith narration — to Fatima al-Fihri, the founder of the world’s first modern university, Muslim women have continually shaped the intellectual and spiritual landscape of the Muslim world.

Female Muslim scholars embody Islam’s enduring and balanced vision of society, establishing complementary and moderate roles for both men and women. Their efforts in preserving and expanding Islamic knowledge reflect the divine principles of the Holy Qur’an. The history of female scholarship reminds us that learning and engaging with Islamic intellectual traditions is a shared responsibility for every Muslim, regardless of gender or societal role.

These remarkable women transcended traditional notions about women’s participation in theology and philosophy, becoming authoritative figures in Islamic scholarship and tradition. Studying their lives and contributions is not only empowering but also transformative — it restores a sense of identity and deepens the connection to Islamic values and intellectual ideals.

In today’s complex and often polarized world, understanding the history of female scholarship in Islam is more crucial than ever. It offers perspective, challenges stereotypes about Muslim women, and highlights the empowering role Islam has always provided for women. This study helps modern Muslim men and women reconnect with authentic Islamic values while navigating a rapidly evolving world.

With these insights in mind, Cambridge Islamic College has developed a dedicated course on the History of Female Islamic Scholarship, inviting Muslim men and women to rediscover their heritage and continue the scholarly traditions that define and strengthen our shared identity.

This course is also available online through DeepDeen, an innovative learning platform providing high-quality Islamic education accessible from anywhere in the world.