The Legacy of the Women of Islam -Timeless lessons from the women who shaped history
- giochtn
- Aug 27
- 4 min read
When we talk about history, we often remember the famous names behind its greatest achievements, the name that fill our textbooks and the same people who will always be remembered. But history was never shaped by those famous figures alone. Behind many major changes, were people whose contributions were immense, yet we are still unaware about most of them.
Among them were women who refused to be defined by limitations. When we speak about women today, the conversation often becomes a debate about strength, equality and what a woman should be. But perhaps we are looking in the wrong direction. Perhaps we should look backwards, to the women who lived their faith, embraced their strengths and shaped their communities in ways that have something to teach us.
Because their legacy was never about proving that women could be like men. It was about women pursuing purpose on their own terms, without turning their worth into something they had to prove.
Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (RA): The Courage to Stand
Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (RA), also known as Umm Ammarah, was among the women who participated in the early Muslim community. Her name is particularly remembered for her courage during the Battle of Uhud.
When the battle took a difficult turn, Nusaybah (RA) remained near the Prophet Muhammad(saw), defending him alongside the others. She sustained injuries but continued to stand her ground.
Her story is not merely about a woman entering a battlefield. It is about recognising what is needed and having the courage to act. She did not need to prove that she was strong. Her actions spoke for themselves.
Al-Shifa bint Abdullah (RA): The Strength of Knowledge
Not every form of courage is loud. Sometimes, strength is found in knowledge.
Al-Shifa bint Abdullah (RA) was known for her literacy and intelligence at a time when literacy was not common. She taught others to read and write and was respected for her judgement. She was also entrusted with responsibility during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA).
Her contribution was through something that could not be taken away easily: knowledge. Education gave her the ability to teach, guide and contribute to her community. Her legacy reminds us that learning is not merely an individual achievement. What we learn can become something that lives through the people we teach. The most lasting influence is not being heard by everyone, but making sure someone else knows more because you are there.
Fatimah al-Fihri: Building for Generations
Centuries later, Fatimah al-Fihri became associated with one of the most remarkable educational legacies in Islamic history. In ninth-century Fez, Morocco, she is traditionally credited with founding Al-Qarawiyyin, which developed into an important centre of learning.
What makes her story especially meaningful is the idea of building something whose impact extends beyond one's own lifetime. She did not simply acquire knowledge; she helped create a space where knowledge could continue to grow.
Zubaydah bint Ja'far: When Wealth Became Service
Zubaydah bint Ja'far, a prominent woman of the Abbasid period, is remembered for using her wealth and influence for public welfare. She supported major water and infrastructure projects, particularly along routes used by pilgrims travelling towards Makkah.
Her story presents another form of influence: using what one possesses for the benefit of others.
Wealth can be measured by what a person owns, but its true value can also be measured by what it allows them to give. Zubaydah's legacy shows how privilege and resources can become a means of service rather than merely personal comfort.
Mariam al-Ijliya: Reaching for the Stars
Centuries ago, Mariam al-Ijliya was a Muslim woman associated with the crafting and improvement of astrolabes, astronomical instruments used to study the positions of stars and planets and to aid navigation. Her work reminds us that curiosity and scientific knowledge were never confined to one gender.
The Women We Know and Honour
And of course, we cannot speak of the legacy and women of Islam without mentioning Maryam (AS), Asiya (RA), Khadijah (RA) and Fatimah (RA) women whose names have been carried through generations with love and admiration. They are not simply figures of the past; they are role models whose faith, courage, sacrifice and character continue to inspire Muslim women today.
We may have heard their stories countless times, but perhaps that is the beauty of it. Some names are worth remembering again and again.
Beyond Being Remembered
The Qur'an itself reminds us that women are not merely side characters in the story of faith. Maryam (AS), for instance, is honoured by Allah:
وَإِذْ قَالَتِ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ يَـٰمَرْيَمُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰكِ وَطَهَّرَكِ وَٱصْطَفَىٰكِ عَلَىٰ نِسَآءِ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
“Indeed, Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds.”(Qur'an 3:42)
The Qur'an also places believing men and women alongside one another when describing qualities such as faith, patience, charity and devotion (Qur'an 33:35). Their worth is not presented as a competition between genders, but through their character and relationship with Allah.
And perhaps that is what the women of Islamic history teach us most beautifully.
Their stories remind us that there is no single definition of what a woman must accomplish to have a meaningful life. We do not need to constantly prove that we are strong, capable or worthy. We simply need to recognize our purpose, use what Allah(swt) has given us and leave behind something good.
Because perhaps legacy is not about having your name remembered by everyone. Perhaps it is about leaving something behind that makes the lives of others better even if they do not remember your name.
Writer: Aaliya Maryam.T.A, Member, GIO Jamalia.
Date: 27 August 2026.
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