Fatima al-Fihri- Founder of the World’s First University

Many people mistakenly think that Islam enslaves women, “confiscate” their rights, and restrict their independence. It is because of the enormous influence exerted by today’s media that they easily slip into this believing – that being a Muslim woman is  being completely subservient, while living in those confined harems.

It’s true that some exceptionally misogynist practices developed over the time, but a big blunder it is to blame Islam for these practices, as both the teachings and the history of Islam testify – that women of Islamic period were outspoken, defenders, initiative-takers, assertive, and as well as they were the champions of their faith.

The names of such women to enlist here are legion, but I would only mention one great women in the history of Islam; Fatima Al-Fihri, who was  a pioneer in the field of education and is often not given a due credit.

Why was she a trailblazer?

Fatima-al-fihri was the one who established the concept of a university as we know it today. It was she who gave curricula, degrees, diplomas, gown and the graduation caps to the world.

The great muslim woman Al-fihri is attributed to being the founder of  Al Quaraouiyine university (859 AD), the world’s first ever university which predates the foundation of all the world’s most established and impressive educational institutions, including the Bologna (1088 AD), Oxford (1096 AD), Salamanca (1243 AD), and the Harvard (1636 AD).

It was her who sent the first large volumes of translated books and scientific discoveries which led to the establishment of European universities and brought the mid-sluggish religious centuries-old period of Europe into a new age.

“When medieval European societies loomed in darkness, a young African Muslim woman in the ninth century showed the dedication and foresight to create a center for intellectual growth that has withstood the test of time.”

The knowledge gained at al-Qarawiyyin university was widely disseminated throughout the western world by many scholars laying the path for the European Renaissance.

Along with the Guinness World Records, and Manchester University Press,  UNESCO also acknowledged it as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world.

A devout woman with an architectural acumen

Around 800 AD, Fatima al-Fihri was born in Tunisia.  She was one of Mohammed bin Abdullah al-Fihri’s daughters who had immigrated to Fez (Morocco) from Hijaz (Tunisia). After migrating, the family did years of hard commercial work, and made fortunes. But soon after, Fatima’s parents passed away leaving immense wealth behind. Both the daughters Fatima and Maryam received full inheritance of all his father’s wealth after his passing.

“It is also notable that “Right to property and inheritance of women was established in Islam 1200 years ago even before the British making such provisions in their constitution.” 

Al-fihri was much known for her piety and wisdom. Instead of squandering her wealth in luxuries, she decided to invest her wealth in something that would immortalize her name and benefit the society for ages to come.

Fatima seems to have been a determined woman with her steely grooves that after her bereavement, when any woman, would have sought company with the home, retreating to the backwaters of domestic life, she personally supervised all aspects of the entire gigantic construction of al-Qarawiyyin.

She observed fasting throughout the construction period for eleven years, and some even say, for as long as eighteen years.

“As  the first stone was laid, Fatima promised to fast each day, from dawn to dusk until the work was complete. The days were long and hot but Fatima did not eat or drink until the Sun set. Her throat burnt with thrust and her stomach grumbled with hunger, but Fatima’s wish fueled her. Fasting was her way of showing her passion, gratitude, and faith”.

Al-Qarawiyyin university attracted students from across the globe, but not everyone was able to match the standards set forth by the university’s administration.

The administration then instituted a selection process wherein candidates had to show proficiency in Islamic studies, logic, mathematics, and astronomy.

“The idea of today’s university, with its procedures and ceremonies originates from the world’s first university of Al-Qarawiyyin.”

Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Arabi, Abu Imran al-Fasi, and Al-Hasan ibn Muhammad al-Wazzan al-Fasi are among the some scholars who attended and graduated from al-Qarawiyyin.

It is presumed that Mohammed al-Idrisi, a famous Arab Muslim geographer and cartographer whose maps aided European explorations in the Renaissance, spent some time in Fez, Morocco, in the near vicinity to al-Qarawiyyin, where he may have worked or studied.

Many non-Muslim scholars also contributed to the advancement of education in al-Qarawiyyin. Some of those people include the Jewish philosopher and jurist Maimonides, the Christian scholar Nicolas Cleyner of Belgium, and the Dutchman Golius.

Fatima al-Fihri herself became a student of her university. Her degree, mounted on a wooden plaque, is still on display in the university’s library to this day. According to some sources, however, her thirst for knowledge was not quenched with a degree, instead, she kept on attending lectures at the university even later.

The fact that this institution is open to students of all ages, cultures, and faiths is a clear demonstration of her progressive outlook on the prospects for education to transform society.