Written by: Abbas Rhamotallahi Ejide.

Introduction

In Islam, women are honored with dignity, rights, and a status that empowers them to excel in every sphere of life. While many people recognize the accomplishments of contemporary Muslim women as leaders, scholars, and changemakers, far fewer know about the exceptional women of early and pre-modern Islamic history who left an enormous influence on the Muslim world, in terms of intellect, bravery, resilience, and impacts.

Journeying back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad (peace Be Upon Him) and even beyond, women played crucial roles in supporting the spread of Islam, safeguarding knowledge, and shaping society. Some were honored with verses in the Qur’ān, others were mentioned in the hadith, and still others are recognized today in historical accounts, even in modern records such as the Guinness World Records.

This article highlights ten of the most influential women in Islamic history, especially at a time when women are stereotyped as oppressed, uneducated,

1. Khadijah bint Khuwaylid: The First Believer

Long before her marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace Be Upon Him), Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with Her) was already a respected merchant and one of the most prominent figures in Makkah.

Aside from being the first person to embrace Islam from the prophet, she also provided emotional and financial support which laid the foundation for spreading Islam. In a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet (peace pe upon him) said:

“God Almighty never granted me anyone better in this life than her. She accepted me when people rejected me; she believed in me when people doubted me; she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me; and God granted me children only through her.” (Sahih Muslim, 2437)

2. Aasiyah Bint Muzahim: The Wife of Pharaoh

Aasiyah (May Allah be pleased with Her), the noble wife of Pharaoh, is one of the greatest examples of faith and resilience in Islamic history. She found Musa (alayhi salaam) in a box at the riverbank and raised him as her son. Despite living in the palace of one of the most arrogant tyrants to ever walk the earth, she chose to believe in Allah and reject her husband’s false claims of divinity.

Her faith came at a heavy price as Pharaoh subjected her to torture for refusing to abandon her belief, yet she remained steadfast, and chose eternal reward over the fleeting luxuries of worldly life.

In the Qur’an, Allah Himself honors Aasiyah (May Allah be Pleased with Her as an example for all believers, and immortalized her supplication in Surah al-Tahrim:

“And Allah presents an example of those who believed: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds and save me from the wrongdoing people.’” (Qur’an chapter 66, verse 11)

3. Maryam bint Imran: The Virgin Mary

Maryam is the mother of Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him). She is one of the most revered women in Islamic history. She is the only woman mentioned by name in the Qur’an, and an entire chapter; “Surah Maryam” is dedicated to her story. Her mother had supplicated for a righteous child and, upon her birth, entrusted Maryam entirely to the service of Allah. She grew up in purity and devotion to Almighty Allah who described her as “chosen above the women of all worlds” (Qur’an Chapter 3, verse 42).

Her greatest trial came when Allah sent Jibrīl to give her glad tidings of a son, Prophet ‘Isa (AS), who was conceived without a father. Despite the accusations and hardships she endured, Maryam bore her role with patience and firm faith, and Allah himself vindicated her in the Qur’ān by causing baby Isa to speak and introduce himself as a prophet of God.

4. Aisha bint Abu Bakr: Scholar, Beloved Wife, and Role Model

Aisha bint Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her), daughter of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, was one of the most knowledgeable and influential women in Islamic history. Known as As-Siddiqah (the Truthful Woman), she was beloved to the Prophet (peace be upon Him), who said her excellence over other women was like the excellence of tharīd (one of the best delicacies at that time) over other foods (Sahih Muslim, 5418).

She was remarkably intelligent, memorizing and narrating over 2,000 hadiths, many of which revealed the Prophet’s private acts of worship, character, and daily life. She was also skilled in fiqh, poetry, and even medicine. Her scholarly level was said to be equivalent to that of an emeritus professor.

5. Fatimah bint Muhammad: The Icon of Modesty

Fatimah bint Muhammad (may Allah be Pleased with Her), the youngest daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon Him) and Khadijah (may Allah be Pleased with Her),, was among his greatest supporters throughout his mission. She stood by him in times of difficulty, and lived a simple life of worship and sacrifice. The Prophet (peace Bbe bpon him) loved her deeply, and often stood to honor her and kiss her forehead when she entered.

He (peace be upon Him) said: “Fatimah is a part of me, and he who makes her angry, makes me angry.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3714).

She’ll forever be remembered as a model of purity, faith, and a modesty so strong that she requested to be buried at night so that fewer people would see her body.

6. Sumayyah bint Khayyat: The First Martyr of Islam

Sumayyah bint Khayyat (May Allah be Pleased with Her) had the honor of being the first martyr in Islam. Together with her husband Yāsir (May Allah be Pleased with Her) and son ‘Ammār (May Allah be Pleased with Her), she endured severe torture at the hands of the Quraysh for practicing Islam. And despite the torture, she refused to renounce Islam and was eventually killed by Abu Jahl. Her courage and sacrifice remain a significant historical reference.

7. Hafsa Bint Umar: The Guardian of the Qur’an Manuscript

Hafsa Bint Umar (may Allah be pleased with her) was among one of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), who was honoured to report several hadith. She was the daughter of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (May Allah be Pleased with him), daughter of the second caliph of Islam. After the death of her first husband, she got married to the Prophet (peace be upon Him).

Hafsa memorized the Qur’ān, which was an oral form at the time and had not been properly documented. This extraordinary achievement motivates many people, particularly women, to read and memorize the Qur’ān. The original compiled manuscript of the Qur’an was kept in her care, which eventually became the primary source for the standardized copies of the Qur’an distributed across the Muslim world during the period of the third calip,  ʿUthmān ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him).

8. Nusaybah bint Ka‘ab: The Warrior of Uhud

Nusaybah bint Ka‘ab (May Allah be Pleased with Her), also known as Umm ‘Umara, was among the few women who actively fought alongside the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) at the Battle of Uhud. She sustained multiple wounds in the process, thus making her a model of bravery.

9. Shifa bint Abdullah: The Teacher and Administrator

Shifa bint Abdullah (May Allah be Pleased with Her) was one of the earliest literate women in Islam. She was known for her wisdom, she taught reading and writing to many in Madinah, including Hafsa bint Umar (May Allah be Pleased with Her), the wife of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (May Allah be Pleased with Her) recognized her capability and thus appointed her as an administrator of the marketplace in Madinah. She contributed heavily to Islamic history in her roles as a woman in education, governance, and public service.

10. Fatima al-Fihri: Founder of the World’s Oldest University

Fatima inherited a large fortune and wanted to invest it in a work which would be of benefit to the community, so she built Al-Qarawiyyin mosque. During the 10-12th centuries this then became Al-Qarawiyyin University. This centre of study has since been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records and UNESCO as the oldest ongoing higher education institution in the world.

Conclusion

Long before modern discourses on women’s rights, Islam had already honored women as scholars, leaders, martyrs, teachers, warriors, and preservers of divine revelation. From the marketplace of Madinah to the battlefield of Uhud, from the courts of tyrants to the classrooms of the world’s first university, these women are proof that Muslim women have always excelled, and they continue to do so today.

***Abbas Rhamotallahi Ejide is a counselling psychologist and Islamic writer passionate about using words for the sake of Allaah. She has authored e-books and articles on Muslim women’s journeys, mental health, and fiqh, with her works featured in blogs and international magazines. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, she continues to write to inspire, guide, and simplify knowledge for the Ummah.