Fatima al-Fihri

Fatima al-Fihri

Introduction

Fatima al-Fihri led an exciting life characterized by events that went against the norm as she founded the first university across the globe during an era when women were believed to be inferior to men. Popular academic sourced failed to document this fact, and only historic academic books have documented Islamic history at length. It was also an era when higher learning was a new concept due as there were no universities. Fatima al-Fihri was born in a well-educated family in Tunisia, and even though information on her personal life is scanty, she invested her inheritance in building the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and established the University of Al-Qarawiyyin (Qazi). The university is still in existence, and this cements her role in Arab civilization and her contribution to the education sector.

Fatima al-Fihri Personal Life

History shows that Fatima al-Fihri was born in 800 AD in modern-day Tunisia. Her family belonged to the Qarawiyyin community and migrated from Qayrawan to Fes at the advent of the 19th century. At the time, Fes was the center of attention and held promises of happiness and fortune, which were appealing to the family (Boussouf). During the time, Fes was under the rule of Idrees II, who was a devout Muslim and a distinguished ruler (Qazi). Fes was a growing metropolis in the Muslim West that boasted of having a rich culture and religion. It was in this city where Fatima grew up and got married. A notable aspect of her personal life is that she studied Islamic jurisprudence, the Hadith, and Fiqh.

The Al-Fihri family had humble beginnings, and after working hard in their new settlement, they gained a high level of prosperity (Boussouf). Her father became a successful merchant, and this shaped how her life turned out. The Al-Fihri was struck by misfortune when Fatima’s father, brother, and husband died in a short time (Qazi). As a result, Fatima and Mariam, her sister, got a significant inheritance, and this ensured their financial independence. Fatima’s educational background played a pivotal role in determining the direction that her life took. She dedicated her life to pursuing initiatives that would benefit society. She observed the local mosque could not accommodate the high number of worshippers that were refugees from Islamic Spain.

Building the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque

Fatima had clear intentions in helping society and was interested in making investments that would benefit the members of the community in the long-run. As previously mentioned, the mosque was small and needed to be expanded. Fatima bought the land that was next to the mosque paving the way for its expansion. She used her inheritance to buy the property and construct the mosque (Chambers and Greenville 202). It is estimated that the mosque was built in 845 AD. The construction took place during King Yahya ibn Muhammad’s era (Qazi). The construction plan was elaborate, and the project took eighteen years to complete. Fatima fasted during the construction, and once it was done, she prayed and thanked Allah for his blessings. The mosque was named Kairouan after her hometown.

Contribution in Building the University of Al-Qarawiyyin

The establishment of the mosque was a gradual process that was in line with Fatima’s vision. History shows that it was the establishment of the mosque that resulted in the establishment of the university. Fatima was directly involved in the construction of the mosque as she was in charge of the construction process. She was meticulous in her work and ensured that the project was implemented accordingly, even though she was not experienced in the construction sector. She fasted and prayed during the construction process proving her dedication in the construction. Fatima’s efforts paid off as Al-Qarawiyyin emerged to be the first university to be established across the world (Muslim Heritage). Her contribution to the building inspired like-minded individuals to be involved. Initially, the institution was mainly intended for political discussion and religious instruction. With time, it introduced different subjects, specifically natural sciences. The topics that were taught in addition to Fiqh and the Quran included music, geography, history, chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and logic. Fatima’s vision influenced the high quality of education as she was well-educated and intended to share the same values with students in the Muslim world.

Al-Qarawiyyin University became the leading institutions of learning in North Africa and the Islamic world. Some of the famous graduates that studied in the university included Abul-Abbas, jurist, Muhammad al-Fasi that were outstanding thinkers of the time. An exceptional feature of the university was that education was free as Fatima funded the institution, which saw a drastic increase in the enrolment rate. The courses that were taught in the institution were not limited to Muslim students as Jewish and Christian students could also enroll. Fatimas’s generosity has inspired the existence and effective operation of the University of al-Qarawiyyin to date. A notable feature of the university is the world’s oldest library that attracts visitors from diverse parts of the world (Muslim Heritage). The library has manuscripts that have been recorded over the years and has been refurbished to maintain its legacy. The university is open to the public and displays Fatima’s original diploma is displayed on a wooden plaque to honor her legacy.

Nearly 1200 years have passed since the establishment of the University of Al-Qarawiyyin and the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Fatima is credited for having established both institutions owing to her passion for religion and education. It follows that her passion for education continued even in old age as she attended lessons in the institution. Students have graduated from the university in physical and religious sciences over the years. The institution mainly targeted needy students and had high enrolment rates. It is approximated that over 8000 students had enrolled in the institution by the 14th century (Muslim Heritage). Her commitment to religion was evident during the construction of the mosque and the university. The development of both institutions has continued to impact on the lives of individuals from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and the founder’s mission to give back to the society was attained.

Conclusion

The discussion focusses on the life and achievements of Fatima al-Fihri, who was the founder of the first university. Most academic sources fail to discuss her contribution to the education and religious sectors as a civilization in the Muslim world has been overlooked over the years. Fatima was born in a poor background, but the family’s fortune changed when they relocated to Fes. She inherited a substantial inheritance that she used to construct the University of Al-Qarawiyyin and the Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque with her sister’s help. These institutions became an integral part of the history of the Islamic world and have impacted the world to the present times. Fatima’s contribution to education and religion can be observed through her work and life achievements.

Works Cited

Boussouf, Abdellah. Fatima Al-Fihri: The Mother of Moroccan Intellectuals. 11 Jun. 2019.           Web. 26 Feb. 2020, viewed https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2019/06/275633/fatima-al-fihri-moroccan-                intellectuals-al-quaraouiyine/

Chambers, Crystal Renée, and N. C. Greenville. “Discovering Nalanda and other institutions of    higher education before Solerno.” Journal for the Study of Postsecondary and Tertiary           Education 2 (2017): 195-205, viewed http://www.jspte.org/Volume2/JSPTEv2p195-          205Chambers4006.pdf

Muslim Heritage. Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University. 20 Oct. 2004. Web. 26 Feb. 2020,

viewed https://muslimheritage.com/qarawiyyin-mosque-university/

Qazi, Moin. Fatima al-Fihri: Founder of World’s Very First University. 6 May. 2017. Web. 26      Feb. 2020, viewed https://islamicvoice.com/essay/fatima-al-fihri-the-muslim-lady-who-            founded-the-worlds-first-university/