Important Women In Islam

Have you ever asked yourself about the important women in Islam and according to which criteria Islam counts a woman as a successful figure?! Since Islam opens the door for continuous reward for the Muslim after death through three different channels—collectively meeting in the upbringing of an effective individual—Muslim women have golden chances for fame and greatness through their direct role in society or indirect one of inspiration, support, and upbringing.

This article explores a selection of great women throughout the history of Islam who excelled in different fields of life—starting from the main mission of being a supportive wife and/or an inspiring mother of great world changers, going through those who excelled in Islamic sciences such as Hadith and Quran studies, and ending with other life sciences such as medicine, history, poetry, and astronomy.

Keep reading for more insights!

Table of Contents

Famous, Great, and Important Women in Islam

Islam highlights the value of marital life, family, and motherhood and their effect on the formulation of leaders and world changers throughout history. Most of the great women in Islamic history were wives and/or mothers who inspired leaders. The top important and great women in Islam are four women mentioned in the following hadith:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“Sufficient for you among the women of mankind are Mariam bint ‘Imran [mother of Jesus], Khadijah bint Khuwailid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, and Asiyah the wife of the Pharaoh.”
Sahih At-Tirmidhi

These four women reached perfection, and all Muslims are instructed to follow their footsteps.

Following are a group of important women in Islam, starting with the top four mentioned in the hadith, followed by other great women in Islamic history as well.

1. Khadijah bint Khuwailid, Prophet Muhammad’s Wife

Khadijah was Prophet Muhammad’s first and only wife until her death, after about 25 years of marriage to the Prophet and 10 years of support through the obstacles he faced after receiving divine revelation.
Khadijah was a businesswoman and a wise person who comforted Prophet Muhammad when he first received revelation and reminded him of his good qualities for which Almighty God would never humiliate him.

Prophet Muhammad continued to remember and honor her many years after her passing, saying:
“She believed in me when people disbelieved in me, she confirmed my words when people rejected me, and she supported me with her wealth when people deprived me. And Allah has blessed me with children from her when people prevented me from having children.”
[Musnad Ahmad: Sound Hadith]

Thus, Khadijah is a role model for Muslim women for her inspiring role of support to Prophet Muhammad in his universal mission.

2. Mary, Mother of Jesus

Lady Mary was in a very hard situation when she became pregnant without a husband. But she was never dissatisfied; she completely submitted to God’s will and understood the wisdom behind it. God inspired her to keep her faith, put her trust in Him, and go face her nation. Once they saw her carrying her son, they said:
“O Mary, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.”

Lady Mary was honored for her deep faith and submission—to be the mother of Jesus and to be mentioned in God’s book, the Quran. Learn from Lady Mary to submit to God and see His wisdom behind hardships.

3. Fatimah bint Muhammad (PBUH)

Fatimah is the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter, the wife of the fourth caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib, and mother of two great Muslim leaders, Al-Hasan and Al-Husain.

Though Fatimah’s legacy of narrations of hadith is rare, and her situations and character are limited in Islamic history, and she died in her late twenties, she was one of the perfect women in Islamic history. One of her main virtues was becoming the Prophet’s daughter and a successful wife and mother. Also, Fatimah herself was a fruit of her great mother Khadijah and is part of her mother’s continuous balance of deeds.

4. Asiyah, the Wife of Pharaoh

Asiyah was a great woman who believed in the divine revelation to Prophet Moses (PBUH). Islam highlights the great women throughout history—even before Prophet Muhammad’s time—since Islam, in its general sense, is the message of all prophets ending with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Asiyah was also a martyr who chose the blessings of the Hereafter over the luxury of Pharaoh’s palace, and he killed her for her belief in Moses’ message.

Almighty God recorded this successful role model for the believers and mentioned her connection to Him during her trial, praying:

“My Lord! Build me a house in Paradise near You, deliver me from Pharaoh and his ˹evil˺ doing, and save me from the wrongdoing people.”
[Quran 66 :11]

5. Umm Kulthoom bint Uqbah

Umm Kulthoom bint Uqbah is a role model for any lady reverting to Islam in a non-Muslim community. She remained steadfast in Islamic belief in Mecca, even though her family were among the top enemies of Muslims. She was unable to migrate to Madinah, the Muslim community, until the 7th year AH.

Umm Kulthoom, a young woman, escaped to preserve her faith and succeeded in reaching Madinah. Then, her brothers followed her and asked Prophet Muhammad to return her based on the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which Muslims signed with the disbelievers of Mecca stating that whoever came from Mecca to Madinah as a Muslim should be returned.

At that time, divine revelation came with an exception for Muslim women, as Almighty God states:

“When the believing women come to you as emigrants, test their intentions—their faith is best known to Allah—and if you find them to be believers, then do not send them back to the disbelievers.”
Quran, 60:10

6. Nusaibah (Umm ‘Atiyyah)

Nusaibah was a brave Muslim woman who actively participated in many battles with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She clarified her role in the battles, saying:

“I took part with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in seven battles. I would stay behind in the camp of men looking after the baggage, cook their food, treat the wounded, and nurse the sick.”
[Sahih Muslim]

Nusaibah also delivered many Prophetic traditions concerning Islamic rulings related to Muslim women.

7. Mother of Sufyan Ath-Thawri

Though little is narrated about this great woman, she recorded her name among the most effective figures through the upbringing of one of the significant scholars of the second Hijri century, Sufyan Ath-Thawri. Sufyan’s great mother encouraged him to seek knowledge by covering his educational expenses through her sewing work.

Her role did not stop at sending him to learn—she kept monitoring him and urging him to practice his knowledge, saying:

“O my son, when you write ten letters, see their effect on your soul reflected in your behavior, attitude, and awe of Almighty God. If not found, then this knowledge is against you.”

Thus, it is no surprise that Sufyan excelled in hadith sciences and became a prominent figure in Islamic history, leaving a lasting impact for generations, and placing continuous reward in his mother’s balance of deeds until today.

8. Mother of Ash-Shafi’i

The mother of Imam Ash-Shafi’i succeeded in raising her orphan son, who became the founder of the science of Usul al-Fiqh and a prominent figure in Islamic law whose knowledge continues to inspire thousands of scholars and is followed by millions of Muslims.

Ash-Shafi’i’s mother was a devoted worshipper of Almighty God and an intelligent woman with high cognitive skills, inherited by her son.

It was narrated that she once stood in court to testify with another woman and a man. When the judge wanted to separate her from the other woman during testimony, she refused, supporting her stance by a Quranic verse. The judge accepted her reasoning, reflecting her strong understanding and intellectual sharpness.

9. Lady Huma Hatun, Mother of Muhammad Al-Fatih

Lady Huma Hatun is remembered for her powerful role in shaping one of the greatest leaders in Islamic history—Muhammad Al-Fatih. She instilled in her son the values of Islam, justice, and leadership from an early age.

After dawn prayer, she would take him to the walls of Constantinople and say, “O Muhammad, you are the leader who will conquer these walls. Your name is Muhammad, and I hope you are the one the Prophet (PBUH) spoke of.” When he questioned how he could achieve such a great task, she replied, “By the Qur’an, strength, armies, and the love of the people.”

Her constant motivation and belief in his potential played a key role in his success. Eventually, her dream came true—Muhammad Al-Fatih conquered Constantinople and established justice. Lady Huma stands as a shining example of a mother who nurtured greatness through vision, faith, and dedication.

To conclude, motherhood is a divine gift, and we must learn from these inspiring examples to become strong, wise, and nurturing mothers. Let us strive to raise exceptional children who will make a positive difference and contribute to a better world.

Women Scholars in Islam

Though history is full of records of Muslim women excelling in household responsibilities and in raising great leaders, there are also notable examples of Muslim women who excelled in Islamic sciences, medicine, history, and astronomy. Among these women scholars are:

1. A’ishah bint Abi Bakr (d. 57 AH)

A’ishah was Prophet Muhammad’s wife and the most beloved person to him after their marriage in the second Hijri year in Medina. She excelled above all women in knowledge and mastered a variety of fields including medicine, history, poetry, and Hadith.

Hadith: She narrated 2,210 Hadiths (Prophetic traditions), many of which included key Islamic rulings and branches. Abu Musa, one of the Prophet’s companions, highlighted her superiority in Islamic knowledge, saying:
“We, the Prophet’s companions, never had a question on any Prophetic Hadith unless we found A’ishah had knowledge related to it.”
Medicine: A’ishah was skilled in medical sciences to the extent that her cousin and student, Urwah, said:
“I’ve never seen anyone more knowledgeable in medicine than her.”
When Urwah asked her about her expertise in medicine, which was uncommon among Arabs, she explained that during the Prophet’s final days and illness, many Arab delegations came from different regions and offered medical advice. She also gained hands-on experience by treating the wounded during battles.
History: A’ishah was gifted in Arab history, lineage, and traditions—skills she learned from her father, Abu Bakr, who was a leading figure in this field. As a result, many Hadiths that document pre-Islamic traditions and history come through A’ishah’s narrations.

Finally, Prophet Muhammad emphasized A’ishah’s virtue, saying:
“`A’ishah’s superiority over women is like the superiority of tharid over other kinds of food.”
[Reported by Bukhari and Muslim]

2. Fatimah bint al-Abbas al-Baghdadiyyah (d. 714 AH / 1315 CE)

Fatimah was a renowned scholar who lived in the 8th Hijri century. She resided in the Levant before moving to Egypt. She was notable for her intellectual capabilities and Islamic knowledge and studied under the famous scholar Ibn Taymiyyah. He praised her virtue and exceptional intellect, mentioning that he would prepare for her challenging and insightful questions.

Fatimah also taught many women Islamic sciences and helped them memorize the Noble Quran, including the wife of the historian Ibn Kathir, as mentioned in his writings.

3. Maryam al-Astrulabi (944–967 CE)

Maryam was a significant Muslim scholar renowned for her expertise in astronomy and engineering. She lived in the Abbasid era in Syria and was educated by her father, Koushyar al-Jili.

Maryam developed the complex astrolabe, laying the groundwork for many later scientific inventions such as satellites. Her contributions aided in determining prayer times, Qiblah directions, and improving marine navigation systems.

4. Zaynab al-Awdiyyah (1st Century AH / 8th Century CE)

Zaynab was a medical expert who lived during the Umayyad Caliphate in the first Islamic century. She practiced surgeries and specialized in treating eye diseases.

In addition, other notable examples of Muslim women who practiced medicine in early Islamic history include Rufaydah al-Aslamiyyah and Al-Shifa’ bint Abdullah.

Thus, Islam offers many scholars in different fields who have enriched scientific circles through their contributions and discoveries. Though history didn’t give much focus to the efforts of Muslim women, their footprints remain alive, and their divine reward is assured based on their intentions—a core Islamic concept that encourages individuals not to seek fame by essence, but rather to seek true impact and continuous reward.

Conclusion

To conclude, Islam encourages women to live a fulfilled and purposeful life, aligned with their natural capabilities and roles as complementary to men in reforming and uplifting societies. Among the many important women in Islam are those who found their paths in nurturing families, spreading beneficial knowledge, or supporting society in various fields—all while earning continuous reward. The following Hadith opens the door for every woman to leave a lasting legacy:

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).”
[Reported by Muslim]

This article highlights more than ten inspiring women in Islam who left their mark in different ways—be it through family, scholarship, leadership, or scientific excellence—offering relatable role models for every woman, regardless of her circumstances, society, or field of interest.

Curious to learn more about the inspiring role of women in Islam? Read this article and reach out to us for further discussions!