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Did you know the world’s first-ever university wasn’t founded in Europe but in the Islamic world? It was founded in Fez, Morocco during the 9th century, a part of the Islamic golden age. On top of that, the one who founded the world’s oldest University was a woman. Yes, you heard me right! Her name was Fatima al-Fihri.
Her story, though often untold, is one of inspiration and determination. In this blog, we’ll share who Fatima al-Fihri was, her contributions to education, and how she is an inspiration for those who want to achieve greater things in life. Let’s turn to her inspiring story now:
Fatima al-Fihri was born around 800 AD in Kairouan (present-day Tunisia) during the Abbasid Caliphate. She was the daughter of a well-off merchant named Muhammad al-Fihri. Her family migrated to Fez, Morocco during the early Idrisid period.
She came from a devout Muslim family that valued knowledge and learning. Both Fatima and her sister Mariam were well-educated. Their father passed on his love for learning to his children and made sure that they knew Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and the Prophet’s (PBUH) sayings (Ahadith) very well.
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She was also known as Umm al-Bunyan, which means mother of children. She earned this title because of her dedication to educating young people in Fez. After the death of her father and husband, she inherited a great fortune. She didn’t use that wealth for personal comfort. Instead, she chose to dedicate it to facilitating learning for others.
Even though very little is known about her early life, her legacy persists to this day. Let’s explore her invaluable contributions to education.
Fatima was a strong believer. She invested her wealth in building a mosque that her growing community in Fez really needed. In 859 AD, she began the construction project. Over time, the mosque turned into much more than just a place of worship.
By the 10th century, it became the first religious institute and the largest university in North Africa, known as Al-Qarawiyyin. It attracted many students and famous scholars, who came to study and share ideas. The university regularly hosted debates and discussions. It also had many libraries full of valuable knowledge, making it a key place for learning. The subjects taught there ranged from Islamic studies and languages to natural sciences and astronomy.
According to UNESCO and Guinness World Records, Al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest university in the world still operating, preceding the first European universities. In 2017, a prize was instituted in Tunisia in her honour, which promotes the professional training of women. Her decision to build this mosque and later turn it into a university has left an incredible legacy for generations to come.
She is a woman who worked hard and transformed her vision of spreading education into reality. Without a doubt, we can learn a lot about dedication and commitment from this incredible lady.
Want to know about more such inspiring women? Read our recent blog on 11 famous women in Islamic history who left a lasting legacy.
The following are the reasons why Al-Qarawiyyin University is so special:
This University is known as the oldest university in the world that is still running today. Both UNESCO and Guinness World Records recognise it for this amazing achievement.
It was first founded as a mosque in 859 AD, making it even older than the Sankore Mosque in Timbuktu (founded in 989 AD). Later, it developed into a university and preceded the University of Bologna in Italy (1088 AD) by more than two centuries.
Al-Qarawiyyin University is the world’s first-ever educational institution that introduced a formal degree system long before European universities. It became a state university in 1963. It awarded degrees according to different levels in Islamic studies, legal sciences, mathematics, grammar, and medicine.
Al-Qarawiyyin University didn’t just welcome Muslims; it also opened its doors to non-Muslims who wanted to learn and explore the treasure of knowledge. One famous example is Gerbert of Aurillac, who later became Pope Sylvester II. He was a brilliant teacher and scholar, especially in maths. Interesting fact: he is believed to have introduced Arabic numerals to Europe, which are the numbers we still use today.
This university definitely has its fair share of history. Its graduates include several Muslim jurists, scholars, poets, astronomers and philosophers. It was once home to some of the most well-known and brilliant Muslim minds.
He is known as Averroes in Latin. He is famous in the Western world for his important writings on Aristotle. He is considered one of the greatest thinkers and philosophers in history.
He was an African Arab who lived in Palermo, Sicily (Italy). His maps were really helpful during European explorations in the Renaissance. It is believed that he lived in Fez and taught at Al-Qarawiyyin University, sharing his knowledge with many.
He was a scholar who studied at the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco. He was the greatest Arab historian, known for creating one of the earliest non-religious philosophies of history in his famous work, The Muqaddimah (Introduction). He also wrote an important history of Muslim North Africa.
The library of Al-Qarawiyyin University contains over 4000 ancient manuscripts. It also keeps a precious 9th-century copy of the Quran, written in beautiful Kufic script on camel skin parchment, with strict security and controls for temperature and humidity.
This historic 9th-century library now has special systems to protect it, like an isolated drainage system to prevent damage. There’s also a lab to preserve and digitise the oldest texts. It has now been open to the public after the renovation. Among its many treasures, it displays Fatima al-Fihri’s diploma, which is written on a wooden piece.
Not only did she establish this amazing institution, but also studied Islamic Jurisprudence and mathematics at her own university. A research paper mentions that her contributions to mathematics education are recorded in a history book called Rawd al-Qirtas, written in 1326 AD by the 14th-century historian Ibn Abi Zar.
We know that Allah has created us as the best of His creations, each with a unique purpose. But what happens if we set goals, hesitate to step out of our comfort zone, and end up with nothing but regret? Isn’t it better to take action today than to regret it later? The following verse from the Quran clearly mentions that Allah helps those who help themselves,
‘There is nothing for man except what he strives for.’
(Surah An-Najm, verse 39)
When you think about Fatima al-Fihri and how she turned her dream into reality, you can find incredible inspiration in her story. She was a woman of faith, dedication, and courage. It’s clear that what she achieved wasn’t easy—there must have been many challenges along the way—but she never gave up.
Just like Fatima invested her wealth into the creation of Al-Qarawiyyin University, we too must take the necessary steps to achieve our own goals. However, those steps should always be coupled with faith in Allah, who shows us the right path. Allah says in the Quran,
‘Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We will surely bless them with a good life, and We will certainly reward them according to the best of their deeds.’
(Surah An Nahl, verse 97)
This verse shows if you have good intentions and work hard with honesty, indeed Allah will bless you with the best, InshaAllah. By the grace of Allah, Fatima al-Fihri was able to bring a lasting benefit to society, and the impact of her contributions is still positively felt today.
Some sources claim that Fatima al-Fihri fasted every day until the project was complete. This shows her strong faith in Allah, the One who grants success. It indicates something important: rizq. If you work for the betterment of society, whether giving to charity or fundraising, you do not need to worry about your rizq, as it is already decreed.
Fatima al-Fihri could have used the money she had to enjoy the rest of her life. Instead, she decided to invest in society. As a result, she became a figure who would be engraved into time and history. In short, her contributions to the world are invaluable and they are a great lesson for all of those who want to make a difference.
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