Unveiling the Intellectual and Spiritual Endeavours of Muslim Women in Ibn ‘Asakir’s Tarikh Madinah Dimashq

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

This article explores the rich intellectual legacy of Muslim women, as documented in Ibn ‘Asakir's renowned work Tarikh Madinah Dimashq to uncover their multifaceted contributions across diverse domains of scholarship. This study employs content analysis method to investigate biographical entries of Muslim women with a specific focus on Volume 80, which centres on Tarajim al-Nisa’. The study focuses on women's essential role in shaping the intellectual legacy, as well as their significant contributions to the intellectual endeavours, which encompassed the study of Quran, hadith transmission, Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic inheritance law, grammar, and others. Their scholarly activities extended beyond transcribing texts, thus depicting a broad range of their intellectual pursuits. Historical narratives illustrated Muslim women's intellectual journeys, which were often undertaken alongside male family members, highlighting their empowering commitment to knowledge and learning. The history of family-based learning had been emphasized in the Islamic intellectual legacy, with private households functioning as important educational institutions for women. The discussion within Tarikh Ibn Asakir also included prominent women who were actively involved in sufi teachings and practices. Finally, this paper sheds light on Muslim women's profound intellectual endeavours mentioned in Tarikh Madinah Dimashq, highlighting their significant role in moulding the Muslim world's scholarly environment throughout history. It emphasized the Islamic tradition's long-standing devotion to knowledge and education, which includes women's vital contributions.