Princesses, Queens, Regents and Warriors: a thread on some remarkable women from Muslim history
1/ Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (625 CE) - An early convert to Islam, Nusaybah participated in multiple battles, defending and protecting Prophet Muhammad. Her dedication and bravery earned her a revered place in Islamic history.
2/ Khawlah Bint al-Kindiyyah (7th century CE) - A warrior and leader, Khawlah and her female captains led an Arab army against a Greek invasion. Their inspiring leadership and courage turned the tide of battle.
3/ Abbasid Princess Zubaidah fought against the inequalities and corruption that plagued society, advocating for social justice and the welfare of the people. Known for her philanthropy, she built several waterworks, hospitals and the like.
4/ Princess Kalinyamat of Demak, known as the "Queen of Jepara," was a formidable figure in Java's history. She fought relentlessly to form a military strategy against Dutch and Portuguese colonial forces, defending the independence of Demak Sultanate.
5/ Terken Khatun of the Khwarezmian Empire was crucial in defending the empire against Mongol invasions in the 13th century. She supported both military strategies and diplomatic efforts to safeguard the Sultanate. She was captured when the Mongols ransacked the Khwarzem Shah's.
6/ Queen Safiatuddin Tajul Alam of Aceh blazed a trail as a courageous leader. She fought against Portuguese invaders, who aimed to subjugate Aceh and control its lucrative trade routes. She is remembered for her resistance, leadership, and protecting Aceh's Islamic heritage.
7/ Queen Goharshad of the Timurid Empire was a queen consort known for her patronage of art, architecture, and education. She built one the first Bimaristan (hospital) in the region of Khorasan, besides building an exquisite library, as well as several mosques and shrines.
8/ Queen Raziya from "Khandan-e-Ghulaman" (The Slave Dynasty) made history as the first and the only woman to rule in Delhi during the 13th century. Her reign was marked by a commitment to religious tolerance, administrative reforms, and the promotion of cultural patronage.
9/ Gewher Nasibe Sultan of the Sultanate of Rum is celebrated for her contributions to the arts and sciences during the 13th century.
10/ Queen Amina of Zazzau, a legendary warrior queen of the 16th century, left an indelible mark on the Hausa kingdom of Zazzau, present-day Nigeria. Known for her military prowess and leadership, she expanded her territory and fortified its defences.
11/ Queen Asma bint Shihab of Yemen, left a remarkable legacy as a ruler in the 12th century, despite being overshadowed by her husband's reign, she demonstrated political astuteness and maintained a strong influence over governance.
12/ Sultana Shajar al-Durr of Egypt, The Sultana of Pearls, established an empire, repelled the Crusaders and adopted culturally-syncretized architecture: indigenous Bahri Mamluk and Islamic. The Queen who was murdered deserves a thread of her own to tell her story.
14/ Queen Fatima al-Fihri of Morocco established the University of al-Qarawiyyin, in the 9th century, which remains an enduring symbol of scholarship, as well as intellectual and cultural heritage.
15/ Zainab Tari Soomro, a historical figure and a folk heroine from Sindh, gained recognition as the only Queen to be the Sovereign monarch of Sindh. She reigned for a decade, and legend has it that no foreign military invaded Sindh during her reign.
16/ Sultana Khadija of Maldives reigned during the 16th century and is notable for its focus on administration, strengthening the nation's trade and diplomacy.
17/ Queen Mahpeyker Kösem Sultan of the Ottoman Empire was a formidable political figure. She is known for her political acumen and the substantial influence she wielded behind the scenes, from social justice to military reforms.
Read our thread on Muslim women in the world of scholarship here!
How did the Islamic/Hijri Calendar come around? A thread:
When Hazrat Umar (R) was the Caliph, he realised that the Khilafat required a structured system of timekeeping to manage its affairs.
He called a gathering of the Sahabah (R) and other experts for their suggestions.
Some suggested adopting the Roman calendar, known for its widespread use in the West.
Another suggestion came from Hormuzan, a newly converted Persian official, who proposed the Persian calendar.
Both were dismissed. These systems, though organized, reflected foreign cultures and histories.
Hazrat Umar (R) was of the opinion that what Muslims needed was a calendar rooted in their own identity and faith. Now that it was established that a new calendar must be put forth -
In medieval Muslim astrology, each Zodiac Sign had a Jinn associated to it. A thread on Zodiac Jinns from the Ajaib al Makhlooqat wa Gharaib al Maujoodaat, one of the most important works on Islamic cosmology and mythology:
Königin Pauline Württemberg wearing a Kashmir Paisley Shawl. Painting by Joseph Karl Stieler – ca. 1825. She was born a Württemberg and married a Württemberg. She is holding her son Karl who married Grand Princess Olga, and a Morris Rug
A short thread on the history of paisley:
In the Indo-Persian world, the Paisley, originally known as the Boteh/Ambi/Koyari/Kalka was influenced by the shape of a Cypress tree, or small, unripe Mango, both of which have strong cultural connotations of life and prosperity.
The Paisley motif, which evolved from the original buta design, became particularly prominent as it was adopted by Scottish weavers in Paisley, who produced imitations of Kashmiri Pashmina shawls.
Music has historically been at the forefront of resistance around the world.
During the 1940s, Urdu poetry took centre stage as protests erupted across British India, with calls for Independence louder than ever. A thread:
During the Pakistan Movement (1940-47), amid calls to join the Muslim League, Fateh and Mubarak Ali Khan sang the Qawalli, “Muslim Hay tou Muslim League Main Aa” - it not only became a hit but also became a slogan for the Muslim League.
Kaifi Azmi penned the poem: Aurat. It centres female agency, and participation in the Pakistan movement. Both revolutionary and romantic, it is reminiscent of what Jinnah thought and said about the political participation and agency of women.
When Sikandar conquered parts of the Indian Subcontinent, he appointed one of his men there, and went back.
Soon after, the people of the Subcontinent rebelled against him, and appointed a new King.
However, he soon turned tyrannical, and no one dared to utter a word against him. A great philosopher at the tome, tried to make the King see sense, however, he was imprisoned.
When the King needed the philosopher, he freed him again, and the scholar then wrote the book, Kaleela Wa Dimna. Kaleela and Dimna are two jackals, the main characters in the story.