Fatima al-Fahriyah and the history of her shrine فاطمہ الفہریہ کی سیرت اور ان کے مزار کی تاریخ

@islamichistory813 #fatimaalfihriya #sufisaint #cultural #heritage #biography #islamic #mysticism #islamic #philosophy #shrine #historical #figures

Biography of Fatima al-Fihriya and the history of his shrine

Dekhti Aankhooon aur sountay kaanoon ko Asslamoalaikum, sisters, brothers friends and elders, in informative series videos of Islamic ascolars, sufisaints, cultural heritages, islamic philosophys, islamic mysticisms and historical figures. today we are describing biography of Fatima al-Fihriya and the history of his shrine.

Fatima bint Muhammad al-Fihriya al-Qurashiyya, commonly known as Fatima al-Fihriya or Fatima al-Fihri, was an extraordinary Arab woman in Islamic history, celebrated for her contribution to education and religious life through the founding of the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University in Fez, Morocco. She was born around the year 800 CE, most likely in the town of Kairouan, located in modern-day Tunisia. Fatima hailed from a wealthy and devout Arab family originally from Quraish, the same noble tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Her family migrated from Kairouan to Fez, which had become a flourishing cultural and religious center during the reign of the Idrisid dynasty. Her father, Muhammad al-Fihri, was a successful and pious merchant who valued religious knowledge and community service—principles that deeply influenced Fatima’s own life.

Fatima grew up in a household where education, charity, and Islamic values were emphasized. Along with her sister Maryam, she received a solid Islamic education, which included religious studies, Quranic memorization, and perhaps even elements of Arabic grammar, jurisprudence, and theology. After the death of her father and later her husband, Fatima inherited a considerable fortune. Rather than use the wealth for personal luxury, she made the profound decision to invest in the community. With a vision rooted in Islamic principles of knowledge and charity, she committed herself to building a mosque that would also serve as a center for education and spiritual growth.

Between the years 857 and 859 CE, Fatima al-Fihri established the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque in the city of Fez. She is said to have fasted throughout the entire construction period, praying and devoting her work to God. The mosque was constructed using her own inherited wealth, demonstrating her generosity and dedication to the service of Islam and her community. What began as a mosque quickly expanded to include classrooms, libraries, and spaces for scholars to teach and learn, evolving over time into what is now recognized as the University of al-Qarawiyyin. This institution would go on to become one of the leading centers of learning in the Muslim world, attracting scholars from across North Africa, Andalusia (Muslim Spain), and beyond. The university became renowned for its instruction in Islamic law (fiqh), theology, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and languages. According to UNESCO and many historians, the University of al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world.

Fatima al-Fihriya was affectionately known as *Umm al-Banin*, meaning "Mother of the Children," a title that reflected both her nurturing character and the legacy of knowledge and spiritual guidance she provided to future generations. Although there is limited information about her personal life beyond her founding of the mosque and university, Fatima is widely admired as a role model for Muslim women and a symbol of pious dedication to education, charity, and community development.

Fatima al-Fihriya died in Fez, Morocco, though the exact date of her death is not known with certainty. Historians estimate that she passed away sometime in the late 9th century, likely in the decades following the establishment of the mosque. Her death marked the end of a life devoted to spiritual and intellectual development, but her legacy continued through the institution she founded, which remains a vital part of Islamic and Moroccan culture to this day.

Fatima al-Fihriya is believed to be buried in Fez, where she spent most of her life and carried out her charitable work. Although her exact burial site is not widely marked as a formal shrine, there are traditional accounts and local oral histories that identify her grave near or within the vicinity of the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque. Despite the lack of a grand mausoleum or officially recognized shrine, her resting place is revered by locals, and her memory is honored by the people of Fez and scholars around the world. Unlike the tombs of some famous male scholars, which were often commemorated with large domes or monuments, Fatima’s grave has remained modest, in keeping with her humble and devout character.

As for who built her shrine, there is no documented evidence that a specific ruler or group commissioned an official shrine for Fatima al-Fihriya. Her most enduring monument remains the al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and University itself, a living testament to her vision and generosity. Over the centuries, the mosque and university have been restored and expanded by various Moroccan dynasties, including the Almoravids, Almohads, and Marinids, each of whom contributed to preserving the institution she founded. Thus, while no singular individual is credited with building a formal shrine for Fatima al-Fihriya, generations of scholars, rulers, and students have honored her memory by preserving and continuing her work.

Fatima al-Fihriya’s life is a powerful reminder of how faith, education, and philanthropy can transform communities. Her contributions continue to inspire not only Muslims but people across the world who value knowledge, equity, and community service.

With this, we ask for your permission until tomorrow, and tomorrow we will be described biography of Lubna of Córdoba and history of her shrine, at the end we pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the abilitty to act on the Quran and Hadith, Amen

Allah Hafiz
============