‘Alaaud Deen Muhammad bin Ahmad Samarqandi (rahimahullah) was an esteemed hanafi jurist of the 6th century. He authored the renowned masterpiece in jurisprudence, “Tuhfatul Fuqahaa,” a work that remains widely respected to this day.
Following in her father’s footsteps, his daughter, Faatimah Samarqandiyyah (rahimahallah) was also well-versed in jurisprudence and earned the distinction of being a “Faqeehah” (a female jurist). Not only did she learn jurisprudence, but she had also committed her father’s voluminous book, “Tuhfatul Fuqahaa,” to memory.
To be a jurist is no ordinary achievement, as it requires a profound understanding of the Quraan Majeed, the ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and the principles upon which jurists base their rulings. Furthermore, it demands familiarity with the circumstances and needs of the contemporary world.
Together with her Deeni excellence, Allah Ta‘ala had blessed her with astounding beauty as well. Hence, several leaders and monarchs sought her hand in marriage, but her father declined their proposals.
Among her father’s most outstanding students was Abu Bakr bin Mas‘ood Kaasaani (rahimahullah). He studied under him for an extended period and mastered the science of jurisprudence to such an extent that he authored an excellent commentary on his teacher’s book. This exceptional commentary, named “Badaa-i‘us Sanaa-i’,” became one of the main resources and references of hanafi jurisprudence, even up to this day. Her father was so pleased with this commentary written by his student, that he gave him his daughter’s hand in marriage. Hence, it was as if this commentary became her mahr (dowry).
Due to her vast knowledge, her husband would consult her in certain masaa-il (rulings) and she would even correct him when he would err, which he would happily accept. Moreover, before her marriage, she would issue fataawaa (religious verdicts) with her father and it would be signed off by them both. After marriage, the fataawaa would appear with her signature, along with that of her father as well as her husband.
Faatimah (rahimahallah) was also a very generous woman. One Ramadhaan, she graciously sold the two bangles that she was wearing and used the money to prepare iftaar for the ‘Ulama and Fuqahaa for the entire month. She therefore initiated this practice which continued for a long time thereafter.
At one point, the great leader Nooruddeen Zangi (rahimahullah), requested her husband, ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) to come over to Halab (Aleppo) and appointed him as the head of Madrasah Halaawiyyah. However, after some time, due to the insistence of his wife, ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) decided to leave Halab and return back to Samarqand, their homeland. When Nooruddeen (rahimahullah) came to know of his intention to leave, he requested him to remain in Halab. However, ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) informed him about the insistence of his wife, and even explained that he was unable to oppose her, since she was the daughter of his teacher.
Finally, they agreed to send a messenger to her on behalf of the leader with a request to kindly remain in Halab. When the messenger reached the door, he sought permission to enter and convey the message. However, she did not grant him permission to enter and observed hijaab from him. She then sent a message (with this servant) to her husband saying, “After such a long period of involvement with the science of fiqh (jurisprudence), you have gone to this extent (of sending a male servant to me)? Do you not know that it is not permissible for this servant to look at me? What difference is there between him and any other man in terms of it being permissible to look (at a strange woman)?”
The servant thus returned and conveyed her message to her husband in the presence of Nooruddeen (rahimahullah). Subsequently, they sent a female servant with the same message. She complied with this request and they lived in Halab until she passed away and was buried there as well. ‘Allaamah Kaasaani (rahimahullah) would visit her grave every Thursday night until he eventually passed away and was buried beside her. It is famously known that du‘aas are accepted near her grave.
(Bughyatut Talab fi Taareekhi Halab vol. 10, pg. 93 & vol. 11, pg. 225 and Al-Jawaahirul Mudhiyyah fi Tabaqaatil Hanafiyyah vol. 4, pg. 26)
Lessons:
1. Acquiring ‘ilm (knowledge) is undoubtedly a very great and rewarding action in Islam. However, the purpose of ‘ilm is to practice on it. Not only did Faatimah (rahimahallah) acquire a very high level of knowledge, but she maintained that level of practice in her life as well. Therefore, she did not merely learn about hayaa and modesty, but also engraved this quality within herself to such an extent that she did not allow a male servant to look at her. Many a time, a woman is in complete hijaab, which is undoubtedly an integral part of a woman’s life, but unfortunately that hijaab is only restricted to a certain class of strange men and not others, such as the gardener, driver, etc. In actual fact, there is no difference between them and any other strange man, as Faatimah (rahimahallah) has also explained.
2. If a person gives preference to the qualities of Deen and piety in the choice of spouse for themselves, or for their children, then insha-Allah, they will enjoy a happy, prosperous and peaceful marriage as it is Deen and good character which will maintain peace and harmony within the home. On the other hand, wealth, beauty, fame, etc. do not guarantee the marriage being smooth and peaceful. The father of Faatimah (rahimahallah) did not accept the proposal of leaders who had wealth and fame but married her to a pious and learned ‘Aalim, because he knew that a pious husband will take care of his daughter in the best possible manner.