Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
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acquisition of knowledge is likewise the duty of
Muslim women.
In the biographies of the narrators of Hadith
literature, mention is made of the academic
services of women, which is a clear indication
that during the first era of Islam, there was a
strong tendency among women to acquire
knowledge. The benefits ensuing from their
efforts were far-reaching. For example Imam
Bukhari, whose
al-Jami’ as-Sahih
is by far the most
authentic source of Hadith learning, set off, when
he was 14 years of age, to acquire knowledge
from far distant scholars: if he was in a position
to appreciate the lessons given by the great
teachers of the time, it was because his mother
and sister had given him a sound educational
background at home. It is said that Imam ibn
Jauzi, the famous religious scholar, received his
primary education from his aunt. Ibn Abi Asiba’s
sister and daughter were experts in medicine —
the lady doctors of their time. And among the
Hadith teachers of Imam ibn Asakir, several
women teachers are mentioned.
