Quick Facts
Biography
Fatima bint Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi (فاطمة بنت محمد بن أحمد السمرقندي) was a twelfth century Muslim scholar and jurist.
Biography
Early life
Fatima was born to Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Samarqandi, a preeminent Hanafi jurist who took active part in his daughter’s education. He authored the book Tuhfat al-Fuqaha'.
Marriage and career
She married 'Ala' al-Din al-Kasani, a student of her father and an expert of fiqh. Fatima’s dowry was Al-Kasani’s book, Bada'i' al-Sana'i' (The Most Marvellous of Beneficial Things), a commentary that he wrote on her father’s book, Tuhfat al-Fuqaha'. Her father was so impressed by the book that he accepted it as her dowry on behalf of Ala over the kings that had asked for her hand and offered more. When her husband had any doubts and erred in issuing a fatwa, she would inform him the correct judgment and explain the reason for the mistake. Although al-Kasani was a competent jurist, Fatima corrected and edited his legal opinions.
Fatima al-Samarqandi was a personal counselor of Nur ad-Din, the mentor of Saladin.
Legacy
According to researcher Hoda Gamal, she is credited with establishing the tradition of setting up voluntary iftars for male fuqaha.