Muslim Women Rulers: A study of Islamic History

Abstract

The roots of Islamic Civilization are deeply set in the Qur’an, The Sunnah and Qurūn 
e ūla, which have been regarded as the best time periods by the Messenger of Allah
(pbuh). The Qur’an has mentioned many women who although were not direct 
political rulers, yet they changed the course of history, and set examples for those to 
come. The mention of the mother of Maryam (as) and of Maryam (as) herself, the 
mother and sister of Musa (as), the wife of Pharaoh, the indirect mention of Hajra 
(as) and her legacy, the role of the wives of the Messenger (pbuh); and a political 
ruler the Queen of Sheba, thus paying a tribute to them and not deeming them inferior 
to their male counterparts. Politics in Islamic history has always been a very 
pragmatic field and women have participated in it in various roles. Sometimes being 
the rulers like Raziya Sultana and sometimes being the powerful, influential de facto 
ruler like Queen Nūr Jahan. Some were excellent military commanders like Queen 
Amina of Zaria in the Sub Saharan Africa; others were great administrators such as 
Begum Shah Jehan of Bhopal.
The pivotal roles of Muslim women rulers in the history of Islam are highlighted in 
this article, covering the fourteen centuries period. The life and work of at least ten 
salient rulers is discussed in a manner, which shall set them as an example for times 
to come.