Women in Islamic architecture: towards acknowledging their role in the development of Islamic civilization

Abstract

Throughout Islamic history, some prominent women significantly contributed to the progress and enhancement of their societies as well as expressed a sincere concern for the welfare of people. Many influencing studies examined women’s contribution to many fields of the Islamic civilization, such as the spread of the hadith (sayings) of the prophet Mohamed, education, literature, philosophy, poetry, mathematics, and medicine. Also, Muslim women were involved in a wide variety of roles in the media of visual arts, textiles, and weaving carpets. In the field of architecture, many notable women supported and initiated the construction of many remarkable buildings, which changed the image of Muslim cities. They commissioned a range of building types that enriched Islamic architecture and the urban landscape, including mosques, madrassah (theological schools), tombs, caravansaries, and hospitals. The main objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature on the outstanding role of women in the progress of Islamic architecture during the early centuries of Islam. The primary aim of this research is to provide an overview of women’s interaction with these varied categories of buildings, which represented an essential factor in their representation as visible members in their societies.