Women+in+Al+Andalus

The women of Islamic Spain were active participants in political and cultural affairs. They helped shape the cosmopolitan civilization associated with the Muslims. When the The Umayyad were under control of al-andalus for the first three centuries of muslim rule the household provided a strong, centralized vision for developing a distinct Andalusi culture. Women of the royal household. along with other courtly women, played prominent roles within this culture. Three women that have had a major influence in Islamic culture include: Al-Zahra the mistress of Abd al-Rahman III Subh, the wife of caliph Al-Hakam II and architect of secretary Al-Mansur’s rise as chief minister and army commander Itimad al-Rumaykiyya, poetess and wife of taifa king al-Mutamid of Seville Hundreds of other women served the vast imperial household. One of the most famous female Umayyad scion is Walladah bint Mustakfi. Despite the decline of the caliphate, Walladah situated herself as the reigning female of Córdoba, hosting exclusive salons for poets, musicians and artists. She challenged certain upper class social conventions such as veiling. Sje had a love affair with the virtuoso poet, Ibn Zaydun. This affair symbolized her confidence and social status of women during the Muslim rule. Women in ruling Berber households commanded respect. They participated in leadership roles. The taifa king and Abdullah Ibn Buluggin, ruler of Granada, discussed the leading of Berber families, mothers and other women of the household participated in a shura council that made collective political and military decisions the ruler would enact. Women played significant roles outside the halls of power. Andalusi scholar Ali Ibn Hazm was an advocate of a literal reading of the Qur’an. In his opinion he expressed that women could have been prophets of God in the past. He asserts that women could play a role in leadership. Women of high social status played a major rle in public works as well. Some of these include public fountains, gardens, hospitals, and inns through their own assets and property.