From Aisha to Fatima al-Fihri: Deconstructing Masculine Narratives in Classical Islamic Historiography

Classical Islamic historiography has long been dominated by masculine narratives that marginalize women from central roles in history. This study deconstructs such bias by examining t he representation of Aisha bint Abu Bakr and Fatima al-Fihri in texts such as Tarikh al-Tabari and al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh. The analysis reveals that Aisha, an authority on hadith and jurisprudence, is reduced to the domestic sphere, while Fatima al-Fihri, the founder of Al-Qarawiyyin University, is erased from narratives despite her monumental contributions. Through reinterpretation, both are positioned as transformative agents: Aisha shaped early Islamic epistemology, and Fatima revolutionized higher education. This study proposes a reconstruction of inclusive narratives that challenge patriarchal hegemony, offering academic and social implications—from enriching historical understanding to supporting gender equality in modern Islam. The findings affirm that masculine bias is not incidental but an ideological construct that impoverishes the understanding of Islamic civilization. By situating women as historical subjects, this study not only corrects past distortions but also paves the way for a more equitable and holistic Islamic discourse.