Abstract
This paper attempts to investigate the role of female Saints in the preaching and advancement of religion of Islam. The underlying hypothesis is that mysticism is a phenomenon that transcends gender boundaries as it is an experience which any gender can feel through divinely ordained talent, certain practices, devotion and dedication. It develops in one the love for God and one goes on to teach, practice and preach His message to humanity. Saints have played a significant role in Islam and many of these saintly figures have been women including wives of the Holy Prophet, or Sahabis, or their descendants. After the death of Holy Prophet his missionary work was carried out by his immediate followers and their descendents and owing to their efforts Islamic religion spread worldwide. Besides male saints, many female saints have done this service for the promotion and advancement of Islam in foreign lands but their role and stories have remained marginalized. One such story is linked with the mausoleum of Bibi Pak Daman, situated in Lahore, Pakistan and attributed to Bibi Ruqayyah, daughter of Hazrat Ali (R.A), and her entourage. Though main objective of the paper is to throw light on the gender and Sufism yet this paper also touches upon the narratives related to Bibi Pak Daman, a small shrine in Lahore, commonly known the graves of six women from the Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H) family and subject to a range of theories regarding its origins.
Keyword(s)
Female Sufism, Pakistan, Case study, Bibi Pak Daman, Religion of Islam