Lubna of Cordoba: The Trailblazing Mathematician and Poet of Al-Andalus, Spain in 10th century CE
By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam
17 May 2025
Lubna of Cordoba, born a slave in 929, became a renowned mathematician, poet, and scholar under Caliph Al-Hakam II. She expanded the Royal Library, taught children, and broke stereotypes, proving Muslim women’s potential in intellectual fields.
Main Points:
1. Lubna, born in 929, rose from slavery to become a scholar under Caliph Al-Hakam II.
2. She excelled in mathematics, grammar, and poetry, mastering languages like Latin and Hebrew.
3. Lubna expanded the Royal Library, curating and translating works by Archimedes and Euclid.
4. She taught mathematics and philosophy to Cordoba’s street children, showcasing her compassion.
5. Her legacy, celebrated in a Cordoba street name, highlights women’s contributions in Al-Andalus.
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Image courtesy: komallsalman.medium.com
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Lubna of Cordoba, a remarkable Andalusian intellectual and mathematician of the late 10th century, was celebrated for her profound knowledge of grammar and the exceptional quality of her poetry. Born into slavery as a girl of Spanish descent, she rose to become the secretary of the great patron of culture, Caliph Al-Hakam II of Cordoba. The story of Lubna shatters the misconception that women, particularly Muslim women, cannot excel in mathematics. A closer examination of her life reveals her extraordinary journey from enslavement to becoming a fearless scholar, mathematician, writer, and poet.
The precise date of Lubna’s birth remains unknown. Historians estimate that she was born in early 929 at the Madinat al-Zahra palace during the reign of Caliph Abd al-Rahman III. According to Jose Miguel Puerta Vilchez of the University of Granada, Lubna’s father was Caliph Abd al-Rahman III, while her mother was one of the many enslaved women in the Caliph’s harem, about whom little is known. Despite her mother’s status, Lubna received an excellent education while living in the palace. This aligns with the Islamic principle of treating enslaved individuals with dignity and providing them with opportunities, which enabled Lubna to access education despite her origins.
From a young age, Lubna displayed remarkable intelligence and talent. When Al-Hakam II ascended to power in 961, she began her career as a copyist in the Royal Library. During his reign, Al-Hakam II emancipated many enslaved individuals, including Lubna. After granting her freedom, he appointed her as his resident secretary and scholar. Fluent in multiple languages, including Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, Lubna also possessed a strong command of grammar, making her the ideal candidate to draft official letters and diplomatic correspondence.
Lubna played a pivotal role in the development of the Royal Library of Cordoba. Alongside the physician and politician Ibn Shaprut, she expanded the library, which housed an impressive collection of at least 400,000 books. It is believed that Lubna travelled to cities such as Damascus, Cairo, and Baghdad to acquire the finest manuscripts for the library. As a key figure in the Library of Cordoba, she was responsible for curating, writing, and translating numerous manuscripts. She studied texts by great scholars like Archimedes and Euclid, producing valuable commentaries on their works.
Beyond her scholarly contributions, Lubna was a compassionate individual. She established a school within the library, where she taught mathematics, philosophy, grammar, and other subjects to the street children of Cordoba. Additionally, she was tasked with teaching chess to the children of the royal palace, showcasing her versatility.
In her book The Islamic Golden Age, author Kamila Shamsie notes, “What seems evident about Lubna of Cordoba is that she was deeply connected to both the palace and the world of books during the reign of Al-Hakam II, and she was an important figure remembered for her intelligence and wisdom.” Shamsie also clarifies that Lubna was likely enslaved to the royal court, refuting claims that she was a Fatimid invited to the court for special book acquisitions.
Lubna’s legacy is further cemented in Ibn Bashkuwal’s biographical dictionary of Islamic Spain’s scholars, Continuation of the History of the Scholars of al-Andalus (Kitab al-Sila fī Tarikh Aymmat al-Andalus, Arabic: تاريخ في الصلة كتاب). Here, she is described as “a wise writer, grammarian, poetess, adept in arithmetic, extensive in her knowledge; no one in the palace was as great as her.” The text praises her profound understanding of mathematics and other sciences, highlighting her ability to solve “the most complicated geometric and algebraic problems known in her time.”
In 2019, a street in Cordoba was named “Lubna the Scribe,” a testament to her enduring legacy. This recognition underscores the significant contributions of women in Al-Andalus during the Middle Ages. Women like Lubna held influential roles in law, religion, art patronage, and society, occupying both public and private spheres. Despite numerous myths and misconceptions surrounding Lubna’s life, one truth stands out: Islam does not hinder a woman’s progress if she possesses talent and determination. On the contrary, it provides protection and opportunities for advancement. Lubna’s story is a shining example of how talented Muslim women can achieve greatness and leave an indelible mark on history through their abilities.
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Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession. She primarily writes about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education.
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