‘A’ishah al-Ba¯cu¯ni¯yah (d. 923/1517) was one of the greatest women scholars in Islamic history.  A mystic and prolific poet and writer, ‘A’ishah  composed more works in Arabic than any other woman prior to the 20th  century.  Often, she expressed her great devotion to God and His prophet  Muhammad, and spoke of love and longing on the mystical quest for union. 
She also alluded to her extensive education and mystical training, and her  own particular life experiences, which are often reflected in her verse.  Her  many writings were read and copied by later generations of admirers who  preserved her substantial literary and mystical legacies.
Though many of  her works are lost today, several still exist in manuscript including her poetic collection Fayd? al-Fad?l wa-Jam’ al-Shaml: “The Emanation of Grace  and the Gathering Union.”
The selection of poems from this volume, edited and translated into English here for the first time, recount A’ishah al-Ba¯cu¯ni¯yah’s remarkable story of devotion and mystical illumination.