| Banafsha bint Abdullah al-Rumiyyah Arabic: بانفشة بنت عبد الله الرمية | |
| Reign: | 1170 – 1180 |
| Reign-Type: | Period |
| Death Date: | 1201 |
| Death Place: | Baghdad, Abbasid Caliphate |
| Burial Place: | Sheikh Maarouf Cemetery, Baghdad |
| Full Name: | Sayyida Banafsha bint Abdullah al-Rumiyyah |
| Occupation: | |
| Issue: | One daughter Al-Nasir (step-son) |
| Issue-Type: | Relatives |
| Father: | Abdullah al-Rumi |
| Religion: | Sunni Islam |
Banafsha bint Abdullah al-Rumiyyah (Arabic: بنفشة بنت عبد الله الرمية) (died 1201) was a slave consort of the Abbasid caliph Al-Mustadi (r. 1170–1180).[1] [2]
Her origin is termed to have been "Roman" or Rumiyya, that is to say of Greek origin from the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople. She was reportedly the daughter of Abdullah, a Greek. She was a slave brought to the Harem of the Caliph. As was the custom she was compelled to convert to Islam and was given a new name.
She became Al-Mustadi's favourite concubine.[3] The Caliph manumitted her and married her. He had a palace built for her personal use in Baghdad.
Banafsha is described as loving and merciful. She did not give birth to a son, but she successfully supported her stepson Al-Nasir to the succession before his brother prince Hashem. Because of this, she was favored by Al-Nasir when he became Caliph in 1180.
It was impossible for her to leave the harem, but she became known for her donations and charitable projects, which was a common method for the secluded harem wives of the Caliphs to create a public name for themselves.[4] She was considered a powerful woman in her court and kingdom. She died on 27 December 1201 and was buried in the mausoleum of Zumurrud Khatun in Sheikh Maarouf Cemetery.[3]
She is known as the founder of the Hanbali Banafsha School in Baghdad (1174).[5] She also built a bridge between the Karkh and Al-Rusafa districts in Baghdad.