Abstract
Yemen is the southern region in the Arabian Peninsula. The Rasulids [626-858/1229-1454] was one of the flourished dynasties in Medieval Yemen. They succeeded in gaining control of most Yemen, from Hadramawt to Makka. In their realm Zabid was the central city which situated on the Tihama facing the Red Sea. A number of Madrasas were constructed by them in Zabid as well as in many other towns and villages. These Madrasas were built and maintained through waqf allocation. The ‘ulama’ in Yemen gathered on Zabid to study Islamic sciences. Their construction of Madrasas has two purposes. First, they wanted to show their legitimacy to subject Yemen to their rule. Secondly, they aimed to expand their own Sunni authority against the Zaydi shi'is, who were throughout the northern Yemen.
