The Abu 'Inaniyya of Fez belonged to the new architectural tradition of the medersa, an institution of higher education introduced into the Maghrib from the East. Its type was generally organized around an interior courtyard, often equipped with a fountain, and surrounded by balconies giving access to rooms for students. A substantial chamber with a mihrab served both teaching and prayer.

Among the many medersas established in Maghribi capitals and other major towns, the Abu 'Inaniyya was singled out as the most monumental. Its construction is dated to 1350–1357, placing it within the period described as the artistic maturity of the post-Almohad Maghrib. The building therefore represents both an educational institution and a visible expression of urban architectural ambition.

The medersa’s significance lies in the combination of learning, religious practice, and civic display. By locating student accommodation, teaching space, prayer, and architectural ornament within one complex, the institution embodied the educational and devotional structures of Maghribi urban society. Its prominence in Fez illustrates the importance of the city among the region’s capitals.