Through out the history of Islam, numerous are the stories
of Muslim men who put everything on the line for the sake of Allah and the
Ummah. Men such as Umar Bin Al Khattab, Khalid Bin Walid, Amr al Aas and
others. We read the exploits and achievements of such heroic men, and can
not help but to wonder...Were there any heroic Muslim woman? Were Muslim
women as active as their men in pursuing the establishment of Islam? After
reviewing the lives of the Sahabiyat (women companions), one is surprised
to learn that indeed they were as active as their male counterparts. In this
lecture we shall visit the lives of some of these Sahabiyat, and review their
exploits and achievements; and hopefully, by the end of the lecture, obtain
not only knowledge of some of the heroines of Islam, but also a better understanding
of Muslim women in general.
We begin with the story of Um Haram bint Malhan. She was the aunt of Anas
bin Malik and her ambition was to be martyred in the way of Islam.
She was the first woman of the Ansar to embrace Islam and the Prophet (SA)
held her in high regard. He used to visit her home and rest there when tired.
Um Haram felt grateful for his presence and considered serving him to be
a great honor. When asked why he would visit her home so often, the Prophet
(SA) replied that he felt a sense of pity for the family ever since he saw
two of her brothers martyred in the battle of Bir Maoonah. He visited her
to see to her needs and comfort her.
Once while visiting,
the Prophet (SA) said, “From among my Ummah an
army will sail on the sea as a king sits on his throne.” Um Haram asked
if she would be one amongst this army. “Yes,” he answered. “You
will be one of the foremost amongst them.”
Both Um Haram’s
first husband and son fought with the Prophet (SA) during the battle of
Badr. They were later martyred during the battle of
Uhud. She remarried and had more sons.
During the Caliphate
of Uthman, Muawiya the son of Abu Sufyan was given permission to conquer
Cypress. For this battle the first Muslim naval force
was put together. Um Haram along with her husband Ubadah bin Samit accompanied
this naval force. After arriving in Cypress, the Muslim’s docked fleet
of ships and set out to survey the enemy territories. Um Haram climbed onto
a mule to travel on land, but unfortunately the mule became frightened by
something and as a result Um Haram was thrown to the ground. In the process
her neck was broken and she died. Thus she attained the martyrdom she desired,
and the prophesy foretold by the messenger of Allah had come true. Um Haram
was buried there in Cypress where her tomb remains to this day.
Um Haram was not the
only woman in her family known for courage and dedication of faith. Her
sister, Um Sulaym was just as God-fearing and daring. Like
her sister, Um Sulaym was one of the first of the Ansar women to accept Islam;
and her decision was made without the knowledge or consent of her husband
who was away on a journey. Upon returning from his journey, Um Sulaym’s
husband felt a change in his family. His wife explained to him that she has
accepted the religion of Muhammad (SA).
Um Sulaym’s husband became furious especially after seeing the fervor
in which is son Anas had for this new faith. After much domestic violence,
Um Sulaym’s husband left the home and was later killed.
When it became known that Um Sulaym was widowed, a rich man named Abu Talha
approached her for marriage. He was confident that she would accept his proposal
being that he was not only rich, but handsome and popular amongst the people
as well. Abu Talhah reached Umm Sulaym's house. He asked and was given permission
to enter. Her son Anas was present. Abu Talhah explained why he had come
and asked for her hand in marriage.
"A man like you, Abu Talhah ," she said, "is
not (easily) turned away. But I shall never marry you while you are a kafir,
an unbeliever."
Abu Talhah thought she was trying to put him off and that perhaps she had
already preferred someone wealthier and more influential. He said to her:
"What is it that
really prevents you from accepting me, Umm Sulaym? Is it the yellow and
the white metals (gold and silver)?"
"Gold and silver?" she asked somewhat taken aback and in a slightly
censuring tone. "Yes," he said. "I swear to you, Abu Talhah,
and I swear to God and His Messenger that if you accept Islam, I shall be
pleased to accept you as a husband, without any gold or silver. I shall consider
your acceptance of Islam as my dowry."
Abu Talhah understood
fully the implication of her words; and he thought about the idol he himself
carved from wood in which he worshipped. As if
reading his mind, Um Sulaym said; "Don't you know Abu Talhah, that the
god you worship besides Allah grew from the earth?" "That's true," he
said.
"Don't you feel
stupid while worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for
fuel to bake bread or warm yourself? (If you should give
up these Foolish beliefs and practices) and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah,
I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you
any sadaqah apart from your acceptance of Islam."
"Who shall teach me in Islam?" asked Abu Talhah. "I shall," Umm
Sulaym replied. "How?” he asked.
"Utter the declaration
of truth and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is
the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house,
destroy your idol and throw it away."
Abu Talhah left and reflected deeply on what Umm Sulaym had said. He came
back to her beaming with happiness.
"I have taken your
advice to heart. I declare that there is no god but Allah and I declare
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Thus, Umm Sulaym and
Abu Talhah were married. Anas, her son, was pleased and the Muslims would
say: "We have never yet heard of a dowry that
was more valuable and precious than that of Umm Sulaym for she made Islam
her dowry."
Abu Talhah and Umm Sulaym
had an exemplary Muslim family life, devoted to the Prophet and the service
of Muslims and Islam. The Prophet used to visit
their home. Sometimes when the time of Prayer came, he would pray on a mat
provided by Umm Sulaym. Sometimes also he would have a siesta in their house
and, as he slept, she would wipe the perspiration from his forehead. Once
when the Prophet awoke from his siesta, he asked: "Umm Sulaym, what
are you doing?" "I am taking these (drops ofperspiration) as a
barakah (blessing) which comes from you ," she replied.
In addition to her strength of faith, Um Sulaym was also noted for her courage
and bravery. During the Battle of Uhud, she carried a dagger in the folds
of her dress. She also gave water to and tended to the wounded. When the
Prophet (sa) was left alone on the battlefield during this battle, she was
one of the women who ran to protect him from the enemy.
At the Battle of Khandaq
(also known as the battle of the ditch), the Prophet saw her carrying a
dagger and he asked her what she was doing with it. She
replied: "It is to fight those who run away from the battle field"
"May God grant you satisfaction in that," replied
the Prophet.
Even in the face of
adversity, Umm Sulaym displayed a unique calmness and strength. One of
her young sons (Umayr) fell sick and died while her husband
was away looking after his orchards. She bathed the child and wrapped him
in shrouds. She told the others of her household to not say anything to Abu
Talhah about what had happened. When her husband had returned home, she fed
him a good meal and satisfied him as a wife. It wasn’t until afterwards
that she told him of the death of their son. Not understanding why she waited
till then to tell him, Abu Talhah went to the Prophet (SA) and told him what
had happened. The Prophet (SA) prayed for the couple and then told Abu Talhah
that as he stood there before him now, he wife was pregnant with another
son.
Umm Sulaym was a model Muslim, a model wife and mother. Her belief in God
was strong and uncompromising. She was not prepared to endanger her faith
and the upbringing of her children for wealth and luxury.
Once the Prophet (SA) said that he had entered into Paradise and heard the
footsteps of someone ahead of him. He asked whose footsteps those were and
he was told they belonged to Um Sulaym. Such was the reward for her strength
of faith and courage.
Another heroine of Islam was Um Hakim. Umm Hakim was first married to Ikrama
the son of Abu Jahl. The family was known for its opposition to Islam, and
Umm Hakim opposed Islam tooth and nail. In the battle of Uhud she was with
the Quraish of Mecca who fought against the Muslims. She along with Hind,
the wife of Abu Sufyan, beat drums as they led the group of Quraish women
onto the battlefield to urge the men on.
When the Muslims conquered Mecca, the Quraish converted to Islam. At that
time Umm Hakim also became a Muslim. Her husband Ikrama, the son of Abu Jahl,
being afraid of the wrath of the Muslims, fled to Yemen.
Umm Hakim waited on the Holy Prophet, and prayed for amnesty for her husband.
The Holy Prophet granted her request, and She went to Yemen in person, and
brought her husband back to Madina, where he was converted to Islam.
Thereafter, her husband Ikrama became a staunch Muslim, and he participated
in all the wars undertaken by the Muslims. In the time of the Caliphate of
Abu Bakr, Ikrama fought in the apostasy wars. Later he went to Syria and
fought against the Byzantines. Umm Hakim went with Ikrama to Syria and remained
in the military camp. Ikrama was martyred at the battle of Ajnadin.
After the death of her husband, Umm Hakim stayed in Syria. Khalid bin Saeed
sent her a proposal of marriage. She accepted the proposal, but said that
the marriage should be held after the war against the Byzantines was over.
Khalid bin Saeed said that be had a feeling that he was not going to survive
the battle, and as such, he wanted the marriage to be held immediately. Umm
Hakim gave her consent and the marriage was celebrated.
The next day Khalid bin Saeed went to fight and he was martyred. The tent
of Umm Hakim was surrounded by the enemy. Still dressed in her bridal clothes,
Umm Hakim showed great presence of mind. She pulled the poles from the ground
of the tent, and struck to death all the Byzantine soldiers who attempted
to seek admittance to the camp. The Byzantine soldiers were confused and
Um Hakim escaped and sought safety in the midst of the Muslim army.
When the Muslims returned back to Madina, the Caliph of the Muslims, Umar
bin Al Khattab consoled with Um Hakim over the deaths of Ikrama and Khalid
b. Saeed. He was impressed with her heroism in killing nine Byzantine soldiers
with the poles of the tent at the time when she was dressed as a bride.
Umar proposed marriage to Um Hakim and after some consideration, she accepted
the proposal. Umar and Umm Hakim were married in the third year of his caliphate.
Such is the story of Um Hakim a truly heroine of Islam.
No lecture on Muslim female heroism would be complete without mention of
this next woman known for her courageous exploits on the battlefield. She
was a faithful wife and loving mother. She was also very learned in Quran
and hadith. Her life makes pleasurable reading for the growth and development
of faith. Her name was Um Ammarah Naseebah.
Um Ammarah took part in the battle of Uhud, the Battle of Hunain, the war
of Yamamah and the treaty of Hudaibiya. Her skill with the sword in the battle
of Uhud astonished everyone who saw her. She herself describes what happened
at Uhud:
“The immigrant
Muslims were on the verge of defeat and they were scattering across the
battlefield. The Prophet (SA) was left open and alone. I and my
husband and two sons ran onto the field and tried to surround the prophet
in order to keep off any attacks against him. I had a sword in one hand and
a shield in the other; and I was prepared to slay any who came near, be they
on foot or horseback. Once an enemy on horse attacked me and I held him off
with my shielded hand. I took the other hand which held my sword and plunged
it into the back of the horse, and it went tumbling down to the ground. The
Prophet (SA) saw what happened and called out to my son to come to my aid
and together, I and my son finished off the enemy soldier.”
After the battle the Prophet (SA) noticed Um Ammarah was bleeding from the
shoulder. He asked her son to bandage her wound and then he said that they
truly were a great family. The Prophet (SA) then invoked Allah to bless this
noble family and he prayed that they should be his friends in Paradise as
well.
Both Um Ammarah and her son were overjoyed to hear these words from the
Prophet (SA). At the same time they were inspired from his words and preceded
back onto the battlefield to continue the fight. This time the son of Um
Ammarah was smitten by an enemy and received a wound to his arm. Um Ammarah
bandaged his arm and told him to not lose courage but instead continue with
his attack on the enemy.
The Prophet (SA) smiled
when he saw the heroism and courage of both mother and son. “From where can anyone get courage like you oh Um Ammarah,” he
called out to her.
Um Ammarah was standing in front of the Prophet (SA) with her sword when
the man who had cut down her son came near them. The Prophet (SA) pointed
to him and then told Um Ammarah that he was the man who injured her son.
Um Ammarah dashed forward and struck a powerful blow to the man, cutting
off his leg. The man fell to the ground and others then jumped on him and
killed him.
The Prophet (SA) was very impressed with this display of strength and courage
by Um Ammarah. He smiled and thanked Allah who gave her that success and
had soothed her grief and avenged her with the death of that man. Umar bin
Al Khattab said that the Prophet (SA) once told him that in the Battle of
Uhud wherever he turned whether to the right or to the left, he saw Um Ammarah
fighting to defend him.
Um Ammarah sustained at least 12 major wounds from this battle; the deepest
one from the wound in the shoulder. She fainted from this wound and when
she had come to the first thing she asked was how the Prophet (SA) was, not
how were her husband or sons.
Laila Nasheeba
Managing Director/Lecturer
(Taken from an Online Lecture given at AlQuran Wa Sunnah Islamic Site of
Learning) |
