To counter the incessant propaganda to undermine women, here are some facts about historic Muslim women;
Khadija bint Khuwaylid
Born in 555 AD, Khadija bint al-Khuwaylid was the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the first woman believer of Islam, aslo known as the “mother of believers.” Khadija is remembered as a powerful woman in her own right and and a great example of the power and respect that is owed to Muslim women. She was born to a father who was a successful merchant and she inherited her father’s skills at a time in history when society was male-dominated and dangerous. Upon her father’s death, she took over the business and traded goods through the primary commerce centers at that time. According to the documentary The Life of Muhammad, Khadija was known for breaking stereotypes in that era, 1,400 years ago, because she was the one who proposed to the Prophet. Until now, she remains one of the most powerful and inspiring figures in Islamic history.Aisha bint Abu Bakr
Aisha is remembered as the youngest wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and was a scholar. She also played a major role in the politics of her times. Aisha led an army against the fourth caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib in the Battle of the Camel in 656 CE. After this loss on the battlefield, Aisha retreated to her home. She started translating and narrating hadiths and spreading the Islamic word. Aisha is known to have narrated 2,210 hadiths about various topics including those about inheritance and pilgrimage. After the death of the Prophet, her relevance in the Islamic community increased manyfold.Sumayyah bint Khayyat
Sumayyah remains one of the most tragic and yet inspiring examples of the powerful women in Islamic history. She is known as the first martyr of Islam and was one of the first who openly defied the Quraysh leaders of the time. Born a slave but freed later in life, Sumayyah married Yasir Ibn Amir and was one of the first families to convert to Islam. The leading Quraysh tribes kidnapped and tortured Summayah and forced her to renounce her faith in Islam and reject the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but Sumayyah refused to back down in the face of tyranny and injustice. She didn’t want to disavow her belief in Islam. Because of her devotion to Allah and Islam, she was then murdered by Abu Jahal, a Meccan and Quraysh leader.Nusaybah bint Ka’ab
Nusaybah bint Ka’ab Al Maziniyyah was one of those who embraced Islam in the early days of revelation. She believed that a woman had the same duty in defending the new religion as a man. Nusaybah gained a reputation as the most distinguished woman who took part in the Battle of Uhud, but her participation in battles did not end with that battle. She was present on a number of occasions, including the Treaty of Aqabah, Hudaybiyah, as well as the battles of Khaybar, and Hunayn. She was revered by Abu Bakr Al Siddique as well as Umar bin Al-Khattab who continuously praised her struggle and courage. Under the leadership of Abu Bakr, Nusaybah fought brilliantly at Al-Yamamah and had multiple injuries and also lost her hand! Nusaybah is very inspiring for us because her courage on the battlefield was also matched by her steadfastness in faith.Khawlah Bint Al-Azwar
Khawlah was the daughter of one of the chiefs of Bani Asad tribe and companion of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Her family was among the first converts to Islam. Khawlah’s father, Al-Azwar, trained her in all arts of swordsmanship and she became a perfect knight. It’s no wonder that Khawlah was described as one of the greatest female warriors in history and was once compared to Khalid Bin Walid by opponents on the battlefield. Khawlah became a legend during her life and remains a legend till this day. She set an example to men and women alike that one should fight for what they believe in.Al-Shifa bint Abdullah
Very intelligent, and became the public administrator when Umar was caliph – possibly the first Muslim woman to hold office.
She was in charge of making sure that all business practices matched with the rulings, teachings, and values of Islam. She is also known to have advised Caliph Umar on many occasions about numerous different things; he always took her very seriously.
The Messenger used to visit her in her own home so frequently that she set aside a mat and a cover, or izar, for his use when he took his siesta there. She kept these momentos until her death and passed them on to her children. The Messenger (peace be upon him) gave her title to a house in the Hakakin area of Madinah. His value for her company influenced the caliphs. As Caliph, 'Umar used to defer to her opinion. 'Umar's respect for Ash-Shifa's competence, character, and judgement led him to appoint her as an officer, or wali, in the administration of the marketplace. This makes her possibly the first Muslim woman to hold an official position in public administration.
