Great Women of Islam

Exploits and Achievements of the Sahâbiyât

The Sahâbiyât (Women Companions) were the noble women who were the contemporaries of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. They were the pure, virtuous crusaders of Islâm, and were honored during the very lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with the prediction that they would live forever in Paradise in the hereafter. Their achievements and influence are found in every sphere of that momentous period in the history of the world, which transformed the whole of humanity forever. They were as active in religion as in politics, as courageous in war as in the peaceful and persuasive propagation of the teachings of Islâm. These noble, selfless women could be found in the battlefields alone the foremost ranks of those taking part in Jihâd. They were to be found in the political arena, in the field of education, in the courts of Islâmic jurisprudence, in the interpretation of the Sharî'ah (1), in the trade and commerce, in agriculture, in medicine and in nursing. In short, there was no sphere that did not benefit from their intellect, their wisdom and their gentle yet firm strength of character.

Religious Achievements

Among the many services that one can render to Islâm, is to fight in the battlefields. Few, if any, examples of such zeal, determination, perseverance and courage can be found in history. When the disbelievers attacked the Muslims during the Battle of Uhud, only a few devoted followers were left to fight with the Prophet ﷺ. At this critical stage, the woman Comanpanion Umm 'Ammârah رضي الله عنها shielded him with her body and warded off the enemy with her sword as well as her bow and arrows. When one of the disbelievers of the Quraysh, Ibn Qamiah, got within striking distance of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, it was she who bore the brunt of his attack. She had a deep wound on her shoulder, yet she continued to attack him with her sword. But he was well protected and she could not make a dent in his armor. Later, she fought so courageously against Musailamah Al-Kaththâb that she suffered a dozen wounds and lost an arm.

In the Battle of Ahzâb (Battle of the Trench), the Companion Saffiyah رضي الله عنها displayed brilliant military strategy in handling the Jewish attack, and slew one of the Jews. In the Battle of Hunain, Umm Sulaim رضي الله عنها set out to attack the enemy with her dagger.

In the Battle of Yarmook, Asmâ' bint Abu Bakr, Umm Abân, Umm Hakeem, Khawlah, Hind and the Mother of the Believers Juwairiyah رضي الله عنهن displayed extraordinary valor. Asmâ' bint Yazîd رضي الله عنها killed nine enemy soldiers. In the year 28 AH, Umm Harâm رضي الله عنها took part in the attack on Cyprus.

The Mother of the Believers 'A'ishah, Umm Sulaim and Umm Salit رضي الله عنهن were among those who were very proficient at nursing the wounded.

The Sahâbiyât رضي الله عنهن usually accompanied the Prophet ﷺ on his military expeditions and took part in the battles both on land and at sea. Standing side by side with the soldiers they would hand them arrows, and generally help to keep up the morale of the army. They also helped to carry the martyred and the wounded back to Madinah. Umm 'Atiyah رضي الله عنها took part in seven battles, and fought during the rule of the Caliph 'Umar Farooq رضي الله عنه, the women and even the children helped to bury the dead.

They spread the message of the new religion and through example converted many of the disbelievers to Islâm. It was Fâtimah bint al-Khattâb رضي الله عنها who converted her brother 'Umar bin al-Khattâb رضي الله عنه; he was to become one of the bravest and most faithful of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It was Umm Sulaim رضي الله عنها who influenced Abu Talhah رضي الله عنه, and it was Umm Hakim رضي الله عنها who convinced her husband, 'Ikrimah to accept Islâm. Umm Shareek al-Dawsiyah رضي الله عنها very discreetly worked among the women of the tribe of Quraish to spread Islâm.