The First Woman Warrior of Islam
There have been many notable women throughout history who are worthy of admiration, but in this piece, I will focus on Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, the first woman warrior of Islam.
Her story began when 74 leaders, warriors, and statesmen of Medina gathered to submit their belief and acknowledgment in the Oneness of the Almighty; among them were only two women: Nusaybah and Asma bint ʿAmr bin ‘Adi — two strong, resolute, and determined women. They stood before the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, peace of God be upon him, to pledge their bay’ah (allegiance) to him as their leader, and to declare their tawhid (“asserting oneness”; i.e., that God is one).
Nusaybah’s unbroken commitment and courage were evident in her participation in several battles, including the historic Battle of Uhud, where she defended the Prophet — peace be upon him — himself. She also played a key role in the Treaty of Hudaybia, solidifying her place in early Islamic history. But aside from being a fierce warrior, Nusaybah was also a teacher, spreading the teachings of Islam to the women of Medina, helping them get rid of their ignorance (polytheism, etc.).
Background
Before we dig into the life of our heroine, it’s crucial to understand the context in which she lived.
In pre-Islamic Arabia, women were treated with disdain and cruelty. The birth of a female child was regarded as a curse and shame to the family, and fathers would bury their newborn daughters alive. It was a time when women were seen as mere objects of sexual pleasure, who could be bought, sold, and inherited without any legal or social protection. Their inferiority was deeply ingrained in the societal norms and practices, leaving them voiceless and powerless.
But then came Islam, bestowing peace and equality upon all beings; hence, a transformative wave uplifted the status of women. Previously viewed through a lens of subordination and legal restriction, women ascended to roles of significance and honor within both the familial sphere and broader society. Islam acknowledged their intrinsic valor and bestowed upon them rights and privileges on par with men, a glaring disparity to contemporary times where certain so-called “Muslim nations” covertly orchestrate a façade of Islamic adherence for public display, only to malign the essence of Muslim identity. For instance, Iran’s harsh treatment of women is a deliberate showcase under the guise of Islamic practice, fueling a long-standing campaign of anti-Islamic sentiment, for they deem this religion as “the religion of the Arabs”, and refer to God as “the god of the Arabs”. Thus, by adopting the moniker “The Islamic Republic,” Iran ensures that its reprehensible actions cast a shadow over the broader Muslim community, misleading the global populace into associating these injustices with Islam itself. Similarly, Saudi Arabia contributes to this distortion on the international stage, repressing women among other transgressions (e.g., the media won’t show you how brutally female orphans are treated inside Saudi orphanages — completely the opposite of what Islam teaches us on how we ought to treat orphans), thereby tarnishing the genuine image of Islam. Nonetheless, in modern times, the veil has been lifted, exposing these stage actors and figureheads for what they truly are.
The original, untainted Islam, however, taught us that women are equal partners with men in all spheres of life, and in some cases, they are even given precedence over men. The Prophet, peace be upon him, famously said, “Paradise lies at the feet of mothers,” emphasizing the importance of respecting and honoring mothers above all else. Islam recognized that a woman’s moral and spiritual gains depend solely on her own performance and conduct, making her responsible in her own right, just as much as a man. Alas, as mentioned earlier, colonialism and neo-colonialism plays a strong part in besmirching the blessed teachings of the Prophet, peace of God be upon him.
The Heroine
Back to our story, it was in this new era, inaugurated by the ultimate Revelation bestowed through Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him (succeeding a similar Message affirming God’s oneness that was conveyed by Prophet Eesa, aka Jesus — may God be pleased with him), dwelt our protagonist and heroine, Nusaybah bint Ka’ab Al Maziniyyah (or ʾUmm ʿAmmarah; Umm Umara; Umm Marah). She was indeed a woman of remarkable courage, intelligence, and piety; being one of the first women to embrace Islam, she dedicated her life to God’s cause.
Nusaybah was not just a passive observer of history; she actively participated in it. She accompanied the Prophet, peace be upon him, in several battles, carrying a sword and shield like any other warrior. She was also a skilled archer and provided medical assistance to wounded soldiers on the battlefield.
Her devotion to Islam was unshakeable, and she never hesitated to speak up for what she believed in. During the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, when the Prophet, peace be upon him, accepted unfavorable terms, Nusaybah asked him, “Are you not the Messenger of God? Then why should we agree to something that goes against the command of God?”
Truly, Nusaybah’s life is a shining example of the transformation that Islam brought to the status of women. From being buried alive as infants to becoming warriors and defenders of the faith, Muslim women have come a long way in those times. They were no longer passive victims of patriarchal oppression, but active agents of change who contributed to the betterment of society in all fields of life.
Although history does not reveal much about her earlier years, she belonged to the Banu Najjar tribe in Medina and was the sister of Abdullah bin Ka’ab. She had two sons, Abdullah and Habib, who were martyred in battle, and a daughter, Khawlah, from her first marriage to Zaid bin ‘Asim Mazni. Later, she married bin ‘Amr and had another son, Tameem.
In Battle
Nusaybah believed that women have an equal duty to defend their new faith, and she went to great lengths to uphold this belief. Her valor and bravery during the Battle of Uhud earned her a prominent place in history, with many considering her the most distinguished woman, and possibly, one of the most distinguished warriors (amongst the men), to have taken part in the battle.
During the early stages of the battle, Nusaybah was providing water to the thirsty soldiers and tending to the wounded like the other women. However, when the tide turned against the Muslims due to the archers’ disobedience, Nusaybah showed immense courage and strength. With her sword unsheathed and bow in hand, she joined the small group of soldiers who remained faithful to the Prophet, peace be upon him, serving as a human shield to protect him from the non-believers’ arrows. Every time danger approached, Nusaybah would rush to his defense, earning his admiration and respect. He remarked, “Wherever I turned, to the left or the right, I saw her fighting for me.”
Nusaybah’s son also recounted his mother’s bravery on that very same day. He was wounded in his left hand when a much taller adversary struck him before leaving without finishing him off. Nusaybah quickly came to his aid, dressed his wound, and encouraged him to continue fighting. The Prophet, peace be upon him, watched with admiration as Nusaybah tended to her son’s wound, and he asked her, “Who could bear what you are putting up with, Umm ‘Umarah?”
When the man who had struck her son’s hand passed by the battlefield again, Muhammad, peace be upon him, pointed him out to Nusaybah, who intercepted him and struck him in the thigh, causing him to collapse. The Prophet, peace be upon him, smiled broadly, remarking, “You have taken your revenge, O Umm ‘Umarah!”
Upon the adversary’s defeat, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, praised the Almighty for granting them victory and allowing them to exact vengeance on their enemy.
On that memorable day, Nusaybah stood fearlessly against the non-believers, her sword slicing through the air as she struck them down one by one. Despite sustaining numerous wounds, she stood strong, a true warrior of God. The Prophet himself, may God be pleased with him, kept noticing her bravery, acknowledging her ceaseless prowess, before calling to her son to tend to her wounds; thereafter, the blessed Prophet blessed her household for their undying efforts that day.
Yet, Nusayba’s legacy did not end with the battle of Uhud. Nay, she was present at many other key moments in early Islamic history, including the treaty of ‘Aqabah, Al-Hudaybiyah, Khaybar, and Hunayn. At Hunayn, her heroic conduct was no less than her remarkable display of bravery at Uhud. She fought with all her might and received eleven wounds and lost a hand, but still continued to fight on.
Nusaybah’s heroic spirit was not lost on the great leaders of her time. Both Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq and Umar ibn al-Khattab — may God be pleased with them — held her in the highest regard, and her courage was continually praised by both. Once, Umar received a gift of the finest silk cloth from a foreign land, and he refused to send it to his daughter or daughter-in-law, recognizing that there was a woman more deserving of it than anyone else. Hence, he sent the gift to Nusaybah as a testament to her worthiness and valor.
Sadly, the details of Nusaybah’s passing remain obscure from historical records, but what is certain is that this great woman died in 13 A.H. and was buried in Al-Baqi’e in Makkah. Her solid devotion to Islam and her unmatched courage in the face of adversity make her an eternal symbol of the power and beauty of Islam. May the Almighty bless her and raise her status in the Hereafter.
Women in Islam
In a charming anecdote, Nusaybah once addressed the Prophet, peace be upon him, with genuine apprehension. She could not help but wonder why the Noble Qur’an only seemed to mention men. It seemed to her that women were being deprived of their significance and importance. Her words were heard, and the response was nothing short of miraculous.
With the grace and mercy of God, a verse of the Qur’an was revealed thereafter, and it was as if the heavens opened up and shone a light on the importance of women in Islam. The verse read:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember God often and the women who do so — for them, Allah (God) has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.”
(Surah al-Ahzab 33:35)
These words are nothing short of a beautiful declaration of the equality and importance of women in Islam. It is also a powerful reminder that men and women are created differently, but equal in the eyes of God, and their deeds and actions are what set each and everyone apart.
As Muslims, we do not need to rely on superficial occasions like Women’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or other silly, sleazy, pathetic events to express our love and respect for our loved ones every moment of our lives. Through adherence to the Qur’an and the guidance/teachings of Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him), we receive the mandate to value, honor, and appreciate them every single day of our lives, incessantly. Conversely, individuals globally who neglect or overlook their loved ones have established these meaningless, inconsequential occasions to acknowledge and celebrate their loved ones for just one day a year.
It is regrettable to see many modern-day Muslims partaking in such celebrations when our faith already instructs us to honor our parents, spouses, offspring, siblings, relatives, neighbors, orphans, and all the righteous of the world.
Note: All images included in this article were obtained from Google Images.
