International Women's Day & Muslim Women

Holy Grave of Hazrat Khadija In Mecca-An Old Photograph

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

International Women's Day (IWD) will be celebrated tomorrow. IWD first emerged from the activities of labor movements at the turn of the 20th century in America and across Europe. Since then, the day has assumed global dimension for women and their achievements are recognized irrespective of caste, creed, religion, economic status, nationality and political affiliations. With the help of United Nations, IWD has emerged as a great platform for women empowerment. Felicitation of women achievers marks worldwide IWD celebrations each year. Prior to emergence of IWD, there was no such platform for women. Only in the history books names of extra-ordinary and legendary figures such as the Empress Theodora, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joan of Arc, Anne Boleyn, Caterina Sforza and  Elizabeth-I. But their counterparts in the medieval and early modern Muslim world remain forgotten to the world at large. It is surprising, for Women played an important role in the pre-modern Muslim world as scholars, poets, mystics, rulers, and warriors. In a bid to introduce such Muslim women, the blogger is introducing three of them in the first phase and the role played by them during the time of the Holy Prophet.   

The first lady of eminence is Janab-E- Khadija binte Khuwaylid. Even before her marriage to the Prophet, she was an important figure in her own right. She was a successful merchant and one of the elite figures of Mecca. Janab-E-Khadija was known as Malikat-ul- Arab9Queen of Arabia) in view of her immense wealth. She played a pivotal role in supporting and propagating the new faith of Islam and has the distinction of being the first Muslim. The Prophet himself is believed to have stated in a hadith preserved in Sahih Muslim: “God Almighty never granted me anyone better in this life than her. She accepted me when people rejected me; she believed in me when people doubted me; she shared her wealth with me when people deprived me; and God granted me children only through her.” Hazrat Khadija was also mother of Khatoon-E-Jannat (Woman of Paradise) Bibi Fatima. It is only through Hazrat Fatima Zahra and her two sons, Imam Hasan and Hussain that the lineage of the Prophet is preserved. These facts make Hazrat Khadija who died in 620 AD among the most revered female personages in Islamic history.

Hazrat Nusayba b. Kab al-Anṣarriya also deserves a mention here. Also known as Umm Ammara, she came from Banu Najjar tribe. She was one of the earliest converts to Islam in Medina. As a Companion of the Prophet, many virtues are attributed to her. Hazrat Nusaiba is most remembered, however, for taking part in the Battle of Uhud in 625 AD. She carried a sword and shield and fought against the Meccans. She shielded the Prophet from enemies during the battle and sustained several lance wounds and arrows as she cast herself in front of him to protect him. It is said that she dropped unconscious after receiving the twelfth wound. Upon regaining her senses, the first question she asked was “did the Prophet survive?”. She passed away in 634 AD.

Jordanian Stamp on Khawla

The third woman is Janab-E- Khawla binte Al-Azwar. She was a contemporary of the Prophet and famous for her participation in the Battle of Yarmuk (636) against the Byzantines. In another battle, Khawlah was captured after falling from her horse. After being taken to a camp with other women prisoners, Khawlah was to be taken to the leader's tent for pleasure. Instead, Khawlah roused the other prisoners, who used the tent poles as weapons and attacked the guards. According to Al Waqidi, they managed to kill thirty Byzantine knights with Khawlah taking credit for five, including the leader who intended to  insult her. She probably died at a young age during a plague in 639 A.D, along with her brother Zarrar. Many Arab cities have schools and institutions named after honor. Jordon has even issued a stamp as a mark of respect to her in her honor.Even though some leading scholars on the basis of  later narratives of the Islamic conquests doubt whether she even existed at all, it is notable here that scholars such as Al-Waqidi and Al-Azdi while  writing in the eighth and ninth centuries found it essential  to ascribe  importance Hazrat  Khawla as a skilled warrior. The mystery surrounding her personage makes her legendary figure more interesting. She is stated to have breathed her last in 639 AD.(The article is being posted to mark the eve of International Women Day and covers only three Great Muslim Women. Other exalted Women of Islam will also be covered in Second phase. Photo Courtesy Google Images. References available on request.)