The Unyielding Courage of Umm Umarah: A Heroine of Islam

 The Inspiring Story of Nusaybah bint Ka’b, a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad

The story of Umm Umarah whose name was Nusaybah bint Ka’b (May Allāh be pleased with her). She joined the Islamic army and came to the battle of Uhud with her husband and two sons; her husband and sons were going to fight the polytheists and she was going to help the wounded Muslims and bring them water. 

However, when the Muslims started to disperse in the second phase of the battle, Nusaybah saw that very few Mujāhidīn remained around the Messenger of Allāh.

Therefore, she immediately went to the Prophet ﷺ and started to fight. She tried to protect the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ from the polytheists by using a sword and arrows. Meanwhile, she was wounded. When the Prophet ﷺ looked around, she always saw Nusaybah resisting the polytheists. He ﷺ said, “O Umm Umara! Not everybody can bear and resist what you bore and resisted!”

When the Prophet ﷺ saw the wound in her shoulder, he said to her son, Abdullāh, “Dress your mother’s wound!”

Then, he said, “May it be blessed for your family: The rank of your mother is better than the ranks of such and such people! The rank of your father is better than the ranks of such and such people! Your rank is better than the ranks of such and such people! My Allāh have mercy on your family!”

It was reported that she was fighting fiercely to protect the Prophet ﷺ and he asked her what is it you wish O Umm Umarah?

Meanwhile, Nusaybah, who was swinging her sword bravely against the polytheists said,  

“O Messenger of Allāh! Pray to Allāh so that we (her and her family) will be your neighbour in Paradise.”

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ prayed:  

“O Allāh! Make them my neighbour’s and friends in Paradise.”

Thereupon, Nusaybah joyfully said, “I will not care no matter what kind of misfortunes hit me in the world; that prayer is enough for me!” 

Thus, she showed her love and loyalty towards the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ.

Reference:

Sīrah Ibn Hishām (3/84-86) 

Tabaqāt Ibn Sa’d (8/413-415)

Compiled by Abū Ismā’īl