As Ramadan commences, Muslims around the world reflect on their faith, seek to strengthen their relationship with Allah, and draw inspiration from the lives of those who paved the way before them. Among them, one of the most remarkable figures in Islamic history is Umm ‘Imarah Nusaybah bint Ka‘b (رضي الله عنها), a fearless warrior, a devoted mother, and a steadfast believer. Her story is one of sacrifice, unwavering faith, and unparalleled courage.
Nusaybah’s journey is not just about war and combat; it is about a woman’s unshakable commitment to her faith, her Prophet ﷺ, and the community of believers. Her bravery on the battlefield was matched only by her spiritual fortitude, proving that women played an essential role in Islam’s early days—not just in nurturing families but also in actively defending the religion.
Early Life and Family
Nusaybah bint Ka‘b was born in Madinah and belonged to the Banu Najjar tribe, a respected family among the Ansar (the Helpers of Madinah). She had two brothers, ‘Abdullah bin Ka‘b and ‘Abdur-Rahman, both of whom also contributed to Islam’s early struggles.
She was married twice, first to Zayd bin ‘Asim, with whom she had two sons:
- Habib bin Zayd, who later became a martyr for Islam.
- ‘Abdullah bin Zayd, who fought valiantly in battles alongside his mother.
After Zayd’s passing, she married Ghaziyyah bin ‘Amr, with whom she had:
- Tamim
- Khawlah
Her family life was deeply intertwined with Islam, and her household was one of courage, faith, and resilience.
The Pledge at al-‘Aqabah: A Historic Moment
One of the first significant moments in Nusaybah’s journey as a Muslim was her participation in the Second Pledge at al-‘Aqabah.
During this time, Islam was still in its early years, facing intense persecution in Makkah. The Prophet ﷺ met with 73 men from Madinah who pledged to support him and Islam, no matter the hardships they faced. Among them were only two women—one of whom was Nusaybah bint Ka‘b.
This pledge was not just symbolic; it was a promise of action. The Muslims of Madinah vowed to defend the Prophet ﷺ, uphold the truth, and stand firm against oppression. For Nusaybah, it was a clear commitment that a woman’s role in Islam extended beyond her home—she was ready to fight for her faith just as much as any man.
The Battle of Uhud: Nusaybah’s Defining Moment
The Initial Battle
One of the most defining moments of Umm ‘Imarah’s life was the Battle of Uhud.
At first, she joined the battle as a water-carrier, tending to the wounded and providing water to the fighters. But when the battle turned against the Muslims, her role changed drastically.
The Muslims had initially been victorious, but a critical mistake by the archers led to disaster. Khalid bin al-Walid, who was still a non-Muslim at the time, took advantage of this error and launched a counterattack. The Muslim army was thrown into chaos, and many fled the battlefield, leaving the Prophet ﷺ vulnerable.
Nusaybah’s Heroic Stand
Seeing the Prophet ﷺ in danger, Nusaybah picked up a sword and shield and rushed into battle. Alongside her husband and sons, she formed a human shield around the Prophet ﷺ, determined to protect him at all costs.
The Prophet ﷺ later said:
“I did not look to my right or to my left except that I saw Umm ‘Imarah fighting beside me.” (Al-Isabah, 4/457)
She fought with such skill and bravery that even seasoned warriors took note. She was wounded 12 times during the battle, one of which was a severe wound to her shoulder inflicted by Ibn Qami‘ah, a Qurayshi soldier. This wound took a full year to heal.
At one point, she saw a man running away from the battlefield with a shield. She called out to him:
“Throw your shield to someone who will fight!”
When he did, she grabbed it and continued defending the Prophet ﷺ, proving that she was a warrior both in words and in action.
Her son, ‘Abdullah bin Zayd, was injured in the battle, and the Prophet ﷺ told him to bandage his wound. Nusaybah, despite being injured herself, immediately began tending to her son. Then she told him:
“Get up, my son, and fight!”
The Prophet ﷺ, seeing her resilience, said:
“Who can endure what you are enduring, Umm ‘Imarah!”
A Mother’s Revenge
When Nusaybah saw the man who had wounded her son, she struck his leg with her sword, leaving him kneeling. The Prophet ﷺ, witnessing this, smiled broadly and said:
“You have avenged yourself, Umm ‘Imarah!”
Despite her injuries, she continued fighting until the battle ended.
Another account of her courage is provided by her son ‘Umarah, who was wounded in the battle. It is recorded that after bandaging her son’s wounds, Nusaybah personally took revenge on the enemy who had inflicted the harm. These heroic acts were witnessed and also recounted by the Prophet himself.
Nusaybah received many wounds in the battle herself. The Prophet saw this. He called to her son, “Your mother! Your mother! See to her wounds, may Allah bless you and your household! Your mother has fought better than so-and-so.” When Nusaybah heard what the Prophet said, she said, “Pray to Allah that we may accompany you in Paradise.” He said, “O Allah, make them my companions in Paradise.” She said, “I do not care what befalls me in this world.”
Nusaybah’s participation in battles did not end there. She lived through the rule of Abu Bakr Al Siddique, and Umar bin Al-Khattab. She was revered by both who continuously praised her struggle and courage. She was present on a number of occasions, including the Treaty of Aqabah, Hudaybiyah, as well as the battles of Khaybar, and Hunayn. Under the leadership of Abu Bakr, she fought brilliantly at Al-Yamamah, receiving 11 wounds and also losing her hand (at this time she was 60 years old!). Her courage on the battlefield was also matched by her steadfastness in faith. Two of her sons – Abdullah and Habib – were martyred fighting in the cause of Islam.
The Aftermath and Continued Struggles
Even after Uhud, Nusaybah’s devotion to Islam never wavered. She participated in:
- The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
- The Battle of Hunayn
- The Battle of Yamamah
During the Battle of Yamamah, she lost her arm while fighting against the false prophet Musaylimah the Liar. But the most tragic loss came when her beloved son, Habib bin Zayd, was captured by Musaylimah and tortured to death.
Musaylimah tried to force him to acknowledge him as a prophet, but Habib refused. As a result, Musaylimah cut him into pieces, limb by limb.
When Nusaybah heard of this, she vowed to fight until Musaylimah was defeated. Eventually, her other son, ‘Abdullah bin Zayd, was one of the men who killed Musaylimah, bringing justice for his brother’s murder.
Watch about her Seerah here:
Her Legacy and Impact on Muslim Women
Umm ‘Imarah’s story is a powerful reminder of the role women played in early Islam. She was not just a warrior—she was a mother, a teacher, and a believer whose actions set a precedent for generations of Muslim women.
When she once asked the Prophet ﷺ why only men were mentioned in certain Qur’anic verses, Allah revealed:
“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 Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah al-Ahzab 33:35)
This verse affirmed that women’s contributions were just as important as men’s in Islam.
Conclusion: What We Can Learn from Umm ‘Imarah
As we finish Ramadan, we can take inspiration from Umm ‘Imarah’s life:
1. Faith is action – She didn’t just believe in Islam; she defended it with everything she had.
2. Women are strong – Her story proves that women played a vital role in Islam’s early days.
3. Sacrifice leads to reward – She suffered injuries, loss, and hardship, yet her name is forever honored in history.
May we all draw strength from her unwavering spirit and strive to be as courageous, devoted, and faithful as she was. Ameen.
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