2- The first person in Islam to receive martyrdom was a woman named Sumayyah bint Khayyat. She was from the first people who embraced Islam. Despite her feebleness and old age, she was patient in enduring the hardship and torture she faced for the sake of her religion and the call to Islam of her Prophet (peace be upon him). She remained steadfast until she attained martyrdom at the hands of Abu Jahl (Father of Ignorance). This is how she became the first martyr in Islam; a privilege for her specifically, and for women in general. Surely, this is an indication on the high status the women has and her great importance in this religion.

3- The battle of Banu Qaynuqaa’ happened between the Muslims and the Jews, following an event regarding a Muslim woman. She went and sold some items at the market place of the Jewish tribe, the Banu Qaynuqaa'. She then sat by a jeweler. They then started harassing her to expose her face. Naturally she refused. The jeweler then intentionally tied up part of her garment to her back, so that when she stood up, her body was exposed. They started laughing at her and therefore she screamed. A Muslim man then jumped towards the jeweler, a Jew, and killed him. The Jews retaliated and killed the Muslim. The Muslims were outraged and havoc spread between them and the tribe of the Banu Qaynuqaa'.

Later, the Muslims besieged the Jews, went to war with them and exiled them from the city of Medina. They did so in defense of a Muslim woman; to protect her honor and high status, so that it would be a lesson for all times and places. And this was considered a bright minaret for women in our Islamic history.

4- The revelation of Quranic verses regarding the complaint a woman and brought to the attention of the Prophet (peace be upon him), about her husband, and she was an old lady. Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, according to her: “Blessed be He, Whose hearing has encompassed all things. I hear what Khawlah bint Tha`labah said while some of it I could not hear. She was complaining to Allah's Messenger about her husband. She said, `O Allah's Messenger! He spent my wealth, exhausted my youth and my womb bore abundantly for him. When I became old, unable to bear children, he pronounced the Dhihar on me! O Allah! I complain to you.' Soon after, Gabriel came down with these verses:

"Allah has indeed heard (and accepted) the statement of the woman who pleads with you concerning her husband and carries her complaint (in prayer) to Allah" [Surah Al-Mujadilah, 1]

Add comment