Tesneem Alkiek – Inspirational Muslim Women #05 Nusayba bint Kaab

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu

and welcome back to another episode of Sayeedati,

where we explore the lives of some incredible

Muslim women.

Today I want to talk about one of

my personal favorites and a companion of the

Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam Nusayba bint Kab also

known as Umma Amara

she was from the tribe of Khazraj so

she was a native of Yathrib or the

city that eventually became Medina the city of

the Prophet

after Musaib ibn Haramid came to Yathrib by

the order of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

to spread his message Nusayba was among the

initial batch to convert

In fact, her first honorific memory in history

was her participation in Bayatulaka Bethania

with the second pledge of allegiance to the

prophet.

She was one of only 2 women who

are present at this pledge, so it's no

surprise she soon became a rightful leader in

her community.

She returned to Medina and devoted her time

and effort in teaching others about the message

of Islam. Nizaydah's first marriage was to Zayd

bin Alassan who later converted as well and

became an unsari or helper to the Muslims

who migrated from Mecca.

Nusayba gave birth to 2 children from her

first husband Zayd, Habib and Abdullah,

both of whom were martyred during her life

in his book Great Woman of Islam, Landa

Faroo well articulates the story of Nizaydah based

on Imam the Habib's Sir Alam and Nubileh

or Biography of the Noble People

according to these sources Nusayba Radlawaha not only

took part in the second Bayan but she

participated in the Battle of Uhud, Hunayn, Yamama

and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

oh, and in case you're wondering, no, she

wasn't there as a nurse or in support

of her family members who were on the

She was there herself as nothing less than

a warrior.

It was said that her skills with the

sword were so impressive, anyone who saw her

on the battlefield, the Uhud was left astonished.

In a narration by Arun Khattab, the prophet

sallallahu alaihi wasallam even mentioned that in whatever

direction he turned in the battlefield he could

see her defending and protecting him.

Nusayba herself according to the author described a

crucial moment during the battle of Uhud.

She along with her 2 sons and husband

tried to surround the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

to protect him from any oncoming attack.

She had a sword in one hand and

a shield in the other. It wasn't long

before she was attacked by an enemy, but

she managed to ward off the blow with

her shield.

She quickly pulled on the brittle of her

horse to flip it around and before the

attacker had a moment to think, she plunged

her sword in the horse.

The horse immediately neighed and fell throwing the

rider off its back

the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam after seeing this

called upon Abdallah, Nusayba's son to help his

mother and they finished off the attacker together

later on in the battle, Nusayba sustained at

least 12 major wounds when the Prophet SAW

witnessed the courage and bravery of Nusayba and

her children he made dua for their success

and prayed that they would be with him

in paradise as well.

He smiled at their strength, and he directly

told Nusayba, You Muhammadu, where can anyone get

courage like you? Kalma's other narrations demonstrate Nusayba's

outstanding personality and illustrate the gruesome wounds she

bore for the sake of protecting the Prophet.

When her son Habib was on the verge

of death in battle

he was asked to testify that al Musayl

al Kaddab the false prophet was indeed a

prophet of God

so Habib pretended that he was deaf and

couldn't hear him

as a result, his attacker decided to cut

off parts of his body until he gradually

died

it's one thing for Nusayba to be out

on the battlefield enduring her own wounds

but it's entirely different to hear about the

pain that your son, your own son was

wrongfully subjected to.

Yet despite the horror any mother would feel

at the thought of this, Nusayba displayed exemplary

patience and received consolation from the Prophet Sallallahu

Alaihi Wasallam.

Besides her strength in the face of physical

trials, Nusayba was very much involved in a

community from a religious and social aspect.

Yes, she was out there in a sea

of men fighting on multiple occasions and was

never questioned for doing so.

She wasn't told by the prophet

to go home and take care of her

kids or that this public and political realm

was only for capable men but quite the

opposite

she was encouraged and praised by him salallahu

alaihi wasalam for her choice to display that

strength and courage

and so because of her direct involvement in

these affairs Nusayba reflected a lot in the

Quran and the way the Quran addressed gender

roles.

And it was Nusayba Radhiallahu Anha who went

up to the Prophet himself Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

and asked him the question that has answered

the concern of so many people who read

the Quran

Why is the Quran addressed directly to men?

At this moment, the Prophet

didn't respond.

The answer was to come from none other

than Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala by revealing an

entire verse to address Nasayba's question.

In the Surah of Al Ajab or Confederates

a Surah that mind you deals with questions

of war so it's sort of relevant

and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says

Allah revealed that, verily, the Muslim men and

Muslim women, the believing men and believing women,

the obedient men and obedient women, until the

very end of the verse, for them Allah

Subhana Wa Ta'la has prepared forgiveness and a

great reward.

The implications of this verse are many, but

among them is the solid fact affirmed by

God that men and women are equal in

the sight of God. But just as important

is the fact that Nusayba someone who had

by every means shattered glass ceilings and defied

stereotypical

expectations had the opportunity to go to the

Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and blatantly ask this

question and then receive an answer from God

on top of that.

It's unfortunate that we can still find people

today who would laugh at the thought of

a woman participating in these worldly affairs to

this extent and it's more unfortunate that they

haven't realized the significant role and example of

Nusayevah Bintzka.

A fierce woman had no fear amidst pain

and death in battles and a woman who

played a role in definitively clarifying the position

of women in Islam. She forever remains a

sahabiyah female companion I can't get over. I

hope that our youth can recognize the greatness

of Nusayba

and turn to her example as a means

of personal strength

to defy expectations

and play an active role in their communities.

I hope that Nusayba's courage in reflecting on

the Quran and asking a question that would

be labeled today as heretical by some will

provide our youth the courage to build a

relationship with the Quran and to reach out

to people of knowledge to discuss the concerns

they may have

may Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala give us all

the strength and confidence of Nusaybah radiAllahu anha

Hazakumu Al Khaydan Amin for tuning in and

InshaAllah we'll see you next time Assalamu Alaikumu

Alaihi Barakatsuh