The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was fortunate to have a large number of sahaba (companions) who swore allegiance to him and supported him during his prophetic trip. The Sahaba were people from all walks of life—wealthy and poor, young and old—who were united in their devotion to and belief in Allah (SWT).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)’s wives, daughters, and mother figures, as well as all those who struggled for and sought to be the most informed in Islam and its teachings, were among the greatest of sabaha. The ten outstanding sahabiyat (female companions) who went above and beyond to serve their society and were regarded as role models for Muslims by both women and men are highlighted in this article in celebration of these remarkable women.
1. Khadija bint Khuwaylid (RA)
Khadija bint Khuwaylid (may Allah be pleased with her) was a prominent figure in the early Islamic community and is considered one of the most remarkable women in Islamic history. She was the first wife of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and a successful businesswoman who inherited her father’s trading business and managed it with great skill and acumen. Khadija’s role in the early days of Islam was critical. She was one of the few people who believed in the Prophet’s message and supported him when no one else did.
Her unwavering faith and support gave the Prophet strength and courage to continue preaching the message of Islam. Khadija’s legacy is an inspiration to Muslims around the world, particularly women. Her example of a successful businesswoman, devoted wife and mother, and a strong supporter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) continues to inspire women to pursue their dreams, support their families, and be active members of their communities.
2. Aisha bint Abu Bakr (RA)
Scholarly and inquisitive, Aisha bint Abu Bakr was considered one of the greatest teachers of her time. As the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), she continued to carry on his message 44 years after his death, narrating 2210 hadiths on matters not only related to his private life, but also on topics such as inheritance, pilgrimage, and eschatology. In addition to her depth of understanding of Islam and the life of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), she was highly praised by early luminaries for her intellect and knowledge in other reputable fields, including poetry and medicine.
3. Fatima bint Muhammad (RA)
The highest-ranking lady in terms of wisdom, chastity, patience, and piety was Fatima bint Muhammad. Her tenacity in the face of the hardships her family experienced in this world and her continued adherence to austerity and simplicity for the sake of Allah (SWT) earned her a position as the head of all believing women in Jannah, following the example of her parents, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Khadijah (RA). She is a wonderful role model for Muslims of all genders because of her courage and noble attitude.
4. Umm Salama (RA)
Noble at birth, learned, wise, and skillful, Hind bint Abi Umayya – better known as Umm Salamah – was one of the earliest converts to Islam. Being one of the first Muslims, she battled the taunts from the people of her home city and even left her home twice to seek religious freedom, being among those companions who migrated to Abyssinia and to Medina. For her efforts in pursuing the pleasure and reward of Allah (SWT), she became one of the most influential female companions of Muhammad, narrating over 300 hadith, and was considered one of the best jurists in Islamic law.
5. Sumayya bint Khayyat (RA)
Sumayya bint Khayyat (may Allah be pleased with her) was the first martyr of Islam and is considered one of the most courageous and inspiring women in Islamic history. She was an early convert to Islam and one of the first Muslims to face persecution and torture for her beliefs. Sumayya’s example of unwavering faith and courage in the face of adversity continues to inspire Muslims today. She is remembered as a symbol of the early struggle of the Muslim community and a source of inspiration for those who face persecution and hardship for their beliefs.
6. Umm ʿAmmarah (RA)
An incredible warrior, Nusaybah bint Ka’ab – better known as Umm ʿAmmarah – was honored for her presence in many great battles fighting for the side of the Muslims. But her most noble deed came in the battle of Uhud, where she ran to the defense of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and took up arms, along with her husband and two sons. That day, while she was gravely injured and wounded, she emerged victorious from battle and would continue fighting for the sake of Islam in many battles to come, unyielding in her duty to protect the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Ummah.
7. Asma bint Abu Bakr (RA)
Bestowed with the title of ‘Dhat an Nitaqayn’ (The Possessor of the two scarves), Asma bint Abu Bakr was vital in the survival of the Prophet (S.A.W.) during his migration from Makkah to Madinah. During the trip, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and her father, Abu Bakr (RA), concealed themselves in the cave of Thawr for three nights to hide from murderous enemies, Asma provided them with food and water despite the risk. Even when one of their greatest enemies, Abu Jahl, assaulted her for knowledge of where her father and Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were hiding, she kept silent and faced him bravely, unwavering in her resolve to protect them for the sake of Islam.
8. Umm Ayman (RA)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was solely known to Barakah bint Tha’alaba, also known as Umm Ayman, from the time of his birth till his passing. She was originally born in Abyssinia and brought up as a slave in Makkah before being purchased by the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) father, Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib, who then assisted in raising the Prophet after the passing of his mother Aminah. She was among the first people to convert to Islam, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) considered her highly as his “mother after my own mother” and companion throughout his prophethood.
9. Umm Sulaym (RA)
One of the earliest women converts to Islam in Medina, Rumaysa bint Milhan – popularly known as Umm Sulaym – was known for her excellent character and her independent attitude of mind. Even though her first husband did not accept Islam, her belief in Allah (SWT) was strong and uncompromising, and thus was able to raise her son as a pious Muslim. For her dedication to her faith and resistance to indulging in worldly riches, Umm Sulaym was a model Muslim, wife, and mother.
10. Umm Hakim bint Al-Harith (RA)
Umm, Hakim bint Al-Harith accepted Islam on the day of the conquest of Makkah despite having been present at the battle of Uhud opposite the Muslims. After unlearning her previous biases, she changed her beliefs with grace, remaining strong in her dedication to Allah (SWT) even after the devastating loss of her husband, brother, and father in the battle of Yarmouk. Likewise, when her second husband, Umayyad commander Khalid ibn Said, was martyred on the day of their wedding, she, with her strength of character, single-handedly killed seven Byzantine soldiers who attacked them with a tent pole during the battle of Marj al-Saffar.
11. Asma bint Yazid (RA)
A multi-faceted woman, Asmaa bint Yazeed was distinguished for her sagacity and eloquence, and strength of character and wisdom. She joined Muslim armies on several occasions, even accompanying the Prophet on his expedition that led to the fall of Makkah to Islam, and participated in the great Battle of Al-Yarmook. In addition to her war efforts, she, one of the best learned of the Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) female companions, was also a reliable reporter in hadith, with major scholars, such as Abu Dawood and Al-Tirmidhi, relating a total of 81 Hadiths of her reporting.
12.Khansa bint Khidam (RA)
Khansa bint Khidam (may Allah be pleased with her) was a poetess and a mother who lived during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is considered one of the most inspiring women in Islamic history. She is known for her strength, courage, and devotion to her children. Khansa’s poetry was widely celebrated, and her example of resilience and strength in the face of tragedy continues to inspire Muslims today. Her devotion to her children and her ability to find solace in her faith during times of hardship serves as a reminder of the importance of family and the power of faith.
13.Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (RA)
Hazrat Zainab bint Ali (may Allah be pleased with her) is considered one of the most respected and admired women in Islamic history. She was the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib (the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad) and Fatima bint Muhammad (the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad).
Hazrat Zainab is known for her bravery, eloquence, and steadfastness in the face of adversity. She played a critical role in the aftermath of the Battle of Karbala, in which her brother, Hussain ibn Ali, and many members of his family and companions were killed. After the battle, Hazrat Zainab and the other surviving members of Hussain’s family were taken captive by the forces of the Umayyad caliphate.
Despite being a captive, Hazrat Zainab refused to be silenced or intimidated. She delivered a powerful and eloquent sermon in the court of Yazid (the Umayyad caliph), in which she denounced the atrocities committed against her family and the principles of justice and humanity. Her words were so powerful that they sparked a movement of resistance against the Umayyad dynasty.
14. Hazrat Hajar
Hajar, wife of Prophet Ibrahim [on him be peace], was left alone by him in the desolate, uninhabited Arabian valley, which is now the thronging city of Makkah, with their son Ismail [on him be peace].
She said, “O Ibrahim, will you go and leave us in this valley in which there are no people and nothing?” She said that to him several times, and he did not answer her. Then she said to him: “Is it Allah Who has commanded you to do this?” He said, “Yes.” She said, “Then He will not forsake us.”
[Sahih Al-Bukhari, 3184]
Again, Hajar did not sit and cry over her fate, wailing and lamenting her husband for leaving them there. Nor did she cry to Allah, “Why did you do this to us?” Instead, as her words indicated, she had full trust in Allah. Despite this trust, she exhausted all her human capacities to search for water until Allah made it miraculously emerge. Such was Allah’s appreciation of her resilience during this trial, that He mandated the sa’ee between mounts Safa and Marwah as an obligatory ritual of both umrah and Hajj, for all Muslims until the end of mankind.
15. Hazrat Maryam bint Imran
A woman giving birth to a child all alone in the woods? Especially one who has not given birth before, nor ever been touched by a man? What could have made her so strong as to achieve this on her own? The prime reason for her solitude in such a critical situation was the miraculous nature of her pregnancy. How could she explain to anyone how she became pregnant? Who would believe her when she said that no man had ever touched her?
This makes it all the more stupefying how Maryam Bint Imran could have endured what she did without any human support or assistance. Undoubtedly, she possessed extraordinary inner strength and trust in Allah. As a result of this trust, Allah sent an angel to her, to provide her dates and fresh water during and after the birth,Maryam, miraculously given birth to a Prophet whilst still being a virgin;
