Muslim Women in History Women Role Models
"The best women of mankind are four: Mariam daughter of Imran,
Assiya wife of Pharoah, Khadija daughter of Khuwailid, and Fatima
daughter of the Messenger of Allah." - The Prophet Muhammad
(narrated by Anas, recorded in Bukhari and Muslim
Women have always played an important role in the Muslim
community
Despite the stereotypes, Muslim women have always played a vital
role in the Muslim community, and not only in traditional roles.
Early Muslim women served the community through scholarship,
teaching, nursing, and other important activities. Among them:
Asma bint Abu Bakr - a noble woman known
for her intelligence and generosity
Aishah bint Abu Bakr - known for her spirit and
good memory, she became a teacher to other Muslims and a narrator of
hadith
Barakah - the only person who was with the
Prophet (peace be upon him) from his birth to his death
Fatimah bint Muhammad - the Prophet's
daughter was deeply devoted to him, and spent her time in prayer and
worship
Hafsa bint Umar - a women who was not afraid to
speak her mind
Khadija bint Khuwailid - the Prophet (peace be
upon him) described her: ""She believed in me when no one else did;
she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and
comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand."
Nasibah bint Ka'b - a "woman warrior" - she fought
in the battle of Uhud and others
Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan - a courageous woman
who embraced Islam despite the protests of her father, a fierce
enemy of the Muslim community
Rumaysa bint Milhan - known for her bravery
and excellent character
Sawda bint Zama - a widow who was the first Muslim
to emigrate to Abbyssinia
Umm Salamah - one of the first believers,
she remained steadfast despite persecution
Sister Mohja Kahf wrote a
series of articles for Usenet outlining the lives of some
of the lesser-known Muslim women in history. From Naseeba bint Ka'b
to Azdah bint al-Harith, the lives of these women give important
insight into the nature of women's lives in the early centuries of
Islam.
Far from being downtrodden, meek slaves to the men in their
lives, these women served Allah and their community with bravery and
wisdom. Muslim women look to them as role models, may Allah be
pleased with them all.
Source: http://islam.about.com/library/weekly/aa031101a.htm
