Women in Early Islam
The remarkable women who shaped Islamic history through courage, scholarship, healing, and devotion — honoured as companions (sahabiyyat) of the Prophet Muhammad.
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid
The first person to accept Islam. A successful businesswoman who employed and later married Muhammad. She supported him financially and emotionally during the earliest and most vulnerable period of his prophethood.
Aisha bint Abu Bakr
One of the greatest scholars of hadith — narrated over 2,200 hadith. A leading authority on Islamic law whom senior companions consulted.
Fatimah bint Muhammad
The beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad, revered across all Islamic traditions. Mother of Hasan and Husayn through whom the Prophet's lineage continues.
Rufaida al-Aslamiya
Established the first military field hospital and trained the first organised nursing corps (al-Asiyat), over 1,200 years before Florence Nightingale.
Umm Sulaym bint Milhan
Accompanied the Prophet on military campaigns, providing water and treating the wounded. Known for her extraordinary courage and faith. Demanded Islam as her mahr (dowry).
Hamnah bint Jahsh
Served on the front lines at the Battle of Uhud, carrying water and treating the wounded while her brother and husband both fell in battle on the same day.
Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (Umm Umarah)
One of the most famous female warriors in Islamic history. Defended the Prophet Muhammad with her sword and shield at the Battle of Uhud, sustaining twelve wounds.
Khawlah bint al-Azwar
A legendary warrior of the early Islamic conquests of the Levant, whose combat prowess so awed the Muslim army that they mistook her for Khalid ibn al-Walid.
Layla al-Ghifariyyah
Accompanied military campaigns and treated the injured. Wife of Abu Dharr al-Ghifari, one of the earliest and most outspoken companions of the Prophet.
Rubayyi' bint Mu'awwidh
Provided medical care at multiple battles. A hadith narrator who documented the Prophet's practices, including an eyewitness account of how women served during military campaigns.