Khawlah bint al-Azwar

Khawlah bint al-Azwar was a warrior of the Banu Asad tribe and one of the most celebrated female combatants in the history of the early Islamic conquests. She was the sister of the companion Dhirar ibn al-Azwar, himself a renowned warrior who participated in the campaigns of the Rashidun Caliphate in Syria.

Khawlah's most famous episode occurred during the conquest of Syria when her brother Dhirar was captured by Byzantine forces. According to traditional accounts, upon learning of his capture, she donned armour, covered her face, and rode into battle to rescue him. Her combat was so furious and so effective that the watching Muslim soldiers — including the great general Khalid ibn al-Walid — were astonished. They did not know who this armoured rider was and assumed it must be Khalid himself or some comparably legendary warrior. When Khalid found himself riding alongside this fighter and discovered it was a woman, he reportedly expressed admiration for her skill.

Khawlah is said to have participated in multiple engagements during the Syrian campaigns, including battles at Ajnadayn and Marj al-Saffar. She demonstrated not only personal courage but also leadership, reportedly leading a group of Muslim women prisoners who, when their guards were distracted, armed themselves with tent poles and fought their way free.

Khawlah bint al-Azwar is honoured across the Arab world as a symbol of courage, patriotism, and female empowerment. Military academies, regiments, and institutions across the Middle East — particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan — bear her name. The UAE's Khawla bint Al Azwar Military School is one of the most prominent institutions named in her honour.