Nesibah bint Ka'b [radiyallahu anha]

Among the celebrated female companions of the Prophet, Nesibah bint Ka'b, known as Umm Umarah, hails from the Hazraj tribe of Medina. Her brother, Abdurrahman, was one of the seven famed companions known as the Bakkaaiin - “The Weepers.” These were the individuals who cried in the presence of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), longing to join the Battle of Tabuk but lacked the means to do so, and thus were divinely praised in the Qur’an. (At-Tawbah, 92)

Nesibah (radiyallahu anha) was among the first women of Medina to embrace Islam. She is renowned for her valiant participation in battles. She was one of the four women who pledged their allegiance in the Pledge of Ridwan. Her son, Abdullah, was one of the two who vanquished the false prophet Musaylimatu’l-Kazzab (the other being Wahshi - radiyallahu anh). She passed away during the caliphate of Ali (radiyallahu anh) and was laid to rest in the Baqi cemetery. May Allah be pleased with her.

Let us explore some episodes from her life…

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The Heroine of Uhud

Nesibah (radiyallahu anha) exhibited remarkable bravery during the Battle of Uhud. She defended the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) at the risk of her own life, staying steadfastly by his side even as the Islamic army scattered. She recounts her experience at Uhud:

"I had gone to Uhud, wanting to see how the Muslims fared. I brought water to give to the soldiers. I reached where the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was. At that moment, the Muslims were prevailing. Soon, the Qurayshi archers surrounded us. Fierce battles ensued around the Messenger of Allah. I joined the fight to protect him. I fought with whatever I could grab – sometimes with a sword, sometimes with arrows, keeping the mushriks away from the Prophet.

I was wounded in the midst of it. My husband, children, and I formed a living shield in front of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). My husband and I used our bodies to block incoming arrows. My sons repelled the attacks. Noticing that I fought without a shield, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) called out to a companion:

'O shield-bearer, hand your shield to this warrior!'

I took the shield and continued fighting. Then, a horseman charged at me. I parried his attack with the shield and struck the horse's legs with my sword. As the horse fell, the Prophet called out to my son:

'O son of Umm Umarah! Protect your mother, aid her!'

Abdullah rushed to my side and helped me slay the polytheist."

As the onslaught intensified, her son Abdullah was wounded in his left arm. Struggling to fight amidst his bleeding, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed him, "Bandage your wound." Nesibah, aware of her son's condition, hastened to his side and dressed his wound. Then she encouraged him:

“Rise, my child, and continue fighting against the mushriks.”

Hearing that she had sent her injured son back into battle, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), deeply moved, praised Nesibah:

“O Umm Umarah! Can everyone endure what you have endured?”

After the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) remarked:

“Whenever I looked around on the day of Uhud, I saw Nesibah fighting valiantly to protect me.”

A Gentle Complaint

One day, Nesibah (radiyallahu anha) approached the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said:

“O Messenger of Allah, I notice that the Qur’an often mentions men, but there is hardly any mention of women.”

In another narration, it is relayed that she said:

“O Messenger of Allah, men go to battle, fight, and become martyrs. We cannot do these things. Moreover, we receive only half of what men receive in inheritance. How I wish we were men!”

Upon this, the following verse of the Qur’an was revealed:

“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Al-Ahzab, 35)

Thus, Allah the Exalted declared that there is no difference between men and women in terms of worship and servitude, and Nesibah was contented.

Against the Musaylimah

Nesibah was over sixty when Musaylimah, known as ‘The Liar,’ claimed prophethood. Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anh) sent her son, Habib, as an envoy.

Musaylimah asked Habib (radiyallahu anh):

“Do you affirm Muhammad's prophethood?”

Habib (radiyallahu anh) replied:

“Yes.”

When Musaylimah asked, “Do you affirm my prophethood?”

Habib (radiyallahu anh) retorted:

“I cannot hear well,” mocking him. Enraged, Musaylimah tortured Habib to martyrdom.

When Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anh) decided to send an army against Musaylimah, Nesibah (radiyallahu anha) joined them. Fighting valiantly at the forefront, her arm was wounded. While she continued to fight despite her injury, her son Abdullah and Wahshi (radiyallahu anhuma) cornered Musaylimah. Wahshi slew Musaylimah with a spear. After the battle, Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anh) visited Nesibah in her home.