Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A)

Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A) belonged to the Banu Mazin. She was among the first women of Madina to enter Islam. She accompanied the delegate who set out from Madina for Makkah in order to give the pledge of faith to the Holy Prophet (S.A.W).

Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A) was a brave woman. In the battle of Uhud she joined the Muslim army with her two sons, Hazrat Abdullah (R.A) and Hazrat Habib (R.A). Her (R.A) duty was to give water to the Muslim soldiers.

Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A) said, “During the battle I noticed that people were leaving the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) alone, subsequently I stood by Him (R.A) with my two sons and my husband. The beloved Prophet (S.A.W) noticed me unarmed, when He (S.A.W) saw a man fleeing from the battlefield with his weapon, He ordered him "Throw your weapon to whomever can fight instead." Having thrown it, I picked it up and started to defend Holy Prophet (S.A.W).

Whilst defending, a horseman trapped us and put us into difficulty. Thereupon, the horseman attacked me, but I received his sword on my shield. When he turned back I hit the rear of his horse with my sword, the man fell down on his back. Then, Holy Prophet (S.A.W) shouted, "O son of Umm Imara, your mother, your mother!" my son came for my help and I killed the horseman”.

As years passed, Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A) kept on serving the call of Islam at war or peace. When Holy Prophet (S.A.W) passed away from this world, some Muslim tribes decided to go back to their old ways and were lead by Musailama, the liar. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) issued his command to fight the apostates. Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A) went to Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) to ask his permission to fight. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) said to her, we know that you fight well, you can go.

She set out accompanied by her son, Hazrat Habib (R.A) to fight in the cause of Allah (S.W.T). But Musailama managed to capture Hazrat Habib (R.A). He tried to convert him but all his efforts and attempts went unsuccessful. He started to cut off Hazrat Habib's (R.A) body into pieces but Hazrat Habib (R.A) kept patient and resorted to Allah (S.W.T) and sought His pleasure. It was said that Hazrat Habib's (R.A) body was cut off into piles of detached organs.

This did not deter Hazrate Umm Imara (R.A), She set out to fight in the battle of Yamama accompanied by Her (R.A) other son, Hazrat Abdullah (R.A). Hazrat Abdullah (R.A) managed to kill Musailama aided by Hazrat Wahshi ibn Harb (R.A). When she heard about the death of this tyrant liar she prostrated to Allah (S.W.T). She (R.A) is indeed an example of courage and sacrifices to all women.