Nusaybah bint Kaʿb RA: The Warrior of Uhud

Nusaybah bint Kaʿb ibn ʿAmr al-Māzinīyah (RA), known as Umm ʿUmārah, was from the Banū Māzin branch of the Khazraj tribe in Madinah. She and her family were among the earliest Anṣār to embrace Islam. Ibn Saʿd mentions her as one of the two women who pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ at ʿAqabah before the Hijrah (al-Ṭabaqāt al-Kubrā 8/442).

Her Heroism at the Battle of Uḥud

Umm ʿUmārah (RA) is best remembered for her courage at Uḥud (3 AH). She came to the battlefield initially to carry water and tend to the wounded. But when the Muslims were scattered after the Quraysh attack, she took up her sword and shield and fought to defend the Prophet ﷺ.

ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say on the Day of Uḥud: ‘Wherever I turned to my right or my left, I saw Umm ʿUmārah fighting for me.’” (Ibn Saʿd 8/442; Ibn Ḥajar, al-Iṣābah 8/464).

She received thirteen wounds that day, including a deep neck injury. The Prophet ﷺ personally treated her wounds. Later he said: “The position of Umm ʿUmārah on the Day of Uḥud was better than so-and-so and so-and-so.” (Musnad Aḥmad 17341, graded ṣaḥīḥ).

Later Battles and Sacrifices

Umm ʿUmārah (RA) continued her service in later campaigns. She was present at the Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah (6 AH) among the companions pledging under the tree (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4154). She also took part in the Battle of Khaybar (7 AH), treating the wounded (Ibn Saʿd 8/443).

Her most difficult trial came at al-Yamāmah (12 AH) during the wars of apostasy under Abū Bakr (RA). She joined the Muslim army against Musaylimah the Liar. Alongside her son ʿAbdullāh ibn Zayd (RA), she fought with remarkable bravery. Ibn Saʿd reports: “She received eleven wounds, and her hand was cut off, yet she continued fighting until the enemy was defeated.” (al-Ṭabaqāt 8/443).

Her Family’s Sacrifice

Nusaybah bint Kaʿb RA ‘s family embodied sacrifice. Her husband Zayd ibn ʿĀṣim (RA) and her sons Ḥabīb and ʿAbdullāh were also companions.

Her son Ḥabīb ibn Zayd (RA) was martyred by Musaylimah before Yamāmah. Musaylimah demanded that Ḥabīb testify to his prophethood, but Ḥabīb refused. Musaylimah cut him to pieces while he repeated: “I bear witness Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah.” (Ibn Hishām, al-Sīrah 3/293; Ibn Saʿd 8/444).

Nusaybah (RA) later said: “This is nothing for what I endured in Uḥud, but I hope for my son’s reward in the sight of Allah.” (Ibn Saʿd 8/444).

Her other son, ʿAbdullāh ibn Zayd (RA), fought alongside her at Yamāmah, killing Musaylimah with the help of Wahshī ibn Ḥarb (RA). This was a completion of Allah’s justice, since Wahshī had killed Ḥamzah (RA) before Islam, and now struck down the false prophet (al-Ṭabarī, Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī 2/281).

Praise of the Prophet ﷺ

The Prophet ﷺ held Umm ʿUmārah in the highest regard. After Uḥud, he prayed for her and her family:

“O Allah, make them my companions in Paradise.” (Musnad Aḥmad 17341, ṣaḥīḥ).

This duʿāʾ was an eternal honor, and she replied: “I do not care what befalls me in this world after this supplication.” (Ibn Saʿd 8/442).

She was not only a distinguished fighter but also keen to enquire into fiqh issues.
She had once asked Prophet PBUH about why the Quran only addressed men at most places.Allah SWT answered her question by sending a revelation shortly:

اِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِيْنَ وَالْمُسْلِمٰتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ وَالْقٰنِتِيْنَ وَالْقٰنِتٰتِ وَالصّٰدِقِيْنَ وَالصّٰدِقٰتِ وَالصّٰبِرِيْنَ وَالصّٰبِرٰتِ وَالْخٰشِعِيْنَ وَالْخٰشِعٰتِ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقِيْنَ وَالْمُتَصَدِّقٰتِ وَالصَّاۤىِٕمِيْنَ وَالصّٰۤىِٕمٰتِ وَالْحٰفِظِيْنَ فُرُوْجَهُمْ وَالْحٰفِظٰتِ وَالذَّاكِرِيْنَ اللّٰهَ كَثِيْرًا وَّالذَّاكِرٰتِ اَعَدَّ اللّٰهُ لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّاَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا

Surely for Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women, patient men and women, humble men and women, charitable men and women, fasting men and women, men and women who guard their chastity, and men and women who remember Allah often, for all of them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.

(Surah Al-Ahzab Verse 35)

Her Death

The exact year of her death is not precisely recorded. Ibn Saʿd and Ibn Ḥajar mention that she lived until the caliphate of ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA), and likely passed away in 13 or 14 AH after the Battle of Yamāmah (al-Ṭabaqāt 8/444; al-Iṣābah 8/465).

Legacy

Nusaybah bint Kaʿb (RA) remains one of the most inspiring women of Islam. She was among the first women to pledge allegiance, one of the few to physically defend the Prophet ﷺ in battle, and the mother of martyrs who stood firm against falsehood.

Her courage at Uḥud and Yamāmah made her a symbol of female heroism in Islam. The Prophet’s duʿāʾ for her companionship in Paradise is her greatest legacy.