Women In Islam

Notable Muslim Women

There are many notable Muslim women who we should take as role models. Here are some:

Khadijah (RA)
Prophet Muhammad's PBUH his first wife- Khadijatul Kubra (خديجه الكبرى) (Khadija the great).
Khadijah, the daughter of Khuwailid, was born 15 years before the year old the elephant, which was also the Prophet PBUH' s birth. Her mother was Fatimah bint Zaidah.
She was a noble, fine-natured wealthy lady of Makkah. She married the Prophet PBUH when she was 40 and he was 25. They had six children: two boys, Al-Qasim and 'Abdullah (also known as Tahir and Taiyib), and four girls, Zainab, Ruqaiyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah.
Khadijah lived with the prophet PBUH for 25 years and was his only wife during that time.
When the revelation came from Allah and Muhammad PBUH was made the Prophet, it was Khadijah who immediately accepted faith and became the first Muslim. She was 55 years at that time. Her acceptance of Islam greatly helped it spread among Makkans. She stood by the prophet PBUH all the time. She consoled and comforted the prophet PBUH during the moments of trial and tribulation. She did all she could to help the prophet PBUH carry on his mission (da'wah).
The great Muslim lady Khadijah, the first Muslim, died on 10 Ramadan in the tenth year of the prophethood, 620 CE, at the age of 65. Her death was a great loss to Prophet Muhammad. He said, "I cannot bear the scene. I believe that Allah has kept much good in it." He loved Khadijah so dearly that after her death he used to remember her often. The angel Jibril used to bring salam (greetings) for her from Allah.

Fatimah (RA)
Fatimah was the youngest of the four daughters of the Prophet. She is known as Saiyidatun Nisa' (Leader of the Women), and one of her titles is az-Zahra (radiantly beautiful), which is why she is also called Fațimatuz Zahra'. She was born five years before the prophethood of Muhammad (605 CE), and migrated to Madinah after the Prophet, with her sisters and step-mother Sawdah.
After the death of her mother, Khadijah (RA) , she served her father with total devotion and love. The Prophet PBUH loved her very much and kept her with him in deep affection. She was loved by all the wives of the Prophet. She looked like Khadijah and this reminded people of her great mother.
Fatimah was married to 'Alī (RA) after the battle of Badr in a simple marriage ceremony. The guests were served dates and drinks made from honey. She was about 18 years old, though some say she was only 15 at the time.
Her married life was happy and peaceful. 'Ali, her husband, respected her and the Prophet always advised Fatimah to obey and serve her husband in every respect. She kept her house clean and tidy, giving it a simple and pure look. There was always an atmosphere of peace and quiet.
Fatimah and her husband had five children: three sons, al-Hasan, al-Husain and al- Muhassin; and two daughters, Zainab and Umm Kultham. Al-Muhassin died while still a baby.
According to Ahadith (plural of Hadith), Fatimah was regarded as a great and respected lady by the women of her day because of her delightful personality, kindness, politeness dignity.
and The Prophet said, "Among the women of the whole world, four are great: Khadijah, Fatimah, Maryam (Mary) and Asiyah (wife of Fir'awn [Pharaoh])."
Fatimah resembled her father very closely in habits, traits and in conversation. When she came to any meetings of the Prophet, he used to get up for her and make room for her to sit by his side.
Fatimah took part in the battle of Uhud and nursed wounded Muslim soldiers. She bandaged the wound sustained by the prophet PBUH during battle. She also took part in the conquest of Makkah.
Fatimah died a few months after the death of the prophet PBUH on the 3rd of Ramadan in 11AH at the age of 30.

Aisha (RA)
This great Muslim lady was married to the Prophet PBUH after the death of his in wife, Khadijah. She was born in 613 of 614 CE, the fourth year of the Prophets wission, and was married to the Prophet when she was nine, although she went to live with him when she was 12 (some say at 15). Her father was Abu Bakr (RA), the closest friend of the Prophet and the first Khalifah of Islam. Her mother was Umm Rumman.
Ä'ishah was a great Muslim lady. She was very talented and had a wonderful memory. She had a great love of learning and became noted for her intelligence, learning and sharp sense of judgement.
She grew up in an Islamic environment. Her father was a great Muslim and the Prophet himself was a frequent visitor to their house. She became a Muslim as soon as she reached the age of reason and understanding. During her childhood, 'A'ishah memorised quite a number of Sarahs of the Qur'an. Her father was a man of learning and she inherited his love of knowledge.
'A'ishah and her elder half-sister, Asma', helped in packing for the famous Hijrah of the Prophet to Madinah.
'A'ishah was fortunate to be trained under the care of the greatest teacher mankind, Prophet Muhammad PBUH. This training made her one of the most notable Muslim ladies in Islamic history. She was totally devoted to the Prophet, her husband, and he loved her very dearly.
The Prophet fell ill in 11 AH and 'A'ishah nursed him with all the love and care of a devoted wife. He died in her lap. Aisha was also present at her father's death bed. Abu Bakr asked her how many pieces of cloth were used to bury the Prophet and she told him three. He asked his daughter to wrap him also in three sheets for burial.
Aishah saved the place beside her father's grave for her own burial but, after the injury which was to prove fatal, 'Umar (RA) the second Khalifah of Islam, sent his son Abdullah to 'A'ishah to ask her permission for him to be buried beside Abu Bakr. She agreed to 'Umar's wish, saying. "Today I prefer 'Umar to myself," which shows her genorisity and selflessness. Aishah always stood for the truth. She taught Islam to many people men and
women, She was an authority on many matters of Islamic Law, especially those concerning women. She narrated 2,210 Ahadith. She died at the age of 67 on 17 Ramadan, 58 AH.