11-Asma' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"You will be bestowed two waist collars in exchange of one."

She was related to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) it by his marriage to her sister 'A'ishah, her father, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, was the close Companion and trusted friend of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Her grandmother was Umm Al-Khayr Salma bint Sakhr her father's sisters were such eminent women Companions as Fardah, Qaribah and Umm 'Amer. Her paternal grandfather was Abu Quhafah. Her husband, Zubayr bin 'Awam was a Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Her son, 'Abdullah bin Zubayr, was another eminent Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Her life is worthy of study, coming as she did from a background where each and every member of the family was a trusted confidant and Companion of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Asma' was born twenty-seven years before the migration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Al-Madinah. Her mother's name was Qatilah bint 'Uza and her father, Abu Bakr, married her before the advent of Islam; Asma' was born when he was only twenty-one years old. Asma' and 'Abdullah were born of this marriage. For a long time her mother did not accept Islam; finally after the conquest of Makkah she pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Asma' entered the fold of Islam because of the influence and teachings of her father.

Piety, farsightedness, intelligence, courage and integrity and generosity - all the qualities praised by Islam could be found in this one person. When her father and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took refuge in the cave of Thawr after leaving Makkah to migrate to Al-Madinah, it was she who went far in to the wilderness to deliver fresh food to them. As soon as they left on their journey, Abu Jahl came to the house of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq looking for them, breathing fire and fury. He asked her where her father was. She answered that she did not know. He gave proof of his barbaric nature by slapping her hard; but so as not to betray her secret she faced him with steadfastness, courage and tolerance.

Asma' came to be known by the title Dthat An-Nitaqayn. There is an interesting little episode about how she got this name. In Arabic the belt, or girdle worn by women around the waist is called a Nitaq. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr As-Siddiq prepared to set off for Al-Madinah, Asma' packed the eatables into a leather bag, but there was no rope with which she could tie up the mouth of the bag. So she divided her girdle into two and used one part to tie up the leather bag. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) blessed her and said that in place of this one girdle that she sacrificed, she would get two in Paradise. So, he implied that she would go to Paradise. In this manner the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave the news of a glorious Hereafter to his faithful Companions.

After her father and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) left, Asma' was left with her blind and aged grandfather, Abu Quhafah. When he realized that his son had migrated he was sad. Then he was worried whether he had left any cash for expenses. She narrated that they had about four or five thousand Dinars in the house and her father had taken it all for the expenses of the journey. But she comforted the old man saying there was plenty in the house, and nothing was lacking. In order to convince him she collected some pebbles that were of the size of Dinars; these she put in a pot and spread a cloth over them. Then she guided his old hands over the cloth; Abu Quhafah was very pleased that his son had not neglected them. Asma' had done this for the old man's peace of mind; but in truth Abu Bakr As-Siddiq with a strong faith in Allah, had taken his all to spend in the way of Allah and His Messenger.

Her husband, Zubayr bin 'Awam, the Prophet's friend and Companion was the son of Safiyyah bint 'Abdul Muttalib. When He migrated to Al-Madinah, he owned a house in which he lived, a sword and a horse. It was the duty of Asma' to tend to the horse and feed him. One day she was walking home with a bundle of hay on her head when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw her. He immediately made his camel sit down so that he could let her ride. But she was embarrassed and thought it would displease her husband who was a very proud man. Asma was a loyal wife and anything that displeased her husband would make her sad, so she refused the offer and preferred to walk. When she told her husband about it, he said she should have got on to the camel, it would have been less shameful than walking with a bundle of hay.

When Asma' was migrating to Al-Madinah, near the valley of Quba she went into labor, and gave birth to a son 'Abdullah bin Zubayr. This was a very special occasion for the Muslims. For a very long time no sons had been born among the believers. The disbelievers were very happy at this situation and they used to gossip among themselves that now the Muslims would be rooted out. All the Muslims were excited, as was the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). He picked up the baby in his arms and congratulated the family. Then he bit off a little piece of a date, softened it in his mouth and gave it to the baby. This was an honor that made the family feel very proud.

When 'Abdullah bin Zubayr grew up he was learning, understanding and courage personified. Later his mother came to live with him. When he moved to Makkah she also accompanied him. He did not accept Banu Umayyah as the caliph and tried to set up his own caliphate; he succeeded in winning the support of most people since they acknowledged him to be a powerful, learned and brave man. However, when 'Abdul Malik bin Marwan ascended the throne, he took over some of the provinces. He sent Hajjaj bin Yusuf as his representative to Hijaz. Hajjaj took command of the Syrian forces and besieged, attacking it from all sides; an intense battle ensued between the two forces.

At this, critical juncture, 'Abdullah bin Zubayr went to see his mother. When she told him that she was sick, he replied that human beings could find peace and rest after death. She smilingly asked him if he wished her to die. She said she wanted him to live and wanted to live herself, because she had to see the end result of his struggle. If he were martyred she would accept it with patience and fortitude, and if he routed his enemy in this battle she would be happy.

A desperate battle was being waged now in Makkah itself and 'Abdullah bin Zubayr's army was facing defeat. He went to see his mother who was at the mosque and asked her if he should surrender. She replied that if he was in the right he should not worry about dying. He said he feared that the enemy would cut up his body after death. She answered wisely it was irrelevant what they did with the body. Once a goat is slaughtered the skinning cannot cause it any pain. She added that fear of death should not stand in the way of a truly courageous man. Death with honour was better than a life of peace with dishonor. A disgraceful peace did not suit a young hero like him. So 'Abdullah bin Zubayr returned to the battlefield with renewed ardour and advanced through the ranks fighting courageously; but since they were outnumbered he died the death of a martyr. The cruel Hajjaj bin Yusuf hung up his body for all to see, and did not take it down even after three days. On the third day the aged mother Asma Bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq went to try and recover the body of her valiant and noble son. Since she lost her eyesight due to age she could only feel her way around. Sighing, she asked, if the time had not yet come for her son to get down from his horse. She faced this great torture with characteristic strength and fortitude.

When Hajjaj saw the mother standing near the son's body he sent a messenger to bring her to him. She answered with scornful hatred that she would not go to see her son's murderer. When Hajjaj bin Yusuf got the message, he was filled with rage and told the messenger to go and tell her that if she did not come by herself, she would be dragged into his presence by her hair. Just as she had stood before Abu Jahl all those years before, she answered him with supreme indifference that she would not go to see the despicable ignoble man; this was her final decision, and he could do anything he wished. When Hajjaj saw his threats were ineffective he went to see her. He asked her if she had seen what he had made of her son. She replied that he had ruined her son's life in this world, but her son had ruined him for eternity. She added that she had heard the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saying that a man would appear from the tribe of Banu Thaqif who would be a liar and a cruel and ignoble barbarian. Today she had seen him for herself. Hajjaj bin Yusuf left silently.

One day when she went to the Haram (sanctuary) in Makkah, she heard Hajjaj bin Yusuf addressing the gathering from the pulpit. Even in her extreme old age she had not lost her spirit; boldly she went and stood next to him. When he saw her he said her son had spread disbelief and atheism in the House of Allah and so He gave him a terrible punishment. Asma' promptly answered that her son was never an atheist; he was a pious, learned man who always prayed to Allah, worked for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah and was a standard bearer of integrity and honesty. You, on the other hand, are known to be a liar, a hypocrite and a treacherous man. He should fear the wrath of Allah, for it hit man when he was least expecting it to strike. Hajjaj, pretending he had not heard her, continued his speech; and then in a thundering voice he asked the people to rise up and get ready for prayers. 'Abdullah bin 'Umar was present and he said in a loud voice,

"O Hajjaj! If I call you a hypocrite and a liar it will not be contrary to facts. I swear by the Majesty and the Wrath of Allah that 'Abdullah bin Zubayr, never took any step in his whole life that went contrary to the injunctions of Allah. I now testify in public that 'Abdullah bin Zubayr, was a God fearing man who fasted and prayed at nights. He always knew what was right and stood by it.

Then he went to the body of 'Abdullah bin Zubayr that was still hanging there and in a grief-stricken trembling voice said,

"Peace be upon you O Abu Khubaib, Peace be upon Abu Khubaib."

Khubaib was the family name of 'Abdullah bin Zubayr. Then looking at the body he warned 'Abdullah not to get involved in a struggle for power. The most respected people often lost their prestige struggling for power. Then he prayed to Allah to grant him a place in His Merciful Paradise

After a few days Hajjaj threw the body into the graveyard on the instructions of 'Abdul Malik bin Marwan. When Asma' heard this news she sent for the body, had it bathed and had the congregational prayer for the dead conducted. Finally, she buried her beloved son's body.

Hajjaj bin Yusuf received a message from the court of Syria saying that he should personally visit Asma' and ask her if there was any request or if she needed anything. The government would be happy to oblige her. Hajjaj went to her house to pass on the message of the governor of 'Abdul Malik bin Marwan. Asma' flew into a terrible rage; she told him in a thundering voice that she did not need anything and shouted at him to get out of her house; she kicked his offer in his face. She asked if the shameless scoundrel had come to prick her wounds. She said he was a burden on this earth, and she considered him an unfortunate and impious man.

Asma' would pray with full concentration. Zubayr bin 'Awam relates that when he came home one day he saw her praying and weeping; she kept on repeating these words from the Quran again and again:

"Allah has blessed us and saved us the torture of the burning winds." [Noble Quean 52:27]

When he saw her thus lost in the presence of Allah, he left the house and went to the market. He came back much later and still found her still lost in prayer.

Asma' had a very sharp memory. If she heard anything even once she would never forget it. Like 'A'ishah, Umm Salamah and Asma' bint Yazid bin as-Sakan al-Ansariyyah, she also has many Hadiths attributed to her. Many Companions and successors would come to her for guidance and verification of Hadiths. 'Abdullah bin Zubayr, 'Urwah bin Az-Zubayr, 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas, Fatimah bint Munthir bin Zubayr and 'Abdullah bin Kisan are some of the noteworthy ones.

Asma' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddiq died in the year 73, after Hijrah. She was almost a hundred years old, but even at that age she had a full set of teeth and a sharp memory.

"Allah will be pleased with them and they with Him." [Noble Quran 98:8]

12-Umm Sulaim bint Milhan Al-Ansariyyah

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"When I entered the Paradise, I heard someone's footsteps - It was explained to me that she was Ghumiysa' bint Milhan."

She came from an illustrious family who sacrificed its all for Islam. Her son was the famous Companion Anas bin Malik and her brother was the eminent Companion Haram bin Milhan.

Her first marriage was unhappy; there were constant quarrels between husband and wife because she became a Muslim. Her husband, Malik bin Nadhar, tried his very best make her recant and give up the new religion to which she had vowed allegiance, but he failed and she remained loyal to her new faith. On the other hand she started persuading her son, Anas as well to convert to Islam, . Her persistence finally paid off, and Anas read the words signifying acceptance of Allah as the One Supreme Being and Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as His Messenger.

There were frequent violent scenes in the house, but she stood her ground, patiently and calmly. Finally her husband left her and migrated to Syria where he was murdered. The Ansari ladies used to call her Sehlah, Ghumiysa', Rumiysa' Ramlah and Sahlah, but finally she came to be known only as Umm Sulaim.

After her husband's murder in Syria she dedicated her son, Anas to the service of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Anas lived the next ten years of his life in his service, and these were the best years of his life. Umm Sulaim requested the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to supplicate to Allah for an increase in knowledge prosperity for him, both in this world and the next. And Allah answered his prayers in ample measure. Anas lived to the age of a hundred and three and had eighty children. He had a magnificent palace in Basrah and huge beautiful gardens. He was a fastidious man who loved to dress well and dye his hair with henna. Among his sons, many became learned scholars. After his death he became an heir to the gardens of Paradise.

In Al-Madinah there was a handsome young man called Abu Talhah, who was the leader of his tribe. He had not yet converted to Islam, but knew that the widow, Umm Sulaim had many admirable qualities. Her integrity, her loyalty, her courage, all of these appealed to him, and he sent her a proposal of marriage. She said it was not possible because she was a Muslim and he was a disbeliever. When he insisted she asked him what kind of a man he was; sometimes he worshipped trees growing in the earth, at other times he worshipped stone idols which other people carved out. She asked him if he had ever considered how these things could solve his problems when they were themselves helpless.

When Abu Talhah heard these arguments he had no answer. He tried his best to persuade her, but she was adamant. She told him that normally a proposal from a man of his stature would not be rejected, but she was helpless. She dedicated her life to Islam and he was, up to that time, deprived of this great blessing. Finally, he asked her if she would marry him if he converted to Islam. She was very happy at this; she said the Mahr (dowry) for her would be his acceptance of Islam, and told Anas to arrange for her marriage. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) often used to visit her and prayed for prosperity and the blessings of Allah for her.

Umm Sulaim had a happy second marriage and soon the couple was blessed with a son, Abu 'Umair. One day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) visited the house and found Abu 'Umair looking very dejected. He asked why the little boy was upset. Umm Sulaim told him that his pet bird, which he loved to play with, had died. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) caressed him and tried to console him lovingly.

After some time Abu 'Umair fell sick, and one night his temperature shot up very high and he passed away. Umm Sulaim displayed exemplary patience and control. She did not inform anyone or scream and shout in her grief. She did not want to upset her husband when he came home after a hard day's work. On his return home, he asked her how the child was and she told him he was better then before. Then she served him dinner and chatted with him. When he had enjoyed himself in her company in peace and tranquility, she asked him "whether, if a person entrusted one with something, and then came to claim it, should one return it?" He answered "that certainly one should return it gladly." Then she took him to the room where the son was lying in a peaceful eternal sleep and said in a trembling voice" that Allah had taken back the son He had entrusted to their care."

In the morning they went to see the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and he prayed for Allah's blessings and prosperity for the couple. And soon another son was born to them. Anas carried him in his lap to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); he softened a piece of a date and gave it to the newborn, and named him 'Abdullah. He prayed that Allah grant him prosperity. And by the grace of Allah when he grew up and married he had nine sons; all of them were memorizers of the Quran.

Anas narrates that his mother had a goat. One day she made ghee from its milk and collected it in a little leather bowl. When it was full she sent it as a gift for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with her adopted daughter. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), told his family to empty the bowl and return it with the little girl. She brought back the empty bowl and hung it by a nail on the kitchen wall.

Umm Sulaim saw that the bowl was still hanging and it was full - in fact it was overflowing and dripping. She asked her daughter why she did not carry out her instructions. The little girl said that she had taken the' ghee to the Prophet's house as instructed and brought back the empty bowl and hung it. Umm Sulaim was amazed by this mystery.

She went to the Prophet's house and told him about this strange incident. He said the little girl brought the gift which he accepted and left with an empty bowl.

Umm Sulaim swore by Allah Who sent him as a Messenger of the one True Religion that the bowl was full and dripping even then. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) then told her that she should not be amazed; she had sent a gift for Allah's Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so He in turn had sent a gift for her. She should eat it and feed others also with it. Umm Sulaim says she emptied this bowl of ghee into a larger vessel. It lasted them for two months and others also ate from it.

Anas narrates that one day Abu Talhah came home and told Umm Sulaim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sounded very weak, possibly he was hungry. If there was some food in the house they could have the honour of having him over for a meal. She answered that she had some bread wrapped up in cloth. Abu Talhah went to the mosque and invited the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to join him.

He accepted and invited the people sitting there to join him at the house of Abu Talhah. All of them rose to go with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When Abu Talhah (peace and blessings be upon him) saw this he became nervous, because he did not have enough food for so many people. When he went home he expressed this fear to his wife Umm Sulaim She smiled and told him not to worry; they would just put out all the food they had in the house. And this was what she did. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) came in and made a supplication to Allah for plenitude. Then he asked Abu Talhah to call in ten people from outside. So ten people came in to a satisfying meal. After they finished he asked Abu Talhah, to call in ten more. And so it went on till about seventy or eighty had taken their fill of the delicious food. And there was food still left over!

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) got married to Zaynab bint Jahash, Umm Sulaim made a special dish of dates and ghee and sent it to him as a gift. And after the battle of Khaybar when he married Safiyyah it was Umm Sulaim who dressed her up as a bride. She also played a very active role in the battlefields of Islam. Anas says that in the Battle of Uhud his mother and 'A'ishah used to fill leather bottles with water and give it to the thirsty wounded soldiers. Umm Sulaim was pregnant at the time but that did not deter her in any way. She took an active part in the Battle of Hunayn as well. She carried a spear and when Abu Talhah saw this he told the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about it. He asked her why she was carrying a spear. She answered that if any enemy soldier came before her she would slit his belly. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) smiled at her spirit.

Anas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit them often. When someone asked him for the reason, he said he felt pity for her ever since he saw her brother, Haram bin Milhan killed before his eyes. His last words have become immortal in Islamic history. He said,

"I swear by the Sustainer of the Ka'bah I have become successful."

His brother Sulaim bin Milhan also was martyred in the same battle.

In Sahih Muslim, the Book of Fada'il talks about the beads of perspiration of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). One afternoon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went to visit Umm Sulaim; she was out and he dropped off to sleep white waiting for her. When she came home she found him sleeping and in the heat his perspiration was dripping on a small piece of leather. She was very happy to see him in her house and started collecting the beads of perspiration in a small bottle to preserve them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) woke up to find her doing this. He asked her what she was doing. She replied she was collecting the drops of his perspiration to put them into some perfume. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed on a road or street he left a trail of perfume in the atmosphere and people would sense that he had passed that way. When Anas realized he was dying he made a will that some of these drops should be added to the water with which his body would be bathed.

On the occasion of the final pilgrimage, when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) shaved his head, Abu Talhah collected his hair and took it back to Al-Madinah. There he gave it to Umm Sulaim to preserve it. She put it away safely as a memento.

Anas mentioned that one day when the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), visited their house he took a drink of water from a leather bowl kept in the courtyard. His mother cut out the section that his lips had touched and preserved it as well.

On another occasion when he visited them Umm Sulaim offered him dates and ghee. He said she should put them away as he was fasting that day. He stood in a corner of the room to pray, then he spent a long time making supplications to Allah to bless the members of the family both in this world and the next. Umm Sulaim then requested him to pray for her son. He prayed so long for his welfare both here and in the Hereafter that Anas felt he must have asked Allah for the best possible good for him in both this world and the next.

"Allah will be pleased with them and they with Him." [Noble Quran 98:8]

13-Khawlah Bint Al-Azwar

Khawlah was the daughter of one of the chiefs of Bani Asad tribe, and her family embraced Islam in its early days. Her father's name is either Malik or Tariq Bin Aws. Al-Azwar was his nickname. Her brother, Dirar, was the knight and poet of his tribe, and was well known for his wisdom. His love for his sister and confidence in her capabilities were legendary. In fact, the brother and sister were so attached to each other that she was his companion wherever he went. He trained her on all arts of swordsmanship and she became also a perfect knight. Besides that, Khawlah mastered the noble art of poetry. She was a brunette, tall, slim and of great beauty.

Her name remained greatly unknown, until the battle of Ajnadin, not far from Jerusalem, where Drear lost his spear, fell from his horse, and was taken prisoner. She donned a male knight's attire, took her arms and rode her mare through the Roman ranks, using her sword skillfully against whoever tried to stop her. The Muslim soldiers, and their leader Khalid, watched her with great admiration, presuming that she was a man.

The Arab Historian, Al Waqidi, narrates in his book "The conquering of Al Sham (Greater Syria)"

"In a battle that took place in Bayt Lahyah near Ajnadin, Khalid watched a knight, in black attire, with a large green shawl wrapped around his waist and covering his chest. That knight broke through the Roman ranks as an arrow. Wondering about the identity of the unknown Knight Khalid and the others followed him and joined battle,

Rafe' Bin Umayrah Al-Ta'if was one of the fighters. He described how that knight scattered the enemy ranks, disappearing in their midst, to reappear after a while with blood dripping from his spear. He swerved again and repeated the deed fearlessly, several times. All the Moslem army was worried about him and praying for his safety. Rafe' and others thought that he was Khalid, who won great fame for his bravery and genius military plans. But suddenly Khalid appeared with a number of knights. Rafe' asked the leader:

"Who is that knight? By God, he has no regard for his safety!"

Khalid answered that he didn't know the man, though he greatly admired his courage. They were fascinated as they watched the knight appear with a number of Roman knights chasing him. Then he would turn around and kill the nearest before resuming his attacks.

The Romans eventually lost the battle and fled, leaving many dead and wounded in the battlefield. Khalid looked for the knight till he found him. By then he was covered in blood. He praised his bravery and asked him to remove his veil. But the knight did not answer, and tried to break away. The soldiers wouldn't let him do that. And everyone asked him to reveal his identity.

When the knight found that there was no way to avoid that, he replied in a feminine voice:

"My prince, I did not answer because I am shy. You are a great leader, and I am only a woman whose heart is burning."

"Who are you?" Khalid insisted.

"I am Khawlah Bint Al-Azwar. I was with the women accompanying the army, and when I learnt that the enemy captured my brother, which lead me to do what I had to do."

Khalid ordered his army to chase the fleeing Roman Army, with Khawlah leading the attack, looking in all directions for her brother, but in vain. By noontime, the victory was decisive. Most of the Roman soldiers were killed.

Knowing that the prisoners had to be somewhere, Khalid sent Khawlah with a number of knights to find them. After a hot chase, they managed to catch up with a Roman detachment that was taking the prisoners to their headquarters. Another fight took place, the Roman guards were all killed and the prisoners saved.

In another battle in Ajnadin, Khawlah's spear broke, and her mare was killed, and she found herself a prisoner. But she was astonished to find that the Romans attacked the women camp and captured several of them. Their leader gave the prisoners to his commanders, and order Khawlah to be moved into his tent. She was furious, and decided that to die is more honorable than living in disgrace. She stood among the other women, and called them to fight for their freedom and honour or die. The others were enthusiastic to her plan. They took the tents' poles and pegs and attacked the Roman guards, keeping a formation of a tight circle, as she had instructed them.

Khawlah led the attack, killed the first guard with her pole, with the other women following her. According to Al Waqidi, they managed to kill 30 Roman knights, while Khawlah was encouraging them with her verses, which in fact caused the enemy's blood to boil.

The Roman Leader was infuriated by what happened, and led a detachment of his knights against the women, though he tried first to tempt them with many promises. He told Khawlah that he planned to marry her and make her the first lady of Damascus. But she answered him calmly and with great contempt:

"I wouldn't even accept you to be the shepherd of my camels! How do you expect me to degrade myself and live with you? I swear that I'll be the one to cut off your head for your insolence."

In the ensuing battle, the ladies proved their mettle, keeping their grounds for some time, encouraging each other and driving off the attackers with their long poles. Suddenly, Khalid and the army reached the battlefield. In the ensuing fight, over 3000 Romans were killed. The women who took part in the fighting were proud to say that Khawlah killed five knights, including the leader that insulted her.

In another battle, the Muslims were overwhelmed by a much bigger Roman army. Many soldiers fled away, but not for long. Khawlah and the other women met the fleeing soldiers, questioning their claims of bravery and forced them to return to the battle. The men were stunned when they saw Khawlah drawing her sword and leading a counter-attack. They turned their horses and joined the battle, which was eventually won.

One of the knights present that day said:

"Our women were much harsher with us than the Romans. We felt that going back to fight and die was much easier than facing the fury of our women later on".

Khawlah became a legend during her life and remains a legend till this day. She set an example to men and women alike that one should fight for what he or she believes in, and never accept defeat.