As Ramadan dawns upon the Islamic world, this sacred month serves as a reminder not only to exhibit love and compassion towards the vulnerable but also to advocate and stand up for their rights.
Alongside men from the Islamic history, women have played a significant role in spreading of Islam and it’s message. The role of women, however, is discussed acknowledged in our societies.
Many of you would be surprised to know that the first martyr in the modern Islamic history was a woman named Sumayyah bint Khayyat—a towering figure in Islamic history whose story resonates profoundly. Not just that, she is one of the first seven people to have accepted Islam.
Born in the vibrant land of Habashah, Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), Sumayyah entered this world nearly two decades before the dawn of Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) era. Her early years were imbued with the richness of her cultural heritage, laying the foundation for her extraordinary journey ahead.
During the era of Meccan society, tribal affiliations held significant sway. Sumayyah, a woman enslaved, found herself wed to Yasir, a man hailing from Yemen. Yasir’s journey to Mecca was prompted by his quest to reunite with his estranged brother. Upon his arrival, he opted to establish roots in the city, seeking sanctuary under the patronage of Abu Hudhaifah al-Mughirah.
Subsequently, Sumayyah and Yasir welcomed a son into their midst, named Ammar, who shared a similar age with the revered Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Their precarious position rendered Sumayyah, Yasir, and Ammar neither fully enslaved nor entirely autonomous. This limbo status left them profoundly vulnerable, lacking the support of a community or tribal affiliation. As a result, they became reliant on the goodwill of Abu Hudhaifah’s family and their tribe, the Banu Makhzum, whom they served.
The Banu Makhzum tribe, steeped in tribal rivalries and resistant to the burgeoning faith of Islam, unleashed a torrent of persecution upon Sumayyah and her fellow believers. At the helm of this oppression stood Abu Jahl, a formidable figure within the tribe, whose disdain for Islam knew no bounds.
Among the first seven individuals to embrace Islam, only Sayyidatina Khadijah and Sayyidina Abu Bakr enjoyed the protection of their respective tribes.
The remaining five, including Bilal, Khabbab, Suhayb, Sumayyah, and her son Ammar, along with others like Sumayyah’s husband, Yasir, found themselves without tribal support. As a consequence, they were subjected to severe public torture, enduring the agonizing ordeal of wearing metal armor and enduring merciless beatings under the scorching sun.
Sumayyah remained resolute, much to the chagrin of Abu Jahl, who grew increasingly infuriated as she endured his various forms of torture with unwavering faith. Despite the agony inflicted upon her, Sumayyah continued to engage in zikr (remembrance of Allah) and even smiled defiantly in Abu Jahl’s face.
Though Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) could not intervene to halt their suffering, he offered words of solace and reassurance as he walked past them, saying, “Be patient, O family of Yasir. You have a place in Jannah (Paradise).”
The resilient family, bound to tree trunks, endured days of torment within sight of each other. As the relentless torture took its toll, Yasir appeared on the verge of death.
In a despicable display of cruelty, Abu Jahl turned to Sumayyah with a vile taunt, insinuating that she would rejoice at her husband’s impending demise due to her purported affection for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), suggesting she sought to marry him after Yasir’s passing.
Summoning her inner strength, Sumayyah responded with defiance, spitting in Abu Jahl’s face and condemning him with words imbued with righteous indignation. “May you be humiliated by Allah, O enemy of Allah,” she declared. “What a vulgar and foul person you are. You are smaller to me in my eyes than a beetle that I would step on in the ground.”
Enraged by her unwavering resolve, Abu Jahl’s fury reached its zenith. In a fit of rage, he seized a spear and viciously stabbed Sumayyah in her abdomen, sealing her fate as the first martyr in Islam.
Sumayyah’s legacy epitomizes unwavering tenacity and bravery, particularly in the face of adversity and her advanced age. Her steadfast belief in the Prophet’s promise served as a source of strength, empowering her to persevere despite the challenges.
Amidst the persecution orchestrated by Abu Jahl, a key objective was to coerce the early Muslims into publicly denouncing Prophet Muhammad. In a moment of vulnerability, Ammar succumbed to pressure and cursed the Prophet, thereafter feeling profound embarrassment and avoiding his presence.
However, Prophet Muhammad’s compassionate response offered solace to Ammar, assuring him of forgiveness and understanding the circumstances of his actions under duress. This merciful stance underscored the Prophet’s recognition that individuals coerced into such situations were not held accountable for their words, as their true intentions lay within their hearts.
Sumayyah, in stark contrast, steadfastly refused to yield to Abu Jahl’s demands, refusing to provide him with the satisfaction of witnessing her renounce her faith. Her courageous stance not only served as an inspiration to her fellow Muslims at the time but continues to resonate with believers today, serving as a timeless testament to the power of unwavering faith and conviction.