Each of us might have heard of movie “Superheroes”. But who among us can tell about Naseebah Bint Ka’ab (also known as Nusaibah) who was a real super-heroine in real life, not on the big screen?
She took part in numerous battles, from the battle of Uhud, to the war of Yamamah. Her skills were highly praised by the very Prophet Muhammad. Her name was Naseebah Bint Ka’ab, and she was a Muslim warrior of the VII century from Ansar. She was one of the first two courageous women of Medina who came and swore allegiance to Prophet Muhammad. And if she had been caught, she would have subjected to cruel torment or even a terrible death.
During the battle of Uhud, the Muslims were on the verge of defeat. Their ranks were reduced. So Naseebah together with her husband and two sons surrounded the Prophet in order to protect him from the attackers. Wherever Muhammad directed his eyes, she was always by his side, protecting him from the enemies. Impressed by her valor and commitment, the Prophet prayed that she and her family would be with him in paradise as well.
Leading eminent Muslim warriors admired the mastery of the sword demonstrated by Naseebah. She sustained at least 12 serious wounds on the battlefield, one of which healed during a year.
Even when Naseebah was over sixty, during the rule of Abu Bakr As-Siddique, she was sent together with the Muslim army to challenge false prophet Musailamah and lost her arm in the battle.
But her courage was not limited to the battlefield. After both her sons were martyred, she displayed immense patience and strength.
Naseebah was not only a warrior, but also an expert on the Quran and the Hadiths. She devoted herself to educating and training women in Medina. Even during her lifetime she became a source of inspiration for many Muslim women and remains one to this day.
Ilmira Gafiyatullina
Photo: Creative Commons