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  One of the women who had a great impact on Islam in its early days was Naseeba Bint Ka’ab Bin Awf Al Ansariyah, of Bani Mazin Tribe. She is well known by her nickname, Umm Amara. She did not only protect the Prophet (PBUH) with her body on several occasions, but fought the non – believers and set an example to all Moslem women.

  Unfortunately, history books do not provide much information about the childhood of Umm Amarah. In fact, we only know that she was married to Zaid Bin Assem, and that she and her husband and son Habib were among the first few who embraced the new religion and pledges support to the Prophet.

  Multiple sources tell that in the Second Pledge of Aqaba there were sixty two men and two women from the Madina tribe of The Khazraj. The women also pledged the Prophet, peace and prayers be upon him, and as he was not used to shake hands with women; rather, he used to put them to the question, and if they agreed, he said, "You may go."  The two women were from the the Bani al-Najjar, Naseeba and her sister, both the daughters of Ka'b. Naseeba had her husband, Zaid bin 'Assem, there with her, and her son by him, Habib, the one who was later killed by Musailema.

  Umm Amarah was chosen by fate to play an important part in the history of Islam. In fact she was quite instrumental in the rapid spread of the new religion. She took an active part in several battles, such as Uhud, al-Hudaybiyya, Khaybar, the Fulfilled Umra, Hunayn, and the Battle of Yamama. But her most important role came about during the battle of Uhud.

  Umm Amarah set out to the battle with her husband, and her two sons. Her assigned duty was to tend the wounded and give water to the fighters. However, she found herself doing much more that that. She was carrying a water skin, and arrived at the battlefield just before the beginning of the battle. In the early hours of the fighting, the Muslims had the upper hand. Umm Amarah went to see how the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was. But then the Muslims committed a fatal error - seeing that the Qurayshi army was on the retreat, they ran towards the booty, ignoring the Prophet's command to maintain their positions high on the hill. The Quraishi’s, led by Khalid bin Al Walid, (who hadn't embraced Islam yet), counterattacked through the open flank, and made a successful charge against the Muslims. Suddenly the tide reversed its direction. The Muslims panicked and began to flee, leaving behind only the Prophet (PBUH) and a handful of his Companions. Among those was Umm Amarah, along with her husband and two sons.

  Seeing the rapid change of the scene, Umm Amarah ran to the defense of the Prophet and took up arms. The Prophet noticed that she had no shield, so ordered one of the retreating men: "Give your shield to the one who is fighting." The man handed her the shield, which she used to defend the Prophet (PBUH), using also the bow and arrow along with a sword. She was attacked by horsemen, but never wavered nor felt fear. She later boldly claimed, "If they had been on foot as we were, we would have beaten them, with God’s help."

  Abdullah bin Zaid, her son, was wounded during the battle. Seeing his wound bleeding profusely, his mother ran to him and bandaged his wounds. Then commanded him, "Go and fight the enemy, my son!" The Prophet (PBUH) admired her sense of sacrifice, and commended her, "Who can endure what you have endured, Umm Amarah!"

  Suddenly, the man who had struck her son attacked her, and the Prophet warned her, "This is the one who wounded your son." She bravely confronted the man, who her very son described as being like a great tree trunk, and struck at his leg, sending him to his knees, then finished him off.

  At one stage, the Prophet (PBUH) was left alone, so taking the opportunity, one of the non-believers, Ibn Qumay'a charged at the Prophet, shouting "Show me Muhammad! I will kill him. So Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr, along with some other Companions dashed to the protection of the Prophet. Umm Amarah was among them. She struck fiercely at the enemy, even though he was wearing double armour. However, Ibn Qumay'a managed to hit her in the neck, wounding her seriously. The Prophet quickly called on her son "Your mother! Your mother! Bandage her wound! Seeing that the Prophet was pleased on her determination and valour, Umm Amarah requested him earnestly "Ask Allah to make us your companions in Paradise!" So he said "O Allah, make them my companions in Paradise." And she commented "I do not care what happens to me in this world!"

  Later on, Omar bin Al Khattab, the second Caliph, was brought some silk garments, which contained excellent pieces. One of the people present suggested that the best piece be sent to the Caliph’s daughter in law. But Omar commented "That is something which I will send to someone who deserves it more than the wife of my son - Umm Amarah Naseeba bint Ka'b. On the day of Uhud, I heard the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) say, 'Whenever I looked to the right or left I saw her fighting in front of me'."

  That day, she received thirteen wounds, and was treated a whole year for her neck wound.

  She also participated in the Battle of Yamama, where she received eleven wounds and lost her hand. The story behind her participation in this battle is worthy of telling. Musailema, who is referred to in history books as Musailema the Liar, was so envious of Mohammed (PBUH) that he exploited his social status to claim that he was a prophet as well. He wrote to Mohammed offering him an alliance where they share the world (!). The prophet refused, and deputed Habib Bin Zaid, son of Umm Amarah to Musailema to warn him of the consequences of his lies.

  After receiving the letter, Musaylama held a meeting the following day.  He ordered some of his men to bring Habib.  Habib’s feet were tied, but he walked to the middle of the crowd.  He remained upright, dignified, proud and not afraid of anyone. 

  Musaylama turned to him and asked, “Do you testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God?” 

  “Yes,” replied Habib.  “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

  Musaylama was angry.  “And do you testify that I am the messenger of God?” he asked.

  “My ears can’t hear what you say,” replied Habib.

  Musaylama’s face changed color.  His lips trembled with rage.  “Cut off a piece of his body!” he ordered his executioner.  The executioner walked towards Habib and cut off a piece of his body with his sword.

  Musaylama asked the same questions again.  Habib gave the same answers.  Musaylama again ordered the executioner to cut off a piece of Habib’s body.  The second piece fell to the ground next to the first one.  The people looked at Habib with amazement.  He was brave and firm in his faith.  Musaylama went on asking, and Habib kept repeating, “I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. ”Musaylama’s man continued cutting parts from Habib’s body.  Habib lost nearly half of his body. 

  When Umm Amarah heard the news that Musailama had killed her son Habib, she swore an oath to God that she would kill Musailama or die trying, and she participated in combat in the battle of Yamamah (waged against Musailama).  She sustained twelve wounds in that battle and her hand was lopped off.  But, she was happy because Musailama was killed in the battle. She was in fact thrilled to discover at the end of the bloody battle that ended up in the garden of Musailema’s palace, that her other son, Abdulaah Bin Zaid Bin Assem, was the hero who managed to kill Musailema.

  This was the life of Umm Amarah, the warrior who stood firm in the battlefield when many fled, who sent her wounded son back into the thick of the battle, and was prepared to give her life to save the Prophet.