Pause and reflect upon the Companions, the scholars, and the prominent figures.
A new challenge: Who am I?
I am one of the female Companions from the Ansar, and among the first to embrace Islam.
I was the representative of the women to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
I was known for my courage and my participation in battles.
I became famous for my eloquence and my defense of women.
So much so that I was called the "orator of the women."
I also possessed expertise in the adornment of women.
For I adorned the Mother of the Believers, 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her.
On the day of her wedding to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
I was also the first woman to observe the waiting period ('iddah) in Islam.
As the verse regarding the waiting period was revealed following my divorce from my husband.
I narrated over eighty hadiths from the Prophet, peace be upon him.
I came to the Prophet, peace be upon him, while he was sitting among his Companions.
I said, "May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah.
I am the representative of the women to you.
Allah has sent you to all men and women alike.
We have believed in you.
Yet we, the community of women,
are confined and restricted,
staying within your homes,
fulfilling your desires,
and bearing your children.
You, the community of men,
have been favored over us by attending Friday prayers and congregational prayers,
visiting the sick, attending funerals,
and performing Hajj after Hajj.
And better than all that is striving (jihad) in the cause of Allah.
Yet when a man goes out for Hajj, 'Umrah, or jihad,
we safeguard your wealth for you,
we spin your garments,
and we raise your children.
Do we not share with you in this reward and goodness?"
The Prophet, peace be upon him, turned
to his Companions with his entire face.
Then he said,
"Have you ever heard a woman’s speech
better than her questioning regarding her religion?"
They replied,
"O Messenger of Allah,
we never thought a woman could be guided to something like this."
The Prophet, peace be upon him, turned
to me and said,
"Understand, O woman,
and inform the women behind you
that a woman’s excellent conduct toward her husband,
her seeking his pleasure, and her following his agreement
equals all of that."
So I departed, praising Allah.
My father, my brother, and my uncle were killed at the Battle of Uhud,
while they were defending the Prophet, peace be upon him,
and shielding him with their own bodies.
When the news of their martyrdom reached me,
I went out to look for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
as he was returning from Uhud.
When I saw that he was safe,
I said,
"Every calamity after you is trivial,"
meaning insignificant.
I also witnessed the Battle of the Trench and Khaybar with the Prophet, peace be upon him.
I went out with him on the expedition of Hudaybiyyah,
and I gave the pledge of allegiance at Ridwan.
In the thirteenth year after the Hijrah,
I set out for the Levant,
and I participated in the Battle of Yarmouk.
On that day, I uprooted the pole of my tent,
and I began striking the heads of the Romans with it,
until I killed nine of their soldiers.
So, who am I?