Hazrat Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, had a high status in the science and narration of hadith. After Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her, she was the most virtuous and pious wife of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the most knowledgeable of the Book (Quran) and Sunnah. Hazrat Ayesha, may Allah be pleased with her, said to her: “You are the first emigrant woman among the wives of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and you are the eldest of the Umm al-Momineen. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to divide our share in your house, and Gabriel used to descend in your house more often.” Umm al-Momineen Hazrat Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) was considered one of the juristic women of the Sahaba. It is enough to say about her knowledge and ijtihad that Jabir bin Abdullah Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him, a noble Sahaba with the glory he had among the Sahaba, used to refer to her and follow her fatwa.
Nasiba Bint Harith (Um Atiyah)
She was considered one of the virtuous women of the Sahabiyat of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who participated in the Bi’at al-Ridwan and in the wars of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and treated the wounded. A group of Sahaba and Tabi’in scholars in Basra learned how to perform the ritual of bathing the dead from her, and she narrated a hadith from the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him.
Umm Hakim Beyza the daughter of Abd al-Muttalib and aunt of the Holy Prophet may Allah bless him and grant him peace, Umm Hakim Beyza was one of the virtuous and wise women of Bani Hashim. She was literate and eloquent, nicknamed with titles such as “Beyza” and “Qobta-al-Dibaj,” and she also had a distinguished title in the field of poetry.
Umm al-Darda, the wife of Abu al-Darda (Amer bin Harith), Umm al-Darda was one of the noble women of the Sahaba who listened to and narrated many hadiths from the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and from her husband.
So far, we have introduced some of the exemplary women of the Sahaba who were known for their grace and knowledge during the time of the Holy Prophet. According to the reports of historians, many women in the era of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) learned literacy in their old age.
The enlightened religion of Islam opened a new and wide window to the infinite horizons of knowledge and awareness to combat ignorance and illiteracy, and it removed the chains from people’s understanding and enthusiasm. It made knowing and learning not only free but also an obligation for everyone. It was thanks to the teachings of Islam and the orders of the benevolent Prophet of Islam that women began studying alongside men. This progress, considering the difficult and inconsistent circumstances faced by women at that time, was truly a revolution. The new method of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in educating women and equating them with men was a significant cultural revolution that swept the Islamic world and enriched the atmosphere.
Before Islam, women did not have a proper position and were deprived of social rights. The geographical conditions and social life of the Arabs were among the factors that shaped their negative views toward women. With the arrival of Islam, special attention was paid to women, who were recognized as effective, efficient, and decisive members of human society, enjoying a high status. In light of the teachings of Islam and the cultural advancements initiated by the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, women were given the opportunity to promote the lofty goals of Islam in various political, social, military, cultural, and economic matters, and to demonstrate their talents and abilities, thus promoting the mission of the Holy Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace.
Since the advent of Islam, Muslim women have observed that men pay attention to their religion, collecting, memorizing, and teaching the Qur’an, and thinking deeply about understanding its meanings and applying its revelations. They also spread the hadiths of the Holy Prophet, PBUH, among themselves. Therefore, their consciences did not allow them to sit back and lag behind in participating with men in building the grand edifice of science. They turned to the study of knowledge and became enlightened and cultured to such an extent that they authored books like men. Examples of these women include Hazrat Ayesha and Hafsa, may Allah be pleased with them, along with other women who had books and benefited greatly from their education. These examples may inspire Muslim women in the present age to educate themselves about religion and jurisprudence regarding the rulings and issues of halal and haram, to be righteous women in their homes, and to exemplify virtue and culture in their communities.
Of course, it is crucial for women to pay attention to their religious education today, to learn what is necessary for them, and to contribute to the growth and prosperity of their society in light of the rules and regulations of Islamic Sharia.
Undoubtedly, there are numerous fields in which women need to be active while observing the rules and limits of Sharia, such as in the education of girls, the treatment of women and men during war situations and widespread conflicts, and in times of disease outbreaks and unfortunate crises.
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