Who was the first Muslim woman to take part in a war?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Hz. Aisha, who wanted to make jihad by taking part in the Battle of Badr, Umm Haram, who wanted to fight, Umm Kabsha, who said she could treat the sick instead of fighting, Umm Waraqa, who said she could look after the wounded and treat them, and a group of women from the Uzra tribe who said they could help in any way in the war volunteered to join the war with the Prophet (pbuh).

However, in this first war, which was very important for Muslims, the Prophet (pbuh) turned away all volunteer women because he was worried that a rumor like “Is the prophet fighting together with women?” would spread.

Therefore, there were no female Companions in the Battle of Badr, the first war.

The first battle in which female Companions participated was the Battle of Uhud. It is narrated that fourteen female Companions participated in the Battle of Uhud and Umm Umara took some gauze and bandage with her when she went to war. (1)

It means that the number of the female Companions who took part in the first war was more than one. However, it can be said that Umm Umara was the first woman to fight in person among the female Companions who took part in the Battle of Uhud.

Umm Umara, who was converted to Islam, was present at the night of the Aqaba Pledge, gave allegiance to the Prophet (pbuh) and wanted to distribute water to the wounded in the Battle of Uhud. When she saw that the Muslims were defeated, she went to the Prophet with her husband and sons, and fought in front of the Prophet (pbuh); she received severe wounds. (2)

It is narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) prayed for her and her family to be his neighbors in Paradise and that he said, “Wherever I looked on that day, I saw Umm Umara fighting to protect me.” (3)

In the wars fought during the Era of the Prophet (pbuh), along with fighting, women undertook the duties of carrying out health services, carrying water to the front lines, preparing food for the fighters, providing economic support for wars, protecting the belongings during the battle, and providing information in the field of intelligence. (4)

Footnotes:

1) Ibn Sad, at-Tabaqatul-Kubra, 8/414.
2) ibid, 8/383.
3) Vaqidi, Maghazi, 1/271-273.
4) see Merve Aktaş, Hz. Peygamber’in Savaşlarında Kadın, SAMER, Kahramanmaraş-2021.

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