In which Battle Muslim women participated for the first time?

The Battle of Uhud, fought in the year 3 AH (625 CE), stands as a transformative moment in early Islamic history, not just for its military outcomes, but for the expansion of social roles within the Muslim community. While the Battle of Badr was a smaller, more focused military engagement, the defense of Medina at Mount Uhud required a total mobilization of the community. This marked the first recorded instance where Muslim women accompanied the army to the battlefield to perform critical duties.

The Context of Participation

As the Quraish of Mecca marched toward Medina with a force of 3,000 men, the Muslim community prepared for a defensive stand. Unlike previous skirmishes, the scale of this conflict necessitated a organized support system. A group of women from both the Muhajirun and the Ansar joined the expedition. Their presence was rooted in the necessity of providing logistical and medical support in a high-stakes desert environment.

Primary Roles and Responsibilities

The primary function of women during the Battle of Uhud was the provision of water and medical care. In the sweltering heat of the Hijaz region, thirst was as much an enemy as the opposing army. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) and Hazrat Umm-e-Sulaym (RA) are famously documented in historical texts, such as Sahih Bukhari, as carrying heavy leather water skins on their backs. They moved tirelessly between the front lines and the rear, pouring water into the mouths of the thirsty soldiers and the wounded.

Beyond hydration, the women served as the first organized medical unit in Islamic history. They were responsible for dressing wounds and transporting the injured away from the thick of the fight. Hazrat Fatima (RA), the daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), was notably present. When the Prophet (PBUH) himself was injured by a stone during the battle, it was Hazrat Fatima who tended to his wounds, using burnt wool as a compress to stop the bleeding.

While most women served in supportive capacities, the Battle of Uhud is also famous for the first instance of a woman engaging in direct combat. Nusaybah bint Ka'ab (Umm-e-Amara) had initially arrived to provide water. However, when the Muslim archers left their positions and the enemy cavalry led by Khalid bin Walid launched a surprise flank attack, the situation turned chaotic.

Historical Impact

The inclusion of women at Uhud set a precedent for future Islamic history. It established that the defense of the state was a collective responsibility. Following Uhud, women were consistently present in later battles such as the Battle of the Trench (Khandaq), the conquest of Khaybar, and the Battle of Hunayn. This participation at Mount Uhud broke the pre-Islamic Arab tradition where women were often only present as observers or to incite the men with poetry; instead, it integrated them as active, respected contributors to the survival of the community.