The correct answer is Hazrat Sumayyah Bint Khubbat (RA).
The story of Hazrat Sumayyah Bint Khubbat (RA) is a cornerstone of the early Islamic struggle. She holds the distinguished honor of being the first person—not just the first woman, but the...
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The correct answer is Hazrat Sumayyah Bint Khubbat (RA).
The story of Hazrat Sumayyah Bint Khubbat (RA) is a cornerstone of the early Islamic struggle. She holds the distinguished honor of being the first person—not just the first woman, but the first individual overall—to be martyred in the cause of Islam. Her life and death occurred during the most perilous years for the early Muslim community in Mecca, a time when the message of monotheism was met with extreme physical and social resistance from the ruling Quraysh tribe.
Hazrat Sumayyah (RA) was of Yemeni origin and lived in Mecca as a member of the lower social strata. She was the wife of Yasir ibn Amir (RA) and the mother of Ammar ibn Yasir (RA). This family, often referred to as the Al-Yasir, were among the very first to accept the invitation of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to the faith. Because they did not have the protection of a powerful Meccan clan, they were particularly vulnerable to the animosity of the Quraysh leaders, specifically the Banu Makhzum clan.
As the message of Islam began to spread, the leaders of Mecca grew desperate to maintain the status quo of idol worship. To deter others from converting, they singled out the most vulnerable converts for public torture. The family of Sumayyah (RA) became a primary target for Abu Jahl, a prominent leader of the Banu Makhzum and one of the most vocal opponents of Islam.
The climax of this persecution occurred during one of these torture sessions. Abu Jahl, frustrated by Sumayyah’s (RA) unshakable faith and her refusal to recant or insult the Prophet (SAW), was pushed to a state of uncontrollable rage. Despite her advanced age and physical weakness from the heat and abuse, she continued to proclaim her belief in the oneness of Allah. In a moment of extreme cruelty, Abu Jahl struck her with a spear, leading to her immediate death.
This act of violence marked the first instance of a Muslim losing their life due to religious persecution. Her husband, Hazrat Yasir (RA), also passed away shortly thereafter under the weight of the same torture, making them the first family of martyrs in Islam.
The martyrdom of Hazrat Sumayyah (RA) is more than just a tragic event; it is a symbol of the spiritual strength that defined the early companions. Her death highlighted the moral divide between the nascent Muslim community and the oppressive Meccan leadership. It proved that faith was not limited by social status, gender, or physical strength.
In Islamic tradition, her sacrifice is remembered as the ultimate proof of devotion. When Mecca was eventually liberated years later, the memory of her steadfastness remained a source of inspiration for the community. Historians and scholars frequently cite her life to illustrate the high status of women in early Islam and the vital role they played in the survival and growth of the faith during its most difficult hours.
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