The Shield of the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud

Nusaybah bint Ka'b (Umm Ammarah) نُسَيْبَة بِنْت كَعْب

An Ansari woman who pledged allegiance at Aqabah and, at the Battle of Uhud, threw herself into the fighting to defend the Prophet ﷺ when the lines broke, taking grievous wounds. The Prophet ﷺ said that wherever he turned that day, he saw her fighting in his defence.

A Pledge at Aqabah

Nusaybah was among the women who pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ at the second Pledge of Aqabah, committing to the faith before the Hijrah. She came to Uhud intending to carry water and tend the wounded, with her husband and two sons in the ranks.

Defender at Uhud

When the Muslim line collapsed and the enemy surged toward the Prophet ﷺ, Nusaybah seized a sword and shield and stood in the breach, striking and parrying blows aimed at him. She suffered more than a dozen wounds, the deepest a gash to her shoulder that took a year to heal. The Prophet ﷺ said, 'I did not turn right or left at Uhud except that I saw her fighting to defend me.'

A Family of Sacrifice

Her devotion ran in the family: her son was wounded beside her, and she bound his wound and urged him back into the fight. She prayed to be among the Prophet's companions in Paradise, and he prayed for her and her family — a prayer she treasured above all the wounds she bore.

Unbroken to the End

Nusaybah continued to serve in later events, including the wars against the false prophet Musaylimah, where she fought on and lost a hand, again taking many wounds. She remains one of the foremost examples of a believing woman's courage and sacrifice in the cause of Allah.

Lessons

  • The defence of truth called forth heroism from women as well as men.
  • Love of the Prophet ﷺ can make a person forget all fear and pain.
  • A believer's highest hope is companionship in Paradise.

Quran references

3:195