Nusaiba Al-Ansariya

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon of Islam*

Nusaiba Al-Ansariya and Khawla bint Al-Azwar

I hope I will do justice in personifying these two great women of islam, for their true character cannot be described in words. -Affaf B.

Nusaiba "umm Ammara" Al-AnsariyaNusaiba can only be honored by words of Courage, Determination, and Strength. She started as a strong minority among her kind, but her wisdom was an inspiration by the many that followed her steps. She was not only spiritually, morally and physically a Mujahida, but a Mujtahida as well.

Nusaiba, among 72 men and 1 other woman [Umm Muni Asmaa], swore allegiance to Allah (SWT) and Mohammed (SAW), what became to be known as “Baitul ‘Aqabah thaniah” (second oath) in Islamic History. Upon her convertance at the early age of Islam, her devotion was to guide many women in accordance to Islam. At times when she felt women were ignored, she confronted Mohamed (SAW) and asked “Why is it that the Noble Quran only mention men and women are deprived of any importance?” Then this Ayah was revealed in Surah Ahzab:

“Verily, the Muslims men and women, the believers men and women, the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful, the men and the women who are patient, the men and the women who are humble, the men and the women who give sadaqat, the men and the women who observe fast, the men and the women who guard their chastity and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues, Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward.” (33:35)

In this verse, it mentions 10 times that the women can attain every good quality to which men can have access to. This verse also settles it conclusively that women stand on the same spiritual level as men.

Her determination led her to fight in five great battles: Uhud, el-Hudaybiya, Hunayn, Khaybar, and the battle of Yamama. In all, she displayed great courage, self reliance, patience, and forbearance that led the Prophet to acknowledge her with the following:

“From where can anyone get courage like you, O Umm Ammarah (ra)?”

Her courage and forbearance was greatly displayed in the battle of Uhud. When the Muslims were in a verge of defeat, Muslim men were scattering, some growing weary, and some even turned their back. She, along her husband and two sons, surrounded the prophet to protect him and repelled any attack on him. The Prophet (SAW) asked one of the men to give her his shield since she, with all her power, was fighting furiously unprotected.

Despite her twelve major wounds, with one that took a year to heal, she profusely maintained her strength and continued fighting. Omar bin Khattab (ra) says that the Prophet SAW once told him in the battle of Uhud that whenever he (Mohammed SAW) turned, whether to the right or to the left, he saw Umm Ammara (ra) fighting to defend him.

Moreover, despite seeing her own son injured and bleeding, she bandaged his arm and told him to NEVER STOP, never lose courage and continue with the attack on the enemy. Her familie’s heroism and courage earned them a place in paradise. The prophet SAW said:

“O Allah! Make this family my friends in paradise.”

After the battle of Uhud, her energy to protect Islam did not grow weary despite her numerous wounds. When the prophet announced that they will be marching to a place called Hamra Al-Asad to chase the pagans, she got up with full mental strength and ardour, but because she was weakened by her serious injury, she could not participate. The prophet (SAW) upon his return asked her brother, Abdullah, about her welfare. He, prophet Muhammed (SAW), prayed for Nusaiba and thanked Allah SWT for His Divine Mercy upon her.

Her Patience and forbearance was tested upon the news that her son, Habib bin Zaid, was martyred. Habib bin Zaid (ra) was sent by the Prophet (SAW) as his representative to Musailamah Kath’ab to bring him to Islam. Musailama tied Habib to a pillar and questioned his faith. “Do you testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah?” Musailama asked. Habib responded with a definite yes. However, when Musailama asked if he, Habib, would also take him (Musailama) as his other prophet, Habib pretended his was deaf. This cost him every part of his body to be cut slowly until his soul reached to heaven (inshaAllah).

At 60 years old, Nusaiba was part of the army against Musailamah Kath’ab, under the caliphate, Abu Bakr Siddue (ra). Along side her was her son, Abdullah bin Zaid ra. Abdullah was one of those who finally killed this man. Eleven injuries and a cut off arm were the cost of this battle to Nusaiba. Even when Khalid bin Waleed ra emerced her arm in BOILING OIL, her pain and grief were at no comparison to her happiness at the death of Musailamah, the murderer of her beloved son, and more importantly, the great enemy of Islam.

Nusaiba, Umm Ammara, held a major status among the women companions. Let her be our example that guides us to infest such DRIVE, such ENERGY, such IMAN IN ALLAH in our hearts to win the MAJOR BATTLES of OUR TIME.

Resources:
* "Famous Women of Islam": lecture by Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah
* "The Sahabiyat": By Yasir Fazaqa
* Great Women of Islam: Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar
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Khawla Bint Al-Azwar : TO BE CONTINUED...

Epistemological Crisis over Women's status...

-Are we [Men and Women], in a way, contributing to the Idea that a lot of people have about women in Islam that they are secluded, passive, that they have nothing to say?

This is certainly what you don’t see in the women of the past in Islamic history. The women of the past were upright, epitome of Islamic righteousness who exercised their natural rights given by Islam [Not feminists in any shape or form, but something that was granted to them by the quran and Sunna]. In the case of Nusaiba al-ansariya, one of the greatest women companion even by the prophet’s testimony, was honored by verses that were revealed by RESPONSES OF HER QUESTIONS in the quran. How high can you go? she was a not only a Mujahida, but a Mujtahida as well (exercises her opinion). Where are the examples of today? We have to define ourselves as muslims and invest in our history: if only it was on the hands of an artist, then it will be more than a shakespeare’s play, or #1 action movie.

May Allah forgive us for the mistakes that we commit in the representation of the deen of Allahu (SWT)

-Which also leads me to ask: where are the women scholars?

Its predicted by Rasoul’Allah (SAW) that scholars will decrease in numbers by time, which ultimately this will lead to a “knowledge deficit”!
We are living in a time where scholars are few in number, and even less are the scholars residing amongst us, and lesser then that, are the women scholars.

Prophet SAW said: “inna l’3alim yastaghfiru lahu man fi samawati wa man fil ard”
The scholar, all that is in heaven and the earth turn to Allah, asking Allah to forgive that particular scholar.

Who were of the greatest people who have taught the sunna of Mohammed (SAW)?
Aisha (ra)….. “take half the religion from her” The prophet (SAW) said… 3rd most reporter of hadith of mohammed (SAW).
Aisha (ra) would be the one that would teach male sahabba about the Sunna of RasoulAllah (SAW).

How come the men are encouraged to gain knowedge? How come most of the books are written by men? How come when we try to apply to Madina University it sais “men”, etc….. on and on we shall go.

Today, the role of Muslim women as scholars is only a mere balance of representation; To camouflage the injustice. They are not the once that went out to give the lectures, never the less, the admonitions. For these are reserved to the “particulars”!

A very risky Job indeed…

“Behind every great man there is a great woman” is seen in every greatest islamic leader (shafii, maliki, etc.) of our time. Even our Prophet (SAW):

The greatest of support to Mohammed (SAW) was Khadija (ra) …. Quoting Karen Armstrong, “Islam began in the arms of a Woman (khadija)” … she comforted him, held him when he (SAW) was running saying “zamiluni zamiluni”… she was amongst his first (SAW) followers. She was his (SAW) “Pillar in strength” who, upon her death, was the lowest point of the prophet (SAW) while living in Makah

Women Scholars are numerous, but the role that they play is that of support and not a forerunner. Although at times, the support is much greater and has a long-lasting effect then a forerunner indeed.

There is no distinction between a men and women on their right of education. What’s haram to a man is also haram for a women (setting of the university for example).
Why don’t we (women) dedicate a great deal of our time and lives and make it our purpose to learn the religion of al-islam. Why don’t we invest these “masters” and “doctorates” that will maybe increase few thousands of dollars to our paycheck to investing in that time in getting a scholarship in Islamic studies?

What is our engineering, dentistry, or MBA’s going to do to us if less and less scholars are present? Are you going to teach the next ummah more math and science while our ummah is failing on the most important aspect to this dunia: 3ibada!

Its funny…more men are becoming Islamic scholars, and more women are becoming educated!

A little Bird taught me…

Standing there, talking and laughing, and suddenly a thump noise… we turned around to see what it was: A baby green bird dropped from the skies above and landed next to my foot. I bended down thinking it was to fly away, but it wouldn’t move, just standing there peacefully. I picked it up and placed it on my hand. Long and behold, who knew it was going to spend the rest of the afternoon with me. The bird was quickly named Nusaiba, or like maheen chose to call her: “Nubi-poo”. Her?!?!?! I’m not certain, and I had no knowledge of how to check a tiny bird of its gender for I didn’t bring magnifying glass with me for obvious reasons!

Nusaiba, a.k.a Nubi-Poo, attended her first MSA meeting. At the height of this meeting, she chose to also land a *lil’green/yellow* something on my hand. Staying positive, I believed it was “Baraka”! At a moment’s time, I became an expert on where to pet her, well, for her to also stay positive. Her claws were planted on my palms, as if it only trusted me (I liked to think so!) So whenever someone wanted to hold her, well NO, See: Nubi-Poo does not *want* to. Not because she was scared as hell that all these Giants with Scarves on their heads surrounding her not knowing she’s claustrophobic, but because she wanted to only stay with me :)

Her lil’som’n was like mendi, it left a yellow stain on my palm. Well Hey, now I don’t have to spend $7 dollars on a mendi tube that’s going to turn my palms orange anyway, I can just go about collecting bird’s lil’som’n and start a BUSINESS.

It was time for Jummu3a Khutba. She mashaAllah observed all the etiquette rules: stayed quiet, did not move, not even flap one feather, drifted away listening to all the advice. Thirty min later, it was prayer time. On my thumb, together we said “Allahu Akbar”. While I placed my palms on the floor at sajda time, she landed on where I will put my head. It was beautiful!!!!!
Not so beautiful others thought when I picked her up and WOoPS, she landed another *lil’green/yellow som’n* on the sheet. I should have pari trained her b4 thinking to bring her to salat. Anyhow...

Intermission (just enough time for Shah Rukh Khan to grab his next costume)

Anyhow... Nubi-poo seemed to be the center of attention, all too positive until some “bothered” audience questioned her stay on my hand. They claimed “it was harmful for her” as if getting used to me was fatal within itself…. But …but… I gave in to their inducement, more like a bribe, to finally set little Nubi-Poo free. So I walked out of the religion building into the “wild” to set her free, more like setting her in the “Jungle” I thought, a guy with a leaf blower machine came hurrying to our direction as if intentionally came to blow it away…. Oh no monsieur, no! I quickly saved Nubi-Poo from the wild jungle and the “fake wind” that will blow her into the vast unknown…. I placed her on my shoulder and together we continued our day.

Nubi-poo witnessed my presence in some strange circumstances, more like coincidental appeals. It is something that was only discussed between Me and my mini-Me (nubi-poo). Thus, rather keep it that way…. Only Nubi-poo knows, lol, and of cource, Allah knows.

Anyways, an hour later, I discovered that it was not the mere interest, or love, of me that she stayed grasping to me…It was the fact that she was INJURED! Her leg….*tears*I quickly hurried to get a number of an animal shelter/hospital near bye….my little birdie is Hurting! I can’t stand this, her pain was seen from her eyes: slowly blinking, slowly shutting, could she be……OH NO: NOT THE DARK ABYSS! .....Hurry hurry. So I get in the passenger seat of the car and a friend driving. We cruise through westheimer… I later found out that a 50 dollar fee is required… I had 50 CENTS!.... WHAT am I going to do? Should I leave it to qadr Allah?5 min later through driving, on my lap, little Nusaiba shivers as if having a female tantrum for 5 sec, then jumps and lands on its side.

“OH MY ALLAH (I SCREAMMMMMM) WHAT THE @#($@#($#@($(@#($...... Oh my god…..get it off of me….get it OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF”

Where happened to all that love????? Sub7anaAllah

I couldn’t touch it, even if u would put me through fire, I can’t. One minute, cuddled in my hand, the next, its DEAD! *tears* I couldn’t take it. I was crying… saying over and over “sub7anaAllah”… “inna liAllah wa inna ilayhi raji3um” We pulled up in a neighborhood. I dug 6 inches into the ground, and buried it, all while reciting “al fatiha” (not sure if it was proper to do so or not….I just felt I lost a friend ). I layed 2 stones…..there goes Nubi-Poo.

Conclusion:
What did this little green bird do in its lifetime to deserve such an honorable death? A 5 min listening to recitation of the Quran, 20 min worth of petting, a Friday Khutba, a Friday Prayer, nevertheless, dying on a Friday….and a proper burial.

All I want to know is what did this little green bird HAVE TO DO to have this way of death? For all I know, It did leave its “Baraka” on my hand… who knows, I might be honored to have this proper death, inshaAllah.

This little bird taught me that this very prayer, might be your last. That this time of reciting the quran, might be your last chance. This this day, is indeed your LAST. What are the chances that you will have this kind of death? For nothing is according to chance in the way of Allah. We are given the Keys to heaven, All we gotta do is find it through the Siratul Mustaqeem. And “hafidhu 3an salatukum”….PROTECT YOUR PRAYERS!

This little birdie did wonders to me… who knows, This little birdie might be my savior in the day of judgment, for it was my WITNESS to that day! inshaAllah.

Uncertainties

I am standing and already dying
Echo of a voice quivering:
Your doubts and fears
What your hollow heart beats.
Composing hopes and dreams
What will make them recede?
Neighbored by a concern
What my heart can’t control
Mislead by glimpses of possibilities
But never certainties…

Thus am left circling

the same thoughts repeating

Swaying in every direction
What a strange situation
Heart’s rhythm rhymes
With echoing footsteps
I claim to be unseen
Rather one glimpse will reveal
the story of a tangled heart

.....I rather just fall apart.

Bless our Brothers...

since many poems are devoted to the women's strengths, I decided to devote one to the brother's inshaAllah

To the One above, I pray for you to bless:

the hands that curve his pride longing to find answers,
and in those eyes that cried his nights begging for forgiveness.

the face that spent nights kissing his forehead to the prayer rug,
and the arms that open wide to every shattered soul that needs a hug.

the strength that befriends the ground whever a temptation passes his direction,
and the moments where he leads his intentions to reach purification.

The soft spoken speach that is batteling the accusations,
and the silence that is folded to refuel his patience.

The voice that humms in his passing moments the verses of the quran,
and the prophet that he chose as his number one fan.

The protector that he becomes to the last prescribed amanah:
his beloved sister,and the pride and joy he takes when he sees a veil emracing her.

The chosen hand that he will guide on the journey to janna,
and the one's that his name to pass on his legacy in the dunya.

Ameen...

EID Mubarek!