Nusaybah bint Ka'b al-Maziniyyah

Nusaybah bint Ka'b al-Maziniyya al-Ansariyya, also known as Umm Amarah (died ca. 13 AH), was one of the most celebrated female warriors of early Islam. She was from the Banu Mazin clan of the Khazraj tribe in Medina and was among the women who pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ at the Second Aqabah. She participated in multiple battles and suffered severe wounds in defense of the Prophet ﷺ and the Muslim community.

Her most famous act of valor occurred at the Battle of Uhud in 3 AH, when the Muslim lines broke and many fighters fled. Nusaybah stood by the Prophet ﷺ, fighting to protect him with her sword and bow. She was wounded multiple times — accounts say she received over twelve wounds at Uhud alone. The Prophet ﷺ later said he looked to his right and left at Uhud and saw Nusaybah fighting on both sides of him.

She participated in the Battle of Hunayn and in the Wars of Apostasy under Abu Bakr. At the Battle of Yamama against Musaylima the false prophet, she lost her son Habib, who was captured and martyred by Musaylima. She then fought at Yamama herself and was wounded severely, losing her hand in that battle. She requested of the Prophet ﷺ before his death that he pray for her, and he prayed: "O Allah, make them my companions in Paradise."

The Prophet ﷺ himself confirmed this prayer was answered. She is one of the clearest examples in early Islamic history of a woman who fought on the battlefield and was formally honored by the Prophet ﷺ for her bravery.