SUMMAYAH BINT KHABBAT

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful
Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatuallahi wa barakatahu,
 

SUMMAYAH BINT KHABBAT

Throughout the history of Islam, we have very few examples of great zeal and bravery- very few have taken a strong role and remained firm in their belief in the face of hardship. Summayah Bint Khabbat (RA) is one of the few amazing examples who stands out as a role model to all Muslims, men and women alike. 

Little is said or heard about her today and even less is known. Her Emaan (faith), strength and patience was of a high level, she did not give in to the oppression and torture even though she was old and physically weak. 

And by the will of Allah, she was to become the first Shaheedah (martyr) of Islam. 

Summayah (RA) the daughter of Khabbat and the mother of Ammar Ibn Yasir, embraced Islam in its early stage, she was amongst the first seven people to enter Islam. 

Al-Mujaahid said: "The first seven to publicly declare their Islam in Makkah were: the Messenger of Allah (saws), Abu Bakr, Bilaal, Khabbaab, Suhayb, 'Ammar and Summayah (RA). The Messenger of Allah (saws) and Abu Bakr were protected by their own people, but the others were forced to wear iron shields and then were exposed to the burning sun. Abu Jahl came to Summayah and stabbed her in her private parts, killing her" [this was reported by Abu Bakr ibn Abi Shaybah from Mujaahid] 

At this time, the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and Abu Bakr (RA) were the only two protected by their own family, sadly the rest of the early Muslims were vulnerable, without support or wealth; they were tortured brutally day and night and amongst the tortured were Summayah (RA) and her son Ammar (RA). Summayah (RA) was a fragile old slave woman who was poor. She like the rest of those who accepted Islam publicly was forcefully baked in the blazing heat of Makkah with iron shields only to worsen the torture! 

The prophet (SAWS) would pass by Summayah (RA) and her family and advice them to remain patient throughout the tortures and gave her good news of Jannah (heaven). 

Her torture went on until Abu Jahl the tyrant and enemy of Islam came and stabbed Summaya (RA) in her private parts, KILLING HER! Subhan'Allah, a frail old woman was the first shaheedah (martyr) of Islam. 

Summayah bint khabbat, her husband and her son Amaar were often the targets for the cruelty of the Quraish. On one occasion as the Prophet (saw) passed them by in the market place he saw all three members of the family being put through the worst forms of torture. But helpless as the Prophet and believers were at this time, there was little he could do but console them with his kind words... 

"O family of Yasir, bear this suffering patiently, for Allah has given you the promise of heaven". She was aged and weak too. Abu Jahl was also among those who used to torture her. She succumbed to the excessive torture and died to become the first person ever to suffer martyrdom in Islam" [Al-Isabah]. 

Allah (SWT) is Just and Merciful, He (SWT) blessed Summayah (RA) with martyrdom and also killed the shaytaan responsible for her death in the battle of Badr; Abu Jahl. 

"When Abu Jahl was killed on the day of Badr, the Prophet (saws) said (to 'Amaar): 'Allah has killed the one who killed your mother." [ al-Isaabah , 4/327; al-Bidaayah wa'l-Nihaayah by Ibn Katheer, 3/59] 

Summayah (ra) was of the few brave believers that we have as a great example till this very day, she was tortured only because she had believed in Allah (SWT) and accepted Muhammad (SAWS) as a Messenger of Allah. Her faith in Allah (SWT) and her obedience to the Prophet (SAWS) caused her to be blessed her with martyrdom. 

Today many people profess Islam, yet very few submit to it, no longer is there the sincerity to Islam that once existed, no longer is there al Wala wal Bara... to love and hate for the sake of Allah. Muslims (so called), today ally and befriend the very ones who slaughter their brothers and sisters and while the enemies of Islam unite upon kufr, our ummah holds swords upon its own neck!!! 

"You will not find any people who believe in Allah and the Last day, making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they were their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their kindred (their people), for such He has written faith in their hearts...they are the party of Allah. Verily it is the party of Allah that will be successful". 

(AL MUJAADILAH 58:22) 

For today, it is claimed that the Muslims number billions and that Islam is the fastest growing religion, yet the Muslims that embrace Islam today can never be compared to the likes of Summayah (RA), for she lived and died for Islam and we are prisoners of this Dunyah and its charms. 

My dear sisters, remain patient with every trial, remember the tortures of Summayah (RA) and how patiently she accepted her test from Allah (SWT). This life is merely a test from Allah (SWT) and each and every one of us will taste death and every believer will be tested according to what he or she can bear. 

"Do people think that they will be left alone because they say: "We believe," and will not be tested. And We indeed tested those who were before them. And Allah will certainly make (it) known (the truth of) those who are true, and will certainly make (it) known (the falsehood of) those who are liars, (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)" 

[Surah Al-Ankabut; 29:2-3] 

"Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us (Allah) you will be returned" 

[Surah Al-Anbiya, 21:35] 

May Allah grant us the courage and the strength to be amongst His awliyah, may He awaken the souls of our ummah and make us of the pious believers-Ameen