Most influential women in Islam

1. Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid (R.A)

Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid was the prophet (S.A.W)’s first wife. She is commonly referred to as
“the mother of believers” for her single handed funding and support to the prophets’
mission of spreading the message. Originally hiring the Prophet (before he was revealed the
Quran), it was Khadija herself who reportedly proposed the idea of marriage to him. Taken
aback by the adoration of such a powerful and inspiring woman, the Prophet accepted the
proposal, loving her and never remarrying until after her death.

2. Fatima Bint Muhammed (R.A)

The daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife Khadija (R.A), Fatima (R.A) was said to
be of high intelligence and was taught by the Prophet himself on the reality and theology
around Islam. Her faith and devotion to God remained remarkably strong – despite being
witness to some of the most trying days of early Islam.

The Prophet (S.A.W) had a very loving relationship with his daughter Fatima (R.A). He had
once said:

“Whoever injures Fatima, he injures me; and whoever injures me injures Allah; and whoever
injures Allah practices unbelief. O Fatima! If your wrath is incurred, it incurs the wrath of
Allah; and if you are pleased, it makes Allah pleased too”.

3. Zainab Bint Ali (R.A)

Zainab (R.A), the daughter of the Prophet’s daughter Fatima (R.A) and her husband Ali ibn
Abu Talib (R.A), also remains one of the most powerful figures in Islamic history. Living
through a period of tumultuous inter-fighting and the horrifying Battle of Karbala, Zainab
continues to inspire millions in her courageous devotion to both her family and her faith.

She is renowned for her famous sermon which she delivered at the court of the tyrant king,
Yazid. Yazid was the descendent of Abu Sufyan (R.A), his grandfather. He claimed that the
massacre of Karbala as his revenge against our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) and his Companions
with regards to the murder of his polytheist ancestors.

O Yazid! On the day when Allah will be the Judge and Muhammad will be the petitioner, and
your limbs will give evidence against you, your father, who made you the ruler of the
Muslims, will receive His punishment. On that day you will see that the best provision which
your father made for you was that he enabled you to kill the children of the Prophet of Allah.
I swear by Allah that I do not fear anyone except Him and do not complain to anyone else.
 You may employ your deceit and cunning efforts, but I swear by Allah that the shame and
disgrace which you have earned by the treatment meted out to us cannot be eradicated.”

4. Hafsa Bint Umar (R.A)

Hafsa bint Umar (R.A) was one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, and has been
accredited to around 60 hadith, or sayings and doings of the Prophet. Becoming a widow
after her first husband Khunais ibn Hubhaifa died, Hafsa (R.A) was offered in marriage to
both Uthman and Abu Bakr, companions of the Prophet Muhammad. Both refused Hafsa’s
hand in marriage, however, the Prophet stepped in and married her a little after a year of
her becoming a widow.

She is well known for her contribution to the compiling of the Quran. She memorized the
Whole Quran while it was still an oral text, which was an incredible feat that inspired many
women and men alike to memorize the Quran to date. When Uthman Bin Affan (R.A) was
compiling the Quran, The first manuscript was given to Hafsa (R.A) for safekeeping. Hence,
The Quran we have is partially due to the efforts of Hafsa (R.A).

5. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (R.A)

Being one of the Prophet’s wives after the death of Khadija (R.A), Aisha has been accredited
with narrating over 2,000 hadith or the sayings and doings of the Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.W). Many Muslims continue to this day to follow many of the hadith that Aisha (R.A)
herself narrated – on both the private life of the Prophet and his Sunnah, as well as
pertaining to other religious matters such as inheritance, pilgrimage, and more.