If you told a young Muslim boy the tale of a brave warrior who rushed to defend the Prophet ﷺ in battle, he’d most likely imagine this hero as a man. Yet it was Nusayba bint Ka’ab who put her own life in harm’s way to protect the Prophet ﷺ when his [all-male] archers failed to heed his orders and left him vulnerable.
In the Islamic tradition, we have a history of male prophets and leaders. Their lessons of submission, truthfulness, patience, steadfastness, and other virtues are considered universal and applicable to all Muslims—men and women, boys and girls.
It does not come as naturally to Muslim parents to highlight stories of heroic women to their boys. Devout women feature prominently in our tradition, but generally, their stories and their qualities are viewed from a more gender-specific lens. Their lessons are viewed as exclusively applicable to female Muslims.
For those who choose not to be limited by this dichotomy, Nusayba Knows Her Worth would make a valuable addition to your Muslim boy’s library. I hope you’ll get a copy and also supplement it by going back to the original sources to learn more about this incredible individual!
Without further ado, here are five important takeaways for boys from the story of Nusayba bint Ka’ab:
1. Back up your words with actions: Nusayba bint Ka’ab did not just pay lip service when she pledged her loyalty to the Prophet ﷺ. She followed up her word with decisive action on the battlefield.
2. Ask daring questions: Nusayba bint Ka’ab had the audacity to question the Prophet ﷺ about why the Qur’an appeared to only address men directly. Her boldness was rewarded with the revelation of an ayah (33:35).
3. Recognize women for their accomplishments: The Prophet ﷺ and the companions openly praised Nusayba for her bravery and valor. They did not qualify their praise by saying “Nusayba was brave in battle…for a woman.”
4. Teach what you know: This is a universal value that applies to all Muslims. Share your knowledge with those around you. Nusayba was also a narrator of ahadith.
5. Don’t wait for an invitation: Nusayba invited herself along with almost six dozen men to pledge her oath to the Prophet ﷺ. Her presence wasn’t specifically requested, and possibly even scoffed at, but she knew herself to be worthy and made a place for herself.
And with that I step off my soapbox.
Golden Butterfly Books 