The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah) said: “Allah has commanded me to marry only with the women of Paradise.”

A golden era whose golden light illuminates and enlightens man even today. A time, where the beautiful religion of Islam

started from a small band of people and traversed the span of the earth. A time that nurtured leaders, warriors, scholars who with their knowledge of Islam changed the face of the world by the will of Allah alone. A religion that provided rights and salvation to women, and indeed what about the women of that time, women who along with men have left an indelible mark in the history of mankind. Indeed these women included the Sahabiyyat – the women of the golden era

Noble, virtuous women who fill the pages of history with their magnanimous, beautiful deeds. They were the pure and virtuous crusaders of Islam who were given the glad tidings of Paradise in the Hereafter.

Their inspiration and presence occupies several pages of history, with their influence spanning from religious achievements to political achievements to education, knowledge, fine arts, to industry, trade and commerce.

Khadijah, the Queen of Quraysh, with a reputation of nobility, an epitome of loyalty and a pillar of support. Aishah an example of intelligence personified and an astounding memory having quoted 2,210 ahadith. Sawdah who with her light-heartedness and humour brought smiles and comfort to The Prophet’s (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) heart. Hafsah the Sawwamah and Qawammah. Umm Salamah a figure of patience. Zainab bint Khazeemah the Mother of the needy with a heart of gold. Umm Habeebah who had to endure intense hardship before her marriage to the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah). Zainab bint Jahsh with the longest hands for she would work in order to give charity. Juwayriyyah the beautiful embodiment of piety. The loving Safiyyah and Maymoonah who would preserve their ties with their kith and kin.

May Allah be pleased with them all.

Finally we conclude the journey that we had embarked on, a journey whence we had contrived to learn pearls of wisdom from our righteous predecessors.

I pray to Allah The Exalted to benefit us all from this series and help us to derive benefit from it and enact on the knowledge that we gain, may Allah bless us with the opportunity of being in the company of these great women whose endurance, patience, wisdom, piety, steadfastness have become an inspirations for eons and eons to come.

Ameen ya Rabbil Alameen

Bint Hasan

Writer, AAT