THE FIRST MARTYR OF ISLĀM

 FAJR REMINDER: THE FIRST MARTYR OF ISLĀM 

By: Umm Affān

Rabī' Al-Awwal 9, 1448 (22-August-2026)

Dear parents, especially mothers, tell your daughters about Summayyah Bint Khubbāt (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anha).

Summayyah Bint Khubbāt was an elderly and physically frail woman. She was the mother of ‘Ammār Ibn Yāsir, and her husband was Yāsir Ibn ‘Āmir (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhum). She was among the earliest people to embrace Islām in Makkah and was subjected to some of the most severe forms of torture in an attempt to make her abandon her Dīn. Yet, she remained firm. She believed in Allāh when believing came with a price—torture, persecution, and ultimately death.

The Quraysh subjected Summayyah and her family to brutal torture simply because they proclaimed their faith in Allāh. They held firmly to “Rabbunallāh” (Our Lord is Allāh). Summayyah may have been weak in body, but she was unbreakable in faith. Her physical weakness did not prevent her from displaying extraordinary spiritual strength.

Jābir Ibn ‘Abdillāh (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhumā) narrated that the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) passed by ‘Ammār and his family while they were being tortured and said: “Give glad tidings, O family of ‘Ammār and family of Yāsir, for your promised destination is Paradise.” [Al-Mustadrak ‘alā as-Ṣaḥīḥayn, 5777; authenticated by al-Ḥākim and adh-Dhahabī]

Sadly, the unfortunate Abū Jahl murdered Summayyah in cold blood because she refused to abandon Islām. She met death while firmly holding on to Tawḥīd, and she became renowned as the first martyr of Islām. Allāh raised her in honor above her oppressors. Her name continues to be remembered with honor, while the names of those who persecuted her are remembered with disgrace.

Imagine the pain of ‘Ammār (Raḍiyallāhu 'Anhu) as he watched his own mother being killed. He heard her cries and witnessed her suffering, yet he had no power whatsoever to save her. Even the Prophet (ﷺ) had no power to remove the persecution from them at that time except to supplicate to Allāh. This was a genuine trial—a trial of immense magnitude that demanded extraordinary patience, certainty, and steadfastness.

Dear brethren, understand that true strength is not measured by loudness; it is demonstrated through steadfastness. True honor is not found in popularity; it is found in faith. True courage is choosing Allāh even when doing so comes at the greatest possible cost.

Women like Summayyah are our role models. They are our heroes. Her story teaches our daughters that dignity is not in worldly status, beauty, wealth, or popularity. True dignity lies in remaining faithful to Allāh, even when the entire world seems to stand against you.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to be Especially Merciful to Summayyah Bint Khubbāt. Aameen.