Khawla bint al-Azwar: The Muslim Woman Who Defended the Ummah

Khawla bint al-Azwar was one of the most courageous and well-known women in early Islamic history. She belonged to the Banu Asad tribe and was the sister of Dirar ibn al-Azwar, a famous warrior who fought in the Muslim conquests under Khalid ibn al-Walid. Khawla is classified by scholars like Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani as a Sahabiyyah (female companion of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), which means she lived during the Prophet's time and accepted Islam early. However, there is no strong historical evidence that she fought in battles during the Prophet's lifetime.

What Is 100% Historically Verified

According to primary sources like Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah and Tabaqat Ibn Sa'd, Khawla bint al-Azwar is mentioned as the sister of Dirar and recognized among the Muslim women active during the early Islamic period.

Her name also appears in Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh by Ibn al-Athir, particularly in the context of the Battle of Yarmouk (636 CE), which took place during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab. This battle was one of the most decisive Muslim victories over the Byzantine Empire.

At Yarmouk, several classical sources mention that Muslim women including Khawla took up arms when the Byzantine army broke through the front lines and reached the Muslim camps. These women, initially there to nurse the wounded, picked up weapons to defend the camp. This part of the narrative is not presented in poetic terms or exaggerated form. It is a concrete historical event that Muslim historians like Ibn al-Athir record with clarity. Khawla’s presence among these women is not questioned in those texts.

She is described as having been modest, strong, and brave. There is no record that she held an official military title or formal appointment by the caliphate, but her presence on the battlefield, especially in defense of the camp, is well documented.