Who is Sumayyah Binti Khayyat? She is the first Muslim woman to be killed. She was very brave to oppose kufr even though her life was at stake. What prompted Sumayyah to embrace Islam, and what made him dare to die in Islam in order to defend her faith. This was the interesting side of this black slave girl’s life.
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Why did Sumayyah Embrace Islam?
At that time was the early days of Islam, the worst of times or more accurately described as the period of barbarism, or the time of darkness. This is as mentioned by As Safiur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri in “The Sealed Nectar”, that women in pre-Islamic times were oppressed, killed and humiliated. The state of women at that time was like an item that could be traded and made according to one’s wishes. If girls are born, they will be killed because the birth of this woman is shameful. That was the dignity of women at that time. Likewise with female slaves, they are treated at will by their masters, indeed women – when Islam had not spread – were very concerning.
The understanding of social status at that time was very chaotic, it really couldn’t take any sense. But whoever opposes the chief’s decision, he will get terrible consequences even if it is inhuman. In pre-Islamic times, human life was very ignorant, ignorant, and completely ignorant of humanity. That was the teaching of the Musyrik Makkah at that time. Then Islam came and gradually eliminated the practice of such a life. But it’s not as easy as turning your palm, it takes struggle and sacrifice. Every woman, even anyone who embraced Islam at that time, especially slaves, would be persecuted and tortured. However, generally those who have embraced Islam will not leave Islam anymore, they defend their Islam with extraordinary courage, even if their lives are at stake. One of the brave and strong defenders of her faith was Sumayyah, a black slave.
In the midst of this jahiliyyah life, Sumayyah embraced Islam boldly. When we look at the Islamic teachings that respect women so much, even women also have a glory that sometimes men don’t have. Each has its own advantages and Islam is a truly rational and civilized teaching. Seeing this, it was natural that Sumayyah embraced Islam boldly. because Islam teaches glory and truth.
Equality of Humans in Islam
Islam teaches equality between people, where in the view of Islam all people are the same, whether male or female, what distinguishes between them is only the level of their faith or devotion to Allah.
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Equality in question is equality according to portion. There are things only men are allowed to do and there are things only women are allowed to do. By nature men and women are different so that in many Islamic laws, they are different. As in prayer. Men and women have different ways, this is all because of nature. However, the honor of a person in Islam is the same, because what distinguishes glory is only devotion to Allah. When a woman has a high level of devotion, she has a high position, as well as a man, when she has high devotion, she will also have a high position with Allah.
So, there is no difference in this side of glory. Women are not inferior because they are women, and men are not high in rank because they are men, but the standard is obedience to Allah (obeying all of Allah’s commands by obeying His commands and leaving His prohibitions)
Regarding this matter, Rasulullah SAW also explained in his last sermon, “O People! Your God is one; your father is one; no preference of an Arab over a non-Arab nor of a non-Arab over an Arab or red over black or black over red except for the most righteous. Verily, the most honored of you is the most righteous. ”
On another occasion, Rasulullah SAW also said, “The most complete of the believers in faith is the one with the best character. And the best of you are those who are best to their women. ”
In conclusion, Islam pays close attention to the dignity of a person regardless of class, race and ethnicity. Now, when this extraordinary teaching was introduced to the Arab jalhiliyyah people at that time, it was truly a great joy for those who were always under oppression like Sumayyah. Sumayyah now has her own beliefs that make her feel relieved and feel honored even though she is a slave or even though her social status is low in the eyes of people. However, the new teaching that is Islam has given honor and glory to someone who has faith in God. It is not difficult for us to understand why at that time Sumayyah chose Islamic teachings and was motivated by his heart to embrace Islam. However, it is actually God’s guidance that is free to give to anyone.
Sumayyah’s Martyrdom
Sumayyah and her family fell victim to the barbaric atrocities of the time. Sumayyah and her husband Yasir and their son Ammar both embraced Islam. They are among the earliest groups to convert to Islam. At that time, Muslims who did not have tribal protection were subjected to cruelty by the Jahiliyyah, they became the target of the authorities to suppress and persecute them if they did not convert to the old teachings.
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At that time, Sumayyah, Yasir’s husband and her son Ammar were horribly tortured by the ruler of the tribe at that time, Abu Jahl. However, no matter what torment they get, they will not move away from the teachings of Islam that they have embraced. Their faith in Allah and Prophet Muhammad SAW is stronger than their fear of human torment. Rasulullah SAW told them to be patient with the torment meanwhile, they were destined to enter the paradise full of pleasure which is everyone’s dream. Finally, Sumayyah and her family died in a state of martyrdom, and Sumayyah became the first woman to be martyred in Islam.
Sumayyah had already passed away and became a martyr, she couldn’t see Islam growing, developing, being brave and so on. However, their presence in the history of Islam in the early days of Islam became a great enthusiasm for the following Muslims. Islam is proud to have adherents who have a strong faith, a faith that does not fade with all the interests of the world. They have become valuable lessons for the Muslim ummah today, how a Muslim should behave. SUBHANALLAH!