Khawlah bint Tha’labah: A symbol of women rights advocacy
Khawlah bint Tha’labah stands as one of the most remarkable women in early Islamic history.
She was among the Ansar (helpers) of Madinah who supported the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early Muslim community after their migration from Makkah. She was married to Aws ibn al-Samit, with whom she had a strong and loving relationship. Their marriage, like many others of the time, had its challenges, but it was the personal hardship Khawlah faced that would elevate her into the annals of Islamic history.
The most significant moment in Khawlah’s life came when her husband, Aws ibn al-Samit, uttered a statement that would alter the course of her life forever. In a moment of anger, Aws pronounced a form of divorce known as zihar, a pre-Islamic custom wherein a husband would declare his wife to be like his mother, thus making her unlawful to him.
This practice was deeply unjust to women, as it left them in a state of marital limbo, unable to remarry while still being effectively abandoned by their husbands.
When Khawlah received this declaration, she was devastated. Yet, instead of passively accepting this fate, she took immediate action. Desperately seeking a solution, she approached the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), voicing her grievance and asking for justice. She described the pain and distress caused by her husband’s words, and requested that the Prophet find a way to release her from this unjust situation.
Khawlah’s plea was not one of despair but of resolve and determination. She stood in front of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and argued her case, refusing to accept that such a practice could be allowed to continue in a just society.
Divine intervention
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), upon hearing Khawlah’s complaint, did not respond immediately. Instead, he turned to Allah for guidance. The situation was critical; the custom of zihar needed to be addressed in a way that would both uphold the rights of women and serve the interests of justice.
Allah revealed verses 2–4 of Surat Al-Mujadila (Chapter 58), which affirmed that zihar was an unjust practice and invalidated the notion that a woman could be treated as though she were a man’s mother. The revelation included provisions for the atonement of a man who had uttered zihar, ensuring that the wife’s rights were upheld, and a process of reconciliation and restitution was established.
The new legal ruling ensured that a woman like Khawlah, who had been wronged by this custom, could seek redress through a prescribed atonement. Her husband, Aws, was instructed to atone by freeing a slave or fasting for two consecutive months, depending on his ability to perform these actions. This ruling not only protected Khawlah’s dignity and rights but also set a precedent for dealing with similar issues within the community.
Khawlah bint Tha’labah was known for her piety, strength of character, and unwavering commitment to justice. Khawlah continued to be an active member of the Muslim community, involved in the early battles of Islam and playing a role in the social and religious life of the time.
Her legacy as a voice for justice extended beyond the specific issue of zihar, as she became a symbol of a woman’s right to be heard and to stand up for her rights.