Women among the Companions promised Paradise
Throughout Islamic history, Muslim women have played an important role in the preservation and spread of Islam. The female Companions of the Prophet Muhammad endured persecution, supported the early Muslim community, cared for the wounded, gave generously and remained steadfast in their faith.
Among them were women who received the glad tidings of Paradise during their lifetimes. Some were wives or close family members of the Prophet, while others were Companions whose faith, sacrifice and service earned them special praise.
THE MOTHERS OF THE BELIEVERS
The Mothers of the Believers held a unique position in Islam. Several of the Prophet’s wives were given glad tidings of Paradise, with particularly clear narrations concerning Khadijah and Hafsah.
KHADIJAH BINT KHUWAYLID
Khadijah bint Khuwaylid was the Prophet’s first wife and the first person to believe in his message. She stood by him during the earliest and most difficult years of his mission.
Her status was such that Allah sent Jibreel to give her the Prophet’s greetings and glad tidings of a house in Paradise where there would be neither noise nor hardship. This is reported in both Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari.
AISHA BINT ABI BAKR
Aisha bint Abi Bakr was the daughter of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and one of the most important scholars among the Companions. She narrated thousands of hadiths and became a major source of knowledge for later generations.
The Prophet’s special status for her is reflected in several narrations. Among them is the report that Jibreel brought her image to the Prophet and told him that she would be his wife in this world and the Hereafter.
HAFSAH BINT UMAR
Hafsah bint Umar, daughter of Umar ibn al-Khattab, was known for her devotion to worship. She frequently fasted and prayed at night.
After the Prophet divorced her, Jibril instructed him to take her back, describing her as one who fasted and prayed regularly and as his wife in Paradise. The narration has been regarded as sound by a number of hadith scholars.
ZAYNAB BINT JAHSH
Zaynab bint Jahsh was the Prophet’s cousin and later one of his wives. She was particularly known for her generosity and for giving charity.
The Prophet once told his wives that the one with the “longest hand” would be the first to join him after his death. They initially understood this literally, but after Zaynab died first, they realised that he had been referring to the wife who gave the most charity.
The report is therefore better understood as highlighting Zaynab’s generosity and foretelling that she would be the first of his wives to die after him, rather than as a direct statement promising her Paradise.
OTHER RIGHTEOUS WOMEN
The Prophet also gave special praise to other women among the Companions. Fatimah al-Zahra, his daughter, was described as the chief of the women of Paradise, while other women were associated with Paradise through prophetic statements, their martyrdom or reports about their virtues.
Among the women mentioned in Islamic sources are:
- Fatimah az-Zahra, daughter of the Messenger of Allah
- Fatimah bint Asad
- Umm Haram bint Milhan
- Nusaybah bint Ka’b (Umm Ammarah)
- Umm Ruman bint Amir
- Barakah bint Tha’labah (Umm Ayman)
- Sumayyah bint Khayyat
- Ar-Rubayyi‘ bint Mu‘awwidh al-Ansariyyah
- Kabshah bint Rafi’ (mother of Sa’d ibn Mu‘adh)
- Al-Furay’ah bint Malik
- Umm al-Mundhir bint Qays
- Asma’ bint Yazid ibn as-Sakan
- Umm Hisham bint Harithah
