Times of strife and social discontent are cyclical in man’s history. Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans from the post-Civil War era until the 1960s in the United States which included laws against freedom of movement or assembly, unfair imprisonment and profiling, negative stereotypes, government surveillance, and public dislike of African Americans overall.
Although there is a perception that these types of legislated practices have changed, the reality disproves that view. Muslims, especially those who migrated from the Middle East, Africa and Asia have been subjected to policies that infringe upon religious freedom of expression with travel bans, anti-sharia legislation, national security profiling, watch lists and social media monitoring.
Faced with these challenges, Muslim families have to be strong, prepared and resilient. Mothers are the first teachers of children. The Muslim mother has the natural instinct to want to shield her child, but she must equip them to face challenges as well. This can be accomplished by looking at the lives of the early Muslims of the prophet age and learning from their example. One tremendous example comes from Summayah bint Khayat (RA). From her story, Muslim mothers can use her example to emulate themselves and teach their children.
A Mother’s Resiliency
The story of Summayah bint Khayat (RA) is so important that it has been passed down for 15 centuries. Summayah (RA) was the first martyr in Islam.
Summayah (RA) lived in a society opposed to Islam where she was not free to practice her religion, the Muslims were not able to establish an Islamic state, were persecuted, profiled and reviled by the Quraysh society.
Summayah bint Khayat (RA) born in Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) and enslaved in the Arabia peninsula where she later gained her freedom. She was married to Yasir ibn Amir and the mother of three sons, Abdullah, Ammar and Harith. As a mother of sons, she was known to have raised her sons to be respectful and of good character. This was a major feat for a woman who had previously been enslaved because due to her previous station in life, she could have easily instilled resentment, hatred, fear or powerlessness in her sons. But she did not. In fact, it was reported that her oldest sons Ammar and Abdullah was known among the leaders of the Quraysh as men of good character and conduct which made them stand out as youth. Unfortunately, her youngest son Harith was murdered as a child. Even after this tragedy, she did not stroke bitterness of cynicism in her remaining sons.
To contextualize, Summayah (RA) was an ethnic minority in the society as many Muslims are. She came from humble beginnings as may an immigrant from the developing world. Even though she faced hardship and discrimination, she still felt compelled to raise her sons to be ‘good’ people whose character was respected raising them in societal esteem. A modern Muslim mother learns that unjust circumstances and unfair laws may negatively impact Muslims, but this fact should never compel a mother to raise angry resentful children. Rather, even as she shares the hardships of raising children in a challenging socio-political climate, her own patience and resiliency is essential to teaching children to be good Muslims and in fact, good people.
Unwavering Faith
When the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) began to spread the message of Islam, Summayah (RA) was one of the first people to accept that call.
Summayah (RA) embraced Islam first, appreciated the idea of Tawheed and rejecting the idolatry of the age. Her husband and sons soon joined her in her new faith and understanding of God. But the Quraysh leaders of the time had no appreciation for this budding religion and the people who accepted it. At this early stage, Muhammad, the prophet (SAW) was still under the protection of his uncle, so the leadership in the tribe of Quraysh sought to put pressure on the converts of the religion to make it unpopular and dangerous.
Abu Jahl, a Quraysh leader who opposed the message of Islam and the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) took the time to punish Summayah himself. This may have been because she was female, or a minority, or an immigrant or held no high or powerful status in the society. Whatever his reasoning he threatened her, bribed her, and even tortured her in an attempt to get Summayah (RA) to renounce her faith.
Summayah (RA) as a wife and mother did not submit to these attempts. No doubt she knew that her resistance was only causing further anger. In such a dire situation, it was permissible in Islam to denounce Islam to save herself. But Summayah (RA) was a woman of character and unwavering faith. She understood the importance of being an example to her remaining sons of how serious she took her faith. Abu Jahl murdered her making her the first shaheed in Islam,
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.
[Qur'an | Surah Ali 'Imran | 3:169]
To contextualize this, Summayah (RA) lived in a society that was hostile to Islam, but that fact was not enough to drive her to disbelief. A modern Muslim mother can explain that although Summayah (RA) made the ultimate statement and sacrifice, the Quran explains their new status. In addition, mothers can teach that resistance to oppression takes many forms. For example, a Muslim youth can fight to dress modestly, observe Islamic celebrations without school penalty, have their names pronounced correctly or even travel without being detained. This is the modern way youth may stand unwavering against societal attempts to dissuade them from their beliefs.
The key is for mothers to teach their children that Muslims of the prophetic age like Summayah (RA) were resolute in their belief under the harshest and most extreme circumstances, making any modern challenges more manageable.
Author bio: Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen is the news curator and content manager for Muslim Network TV (MNTV) and contributing writer for Sound Vision. She holds a Master in English Writing and has worked as both a High School and College ESL Instructor and Writing Instructor for more than a decade. Mahasin has numerous published articles, books, essays and is a published playwright with three award winning stage plays. She currently has a screenplay script under consideration.
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