Khawlah bint al-Azwar was born sometime in the 7th century, and she and her family were among the first followers of Islam. It is said that Khawlah initially joined Muslim armies as a nurse, providing care to wounded soldiers fighting in present-day Syria, Jordan and Israel/Palestine. She was the daughter of one of the chiefs of Bani Assad tribe, and her family embraced Islam in its first days. Her father's name is either Malik or Tareq Bin Awse. Al Azwar was his nickname.
Her brother, Derar, was the knight and poet of his tribe, and was well known as well for his wisdom. His love for his sister and confidence in her capabilities were legendary. In fact, the brother and sister were so attached to each other that she was his companion wherever he went. He trained her in all arts of swordsmanship and she also became a knight. Besides that, Khawla was a poet who mastered that noble art. She was a brunette, tall, slim and of great beauty.
Her brother, Derar, was the knight and poet of his tribe, and was well known as well for his wisdom. His love for his sister and confidence in her capabilities were legendary. In fact, the brother and sister were so attached to each other that she was his companion wherever he went. He trained her in all arts of swordsmanship and she also became a knight. Besides that, Khawla was a poet who mastered that noble art. She was a brunette, tall, slim and of great beauty.
After her brother Dirar was captured, Khawlah donned men’s armour, including a face mask, and charged into action. Other soldiers assumed that the brave young fighter single-handedly taking on scores of Roman soldiers was the general Khalid ibn Walid, until he himself appeared.
Rather than being angry with Khawlah for taking a man’s place in battle, her fellow soldiers recognised her tremendous prowess, and had her lead them into battle. She was a remarkable fighter, but the real proof of her bravery was to come when she and other women were captured by enemy forces. The women were taken to the tents of Roman soldiers to be kept in sexual slavery, with Khawlah to be kept as a Roman general’s personal sex slave. Rather than submit to sexual assault and enslavement, she got the women to join her in fighting their captors. It is said that Khawlah had the women form a circle, and using the poles from the camp’s tents, they successfully defeated their captors.
It is time for Muslim women to reclaim the female warrior, and Khawlah bint al-Azwar’s legacy. This is not a call to arms, but a call to remember, honour and live the spirit of a woman who refused to be enslaved and refused to allow her sisters to be enslaved. She became a legend during her life and remains a legend to this day. Khawla set an example to men and women alike that one should fight for what he or she believes in, and never accept defeat.
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