Islam Imprisoned Women? The Untold Story of Khawla bint Al-Azwar, the Warrior Who Defied Stereotypes
By Afroz Khan, New Age Islam
1 May 2025 2025
Khawla bint Al-Azwar, a 7th-century Muslim warrior, shattered stereotypes by leading battles, rescuing her brother, and escaping captivity. Her legacy challenges claims of Islam oppressing women, showcasing early empowerment and equality through her military brilliance and defiance of gender norms
Main Points:
1. Mastered swordsmanship, horsemanship, and battle tactics under her brother’s guidance.
2. Commanded female battalions, defeating Byzantine commanders in pivotal wars like Yarmouk (636 CE).
3. Raided enemy camps to free her brother duringy the Damascus siege (634 CE).
4. Inspired troops by impersonating General Khalid ibn Al-Walid, masking her identity.
5. Broke captivity, killed guards, and liberated prisoners using improvised weapons.
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Khawla bint Al-Azwar, a warrior
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A common perception today is that Islam has "imprisoned" women. But the reality is far more nuanced. Islamic history is replete with extraordinary women who thrived within its framework, even leading battles and shaping history. Today, we introduce you to one such trailblazer: Khawla bint Al-Azwar, a warrior whose courage and skill shattered stereotypes and etched her name in golden letters across the annals of history.
Born in 7th-century Mecca to Al-Azwar Al-Asadi, a chief of the Banu Asad tribe, Khawla grew up in an environment that valued strength and resilience. Her brother, Dhiraar, a legendary warrior himself, trained her in swordsmanship, horseback riding, spearmanship, and military tactics. Under his guidance, Khawla transformed into a formidable fighter, proving that Islam never restricted women’s potential, it empowered them.
Khawla’s legacy began to shine during the Muslim conquests of the Levant. In 636 CE, at the Battle of Yarmouk against the Byzantine Empire, she led an all-female battalion. Not only did she command her troops with strategic brilliance, but she also personally defeated a Byzantine female commander, showcasing her unmatched valour. This battle cemented her reputation as a fearless leader.
Her bravery was further highlighted during the Siege of Damascus. When her brother Dhiraar was captured by Byzantine forces, Khawla launched a daring raid on the enemy’s rear-guard, freeing him and turning the tide of the battle. Her actions weren’t limited to combat, she also tended to wounded soldiers, embodying both compassion and courage.
One of the most iconic tales about Khawla revolves around her impersonation of the famed general Khalid ibn Al-Walid. During a battle, she disguised herself in green armor, covering her face with a veil. Soldiers, inspired by the "general’s" fearless charge, fought fiercely, only to later discover it was Khawla all along. Even Shurahbil ibn Hasana, a Rashidun commander, remarked:
“This warrior fights like Khalid ibn Al-Walid, but I am certain it is not him.”
In another legendary episode, Khawla was captured after falling from her horse during combat. Taken to a Byzantine commander’s camp, she refused to surrender. Using tent poles as weapons, she rallied fellow female prisoners, killed five guards, and led a dramatic escape. This act of defiance became a symbol of resistance and ingenuity.
Khawla bint Al-Azwar’s combat prowess earned praise from Caliph Hazrat Umar. Across Saudi Arabia, streets and schools bear her name, while Jordan honoured her with a commemorative stamp in its Arab Women in History series. Numerous Arab cities host educational institutions named after her. Iraq dedicated an all-female military unit, the Khawlah bint al-Azwar Battalion, in her honour. The UAE’s pioneering military college for women, Khawlah bint Al-Azwar Training College, also celebrates her legacy.
Khawla’s life dismantles the false narrative that Islam oppresses women. Instead, her story illustrates how the faith granted women equality and agency centuries ago. She stands as a slap in the face to those who claim: “Islam enslaved women.”, “Islam confined women.” “Islam stripped women of their rights.”
Her achievements, on the battlefield and beyond, prove that Islam provided women a platform to excel, lead, and redefine their roles in society. Khawla bint Al-Azwar was not an exception but a reflection of a tradition that honoured women’s strength and intellect.
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Afroz Khan is a teacher by profession. She primarily writes about women and Islam. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Education.
New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism