Sumayyah bint Khayyat

Sumayyah was an elderly woman, the wife of Yasir ibn Amir and mother of Ammar ibn Yasir. The family was among the early converts to Islam and, having no tribal protection, were subjected to horrific torture by the Quraysh. The Makhzum clan, led by Abu Jahl, would take the family out to the burning ground at the hottest part of the day and torture them. The Prophet would pass by them and say: 'Patience, O family of Yasir! Your appointment is Paradise.' Sumayyah refused to renounce her faith despite the severest torture. Abu Jahl stabbed her with a spear in her private parts, killing her. She thus became the first martyr (shaheedah) in Islam — an elderly woman without tribal protection who chose death over disbelief. Her husband Yasir also died under torture shortly after. Their son Ammar was forced under extreme torture to say words of disbelief, after which he came to the Prophet weeping. The Prophet asked: 'How do you find your heart?' Ammar said: 'Firm in faith.' The Prophet said: 'If they return to it (the torture), then return to it (the words).' The verse was then revealed: 'Whoever disbelieves in Allah after having believed — except one who is compelled while his heart is content with faith...' (16:106).