Sumayya bint Khayyat (RA) - The First Martyr of Islam
Learn about Sumayya (RA), the first person to die for Islam.
Sumayya bint Khayyat (may Allah be pleased with her) was the mother of Ammar ibn Yasir (RA) and the wife of Yasir. She was a slave who was freed and married Yasir. When she and her family accepted Islam, they were among the very first Muslims. The Quraysh tortured the entire family — Sumayya, Yasir, and Ammar — in the scorching heat of the Makkah desert. They placed heavy stones on their chests and whipped them. Despite the unbearable pain, Sumayya (RA) refused to renounce her faith. Abu Jahl, one of the worst enemies of Islam, came to her and demanded she abandon Islam. When she refused, he stabbed her, and she became the first martyr in Islam. The Prophet ﷺ would pass by the family being tortured and say: 'Patience, O family of Yasir, for your meeting place is Paradise.' Sumayya (RA) holds a unique and honored place in Islamic history — she was the first to give her life for the sake of Allah. Her courage and steadfastness inspire Muslims to this day. She showed that true faith means holding firm to the truth, even in the face of death.
Qur'an Verses
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقَامُوا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ
Inna alladhina qalu rabbuna Allahu thumma istaqamu tatanazzalu 'alayhimu al-mala'ikatu
Translation: Indeed, those who have said: Our Lord is Allah and then remained on a right course — the angels descend upon them.
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said to the Family of Yasir while they were being tortured: 'Patience, O family of Yasir, for your meeting place is Paradise.'
Explanation
This hadith was a direct promise from the Prophet ﷺ to Sumayya and her family that their suffering would be rewarded with Paradise. Sumayya (RA) became the first martyr of Islam, and her sacrifice is remembered forever.
True faith means holding firm to the truth, even in the face of death. Sumayya (RA) was the first martyr of Islam — a woman whose courage and faith set the highest example.
- 1.Who was the first martyr in Islam?
- 2.What did the Prophet say to the Family of Yasir?
- 3.Who killed Sumayya?
1. Does Sumayya hold a unique place in Islamic history?
2. What did the Prophet say to the Family of Yasir?
3. Did the Prophet promise Sumayya's family Paradise?
4. What does 'Sabr' mean?
5. Did Sumayya renounce her faith?
6. Did Sumayya hold firm to the truth?
7. Should we hold firm to our faith?
8. Is the Family of Yasir's story inspirational?
9. Is Sumayya's sacrifice remembered?
10. Was Sumayya courageous?
11. What do we learn from Sumayya?
12. Was Sumayya the only woman tortured?
13. Was Sumayya's faith strong?
14. What was Sumayya's defining quality?
15. Who killed Sumayya?
16. What can we learn from Sumayya's courage?
17. Whose mother was Sumayya?
18. Who was the first martyr in Islam?
19. Was Sumayya faithful?
20. How was Sumayya tortured?
21. Is patience under persecution rewarded?
22. Was Sumayya's family tortured together?
23. What does 'Shahid' mean?
24. What lesson do we learn from Sumayya?
25. Was Sumayya among the first Muslims?
Practice with Games
Games mapped to this lesson — reinforce what you just learned!