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Al-Khansaa (born Tumadir bint Amru al-Harith-bint al-Sharid, 600 - 670) was a female Arab poet of the seventh century, from the nomadic Madar tribe. In this period, the role of a female poet was to write elegies for the dead and perform them for the tribe in public oral competitions. Al-Khansa won respect and fame in these competitions with her elegies for her brothers, Sakhr and Muawiya, who had died in battle. She met Muhammad (the Prophet) in 629 and converted to Islam. Muhammad is said to have been very impressed by her poetry. Al-Khansa outlived all her three husbands. Four of her sons were killed in the Battle of Qadisiyah.
Tmather bint Amr bin Al-Hareth bin Al-Shreed (تماضر بنت عمرو بن الحارث بن الشريد، الرياحية السُلمية من بني سُليم من قيس عيلان من مضر) She was born in 575 A.D, They called her al-khansa` ( الخنسـاء ) Because her Nose was Short and the Tip of it was a little high, She is known for her strong personality, she was born to rich family of a high standing, she took pride in her poems for her generosity she proved her strong personality after refusing to marry doraid bin al-sammah one of the knights of Bani Gashm her reason was that she wanted to marry someone of her own tribe so she betook her cousin rawaha bin abdul-aziz Alselmy but their marriage didn`t last long because he was a gambler who didn`t care for his wealth only she bear him a son then divorced him, after that she married another one of her cousins mirdas bin abi a`mer Alselmy she had four sons with him
- Yazeed - يزيد
- Mo`awiya - معاوية
- Amro - عمرو
- Amrh - عمرة
The Death Of Her Family
Her brother Mo`awiya was killed by Hashim and Doraed sons of Harmalah in the (Day Of First Howza) 612 A.D ,So Tmather (al-khansa hereafter) insisted on her brother Sakhr to avenge the death of Mo`awiya and he did avenge his brothers death but also was wounded a wound that will prove fatel a year after, he died on the (Day Of Kelab) 615 A.D , al-khansa mourned his death before and after islam until she was blinded.after islam she insisted on her four sons to go to jihad and she accompanied them in the army in time of Umar ibn al-Khattab while she was telling them:
- my sons you converted obediently and choose the emigration (Hijrah), ووالله الذي لا إله إلا هو you are the sons of one women who haven`t betrayed your father, and haven`t disgraced your uncle, and haven`t changed your distinguished origin or your ancestry, and you may know that god have promised Muslims a plentiful rewards for fighting the heretics, and know that the ever-lasting home is better than the perishable one, god said in his book { O ye who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah. that ye may prosper. } and if you are to survive (Allah Willing)'' prepare to fight your enemy knowing, victorious against the enemys of allah, and if you saw
Her sons followed her will, seeking heaven they died in the Battle of Qadisiyah.
When the news arrived to her she didn`t grief or cry but she was patient and said her famous saying:
- Praise be Allah who honered me with their martyrdom, I pray for allah to let me join them in heaven
She didn`t grieve them in the same manner as her brother Sakhr because of the influence of islam on the believers souls, martyrdom in jihad doesn`t mean severance or lost but means moving into a better place Paradise.
Family Tree
Her Works
External links
Arabic poets
"Al-Khansa"