Khawla bint al-Azwar
Khawla bint al-Azwar خولة بنت الازور | |
|---|---|
Khawla bint al-Azwar riding into battle, as portrayed in Tārīkhunā bi-uslūb qaṣaṣī (Our History in a Narrative style), published 1935 | |
| Born | |
| Died | 639 |
| Allegiance | Rashidun Caliphate |
| Branch | Rashidun army |
| Service years | 629–636 |
| Conflicts | Battle of Sanita al-Uqab (634) Battle of Ajnadayn (634) Battle of Yarmuk (636) |
Khawla bint al-Azwar (Arabic: خولة بنت الازور; died 639), was a Muslim warrior in the service of the Rashidun Caliphate. She played a major role in the Muslim conquest of the Levant, and fought alongside her brother Dhiraar. She has been described as one of the greatest female soldiers in history. She was a companion of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad.
Born sometime in the seventh century as the daughter of Azwar al Asadi, one of the chiefs of the Banu Assad tribe, Khawlah was well known for her bravery in campaigns of the Muslim conquests in parts of the Levant. She fought side by side with her brother Dhiraar in many battles, including the decisive Battle of Yarmouk in 636 against the Byzantine Empire. On the fourth day of the battle she led a group of women against the Byzantine army and defeated its chief commander, and later was wounded during her fight with a Greek soldier.