الشِّفَاءُ بِنْتُ عَبْدِ اللَّه
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا
Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah
Literate, and taught writing · Given a role connected to Madinah's market by Umar
may Allah be pleased with her
Quraysh — Banu Adi ibn Ka'b · Makkah and Madinah, in the time of the Prophet ﷺ and of Umar
A woman of Quraysh who could read and write, at a time when very few could do either, and who taught the skill to others. Umar, from her own clan, is reported to have relied on her judgement, including giving her some responsibility connected to the market of Madinah.
Known for
She could read and write, at a time when very few Arabs, and even fewer women, could do either
She taught writing to others once the community was settled in Madinah
Umar is reported to have given her some responsibility connected to the market of Madinah
Story
Her story in moments
Short episodes from her life, in order. Read one at a time.
In full
Life & legacy
Before Madinah
Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah was of Banu Adi ibn Ka'b, the same clan as Umar ibn al-Khattab. She was among a small number of people in early Makkah, and an even smaller number of women, who could read and write.
Once the community was established in Madinah, she is reported to have taught the skill to others there.
Umar and the market
Umar, from her own clan, is reported to have held her judgement in particular regard. Among what he is reported to have given her was some responsibility connected to the market of Madinah, though the sources do not describe the role in detail.
This is set out further in the moment below, which is stated plainly rather than elaborated beyond what is reported.
How the sources describe her
Umar trusted her judgement enough to give her a role in public life
She passed a skill she had to people who did not have it
Connect
People around her
Alongside
From the same clan. He is reported to have relied on her judgement, including in matters connected to the market of Madinah.
Full timeline
- The Makkan years
Accepts Islam in Makkah
- During Umar's caliphate
Given responsibility connected to the market of Madinah by Umar
Part of
Sources & review
Draft content — undergoing reviewThis content was written for SahabaMate and has not yet been checked by a reviewer against the works below. Treat it as a starting point, not a citation.
Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabirالطبقات الكبرى
Classical biography · Ibn Sa'd
Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz as-Sahabahالإصابة في تمييز الصحابة
Classical biography · Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Siyar A'lam an-Nubalaسير أعلام النبلاء
Classical biography · Shams ad-Din adh-Dhahabi
Companions of the Prophet
Modern biography · Abdul Wahid Hamid
SahabaMate editorial summary
Editorial summary
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