She struck Abu Lahab
Makkah, when news of the Muslim victory at Badr reached the city.
Moment 1 of 1Makkah2 AH, after Badr approximate1 min read
News of Badr reached Makkah before any of the defeated men themselves did, and it landed badly. Among those in Umm al-Fadl's household was Abu Rafi', a man who had secretly accepted Islam and had reason to be glad of the news.
Abu Lahab, hearing that gladness, or seeing it, lost his temper and set on Abu Rafi', wrestling him to the ground and beating him.
Umm al-Fadl did not go to fetch anyone. She picked up a pole from the tent standing nearby and struck Abu Lahab with it herself, opening a wound on his head, and told him plainly that he was only doing this because the man's protector was not there to stop him.
Abu Lahab left, humiliated at having been struck by a woman in front of others. The sira reports that he fell ill within days and died not long afterward.
In this moment: Abu Lahab, Abu Rafi'
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As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyahالسيرة النبوية
Classical biography · Ibn Hisham, from the recension of Ibn Ishaq
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