Al-Khansa

Tumadir bint Amru al-Harith bint al-Sharid, usually simply referred to as Al-Khansa (Arabic translated as either "gazelle" or "short-nosed") was a 7th century Arabic poet. She was a contemporary of Muhammad, and eventually converted to Islam.

In her time, 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 is the best known female poet in Arabic literature.

Al-Khansa was born into a rich family.

In 612 AD, her brother Mo'awiya was killed by members of another tribe. Al-Khansa insisted that her brother, Sakhr, avenge Mo'awiya's death, which he did. Sakhr was wounded in the process and died of his wounds a year later. Al-Khansa mourned his death in poetry and gained fame for her elegiac compositions.

She met Muhammad in 629 and converted to Islam. He is said to have been very impressed by her poetry.

She had four sons: Yazeed, Mo'awiya, Amro, and Amrah, all of whom converted to Islam. She earned respect when she went with her sons who fought in the Battle of Qadisiyah, where all four were killed.

When she received the news, she allegedly didn't grieve, but said, "Praise be to Allah who honored me with their martyrdom. I pray for Allah to let me join them in heaven."

• "A Great Arab Poetess of Elegy", an essay about Al-Khansa
• "Al-Khansaa: A poetess of courage and pride", from Arabicnews.com
• Other Women's Voices collection, contains links, secondary sources, and excerpts