Atika bint Zayd

Atika bint Zayd al-Adawiyya was a 7th-century Islamic scholar and poet. She was a disciple (ṣaḥābiyyah) of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. She was also one of the wives of Umar, the second Caliph. Famously, all five of her husbands became shaheed (martyrs).

Early life Atika bint Zayd was born , the daughter of Umm Kurz Safiya bint al-Hadrami and Zayd ibn Amr, a member of the Adi clan of the Quraysh in Mecca. Sa'id ibn Zayd was her brother.

Atika was probably still a child when Muhammad's prophethood began in 610. It was said that Abdullah deferred to Atika's judgment and spent so much time with her that he was too busy to fight in the Islamic army. Abdullah did as he was told but was grief-stricken. He wrote poetry for her:

Death of Muhammad When Muhammad died in 632, Atika composed an elegy for him. His camels have been lonely since evening; he used to ride them and he was their adornment. I have been weeping for the Chief since evening, and tears are flowing in succession. Thy wives are still lying in swoons because of grief that grows greater moment by moment; they turned pale like a javelin that becomes useless and changes its colour; they are remedying chronic sorrow, but the pain reacts on the heart; they beat their fine faces with their palms, for that is what happens at times like this. He was excellent and the chosen Chief. Their religion was united on truth. How can I live longer than the Messenger, who died at his appointed hour?

Death of Abdullah Abdullah settled a large amount of property on Atika on the condition that she would not remarry after his death. when Aisha learned that Atika had broken her vow of celibacy, she sent her a message: I vow that mine eye will not cease to be dry for thee, and my skin will be yellow with dye. Return our property to us!"

Death of Umar Atika was present at the mosque when Umar was assassinated there in November 644. It was at this point that people began to say: "Let a man who wants to be a shahid marry Atika bint Zayd!"

Afterwards, the fourth caliph of Islam Ali himself proposed to her, but she told him, "I would not want you to die, O cousin of the Prophet." Despite that, Ali ended up dying a shaheed anyway, which changed her as well as people's views.

Last marriage Atika's fifth and final husband was Ali's own son, Husayn, who was over twenty years younger than she was. He was also reckoned a shahid because he was killed at the Battle of Karbala in October 680, though Atika apparently predeceased him.

Death Atika died in 672 during the reign of Umayyad caliph Mu'awiya I.