Al-Khansa
|
|
Al-Khansa (600 - 670) was a female Arabic poet of the seventh century, from the nomadic Madar tribe. In this period, 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 met Muhammad (the Prophet) in 629 and converted to Islam. Muhammad is said to have been very impressed by her poetry. Al-Khansa outlived all her three husbands. Four of her sons were killed in the Battle of Qadasiyah.