The deep scar on the shoulder of Nasiba, daughter of Kaab, spoke of a major wound in the past. Whenever the women, especially of the younger generation who had not seen the time of the Prophet or were too small at that time, noticed the cavity in her shoulder, they enquired with extreme curiosity about the frightening incident, which had resulted in the injury to her shoulder. They loved to hear her adventures in the battle of Uhud from her own mouth.

She had never imagined that she would fight shoulder to shoulder with her husband and two sons defending the Prophet in the battle of Uhud. She had only taken the water-skin on her back so that she could provide water to the injured and also had taken some home-made bandages to dress their wounds. She had not thought of herself as worthy of any other work on that day.

Although the Muslims were small in number and had only a limited supply of equipment's, they gave a grand defeat to the enemy who took to their heels vacating the battlefield. But soon after, due to the negligence of some men guarding the "Ainain Hills", the enemy made a surprise attack from the rear, turning the victory of the Muslims into defeat. The Muslims surrounding the Prophet fled away, leaving him almost alone in the battlefield.

When Nasiba saw this precarious situation, she put the water-skin on the ground, and took a sword in her hand. She fought with the sword and also made good use of bows and arrows; and took a shield left over by a fleeing soldier. Once she noticed a man shouting: "Where is Mohammed himself?" She approached him immediately and inflicted a few blows on him; but he was double-armored and her attacks had not much effect on him. He then inflicted such a heavy blow on the shoulder of the armor less woman that it required treatment for one year. Noticing a stream of blood gushing from her shoulder, the Prophet called to one of her sons to immediately dress her wound. He put a bandage over her shoulder and she again got busy in the battle.

Meanwhile one of her sons got injured. She took out a bandage and dressed his wound. The Prophet watching the scene smiled at the heroism of this woman. After dressing her son's wound she instructed him to get going for the battle. These words were still in her mouth when the Prophet pointed out a man to her and told her that he was the same man who had injured your son. She attacked the man like a lioness and inflicted her sword on his leg. He fell on the ground. The Prophet said, "Well, thou hast taken thy revenge. Thanks for God who gave the victory on him and made thy eyes cool."

Many Muslims were martyred and wounded. She herself was severely wounded and there was no hope of her life. After the battle of Uhud, the Prophet ordered the wounded Muslims to persue the enemy unto Hamra-ul-Asad, to be sure of their intention and condition. Nasiba also wanted to accompany them but the deep injuries did not allow her to do so. On returning from Hamra-ul-Asad, the Prophet before reaching his house sent someone to enquire about her health and was pleased to learn that she was alive.

At the request of the Prophet (SAW) of Islam, Hadrat Ali (AS) went to buy a shirt for him. Hadrat Ali (AS) went to the market and bought a shirt for twelve Dirhams. Hadrat Muhammad (SAW) asked.

"For how many Dirhams did you buy it?"
"For twelve Dirhams."
"I didn't like it, I want a cheaper one. Would the shopkeeper take it back?"
"I don't know, O Messenger (SAW) of Allah."
"Please go and see if he agrees to take it back."

Hadrat Ali (AS) took the shirt to the shopkeeper and said to him: "The Messenger (SAW) of Allah wants a cheaper shirt; would you agree to take it back and give back the money?"

The shopkeeper agreed to do so and he gave the money back to Hadrat Ali (AS). Hadrat Ali (AS) took the money to the Prophet (SAW). After this, Hadrat Muhammad (SAW) and Hadrat Ali (AS) went to the market together. While on the way, the Prophet (SAW) saw a slave-girl, who was crying. He went to her and asked:

"Why are you crying?"

"My master gave me four Dirhams to buy things from the market. I don't know where that money got lost. Now, I don't have the courage to go home.

Out of twelve Dirhams, Hadrat Muhammad (SAW) gave four Dirhams to the slave-girl and said: "Buy whatever you had to buy and go back home." Prophet (SAW), himself, went to the market and after buying a shirt for four Dirhams, he put it on.

While coming back from the market, he saw an undressed man. He quickly took off his shirt and gave it to him. He again went to the shop and bought another shirt for four Dirhams. He put it on. On his way, he again saw the same slave-girl, who was sitting scared and troubled. He asked:

"Why didn't you go home?"

"O Messenger (SAW) of Allah, it's too late for me and I am scared that they might beat me and ask as to why I took so long."

"Tell me the address of your house and come with me, so that I might request that no one should say anything to you." Hadrat Muhammad (SAW) took the slave-girl with him. As soon as they reached near the house, the girl said: "This is the house." With a loud voice, the Messenger (SAW) of Allah said:

"My salaam to you, the inhabitants of this house."

He didn't get any reply; so he again said, salaam. But still he got no reply. He said salaam for the third time and then everyone replied saying: "Assalamu Alayk, O Messenger of Allah (SAW)."

"Why didn't you people respond me for the first time? Did you not hear my voice?"

"Yes! After hearing your voice for the first time itself, we came to know that it was you."

"Then what was the reason for the delay in response?"

"O Messenger (SAW) of Allah, we loved to hear your voice (salaam) again and again. Your salaam is virtuous, peace and blessing for us."

"Your slave-girl has taken long in coming back. Hence, I have come to request that you don't punish her."

"O the Messenger (SAW) of Allah! By the blessing of your gracious coming over to our place, we have set this girl free." The Prophet (SAW) said: "Thanks a million to Allah. How blessed these twelve Dirhams were; with which two undressed persons got dressed as well as a slave-girl got free."

Read another similar story called as "The Glorious Necklace"   Anecdotes of Pious People