The Sahaba's were not an ordinary group of people; they were an extraordinary group of people. Individual as well as collective stories can be found of perseverance, hardship, sacrifice, and steadfastness. Despite the stereotypes, Muslim women have always played a vital role in the Muslim community, and not only in traditional roles. Early Muslim women served the community through scholarship, teaching, nursing, and other important activities. Far from being downtrodden slaves to the men in their lives, these women served Allah and their community with bravery and wisdom. Muslim women look to them as role models.