Initially, just seven people openly proclaimed their belief in Islam. They were Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), Hazrat Abu Bakr, Hazrat Bilaal, Hazrat Khabbaab, Hazrat Suhaib, Hazrat ‘Ammaar and Hazrat Sumayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).

On account of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) hailing from noble and strong families, the disbelievers of Makkah were unable to unleash their full animosity against them. Thus, the remaining five viz. Hazrat Bilaal, Hazrat Khabbaab, Hazrat Suhaib, Hazrat ‘Ammaar and Hazrat Sumayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) were made the primary targets of their persecution and torture. At the peak of midday, they would make them wear metal armor and force them to stand in the blistering heat.

One day, Abu Jahl appeared before them and thrust a spear into the private part of Hazrat Sumayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha), causing her to pass away as a martyr. The first martyr in Islam was Hazrat Sumayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) who was old and weak. When Abu Jahl was killed in the Battle of Badr, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed Hazrat ‘Ammaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying:

قتل الله قاتل أمك

Allah Ta‘ala has killed your mother’s killer

Due to the torture that he received, Hazrat Yaasir (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had passed away before Hazrat Sumayyah (radhiyallahu ‘anha).

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/227)