Who Was Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها)?

■ Who Was Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها)?

She was born into the tribe of Khas’am, her roots strong and deep, like an ancient tree. Her mother, Hind (also known as Khawlah), came from the noble Kinanah tribe. Through her mother, she was the foster sister of Sayyidah Maimunah (رضي الله عنها), the blessed Mother of the Believers.

Before even the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ openly preached Islam at Dar Al-Arqam, Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) had already opened her heart to the call of Allah ﷻ. She was married to the noble Sayyidina Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه), the dear brother of Sayyidina Ali (رضي الله عنه).

Together, they migrated to faraway Habshah (Ethiopia), a land across the seas, to protect their faith. There they lived for many years, facing hardships with patience and love for Allah ﷻ.

When she returned to Madinah, around the time Khaybar was conquered, Sayyidina Umar (رضي الله عنه) saw her and said:

❝Are you the same Asma’ who crossed the seas?❞

She smiled and said, ❝Yes, I am.❞

He tried to suggest that those who migrated to Madinah were superior. But the spirited Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) gently reminded him that while they stayed close to the Prophet ﷺ, she and her companions had faced the bitter winds of exile for the sake of Allah ﷻ.

Later, when the Prophet ﷺ heard this conversation, he lovingly said,

❝Umar migrated once, but you (Asma’ and her companions) migrated twice. You are superior.❞

How their hearts must have blossomed at his words!

Then came the sorrowful news from Mu’tah: her beloved husband Ja’far (رضي الله عنه) was martyred.
Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) went to the Prophet ﷺ and found him tearful, his heart heavy. She brought her sons, dressed in their finest clothes, but when she heard the news, her soul cried out in grief. The Prophet ﷺ himself ordered that food be prepared for her and her children — for grief makes even strong hearts weak.

He also gently taught the people not to mourn loudly, to bear the pain with patience and submission to Allah ﷻ.

After her waiting period (iddah) ended, in the sacred month of Shawwal, Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) married Sayyidina Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه), the most beloved friend of the Prophet ﷺ.

During a journey for Hajj, while at Zul-Hulayfah, she gave birth to Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr. She asked the Prophet ﷺ what to do, and he softly guided her to bathe and continue her pilgrimage, wrapped in the garments of ihram.

Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) was known for her deep wisdom. During the final illness of the Prophet ﷺ, she and Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) diagnosed pleurisy and wanted to give him medicine. Even when he declined, out of love, they still administered it softly when he was unconscious. When he recovered slightly, he smiled and said,

❝This was surely Asma’s wisdom from Habshah.❞

When Sayyidina Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) passed away, it was Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) who gave him the ritual washing (ghusl), fulfilling his last wish with trembling hands but firm faith.

Later, she married Sayyidina Ali (رضي الله عنه), and her children grew under the shade of his love and guidance.

One sweet moment to remember: once her two sons, Muhammad ibn Ja’far and Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr, were playfully arguing over who was better.

Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) smiled and said,

❝Ja’far was the best among the young, and Abu Bakr was the best among the elders.❞

Even Sayyidina Ali (رضي الله عنه) laughed and said,

❝What have you left for us?❞

She lived through much loss, including the tragic martyrdom of Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) in Egypt.

Despite her heartbreak, she turned to her prayer mat, pouring her grief into sujood (prostration) and sabr (patience), teaching us that the wounds of this world heal when kissed by the remembrance of Allah ﷻ.

Sayyidah Asma’ (رضي الله عنها) narrated around 60 Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ.

She taught du’as for protection against the evil eye, interpreted dreams, and was a beacon of wisdom in Madinah.

Sayyidina Umar (رضي الله عنه) often sought her advice, and others flocked to her door, for her heart was a vessel filled with the teachings of the Beloved ﷺ.

She eventually returned to her Lord ﷻ after a life soaked in sacrifice, love, and luminous faith.

الراجی رحمۃَ ربّہِ العلٰی
و الفقیر الٰی حضرۃ النّبی المصطفیٰ ﷺ
محمد فرحان جمیل