Asma Bint-e-Abu Bakar (RA) was the daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (RA) who was the companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). She was the daughter of his first wife Qutailah bint-e-Abdul Uzza. Asma Bint-e-Abu Bakar was among the first 20 persons who accepted Islam. Her Father Hazrat Abu Bakar (RA) also accepted Islam but her mother remained a polytheist and did not convert to Islam. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) who was the wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was also the half-sister of Hazrat Asma (RA).

TITLE OF ZU NATAQAIN

Asma Bint-e-Abu Bakar (RA) played a very significant role in the migration of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) from Makkah to Madina. Food for Abu Bakr (RA) and the Prophet (peace be upon him), who were hiding in Cave Thawr, was to be delivered by Asma (RA). On a mountainous path, the distance to the cave was around three kilometers. Even though she had been pregnant for seven months, she carried meals every day for three days.

Hazrat Asma (RA) arranged their travel necessities and water skin on the final day; during the packing there was no rope to tie them. She cut her Nitaq (waist belt) in half and then secured the bag with one of the pieces. For her act of kindness the

Holy Prophet (PBUH) said to her:

” Indeed, Allah has given you, in exchange for this girdle, two belts in Paradise.”

And that is why she was honored with the title of Zu Nataqin which means the lady of two belts.

DEVOTION TOWARDS ISLAM

Asma Bint-e-Abu Bakar RA was a very noble and pious lady. She converted herself to Islam and was very devoted to it. She used to pray a lot and offer long prayers and asked forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT). She always focused intently during her prayers to Allah. When her husband Zubair bin Awam (RA) got home one day, he noticed that she was crying and praying. She was completely lost in her prayers when Zubair (RA) spotted her; he left the house and went to the market. When he returned home he saw that she was still lost deeply in her prayers and is asking forgiveness from ALLAH.

A STRONG LADY

Hazrat Asma (RA) was a very strong and sharp-minded woman. She was emotionally and mentally a very tough lady. She even participated in the battle of Yarmook which is one of the most memorable events in the history of Islam where Muslim women and youngsters also fought with great bravery and enthusiasm. Muslim women played a significant role in defeating the Byzantine Empire and she was also a part of it.

A FAITHFUL WIFE

Asma (R.A.) got married to Zubair Bin Awam (RA) who was also the friend of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He was a very kind man but did not belong to a rich family. When Hazrat Asma (RA) became his wife, he was a poor man and she had to face a financial crisis but she did not complain and worked very hard to support her husband.

She used to feed the horse, fetch water and bake bread. She was always very loyal and respectful towards her husband. After some time Zubair Bin Awam (RA) became financially stable and he had the property of about forty million dirhams.

A GENEROUS LADY

Asma Bint-e-Abu Bakar (RA) just like her sister Hazrat Ayesha (RA) was a very soft-hearted and generous lady. She always helped the poor and needy people in society.

Her son Abdullah once said: 

“I have not seen two women more generous than my aunt Aishah (RA) and my mother Asmaa (RA). But their generosity was expressed in different ways. My aunt would accumulate one thing after another until she had gathered what she felt was sufficient and then distributed it all to those in need. My mother, on the other hand, would not keep anything even for tomorrow.”

A POWERFUL MOTHER

When his son Abdullah (RA) was telling him about the Bannu Ummayah siege,

He said, “O mother, the people abandoned me; there are only a few of them who still support me.”

He further told her mother that the other party is offering him material things, but his mother told him to stay strong and not give in. Abdullah (RA) said that he also thinks the same and wants to fight until the end, but he is afraid that they will torture his body after his death.

Asma (RA) replied:

“Skinning a slaughtered goat does not bring it pain. Off you go and seek Allah’s help.”

This shows that she possessed a strong personality and was not afraid of anyone.

SHARP MEMORY

She had a very sharp memory. She was a very intelligent and sharp minded woman. If she hears something once she could remember it for a longer time. She was also among those people who have heard the hadiths of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and memorized them. Many people of that time contacted her for the verification and reference of Hadiths.

DEATH OF ASMA BINT E ABU BAKAR (RA)

Hazrat Asma (RA) died in Makkah in 73 A.H. few years after the martyrdom of his son. She was almost 100 years old at the time of her death. But even at that age she was mentally fit.