Islamic Exemplary Stories

the Story of Asma Bint Abu Bakr RA.

Asma bint Abu Bakr, was the daughter of Abu Bakr from his wife, Qutailah bint Abdul Uzza al Amiriyyah who had been divorced during the Jahiliah. He was ten years older than his younger brother Aisha RA, one of the Umahatul Mukminin. When Abu Bakr and the Prophet of Islam left for Medina, they both hid in the Cave of Tsur for three days. The Quraysh who lost track of them both came to the house of Abu Bakr, as soon as the door was opened by Asma bint Abu Bakr, Abu Jahl said, "Where is your father??"

"By Allah, I don't know where my father is…!!" Asma.

Abu Jahl was furious with this short answer, he raised his hand and slapped hard on Asthma's cheek so that her earrings were removed. After that they passed and ordered to block all the way out of Makkah.

Not long after, his grandfather Abu Quhafah, the father of Abu Bakr, came to his grandson because he heard that Abu Bakr had left Makkah. He was worried that his grandchildren were abandoned after his father left him. He asked Asma about the treasures left behind for the cost of their lives. Asma understood the concerns felt by his grandfather, and in fact Abu Bakr had brought almost all of his wealth of 6,000 dirhams. Because he was planning to calm his grandfather. He put a pebble in his father's money-storage hole and covered it with cloth. Afterwards he led his blind grandfather and placed his hand in the money vault and said, "This is the treasure left for us, Grandpa!!"

Abu Quhafah felt the rag-covered pebble in the storage hole, and thought of it as a considerable amount of dirham.Therefore he said, "It is good that he left this for you…!!"

After hiding for three days in the Cave of Tsur, the Prophet SAW and Abu Bakr decided to leave for Medina. Asma prepared supplies, food and drink for her and her father's journey, and took them to the Cave of Tsur. But he forgot not to bring the rope to tie the supplies to the mount, so he split the two belts. One piece is used to tie supplies to the mount, the other is used as a belt. Seeing what he did, the Prophet SAW called him "Dzaatun Nithaaqain" (who had two belts).

All these events occurred when Asma was pregnant, even her husband, Zubair bin Awwam had first migrated with other Muslims, as ordered by the Prophet Muhammad. What an immeasurable sacrifice of this mighty woman. And all this he did with lightness and sincerity, because of his love for Allah and His Messenger.

A few days passed after that event, when the Prophet SAW and Abu Bakr had left the tent of Umm Ma'bad, a voice echoed throughout Makkah, the voice of the verse being spoken repeatedly, "Allah the Ruler of Arsy bestowed the best reward, two meek men passed by in the tent of Umm Ma'bad, they continued the journey after a short stop, indeed lucky people who accompanied the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who were, tell me what Allah has removed from you, for the unreciprocated doings of the people, Bani Ka'b is utterly despised because of his daughters, the fertile land is a seat for those who believe, ask your sister about the sheep and the vessels, if you ask the sheep will certainly see them…"

Almost all the inhabitants of Makkah went out of their homes to find out who had spoken the verse, but they could find no one. Though the verse is still clearly heard, and they can follow the trail of his voice moving. Asma bint Abu Bakr also came out of his house, and he saw a fast-moving male figure in the lowlands of Makkah while chanting the verse. Not for how long he had been seen in the highlands of Makkah, still chanting the verse. Nevertheless only Asma saw it, while the rest of Makkah found only traces of it in the sand, and also traces of his voice. Seeing his rapid movements, of course he is not an ordinary man, like a genie or an angel, Wallahu nature. What is clear, from these verses, Asma and the Muslims who still live in Makkah know that the Prophet SAW is on the way to Medina, Madinah, and was at a safe distance from the pursuit of the Quraysh.

A few days passed, after the atmosphere of the city became calm again because of the hijra of the Prophet SAW and Abu Bakr, Asma and his brothers following the hijrah to Medina along with some Muslims who were still left behind. After a few days in Medina, she gave birth to a baby boy named Abdullah. The Muslims, both from the Anshar and Muhajirin welcomed the birth of Abdullah bin Zubair as if they had obtained a "collapsed durian", they cheered him and even took him around the city of Medina through the villages of the Jews. Why is so "scathing" this Asthma baby birth welcome?

The Jews in Medina were not happy with the presence of the Prophet SAW and the Muhajirin there. They said that the Jewish shamans had bewitched the Muslims so that they would all be barren. That's why when Asma gave birth to her son, the Muslims greeted her with a wave and took her through the Jewish villages to prove that what they said was a lie.

Asthma had a difficult time in her life, then turned to abundance, but all that did not change her piety and she remained firm in holding the truth. Allah extended the age of Asma and he experienced times of slander, until the transition of power to the hands of the Umayyad dynasty. When he gave birth to his son, Abdullah bin Zubair, and his son was brought to the Prophet SAW, he saw a picture of the way his son lived, he said of Abdullah bin Zubair, "He is like a sheep, he is like a sheep, surrounded by a tiger with sheep….!!"

After the events of Karbala and Harrah in Medina, followed later by the death of Yazid ibn Muawiyah, the people of Hejaz and its surroundings adopted the son of Asma, Abdullah ibn Zubair, as caliph with his position in the city of Makkah. While in Sham, the Umayyads appointed Marwan bin Hakam, then replaced by his son, Abdul Malik bin Marwan. This Caliph Abdul Malik formed a large army of 40,000 men with his ruthless and ruthless commander, Hajjaj bin Yusuf ats Tsaqafi, to attack Makkah, especially to kill Abdullah bin Zubair.

The loyal followers accompanied Ibn Zubair less and less, and he feared for their safety. But they do not want to leave him alone as his friends even though life must be at stake. Abdullah bin Zubair met his mother, Asma bint Abu Bakr who was about 97 years old and had been blinded, to discuss the problems he faced.

Ibn Zubair told his mother about the situation, and the possibilities that happened to the troops he led, which were very small in number. Hearing the words of his son, Asma was reminded of the Prophet SAW's "premonition" when giving birth to him. This is the time described by the Prophet SAW for his son, and it turns out that he was destined to witness the tragic incident.

As a strong-hearted mother who held the truth, Asma said, "By God, my son, you know better about yourself. If you are on the path of righteousness, and have called upon it, continue in your steps, many of your friends have fallen for it. Do not be toyed with by the slaves of the Umayyads. But if on the contrary, you only want the world, you are as bad as those who harm yourself and those who wage jihad with you…"

Of course Abdullah bin Zubair is not the second type, which only attaches importance to worldly interests. When he expressed his concern that Hajjaj would crucify and slash his body after his death, the mighty mother firmly said, "O my son, O my son, verily, the goat felt no pain after it was slaughtered. Continue your steps, and ask Allah for help…!!"

Abdullah bin Zubair became relieved, because really what was feared was the feelings of his mother. A moment later Asma said again to his son, "I ask God, may the fortitude of my heart be good to you, whether you are before me to God, or I am before you…."

A moment later Asma prayed, "O Allah, may his worship be all night, and his fast all day, and his service to his two parents, You received it accompanied by Your Grace. O God, I leave everything about him to Your power, and I am willing to accept Your decision. O Allah, reward me for all these deeds of Abdullah the son of Zubayr, reward those who are patient and grateful…."

With the words and prayers offered by his mother, the steps and heart of Ibn Zubair felt loose, not least any obstacle to him to obtain the martyrdom he craved.They hugged, they hugged, and knowing that his son was still wearing armor, Asma ordered him to be released, saying, "What the fuck is Abdullah..!! The people who wear these are just those who do not want what you really want…!!"

Ibn Zubairpun took off the armor he was wearing. After bidding farewell to his mother, he and the rest of his army did not plunge into the army of Hajjaj. And as expected, they met his martyrdom in the Haram of Makkah, and Hajjaj crucified and slashed his body. Asma stood steadfastly at the place of his son's crucifixion, and continued to pray forgiveness for him. Meanwhile Hajjaj approached Asma with humility and said, "O Mother, Amirul mukminin Abdul Malik bin Marwan gave me a will to treat my mother well?"

In a resolutely authoritative voice, Asma said, "I am not your mother, I am the mother of the one you cross in the pillar of the sack….Only I want to convey one word of the Prophet SAW to you, he said: 'Will emerge from Tsaqif, a liar and a criminal/vile.'About who the liar is, we have known together.(i.e., that is, Mukhtar binAbi Ubaid ats Tsaqafi who claimed to be a prophet). While the evil/vile, to my knowledge you're the one….!!"

Hajjaj did not dwell on these words of Asthma and he turned away. Asma then ordered the body of his son to be taken down and buried properly. But some other accounts say, Hajjaj beheaded Ibn Zubair, and presented it to Abdul Malik bin Marwan in Sham.

Asma bint Abu Bakr died a few days after the death of his son, on the 17th of Jumadil Beginning in the year 73 hijri. According to some accounts, she was the sahabiah (best friend of the woman) who most recently died.