Women in Early Islamic History: Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr Essay

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Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr’s life

In the well-known family of the Muslim community, the birth of Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr was marked immediately due to its uniqueness. Qatilah bint Uza gave birth to Asmaa twenty-seven years before the immigration of the Prophet and her father named Abu Bakr from Mecca to Madinah. The marriage that brought forth the birth of Asmaa transpired prior to the arrival of Islam. Asmaa’s half sister called Aishah was an Ummahat al-Mumineen or the Prophet’s wife who was the mother of all believers. In fact, Asmaa’s husband, Zubayr Ibn al-Awwam, was a great time friend and an assistant to the Prophet. Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr had the privilege to get a son whom she named Abdullah Ibn az-Zubair. The son was later renowned for his steadfast and virtuousness dedication towards the truth (Singh 148).

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While spending her time in Mecca, Asmaa had already believed in Islam. The pledge and affection she had in Islam made her family as well as the Prophet to have firm conviction in her. At some point in her lifetime, Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr became a famous individual owing to her devotion towards Islam. In reality, she turned out to be the eighteenth personality including men and women to hold Islam in her heart. The Hijrah, an event that marked the exodus of her father and the Prophet from Mecca to Madinah earned her a nickname (Dhat an-Nitaqayn) (Singh 150). The nickname implied a person of double girdles or the one with dual waistbands.

Asmaa as a lady of double belts

At the time of emigration to Madinah, Asmaa delivered water and food to her father and the Prophet in the wilderness. In fact, by dividing her scarf into double separate pieces while delivering food and water, Asmaa was nicknamed Dhat an-Nitaqayn meaning the owner of twofold scarves. This happened during the three nights stay at the Thawr grotto when the enemies were searching for the Prophet and Asmaa’s dad.

The events that transpired gave praise and recognition to Asmaa as a generous, honest, courageous, intelligent, and farsighted individual. Essentially, all the good qualities she had earned gave her a name as a double-belt person. In order to secure her father and the Prophet, Asmaa faced the enemy, Abu Jahl, with tolerance, bravery, and steadfastness despite the barbaric slap she received (Salim, 283).

Asmaa’s name of a double-belt female augmented following her experience of the Natiq, which is a girdle or strap won by Arabic females around the waistlines. Asmaa had packed food and water in a leather bag to offset the Prophet and her father during the migration to Madinah. However, she lacked a rope that could be used to fix the bag together. As a result, Asmaa used one portion after tearing apart her girdle into double pieces to fasten the lather carrier for easy carriage.

Fascinatingly, the Prophet congratulated, sanctified, and assured Asmaa that she would acquire double girdles in Paradise for sacrificing the only strap she had to take care of them. Asmaa’s name as a female of double girdles remained due to the suggestion from the Prophet that she will ascend to the Paradise (Kruk 201).

The role of Asmaa in the rise and spread of Islam

At the outset, Asmaa was in the midst of the early persons to acknowledge Islam. Asmaa joined Islam subsequent to the teachings and influence of her father who was a companion and convicted confidant of the Prophet. All the excellent qualities that a Muslim could posses as a person were present in Asmaa. The qualities that made her foster the spread of Islam included generosity, integrity, courage, intelligence, farsightedness, and piety.

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The birth of her son, Abdullah bin Zubayr, at Quba during their migration to Madinah was a special instance to both the Muslims and non-believers. Abdullah was the only son to be born among the believers after a long period of time thus many individuals knew Islam would be rooted out (Ghadanfar 197).

Shortly after the mass departure to Madinah, Asmaa united with the Muslim community. Asmaa’s wise advice to the believers was resolute and encouraged the faith of Islamism. For instance, she encouraged her son called Abdullah never to fear death and always face any battle with courage. Throughout the spread of Islam, Asmaa participated in the Yarmuk battle and it was evident that she bravely fought and won most of them. She demonstrated a true Muslim faith through bravery and patience she had. Nevertheless, Asmaa’s participation at the time of immigration while providing her father and the Prophet with foodstuff and water signified a great role-played in the spread of Islam (IslamKotob 67).

The achievements of Asmaa

As a female of record, Asmaa accomplished a number of things during her time. In her role during the growth and stretch of Islam, many considered Asmaa as a patient and courageous woman. Besides, she was an example of a good consort and righteous figure during migration (Hijrah). For the duration of Yarmuk battle, Asmaa took part in the warfare and fought with unmatched gallantry (IslamKotob 69). The outrageous woman besides fairly defended herself when the burglars invaded Madinah using a dagger she possessed. Moreover, Asmaa provided her son with prompt advice concerning Al-Hajjaj siege towards Mecca despite being more than one hundred years old. Generally, her son won the battle and this shows how patient and a brave personality she was.

Asmaa was not well off at the onset of her marriage. In fact, the family of Zubayr Ibn al-Awwam only had a horse and a camel as their only wealth. However, Asmaa’s hard work in the farm and in-house saw her family achieve abundant wealth later in life. After the death of her husband, the material goods they possessed were worth forty million dirhams on sale. She was in charge of preparing dough, sewing buckets for drawing water to the farm, and feeding animals, which rendered her a role model as a wife.

Equally, Asmaa had a noble position during their migration to Madinah. Asmaa kept mum about the hideout thus saving the life of the Prophet and her own father from the enemies despite being brutally molested by Jahl Abu. The duo also showed respect to Asmaa following her success in providing them with foodstuff and water at the Thawr grotto. Without any doubt, Asmaa was full of life touching achievements (Kruk 212).

The cultured lessons from the life of Asmaa

A number of lessons learnt from the life of Asmaa come from the above aspects and incidents of her lifetime. Actually, these happenings might not cease from being recycled in an individual’s head easily. For instance, it is better to be patient and brave constantly to be able to encounter the day-to-day challenges. The lesson drawn from Asmaa’s last meeting with Abdullah remains the highest memorable instance in the history of early Muslim. Asmaa tried to reveal the potency of her belief, steadfastness, and enthusiasm at that particular meeting.

Furthermore, generosity is an important factor as can be drawn from the life of Asmaa. At a time when Asmaa was ailing, she managed to release her servants for a leave in anticipation of her recuperation. Additionally, she could not keep what she had for tomorrow but provided it all as can be learnt from Abdullah who compared her to Aishah (Ghadanfar 212). The lesson portrays how generous Asmaa was and emulating this aspect is significant for the living history of Asmaa.

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Nevertheless, by keeping a dagger to defend her body during the attack in Madinah, we learn that bravery is one of the key aspects of life. Fortitude is also important as seen in Asmaa’s words to Abdullah at the time he wanted advice from Asmaa concerning Al-Hajjaj ambush on Mecca (Salim, 301). In addition, it is important to learn that care and sympathy should be part of human life.

For the period of immigration, Asmaa served and demonstrated total sympathy to the Prophet and her father. Asmaa was in the forefront providing the duo with water and foodstuffs. Interestingly, she blocked the opponents like Jahl Abu from knowing their hideouts hence showing her concern for people’s lives. Therefore, life requires one to emulate the trends and doings of Asmaa as depicted in the lessons drawn from her life.

The death of Asmaa

Seventy-three years after the Hijrah, Asmaa was still having a full set of teeth and an exceptionally sharp memory. Asmaa boasted of several Hadiths accredited to her just like Asma bint Yazid, Salamah Umm and Aishah. Many successors and companions of the Prophet could ask for her verification of the Hadiths. Asmaa was nearly a hundred years old when she passed away. Her death transpired shortly after the demise of Abdullah (IslamKotob 71).

Works Cited

Ghadanfar, Mahmood. Great Women of Islam: Who Were Given the Good News of Paradise? Arusha, TZ: Darussalam, 2001. Print.

IslamKotob, Mclean. Bukhari. Arusha, TZ: Islamic Books Publishers, 2013. Print.

Kruk, Remke. The Warrior Women of Islam: Forgotten Heroines of the Great Arabian Tales. Saudi Arabia: I. B. Tauris, Limited, 2013. Print.

Salim, Amr. Important lessons for Muslim women. Arusha, TZ: Darussalam, 2005. Print.

Singh, Krug. Prophet Muhammad and His Companions. London, UK: Global Vision Publishing Ho, 2003. Print.

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IvyPanda. 2020. "Women in Early Islamic History: Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr." May 26, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/women-in-early-islamic-history-asmaa-bint-abu-bakr/.

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