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Among the most courageous and famous women in Islamic history stands Asma Bint Abu Bakr (RA), a woman of unbreakable faith and resilience. She was a loving daughter and sister, a strong wife and mother, and one of the first Muslims in Islam.
In this blog, you’ll uncover the remarkable story of Asma Bint Abu Bakr (RA) and how her unwavering courage and deep faith made her a symbol of inspiration in Islam.
Asma (RA) was born to the blessed family of Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), who was the companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Her mother was Quatayla Bint Abd al-Uzza who did not embrace Islam.
She had one full brother, Abdullah Bin Abu Bakr, and two half-sisters, Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (RA) and Umm Kulthum Bint Abu Bakr (RA). According to historians like Ibn Kathir and Ibn Asakir, Asma (RA) was ten years older than Aisha (RA) but according to Al-Dhahabi, the age difference was between thirteen and fifteen years.
Another notable fact about her is that she was among the earliest to accept Islam. She is listed as the fifteenth person on Ibn Ishaq’s list of those who embraced Islam at Abu Bakr's (RA) invitation, as recorded in A Translation of Ishaq’s Sirat Rasul Allah.
Asma (RA) is widely considered one of the great women of Islamic history due to her remarkable strength, leadership, strong faith, and invaluable contributions to the cause of Islam, further explored below:
She married Zubayr Ibn al-Awwam (RA), a relative of the Prophet (PBUH). Zubayr (RA) was also one of the companions who were given glad tidings of entering Jannah (paradise) by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). At the start of her married life, Asma (RA) was very poor and had to work hard to help her husband. She would bake bread, clean their home, and even take care of their horse all by herself.
Asma Bint Abu Bakr (RA) narrated that when she married Zubayr (RA), he had no real property, slaves, or possessions apart from a camel used for drawing water and his horse. She would carry date stones on her head from Zubayr’s (RA) land, which was given to him by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and was about two miles away from their home.
One day, while carrying date stones, Asma (RA) met the Prophet (PBUH) and some Ansari people. He invited her to ride on his camel, but she felt shy, thinking of Zubayr’s (RA) sense of ghira (protective nature). Noticing her shyness, the Prophet (PBUH) continued without insisting. When she told this to her husband, he replied,
“By Allah, your carrying the date stones (and you being seen by the Prophet (PBUH) in such a state) is more shameful to me than your riding with him."
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 5224)
This incident highlights her deep devotion and thoughtful nature as a wife. She supported her husband wholeheartedly, taking care of everything from managing the house to looking after the horse. She remains an inspiring figure for all who value faith, resilience, and loyalty in their relationships.
Asma (RA) always prayed to Allah with full concentration. Her husband, Zubayr (RA), once shared that when he returned home one day, he found Asma (RA) engaged in prayer, weeping and repeating the words from the Quran over and over:
"But Allah has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of the Fire."
(Surah Tur, Verse 27)
Seeing her so absorbed in her prayers, Zubayr (RA) quietly left the house and went to the market. When he returned much later, he found her still lost in her prayer.
This incident reminds everyone to pray with focus and devotion. One way to improve concentration in your salah would be to create an environment for prayer. Check out these hand-selected collections of prayer mats to help make your prayer time more comfortable and meaningful!
Another example of her deep concern for her Iman (faith) and commitment to living by Islamic values is when her mother Qutayla (who was a pagan) came to visit Asma (RA). She asked Allah's Apostle (seeking his verdict),
"My mother has come to me and she desires to receive a reward from me, shall I keep good relations with her?"
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
"Yes, keep a good relation with her. "
(Sahih Al-Bukhari 2620)
Asma Bint Abu Bakr (RA) played an important role when the Prophet (PBUH) and her father, Abu Bakr (RA), were migrating from Makkah to Madinah. Before the Prophet (PBUH) moved to Madinah, the leaders of the Quraysh tribe planned to kill him. They hid in the Cave of Thawr, about three miles from Makkah, for three nights while their enemies searched everywhere for them.
During this time, the beloved daughter of Abu Bakr (RA) provided them with food and water. She was given the title of Dhat An-Nitaqayn (the woman with two belts) by the Prophet (PBUH) because she actually took her belt and split it into two pieces. Then, she tied one to each side of the camel in order to deliver food and water to them.
While the Quraysh were searching for the Prophet (PBUH) and Abu Bakr (RA), Abu Jahl came to her house furiously and forced her to reveal the place where the Prophet (PBUH) and her father were hiding. She kept silent and faced him bravely. He couldn’t make her confess. He slapped her so violently that her earrings fell off, but she remained firm. In the end, he could do nothing and had to leave her house with anger.
Asma (RA) migrated to Madinah along with her stepsister Aisha (RA) and her stepmother Umm Roman (RA). She was pregnant when she joined the Muslim community in Madinah and gave birth to her son, Abdullah ibn Zubayr (RA), who became the first newborn Muslim in the city.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) placed Abdullah (RA) on his lap and performed the Sunnah of Al-Tahnik, where he chewed dates and gently rubbed them on the baby’s palate. Asma (RA) and her family felt immense joy and pride in that special moment. (Sahih Muslim 2146b)
Asma (RA) was extremely courageous and brave by nature. During the Battle of Yarmouk, she even picked up a sword and fought alongside the Muslim warriors. The Muslims were greatly outnumbered by the Romans, but some women and children joined the battle to support the army. Asma (RA) was among those who stood fearlessly with the Muslims and drove the Byzantine forces out of Syria.
Not only Asma (RA) was a brave woman but also a strong mother. At around 100 years old, she witnessed a tragic moment involving her son, Abdullah Ibn Zubayr (R.A.). There was a situation when many of Abdullah’s (RA) supporters retreated and he came to his beloved mother to seek advice about whether he should give up or not. She replied, ‘A dignified strike with a sword is better than a humiliating lash of a whip. Keep fighting for the truth.’
So he returned to the battlefield with a renewed spirit and fought bravely. However, because his men were outnumbered, he was martyred while fighting courageously. The cruel Al-Hajjaj hung his body on the road of Madinah, leading to Makkah (reported by Abu Naufal). Al-Hajjaj came to her and said, ‘How do you find what I have done with him?’ She said,
“I find that you wronged him in this world, whereas he has spoiled your next life.”
(Sahih Muslim 2545)
After hearing this, Al-Hajjaj left her home silently.
The Prophet (PBUH) taught that the greatest form of Jihad is a word of truth in the face of a tyrant. Asma (RA) showed this courage throughout her life. During the migration of the Prophet (PBUH) to Madinah, She stood up to Abu Jahl, a powerful enemy of Islam. Then, at the age of 100, she faced Al-Hajjaj, one of the most cruel tyrants the Ummah had ever seen, and again spoke the truth, not fearing anyone but Allah.
Asma Bint Abu Bakr (RA) was almost 100 years old when she died in Makkah, several days after her son was martyred in 73 AH. She is buried in Jannat al-Mu’allah, a cemetery in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Curious to learn about more brave and inspiring women in Islam? Read this blog on famous Muslim women in history to discover their extraordinary contributions to Islam!
Asma’s (RA) commitment to the cause of Islam and her resilience in the face of adversity earned her a lasting place in the annals of Islamic history. Her notable role unfolded during the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Madinah and then, on the death of her son on the path of truth.
Her legacy inspires Muslims to embrace courage and steadfastness in pursuing their faith. Her story remains a source of motivation for those navigating challenges on their journey of devotion to Islam.
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