Asma Bint Umays – An Epitome Of Perseverance

Asma Bint Umays was a woman of endurance and great understanding and was amongst those Makkans who made Hijrah to Abyssinia. An honor and privilege that not all were granted.

Her first husband was, Ja’far Ibn Abu Taalib, from the Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe. The Prophet gave him the nickname ‘Father of the Poor’ due to his generosity and giving nature.

Though they had just married, both Asma and Ja’far decided to leave their hometown Makkah and flee to Abyssinia where they would settle to safeguard themselves and their religion.

Their new marriage did not prevent them from taking this big step; rather together they came to a collective decision to set off on this journey, where they would travel thousands of miles away from their home. Thus, their honeymoon was spent in struggle and perseverance. For although they loved each other, loved Allah more.

When news reached them that Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم had established himself in Madinah, they rushed to be in his company. However, when they arrived, to their dismay, the Prophet of Allah and his companions has already left for Khaybar.

They were tired and exhausted, yet no complaint left their lips and so they too decided to embark on the journey towards khaybar. They were enduring and patient and together made a great team who struggled together for the sake of Allah. When they arrived, it was too late, the battle had already been fought and the Khaybar had been conquered. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم is reported to have then said;“I do not know for which I should be happier: the conquest of Khaybar or the arrival of Ja’far and his fellow emigrants who have just arrived from Abyssinia!”

Asma patiently lived in Abyssinia for fifteen years, wherein she had her child Abdullah. She managed her roles well; as a wife to one of the greatest sahaba, a mother to three children, raising them in a country so foreign to her. Yet, she was strong-willed and steadfast, and all these experiences were preparing her for the test to come.

In the Battle of Mutah, her husband, Ja’far was martyred in the path of Allah. His hand were cuts off whilst he was carrying the flag and it is said that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم later narrated to his companions, that Allah replaced his hands with wings with which he could fly however he wished in Paradise.

Asma’s tears wouldn’t dry. She was overwhelmed, hurt and heartbroken. She never ceased crying until the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم visited her which is narrated by Abdullah ibn Ja’far (one of the sons of Asma and Ja’far):

“The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم gave Ja’far’s family some time to mourn over his death and then visited them saying, ‘Do not cry over my brother after this day.’ He then said, ‘Bring the children of my brother to me,’ and we were brought to him like young birds. He then said, ‘Call the barber for me!’ And the barber came and shaved our heads.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم then said, “As for Muhammed (one of Ja’far’s brothers), he looks like our uncle Abu Talib, as for ‘Abdullah he resembles me. O Allah! Be the supporter of Ja’far’s family and bless ‘Abdullah (his son) in the transactions undertaken by his hands.” The Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him, repeated this three times.

Then our mother came and mentioned how her children were now orphans and began crying. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said to her, “Asma, are your afraid of poverty for them while I am their guardian in this world and in the hereafter?”

Asma then devoted her time in the upbringing of her children. Showering them with love and care and teaching them the true meaning of endurance and strength. However, Asma was an all rounder, motherhood didn’t prevent her from shining her other talents. She specialized in dream interpreting, and this was gift from Allah upon her.

Soon later, and after the death of the wife of Abu Bakr, Asma remarried, to the first man who accepted Islam, and the one who supported the Prophet (s) from day one of his mission; Abu Bakr as Siddiq himself.  She had a son with Abu Bakr named Muhammad and upheld all her duties and responsibilities as a devout and righteous wife.

However, soon, she was made a widow again. Abu Bakr (r) and due to his immense love for her, told her to wash his body at his death and so she fulfilled his wish.

The story doesn’t stop there. Asma soon became the women who married the two khalifahs, as not long later, she became the wife of Ali Ibn Abi Taalib and with him she had, ‘Awn.

She was also extremely intelligent. One time, her sons Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr and Muhammad Ibn Ja’far were boasting with each other, each one saying that their father was better. Ali was present and so asked Asma to be the judge. She replied intelligently,

“I have never seen a young man better than Ja’far, and I have never seen a middle-aged man better than Abu Bakr.”

‘Ali then jokingly asked, “What have you then left for us?”

So what do we learn from the life of Asma?

• When Allah takes something from your possession, he will always grant you better. We learn this from the death of her husband Ja’far, though he was also a great man, his passing away wasn’t the end for Asma, Allah replaced her with someone else, someone who was the closes to the Prophet of Allah, Abu Bakr.

• Be an all rounder! Asma’s role was not limited to being a wife or mother. She strived to do her best in all other aspects too. Whether it was dream interpretation or struggling in the path of Allah, or Hijrah, she did her best.

• Asma endured and sacrificed. And it was due to her strength and trust in Allah that she was able to get through it all. She never lost hope and remained steadfast, welcoming the god-sent gifts into her life and upholding all her duties to the best of her ability.

May Allah be pleased with Asma and her family and grant us their companionship in Jannah, Ameen.

                                         (article published on www.inkoffaith.com)

Mannerisms Before Knowledge [The vision of Umm Imam Shafi]

Imam Shafi's mother was someone who had high aspirations for her child. At the age of two, she took him on a journey to Makkah to begin his studies. Imam Shafi' at one point, was away from home for 2 years, studying and teaching elsewhere. He decided later to return home to his mother, and when he reached the house, he knocked on the door.

She asked: "What are you coming back with?" (i.e - what have you learnt/become?)

He replied: "I have come with knowledge (ilm) and mannerisms (adab)."

She then said: "Go back, for you haven't come back with anything."

Imam Shafi' was surprised. His mother had exerted so much effort into his learning, and he had done his utmost best, yet she had failed to recognise it. So he went to Imam Malik and told him what his mother had said.

Imam Malik replied to him with the most beautiful words:

"When you go back, tell her you've come back with mannerisms (adab) and knowledge (ilm.)" (i.e - adab - good character *always* comes before knowledge)

And so he did, and his mother opened the door and took him into her embrace. 

You know... they say, "Behind every great man is a woman"? Imam Shafi's uprbinging reminds me of just that. 

#‎SimplyBeautiful‬

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Forgotten Heroines [Hafsah Bint Sireen, and her mother Safiyyah]

One of the greatest scholars from amongst the taabi'een was a man by the name of, Muhammad Ibn Sireen. It is said that his mother, Safiyyah, was one of the most prominent women scholars at that time who would teach Ibn Sireen and her other children. Safiyyah was born into slavery, such that know one even knew the name of her father, neither did she know her parents. When Islam began to spread, Abu Bakr, freed Safiyyah and she became one of his rare students. Even after he passed away, Safiyyah continued to learn and study from Ayesha. She was such a noble woman, that Ibn Katheer said [paraphrased], "There is no Janazah in history after the Janazah of Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam, where they had that many noble people attend." It is narrated that Ubayy ibn Ka'ab led her Janazah and three of the mothers of the believers, who were alive at that time, attended her funeral.

Safiyyah had a daughter called Hafsah Bint Sireen, who would learn so much from her mother. Due to this righteous upbringing, that she memorised the entire Qur'an by the age of 10, had mastered all the Qira'aa by the age of 12, and was so knowledgeable in hadith that even her brothers would study under her, including Muhammad Ibn Sireen, who is said to be the greatest scholar of that time.

"I've not met anyone more knowledgeable than Hafsah " - A Tabi'ee

#ForgottenHeroines

A Pure Union [Aasim bin Umar Al-Khattab and Umm Layla]

Once Umar Ibn Al Khattab was with his son, patrolling the streets of Madinah, making sure everyone was well. As he was walking with his son, Aslam, they stopped outside a house wherein a mother and daughter were immersed in a conversation.

Umar (ra) heard the mother tell her daughter to add water to milk, so that it increases in quantity so that they could sell it and make more profit on it. At that time, the mother or daughter were unaware that Umar (ra) was listening, and so the mother spoke saying, "Where is Umar right now?" (i.e - he isn't watching so go ahead and do it.) However, the daughter was someone who feared Allah, and so she replied obediently saying: "O my mother, I am not going to obey him in public and disobey him in private. If Umar did not see, then the Lord of Umar sees us right now." 

After hearing this, Umar (ra) was deeply impressed. He ordered his son Aslam to mark the house so they could return later. He then went home and gathered his sons, and asked, "Which one of you is not married yet?" One of his son's whose name was, Aaasim, replied that he was not yet married. Thus, Umar (ra) sent Aslam to enquire more about the girl and her family, for his brother. He discovered that the girl was not married and so was available, and that she lived alone with her widowed mother.

As soon as Aslam returned, Umar (ra) took his son Aaasim to the woman's house so that he could propose to her for marriage. Soon, they were married. It is narrated that Aasim's wife gave birth to a daughter called Layla, who later also married and gave birth to the amazing, Umar Ibn Abdul 'Azeez.

Layla bint Aasim, the mother of Umar Ibn Abdul Azeez was a women who promoted justice. She was married to Abdullah Ibn Azeez bin Marwaan, who was a powerful authority at that time. Yet she always reminded him to be fair and just in his dealings. As a result, Umar ibn Al Azeez was raised in a household of peace, justice, fairness and tranquility. May Allah be pleased with them all.

Lesson: The woman who married the daughter of Umar bin Al-Khattab is an example and role model for us all. Her Taqwa in Allah caused her to be raised in ranked and honoured in this world and the next. Her marriage stemmed from a pure intention and the Taqwa of Allah. The purity of the reunion continued throughout their progeny, and from their offspring rised the next leader of the Muslims, and a man who till today, remains famous for his sincere dedication to serve the deen of Allah and lead it to victory. Marrying a righteous spouse, working together in righteousness, and in raising righteous children, will result in a righteous and beneficial legacy, inshaAllah.

The Child Scholar ['Abdullah Ibn Abbas]

So there's an amazing book I once read about the child companions around the Messenger (salallahu alayhi wasallam). It was a beautiful book which highlighted the piety, taqwa, maturity and intelligence of the children at the time of the rise of Islam.

Today, I wanted to just discuss one of those companions. His name was Abdullah ibn Abbas who was born three years before the Hijrah. At the time ofthe Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam)'s death, he was only 13 years old.

Yet, he was able to accomplish so much before the messenger of Allah passed away. When Abdullah reached the age of discretion he attached himself to the service of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam), he would rush to fetch water for him to make wudhu with, and at other times he would stand behind the Prophet in prayer and accompany him on his journeys. Such that he became the shadow of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam).

As he grew physically, he also grew in his knowledge of the deen. He would rush to seek knowledge. He was a child who was enthusiastic and whose heart was pure and uncluttered allowing him to commit the Prophets words to memory.

The Prophet would often draw Abdullah Ibn Abbas close to him and make a beautiful Du'aa for him. He would say,"O Lord, make him acquire a deep understanding of the religion of Islam and instruct him in the meaning and interpretation of things."

And undoubtedly, his Du'aa was accepted.

Abdullah Ibn Abbas became one of the most learned and knoweldgeble men. People, young and old, would go to him to ask him for a matter pertaining to a religion, and he would answer in accordance of what he learnt from attending the assemblies of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wasallam) when he was alive.

As Abdullah's knowledge grew, he grew in inner beauty as well as outer beauty. Masruq ibn al Ajda said of him: "Whenever I saw Ibn Abbas, I would say: He is the most handsome of men. When he spoke, I would say: He is the most eloquent of men. And when he held a conversation, I would say: He is the most knowledgeable of men."

My question is, where are the Abdullah ibn Abbas's of our Ummah? Do we, or our children even know of these child companions who dedicated their childhood, youth and adulthood in learning and spreading the deen?

Lets have high aspirations for our children and lets educate them about these beautiful people, so they aspire to be like them, inshaAllah.

The Most Touching Conversation In The Seerah [Asmaa and Abdullah Ibn Zubayr]

Recently, I have been going through the Greatest Mums of all times series, and in there, one of the Ustaadh's mentioned a beautiful story about a beautiful woman, wife, mother and servant of Allah. It is said to be one of the most touching conversations between a mother and son ever to be recorded in the Seerah, and one which is sure to bring tears to your eyes, and will cause your hairs to stand on end.

It is no other than the story of Asmaa bint Abi Bakr and her son, Abdullah Ibn az Zubayr.

Asmaa was a woman who lived a life of great struggle. Even pre-marriage, she was known for playing a prominent role in the Hijrah. Her role was to tie the food of her father, Abu Bakr and Rasulullah (salallahu alayhi wasallam) with two belts, which she wore around her waist. Thus, she became known as "Dhaatun-Niqaatain" - 'The Woman with the two waist belts.' Due to this act of goodness, it is said that she will be recompensed with two waist belts (pieces of cloth) in Jannah.

Even when she married Az Zubayr, she worked hard day and night. She married him despite the fact he had no land, no wealth and no servant. She says in a hadith narrated by Bukhari, that she would graze her husbands) horse and camel, she would ground the flour, and do all the other chores. She wasn't very good at baking bread, so she would get some women from the neighbourhood to help her with the task. She worked so hard that once when Abu Bakr gave her a maid, and she felt as though she had been freed from slavery.

Now, I want to fast forward to a 100 year old, Asmaa bint Abu Bakr, and I want you to imagine you are witnessing this conversation between her, and her son Abdullah.

The Ummayyadh caliphate at that time was Al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf. He was a cruel and tough leader who set out to kill Az-Zubayr, someone who dedicated his life to the service of Islam.

Now, just before he was killed, a conversation took place between Abdullah and his mother, and it goes as follows...

[Paraphrased]

Abdullah is just moments away from being killed, and before he leaves, he decides to speak to his mother for the last time. Still unsure and doubtful of whether he should leave, he, goes and consults his mother for her advice. He says:

"O Umm, what do you think I should do?" (i.e - should I surrender?)

Asmaa, his old, weak and frail mother, whose heart was flooded with strength and bravery, replies to her son with a most powerful statement, by saying:

"Wallahi! A dignified strike with a sword is more beloved to me than a humiliating lash of a whip!"

So Abdullah smiles at his mother and continues to take heed to her words. She goes on to say:

"All Praise is due to Allah who put you upon that which is beloved to Him, and that which is beloved to me."

"Come closer to me, O my son, let me sense your smell for the last time."

Now, just close your eyes and imagine this. An old woman, of a hundred years old, is requesting to hold her son for the last time, knowing that this was last time she would ever see, touch and smell him. The son who was the coolness of her eyes, and a delight to her heart.

So Abdullah comes closer and embraces his old mother with a hug. Whilst doing so, Abdullah lowers himself to kiss her hands, her feet and her forehead. As he does this, Asmaa's frail hands touches Abdullah's shield, and so she says to him:

"What is this you're wearing, my son?"

Abdullah then replies,

"O Umma, its a shield, its armour"

He said, “I am afraid I will be mutilated by the people of Sham, I am afraid that they will cut up my body after they have killed me”

And the brave Asmaa then cries,

"After someone has died it won’t make any difference what they do to you if you have been killed.”
(i.e - So what if he mutilates you! You are standing up for the truth!)

Abdullah, with a heart of honesty, then replies,

"I did not come to you except to increase myself in knowledge.” 
(He is also reported to have said, "I wore it so that you could be comfortable.")

She says:

"This is not the way a person who was seeking the pleasure of Allah should dress."

Abdullah then takes off his armour, obeying his mothers request and advice.

She then looks to him and says,

"Tighten your Siwaar." (so that his awrah doesn't expose when he's killed)

Look at what she was concerned with! She was ready to accept her son as a martyr but did not want his Awrah to be exposed in the process!

So Abdullah tightenes his siwaar, again obeying his mothers request.

As Abdullah gets up to walk away, his 100 year old mother, Asmaa, the daughter of Abu Bakr, a woman who lived a life of great hardship and toil, watches him as he leaves.

So he stops and turns to his mother. Imagine how Abdullah must be feeling. He just said a farewell to his mother, knowing that this was probably the last time they would ever meet. Similarly  she gazes at her son, the one she carried for months long, the one she raised, the one who served her and loved her, and here he was, walking away from het loving embrace and towards his death.

And so it is reported that he turns back to her and requests her her Du'aa,

i.e - "Make Du'aa for me"

At this moment, imagine the emotions? The heaviness that he must have felt in his heart. The lump in his throat, the tears in his eyes. Imagine all this. Yet, he knew that if anything, it was his mothers incredible and powerful Du'aa that would benefit him. He was doing this for a just cause, for the honour of Islam, and so despite the feelings of sadness right then, he would continue to fight for the truth, even if that meant parting with his beloved.

Asmaa, after hearing this, immediately raises her weak hands to the sky, and makes Du'aa for her son. 

A short while later, Hajjaj crucified him and said, "No one must put down his body except Asmaa (radiallaahu anha ), she must come to me and ask permission of me and only then will his body be put down”.

Asmaa (radiallahu anha.) refused to go and ask permission to put down her sons body and it was said to her,

“if you don’t go his body will remain like that.” So she said ” let it be then”.

Until eventually, Hajjaj came to her and said,

“what do you say about this matter” and she said,

"Verily you have destroyed him you have ruined his life and with that you have ruined your hereafter.”

It is said that Asmaa would spend so much of her time in worship and dhikr after her son's death. Not long after her son's martyrdom, Allah took her soul too, whilst she was in her Salaah. It is also reported that Az-Zubayr's family, all died whilst they were in Salaah. A noble family, a noble progeny, and a noble ending. May Allah be pleased with them and shower His mercy upon the family of Zubayr.

A Forgotten Heroin [Nusaybah Bint Kaab]

Picture taken from occupiedpalestine.wordpress.com

Umm Ammaarah, also known as Nusaybah Bint Kaab is a true heroin in Islam. A warrior whose love for Allah and His Messenger outshone every other love.

I want you to imagine this scene.

It was the Battle of Uhud, and Nusaybah Ibn Ka'b was standing besides Fatimah bint Muhammad (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). They, and a few other sahaabiyat had volunteered to treat the wounded and injured warriors in this battle.

There was moment in the battle when Nusaybah decided to approach the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in order to serve him a vessel of water. As she came near, she saw the disbelievers chanting that the Prophet had been killed. She says, that as soon as she heard and saw the Prophet being attacked, she dropped her vessel of water and then her gaze fell upon one of the Muslims, who was running away from the battle-field instead of defending the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam). So she used her strength and grabbed his armour and sword and stripped it off him due to her fury. She then got the sword and charged into where the Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was being attacked. She narrates that she never knew how to use a sword, and had never used one in her life. Yet, she wielded the sword left and right as to strike anyone who would come close to the Prophet of Allah.

The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) says, that at that moment, he saw Umm Amaarah wielding her sword right and left in order to defend him. So he praised her for this.

One of the disbelievers known as Abdullah Ibn Qamee'a, ran into the crowd and struck Nusaybah between her neck and shoulder, and she suffered from a deep cut The Prophet (Salallahu Alayhi Wasallam) upon seeing this said. "O, Ibn Umm Ammaarah! Ummuk, Ummuk!" Meaning, O the son of Nusaybah, (Habeeb), your mother, your Mother!

After the Battle, whilst Nusaybah is laying down, healing from her deep wound and in pain, she turns to the Prophet (Salallahu alayhi wasallam), and says: "Make Du'aa that we get your companionship in Jannah." Rasulullah (Salallahu alayi wasallam) raises his hands and says: "O Allah make them ( the family) my companions in Jannah." Umm Ammaarah (Nusaybah) then smiled and said: "I swear by Allah, I don't care what happens to me now in Dunya!"

‪#‎ForgottenHeroins‬