Asma' was the daughter of Abu Bakr Ibn Abi Quhafah and the wife of al­Zubayr Ibn 'Awwam (the cousin of the Messenger of God). Her mother was Qutaylah or Qutalah Bint 'Abd al-'Uzza Ibn As'ad Ibn... 'Amir Ibn Lu'ay. She was born 27 years before the Prophet's (S) migration to al-Madinah. She was ten years older than her sister, 'A'ishah. She was also the sister of 'Abdullah Ibn Abi Bakr from the same mother and father. She was the mother of 'Abdullah and 'Urwah the sons of al-Zubayr. She passed away several days after the martyrdom of her son Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr in the month of Jumada al-Ula in the year 73 A.H. when she was 100 years old. None of her teeth had fallen out before her death, and she was still able to think clearly.1

Her Merits

Asma' was the 18th person to become Muslim.2 She pledged allegiance to the Messenger of God (S) and had a strong faith. She migrated to al-Madinah when she was pregnant with 'Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr. He was born in Quba. Her father divorced her mother because she had remained an unbeliever. A sign of Asma’s strong faith may be seen in the fact that when her mother came to her with gifts, Asma' did not accept. However, when her mother went to 'A'ishah, 'A'ishah accepted her.3

When the Messenger of God (S) wanted to migrate to al-Madinah, Asma' prepared some food. She found nothing to put it in, so she divided her waistband in two. She used one of these halves as a tablecloth to wrap the food in. The Messenger of God (S) named her the 'inherent waistband'. He told her, "May God give you two waistbands in Heaven in return for your waistband here."4

Asma' was a brave woman. She participated in the events at Yarmuk alongside her husband al-Zubayr. She had hid a sword under her head in defense of her life and wealth from the thieves. Her determination, willpower, strength of character, and bravery may be seen from her words to her son 'Abdullah when she was 100 years of age. When 'Abdullah came to his mother after being defeated by al-Hajjaj, she told him, "Live and die with dignity."

She was a generous woman who continuously encouraged the women from her family to give charity. She would say, "Don't sit around waiting for your wealth to increase. Know that if you give charity, your wealth will increase."

Ibn Sa'd5 has narrated about 26 traditions about her worship, behavior with the enemies, and her various deeds.6 In discussing the marriage of Fatimah ('a) and 'Ali ('a), al-Majlisi has written from the book by Ibn Mardawayh, "Asma' Bint 'Umays stayed with Fatimah ('a) on her wedding night according to the wishes of Khadijah ('a). The Messenger of God (S) came to visit them on the following night. Asma' opened the door and the Prophet (S) entered. He asked how they were and prayed for them much. He then ordered Asma' to leave and said, 'May God give you a good reward. '"7

Asma' Bint 'Umays was in Abyssinia during the marriage of Fatimah ('a) with 'Ali ('a) in the year 2 A.H. Therefore, she couldn't have been present in al­Madinah at that time. Some scholars believe that Asma' Bint Abi Bakr was present during this ceremony. And, they show her bond with the family of the messenger in this way. More discussion on this subject can be found under the name of Salma Bint 'Umays.

Shaykh al-Tusi, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, Ibn al-Athir, Ibn Hajar, and Mirza Astarabadi have counted her among the companions and transmitters of traditions of the Messenger of God (S).8 Mamqani9 has said she is a transmitter of traditions, and then he continues, "Her condition is unclear to me (as to whether her traditions are reliable or not).10

'Umar Ridha Kahhalah has written, "She was one of the great and distinguished women of those who migrated from Makkah, wise, logical, a writer, a rhetorician, and possessed strength of character.11

She related traditions from the Messenger of God (S). 'Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr (her son), al-Zubayr Ibn Hamzah Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr, 'Abbad Ibn 'Abdullah, 'Abdullah Ibn 'Urwah Ibn al-Zubayr, Fatimah Bint Mundhir Ibn al­Zubayr, 'Abdullah Ibn Kaysan, Safiyyah Bint Shaybah, 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas, Muslim al-Ma'arri, Abu Nawfal Ibn Abi 'Aqrab al-Kinani, 'Abdullah Ibn Abi­Malikah, Wahab Ibn Kaysan, and 'Urwah Ibn al-Zubayr (her son), and others have narrated traditions from her.

Al-Tabarsi12 has related a tradition from Sa'id Ibn al-Musayyab from Asma' Bint Abi Bakr about the meaning of Surah al-Masad that she said, "When this chapter was revealed, al-'Awra' Umm Jamil the daughter of Harb Ibn Umayyah entered while she was saying woe to me and creating an uproar. There was a rock in her hand and she said, "We disobey Muhammad, oppose his religion, and break the rules. The Prophet (S) was sitting in the mosque with Abu Bakr. When Abu Bakr saw Umm Jamil he said..."13

Shaykh al-Saduq14 relates from Fatimah Bint al-Husayn ('a) based on a reliable source from Asma' Bint Abi Bakr from Safiyyah Bint 'Abd al-Muttalib that she said, "When al-Husayn came out from the womb of his mother, I was responsible for helping her (Fatimah). The Prophet (S) said, 'Aunt, bring my son to me.' I said, 'O Messenger of God, I haven't cleaned him yet.' He asked, 'Aunt, you will clean him? God the Almighty has made him clean and pure.'15

Asma' has related 58 traditions from the Messenger of God (S) and the al-Sihah al-Sittah (the six most reliable Sunni reference books of Hadith) have related these traditions.16 Ibn Hajar relying on his sources has related traditions from Fatimah Bint Mundhir from Asma' which are given under the listing for Fatimah.17 A tradition from Asma' Bint Abi Bakr has been related in the book of Mustadrak al-Wasail.18

• 1. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 1, p. 52.
• 2. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 392.
• 3. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 252; A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 1, p. 47. Even though Kahhalah mentions Asma’s not accepting her mother a sign of her strong belief, we must not forget that the Holy Qur'an has encouraged us to be kind and gentle with our mothers and fathers even if they are unbelievers. It is written, "... and keep company with them in this world kindly..." [Surah Luqman, 15]. And, in another place it is written, "And we have enjoined on man goodness to his parents..." [Surah al- 'Ankabut, 8]. Therefore, impiety to parents is unacceptable by Islamic teachings. However, this may have occurred before the revelation of these Qur'anic verses, and Asma' did not accept to see her mother because of her strong faith and affection for Islam and the Messenger of God (S).
• 4. This waistband (nitaq) was a piece of material which the women wore. The outer part covered down to their knees, and the inner part covered down to the floor. (Lughatnamah Dihkhuda).
• 5. Abu 'Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Sa'd Ibn Mani' was an author renown as Ibn Sa'd (168-230 A.H.L). He was born in al-Basrah, and passed away in Baghdad. He wrote the book al-Tabaqat al-Kubra. He taught in Baghdad.
• 6. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, pp. 250-255. Ibn Sa'd has related 26 traditions about Asma' Bint Abi Bakr's virtues. However, concerning Lady Khadijah ('a) and Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' ('a) he has not done so, even though historians and transmitters of traditions have discussed in depth the virtues of these two women.
• 7. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 117.
• 8. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 33; al-Jami 'fil-'Ilal wa Ma'rifat al-Rijal, p. 244; Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1781; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 392; al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 224; Minhaj al-Maqal, p. 400.
• 9. 'Abdullah Ibn Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan Mamqani (1290-1351 A.H.L) was knowledgeable in various sciences. He was born and passed away in Najaf. He was the author of many books such as, Tanqih al-Maqal fi 'Ilm Rijal (three volumes). [Mu’jam al-Mu'allifin].
• 10. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 69.
• 11. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 1, pp. 47 and 49.
• 12. Al-Fadl Ibn al-Hasan Ibn al-Fadl al-Tabarsi al-Tusi was from the city of Sabzawar in Iran. He passed away in the year 548 A.H.L. He was Shi'ite commentator on the Qur'an, and knowledgeable in some other sciences. Some of his works include, Majma' al­ Bayan fi 'Ulum al-Qur'an, I’lam al-Wara bi-Alam al-Huda, and others. [Mu'jam al­Mu'allifin].
• 13. Majma' al-Bayan, vol. 5, p. 560; I'lam al-Wara, p. 29; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 18, p. 176.
• 14. Abu Ja'far Muhammad Ibn 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn Ibn Musa Ibn Babawayh al-Saduq al­Qummi (306 - 381 A.H.L) was born because of the prayer of Imam al-Mahdi ('aj). The family of Babawayh was renowned for its scholarly attributes and virtues. He was the author of many works such as, Man La Yahduruhu'l-Faqih (4 volumes), al-Khisal, al­Amali, and others.
• 15. Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq, p. 136; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 243.
• 16. A'lam al-Nisa", vol. 1, p. 48; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 397.
• 17. Al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 230.
• 18. Mustadrak al-Wasa'il, vol. 10, p. 410.