Women of Pakistan

Women in Islam

A Devout Muslim Lady

Holding a prominent place in the history of Islam, Syeda Asma (R.A), the daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (R.A), was amongst the early few who accepted Islam. Later, for her immense devotion to the Messenger of Allah and his Deen (religion), Allah blessed her with some special qualities. One of them was her miraculous touch to water. When the people having fever would come to her she would sprinkle water on them and they would immediately recover. Besides her devotion, the history of Islam remembers her as a very courageous lady who remained form on Islam throughout her long and challenging years of life.

At the time of Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) migration to Madina, when the Quraishs of Makkah were charged against the Messenger of Allah and the Muslims, she showed a great courage to brace the odds. On the eve of migration to Madina, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had Hazrat Ali (R.A) sleep on his bed and in the midnight he left while the infidels, who had come to kill him, stood surrounding his house. Allah did not let them see the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He went to Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique’s house to proceed to Madina with him. Asma (R.A) had prepared food for them, which she put in a bag and the water in a leather bag; she looked around for a string to tie the food and water bags but could not find one. To save time, she untied her waistband that the Arab women used to tie on their shirts in those days. She made two pieces of it and tied both the bags. Pleased at Asma’s feat, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) called her “Zaat-un-Taqeen”, a title that remained with her till she died.”

In the morning when the infidels did not find the Holy Prophet (PBUH), their leader Abu Jehl not only manhandled Hazrat Ali (R.A) but rushed to Hazrat Abu Bakar’s house in this pursuit. When Asma (R.A) opened the door at his knock he asked her where her father was. “What could I say?” replied Asma (R.A), without any fear. Enraged at her answer, he slapped her so hard that her earring come off and he left the place.

Hazrat Abu Bakar’s father Uthman Abi Qahafah who was blind and had not accepted Islam yet was at home. Hearing the commotion at his door, he thought that Abu Bakar had left with all his money leaving them alone and helpless. He asked Asma (R.A) to see what he had left for them. Using her intelligence, Asma (R.A) immediately wrapped some stone in a cloth and put them in the niche where Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (R.A) used to keep his money and jewelry. To console her grandfather, she then asked him to check for himself that her father had left some money for them also. After fumbling the stone-packet he was satisfied. Asma did not panic at all that her father had taken all the money with him. For Islam, like her father, she was ready to give any sacrifice.

Born twenty-seven years before the migration of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Asma (R.A) and her brother Abdullah were from the same mother called Qateelah binte Abdul Uzzah. Her younger sister Ayesha (R.A) (who later became Umm-ul-Momineen) was from the other wife of Hazrat Abu Bakar, Umme Romaan. Asma (R.A) was married (in 5 Nabvi year) to Zubair bin Awam who was not only the nephew of Syeda Khadijah (R.A) and cousin of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) but also one of those ten luckiest Sahaba who were given the glad tidings of going to Jannah by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) himself.

After some time when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) got settled in Madina, Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddique (R.A) called his family also. For quite some time no Muslim woman in Madina had given birth to any child.

In order to defame the new faith, the Jews of Madina spread a rumor that they had put the Muslims under a magic spell (black magic) to prevent the Muslim women for having children. Nevertheless, in 1 Hijra, Allah gave a baby boy to Asma (R.A), Abdullah bin Zubair, who became the first Muslim baby born in Madina after the migration. This brought the boasting of the Jews to end.

Later, an unfortunate event took place in her life. After living a very happy and contented married life, she was divorced. It is narrated that on some matter Hazrat Zubair got angry with her. She called her son Abdullah for help. Hazrat Zubair warned his son that if he entered his room, his mother would be divorced. Abdullah nevertheless entered the room to help his mother and by the condition she was divorced. Abdullah started living with his mother in a separate house. However, even after divorce, Asma (R.A) could not forget the qualities of her husband and would often remember him.

As a mother, Asma (R.A) showed an unusual courage during the period when her son Abdullah faced political turmoil. After the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain (R.A) and death of Yazid bin Muawiyah, the people of Hejaz, Iraq and Egypt elected him as their Caliph in 66 Hijra. The Umayyads in Syria did not accept him as the caliph and a struggle for the power started. Till 73 Hijra, Abdullah kept fighting on two fronts – Umayyads on one side and Mukhtar bin Abi Ubaid Saqfi on the other side. Both kept on claiming the caliphate. When Abdul Malik bin Marwan took over the power in Damascus, he decided, to day away with Abdullah and gave the task of removing him to his most cruel general Hajjaj bin Yousuf.

Hajjaj surrounded Makkah in 72 Hijra (Dhul Hajj). For six months Abdllah continued fighting with him and did not let him capture Makkah. However, when Hajjaj stopped the incoming food-supply to Makkah, the people could not resist. He installed manjneeques (stone balls throwing machines) on Jabal Abu Qabees and started throwing stones inside the holy Ka’bah where Abdullah had taken the refuge. The hardship of the siege was so pressing that the supporters of Abdullah, not withstanding it, started surrendering. Even his own sons deserted him. However, seventy-two years old Abdullah continued resisting.

Syeda Asma (R.A), who had become very old (about 100 years) and was ill, did not lose her resolve. She showed an unmatchable courage during the siege and the final days on her son. While attending to her, Abdullah commented that after death there was nothing but peace and comfort, to which she said: “Perhaps you are waiting for my death so that you can be relieved of the burden of my old age. But, before dying I want to see the final outcome of this war. If you get martyrdom then I want to do your burial rites myself. And if you get victory then I can go in peace.”

After ten days of this conversation, when only a handful of his companions were left, Abdullah once again talked to his mother. “O mother, I’m left with only few persons. Should I surrender to save their lives?”

“My son, if you think, you are on the righteous side then continue fighting and get martyrdom. Never accept disgrace of surrendering. And if you were fighting so long just for the worldly benefits then no doubt you would be a loser – here and hereafter.” Replied Syeda Asma (R.A).

“I’m fighting only for the truth and Allah and I’m not afraid of death. I just thought that the enemy might mutilate my body and it will be very difficult for you to bear the scene.” Said Abdullah.

“After the goat is slaughtered, it makes no difference whether its skin is peeled off or its body is hacked into pieces. Dying for Allah is better than accepting the life of disgrace.” Replied the brave mother.

Bravely fighting, he fell with several Wounds. Hajjaj Hung his body upside down on a pole at the place called Hajjoon (Makkah). Till his death, like Hazrat Imam Husain, he did not accept the illegitimate rule of Umayyads, and became a symbol of courage, truth and righteousness. She made his burial arrangements. A few days later, she also left the world in 73 Hijra.

In her very long life, Syeda Asma saw many ups and downs of the time. She saw the period of Jahliyah, the period of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the period of the Righteous Caliph, the martyrdom of Imam Husain and then she saw the period of her son and his martyrdom. She suffered pains and miseries but always remained firm on her faith, thus setting a superb example of devotion and courage for all the Muslim women.