Muslim women

Asma bint Umays

Despite the stereotypes, Muslim women have always played a vital role in the Muslim community, and not only in traditional roles. Early Muslim women served the community through scholarship, teaching, nursing, and other important activities. Far from being downtrodden slaves to the men in their lives, these women served Allah and their community with bravery and wisdom.

Asma bint Umais was from the Banu Hashim tribe.

Her father is Umays ibn Ma'ad and her mother is Hind bint Awf

Her half sister is Maymuna bint al-Harith, one of Muhammad's wives.

Her full sister Salma bint Umays married Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib.



First marriage
Her first husband was Ja'far ibn Abu Talib, also of the Banu Hashim. She had kids from Jaffer. In 8 AH Jaffer was martyred in Battle of Mota which was fought against Byzantium alongwith Zaid bin Hartha (Muhammad's adopted son), and Abdullah bin Rawaha. Mota is in the north of Syria and Jaffer tomb is there.
Muhammad's SAW era
The most important act of worship that the Muslim woman can do is to strive to establish the rule of Allah (swt) on earth, and to follow the way of life that He has prescribed, so that Islam will govern the life of the individual, the family, the community and the nation.

The sincere Muslim woman will feel that her worship is lacking if she does not strive to achieve the purpose for which Allah (swt) created jinn and men, namely promoting the supremacy of the authority of Allah (swt) on earth, which is the only way in which mankind can truly worship Allah (swt):

( I have only created jinns and men, that they may worship me.) (Quran 51:56)

This is the only way in which the true meaning of the words “la ilaha ill-Allah” will be realized in our own lives.

The first Muslim women had a sound grasp of this meaning, which penetrated deep into their souls. They were no less enthusiastic than the men when it came to sacrifice and courage for the sake of Allah (swt). Some of the women of the early generations of this ummah excelled many of the men in this regard.

Asma’ bint ‘Umays, the wife of Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, hastened to embrace Islam along with her husband in the earliest days of Islam, the days of hardship and suffering. She migrated with him to Abyssinia, in spite of the risks and hardships involved, for the sake of Allah (swt) and to support His religion. When ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab joked with her and said, “O Habashiyyah (Abyssinian woman)! We beat you to Madinah,” she said, “You have most certainly spoken the truth. You were with the Messenger of Allah, feeding the hungry and teaching the ignorant, whilst we were far away in exile. By Allah (swt), I shall go to the Messenger of Allah and tell him that.” She came to the Prophet (saas) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, some men are criticizing us and claiming that we were not among the early muhajirin.” The Messenger of Allah (saas) said, “But you have two hijrahs; you migrated to the land of Abyssinia, whilst we were detained in Makkah, then you migrated to me afterwards.”

Asma’ bint ‘Umays was successful in establishing the virtue of those who had migrated to Abyssinia in the early days of Islam, and she understood from the Prophet (saas) that this distinguished group would have the reward of two hijrahs. This was a great honor which was theirs because they had not hesitated to support the Prophet (saas), even though it meant leaving behind their families and homeland for the sake of Allah (swt).

Return
It is also known that Ja'far returned to Medina after the Muslims conquered Khaybar in 5 AH.
Death of first husband
Ja'far ibn Abu Talib died in the Battle of Mut'ah.

Second husband
After Ja'fars death she married Abu Bakr (after the hijra).
Abu Bakr's era
She was present at the house of Ali at the time when Fatima bint Muhammad SAW has died.

Children with Abu Bakr
Asma, when married to Abu Bakr, was expecting their child but did not want to miss Muhammad's last pilgrimage even though her delivery was near and so she decided to accompany her husband. On one of the stops along the pilgrimage route, Asma gave birth to their son who they named Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr planned to send Asma and their child back to Medina, but when Muhammad learned of his intent he told him to let her continue by making the major ablution, and then rededicating herself in offering the pilgrimage.
They also had Umm Khultum bint Abu Bakr.

Umar's R.A era
Third husband
When Abu Bakr R.A died, Asma married Ali ibn Abu Talib.

Both Muhammad ibn Abu Bakr and Umm Khultum bint Abu Bakr went to Ali's household after she remarried.

Is is said that since Aisha had the authority, Umm Khultum bint Abu Bakr married Umar. In that case, she became one of many "Umm Khultum" Umar ibn al-Khattab married.
Legacy
She was regarded as a scholar of Islam.


Have fun praying and getting ready for the Day of Judgment coz that day will NOT be fun :) P.S.: don’t forget to make dua  for me. !!