(Sayyidah Asmaa bintu Abi Bakr [radhiyallahu ‘anhuma] – Part Two)

When the second pledge of ‘Aqabah took place, the Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) of Madeenah Munawwarah requested Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) to migrate to their city, pledging to protect and support Islam and the Muslims. After this pledge, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to perform hijrah (migrate) to Madeenah Munawwarah.

As for Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed him to wait so that he could be the companion of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) on the journey of hijrah. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to him, “Wait, for I hope that I will soon be granted divine permission from Allah Ta‘ala to perform hijrah.”

When the day finally arrived where Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) received permission from Allah Ta‘ala to depart for Madeenah Munawwarah, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to the home of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and it was from there that they departed in secret, heading to the cave of Thawr. Before they departed, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) packed their food and drink for them. She mentions:

When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) intended to perform hijrah, then in the home of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), I prepared the travel provisions of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, I could not find anything to use to tie the provisions and the waterskin. I thus said to my father, “By Allah! I cannot find anything to tie it besides my sash (a cloth worn around the waist as a belt).”

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Tear it into two pieces. Use one piece to tie the waterskin, and one piece to tie the food.” Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) immediately sacrificed her sash and fulfilled the instruction of her father. Observing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made special du‘aa for her saying, “In lieu of this sash of yours, may Allah Ta‘ala grant you two sashes in Jannah.”

It was on account of this that Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was given the title “Zaatun Nitaaqain” (the possessor of the two sashes).

Furthermore, during the three days that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) remained in hiding in the cave, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would come out of Makkah Mukarramah in secret, bringing food and other essential supplies for them.

After the disbelievers realized that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had departed from Makkah Mukarramah, they came to the home of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) in order to find out where they had gone to. Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) mentions:

A group of the Quraish, including Abu Jahal, came to us. They stood at the door of the home and I went out to speak to them. They asked me, “Where is your father, O daughter of Abu Bakr?” I replied, “I do not know where my father is.” Hearing this, Abu Jahal, who was an ill-mannered brute, raised his hand and slapped my cheek with such force that my earring flew from my ear.”

However, despite this brutal treatment, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) remained steadfast and refused to reveal the location of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

(Saheeh Bukhaari #2979, Al-Isaabah vol. 8, pg. 13 and Seerah Ibni Hishaam vol. 2, pgs. 485 & 487)

Lessons:

1. The hadeeth teaches us that a sign of true imaan is where one loves Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) more than even his own family, his wealth and his own life. Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and his household possessed true imaan, and hence they had such love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that there was no sacrifice too great for them to make for his sake and the sake of Deen.

2. All the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), whether male or female, young or old, understood that in the journey to Jannah, there will be hurdles of difficulties and obstacles of suffering. However, they knew that if they bore the difficulties patiently, and persevered for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala, then their reward would be Jannah. Hence, no matter how difficult the situation, they remained steadfast and never became despondent.