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

For the Muhaajireen, the journey of hijrah, from Makkah Mukarramah to Madeenah Munawwarah, was generally a difficult one. Together with the normal challenges of traveling a lengthy distance through the desert – they were wary of drawing the attention of the Quraish.

At the time when Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) performed hijrah, she was expecting a child. In fact, she was at the advanced stages, and hence the difficulty that she underwent can be well imagined. Nevertheless, on completing the journey and arriving in Qubaa, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

As soon as the boy was born, she hastened to present him to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) took the fortunate child into his own blessed lap and called for a date to be brought to carry out the tahneek. When the date was brought, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) placed it in his blessed mouth, chewed it a little, and then took some of the chewed paste, mixed with his blessed saliva, and placed it in the mouth of the child. In this manner, the very first thing to enter the belly of the child was the blessed saliva of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Saheeh Bukhaari #3909)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) also passed his blessed hand over the the child and named him ‘Abdullah. (Saheeh Muslim #5616) As for the azaan and iqaamah in the ears of the child, then Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to carry it out for his grandson. (Siyaru Aa’laamin Nubalaa vol. 3, pg. 365)

This baby, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin Zubair (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), was the first baby born to the Muhaajireen in Madeenah Munawwarah, and hence it brought them immense joy and happiness. The reason is that the Muslims had been told that the Jews had cast black magic over them, due to which they would not be able to have any children. (Saheeh Bukhaari #5469)

The birth of Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) proved that this was false. Hence, Sayiduna Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went throughout Madeenah Munawwarah with the baby so that all the people could see him and know that the rumour of the Jews was false. (Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 9, pg. 133) Out of extreme happiness and joy, the Muslims said “Allahu Akbar” so loudly that the sound of their takbeer reverberated through Madeenah Munawwarah. (Taareekh Ibni ‘Asaakir vol. 28, pg. 155)

Lessons:

1. Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) would have been exhausted – both due to the journey and due to the birth. However, she did not delay in bringing the child to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as she wished the child to benefit from the barakah (blessings) of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) immediately. As such, the child received the unique blessing of the blessed saliva of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being the very first thing to enter his belly. Similarly, we should not delay in assisting our children to acquire blessings – through teaching them to make du‘aa, perform salaah, recite the Quraan Majeed, benefit from the company of the pious, etc.

2. Performing hijrah was a very important, emphasized obligation of Deen. Hence, though she was in the advanced stages of pregnancy, Sayyidah Asmaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha) did not delay and performed it as soon as she was able to. In the same way, we should not delay our Deeni obligations.