Asmaa Bint Abu Bakr remains one of the most memorable personalities in the history of Islam. Till this day, she continues to win the hearts of sympathy of everyone who reads her life story because of her wisdom, generosity and readiness to sacrifice everything for her beliefs.

Asmaa comes from a distinguished family. Her father, Abu Bakr, was a close friend of the Prophet (PBUH) and the first Khalifah after his death. Her half- sister, A'ishah, was the wife of the Prophet. Her husband, Az Zubayr ibn al- Awwam, was a prominent companion of the Prophet, while her son, Abdullah, preferred to die rather than accept corruption and deviate from what he believes in.

Asmaa herself was the eighteenth person to embrace Islam. She was later given the nickname Dhat an-Nitaqayn (the One with the Two Waistbands) because of a significant incident. Asmaa was one of the few who knew of the Prophet's plan to leave for Madinah. Secrecy had to be maintained because Quraysh was plotting to murder the Prophet. On the night of his departure, Asmaa prepared some food and a water container for the journey. She tore her waistband or nitaq into two and used them to tie the containers.

Soon after the departure of the Prophet, the final emigration of the Muslims from Makkah to Madinah took place. Asmaa did not let her pregnancy or the prospect of a long and hazardous journey deter her from leaving. On the outskirts of Madinah, she gave birth to a son, Abdullah, who was the first child to be born to the muhajireen (emigrants) in Madinah.

Asmaa was always ready to give all the money she had to the poor and needy without thinking of her own needs or of tomorrow. Her presence of mind in difficult circumstances was remarkable. When her father left Makkah, he took all his wealth with him. His father, Abu Quhafah, who was still a non-believer, heard of his departure asked Asmaa why her father left nothing.

Wanting to allay the fears of the old man without hurting him by refusing to take any help from him, Asmaa denied that. She took some pebbles and put them in a small recess in the wall where they used to put money. She threw a cloth over the heap and took the hand of her grandfather -who was blind-and said, "See how much money he has left us".

She had a similar experience with her mother who came to visit her in Madinah. She was not a Muslim and was divorced from her father in pre-Islamic times. She brought her various gifts. Afraid of compromising her belief, Asmaa sent a messenger to consult the Prophet if she should receive her mother. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told her that she certainly must admit her mother to her house consulted the Creator and accept the gifts. On this occasion, the following revelation came to the Prophet:

"God forbids you not, with regard to those who do not fight you because of your faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. God loves those who are just. God only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your Faith, and drive you from your homes, and support others in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection)". (Surah al-Mumtahanah 60: 8-9).

For Asmaa and indeed for many other Muslims, life in Madinah was rather difficult at first. Her husband was quite poor and his only major possession to begin with was a horse he had bought. She used to provide fodder for the horse, give it water and groom it.

Asmaa obviously was a person of great sensitivity and devotion. She and her husband worked extremely hard together until their situation of poverty gradually changed. At times, however, az-Zubayr treated her harshly. Once she even went to her father and complained to him about this. Az-Zubayr eventually became one of the richest men among the Sahabah, but Asmaa did not allow this to tarnish her principles.

Her final meeting with her son, Abdullah, must remain one of the most unforgettable moments in early Muslim history. At that meeting she demonstrated the strength of her faith, her resoluteness and iron will.

Abdullah was in the running for the Caliphate after the death of Yazid ibn Mu'awiyah. The Hijaz, Egypt, Iraq, Khurasan and much of Syria were favourable to him and acknowledged him as the Caliph. The Ummayyads however continued to contest the Caliphate and to field a massive army under the command of Al-Hajjaj ibn Yusuf ath-Thaqafi. Relentless battles were fought between the two sides during which Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr displayed great leadership and personal courage. However, many of his supporters could not withstand the continuous strain of battle and gradually began to desert him. Finally he sought refuge in the Holy Kaaba at Makkah. It was then that he went to his mother, now an old blind woman, and said:
"Peace be on you, Mother, and the mercy and blessings of God."

"Unto you be peace, Abdullah," she replied. "What is it that brings you here at this hour while boulders from Hajjaj's catapults are raining down on your soldiers in the Haram and shaking the houses of Makkah?"

"I came to seek your advice," he said.

"To seek my advice?" she asked in astonishment. "About what?"

"The people have deserted me out of fear of Hajjaj or being tempted by what he has to offer. Even my children and my family have left me. There is only a small group of men with me now and no matter how strong and steadfast they are, they can only resist for an hour or two more. Messengers of the the Umayyads are now negotiating with me, offering to give me whatever wordy possessions I want, should I lay down my arms and swear allegiance to Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. What do you think?"

Raising her voice, she replied:

"It's your affair, Abdullah, and you know yourself better. If, however, you think that you are right and that you are standing up for the Truth, then persevere and fight on as your companions who were killed under your flag had shown perseverance. If you desire the world, what a miserable wretch you are. You would have destroyed yourself and you would have destroyed your men."

"But I will be killed today, there is no doubt about it."

"That is better for you than that you should surrender yourself to Hajjaj voluntarily and that some minions of Banu Umayyah should play with your head."

"I do not fear death. I am only afraid that they will mutilate me."

"There is nothing after death that man should be afraid of. Skinning does not cause any pain to the slaughtered sheep."

Abdullah's face beamed as he said:

"What a blessed mother! Blessed be your noble qualities! I have come to you at this hour to hear what I have heard. God knows that I have not weakened or despaired. He is witness over me that I have not stood up for what I have out of love for this world and its attractions but only out of anger for the sake of God. His limits have been transgressed. Here am I, going to what is pleasing to you. So if I am killed, do not grieve for me and commend me to God."

"I shall grieve for you," said the ageing but resolute Asmaa, "only if you are killed in a vain and unjust cause."

"Be assured that your son has not supported an unjust cause, nor committed any detestable deed, nor done any injustice to a Muslim or a Dhimmi and that there is nothing better in his sight than the pleasure of God, the Mighty, the Great. I do not say this to exonerate myself. God knows that I have only said it to make your heart firm and steadfast. "

"Praise be to God who has made you act according to what He likes and according to what I like. Come close to me, my son, that I may smell and feel your body for this might be the last meeting with you."

Abdullah knelt before her. She hugged him and smothered his head, his face and his neck with kisses. Her hands began to squeeze his body when suddenly she withdrew them and asked:

"What is this you are wearing, Abdullah?"

"This is my armour plate."

"This, my son, is not the dress of one who desires martyrdom. Take it off. That will make your movements lighter and quicker. Wear instead the sirwal (a long under garment) so that if you are killed you will not be exposed.

Abdullah took off his armour plate and put on the sirwal. As he left for the Haram to join the fighting he said:

"My mother, don't deprive me of your du'aa (prayer)."

Raising her hands to heaven, she prayed:

"O Lord, have mercy on his staying up for long hours and his loud crying in the darkness of the night while people slept . . .

"O Lord, have mercy on his hunger and his thirst on his journeys from Madinah and Makkah while he fasted . . .

"O Lord, bless his righteousness to his mother and his father . . .

"O Lord, I commend him to Your cause and I am pleased with whatever You decree for him. And grant me for his sake the reward of those who are patient and who persevere."

By sunset, Abdullah was dead. Just over ten days later, his mother joined him. She was a hundred years old. Age had not made her infirm nor blunted the keenness of her mind.