Asma bint Abu Bakr (RA) - The Woman of Two Belts
Learn about Asma (RA), known for her courage during the Hijrah and her generosity.
Asma bint Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with her) was the daughter of Abu Bakr (RA) and the sister of Aisha (RA). She is most famous for her role during the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah to Madinah. When the Prophet ﷺ and her father Abu Bakr were hiding in the Cave of Thawr, Asma would carry food to them every night. She would walk through dangerous territory, risking her life to feed the Prophet and her father. When she ran out of food, she tore her belt in two — using one half to tie the food and the other to hold her clothes. The Prophet ﷺ called her 'Dhat an-Nitaqayn' — the Woman of Two Belts. Asma (RA) was also known for her extreme generosity. She once gave away all the food in her house to the poor. She was married to Zubayr ibn al-Awwam (RA) and was the mother of Abdullah ibn Zubayr, the first child born in Madinah after the Hijrah. Asma (RA) lived a very long life — over 100 years. Even in her old age, she was strong and sharp. Her son Abdullah was martyred, and Asma showed extraordinary patience, saying: 'I considered him a sacrifice to Allah.' The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Asma has been given two belts in this world and two in Paradise.'
Qur'an Verses
وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ
Wa man yattaqi Allaha yaj'al lahu makhrajan wa yarzuqhu min haythu la yahtasib
Translation: And whoever fears Allah, He will make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.
Authentic Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said to Asma when she tore her belt in two to carry food to the Cave: 'You have been given two belts in this world and two in Paradise.'
Explanation
This hadith shows how Allah rewards even small acts of sacrifice. Asma's simple act of tearing her belt to feed the Prophet and her father earned her a special reward in both this world and Paradise.
Courage, generosity, and patience are the hallmarks of a great Muslim woman. Asma (RA) risked her life during the Hijrah and showed extraordinary patience when her son was martyred.
- 1.What did Asma do during the Hijrah?
- 2.Why was Asma called 'Dhat an-Nitaqayn'?
- 3.What did Asma do when her son was martyred?
1. Did Asma give away all her food once?
2. How long did Asma live?
3. Where were the Prophet and Abu Bakr hiding?
4. What title did the Prophet give Asma?
5. What did Asma do during the Hijrah?
6. What do we learn from Asma?
7. What happened to Asma's son Abdullah?
8. Who was Asma's father?
9. Is Asma an example for Muslim women?
10. What was Asma's defining quality?
11. Was Asma courageous?
12. Was Asma's sacrifice rewarded?
13. Who was Asma's son?
14. Was Asma patient?
15. What does 'Dhat an-Nitaqayn' mean?
16. Did Asma risk her life during the Hijrah?
17. What did the Prophet say Asma was given?
18. Who was Asma's husband?
19. Did Asma stay strong in old age?
20. Was Asma generous?
21. How did Asma react to her son's martyrdom?
22. What lesson do we learn from Asma?
23. What did Asma do when she ran out of food containers?
24. What can we learn from Asma's patience?
25. Who was Asma's sister?
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