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Asma’
bint Abi Bakr belonged to a distinguished Muslim family. Her
father, Abu Bakr, was a close friend of the Prophet and the first
caliph after his death. Her half-sister `A'ishah was a wife of the
Prophet and one of the Mother of the Believers. Her
husband, Az-Zubayr ibn Al-`Awwam, was one of the special personal
aides of the Prophet. Her son `Abdullah became well known for his
incorruptibility and his unswerving devotion to Truth.
Asma’
herself was one of the first persons to accept Islam. Only about
seventeen persons including both men and women became Muslims
before her. She was later given the nickname Dhat An-Nitaqayn (the
One with Two Waistbelts) because of an incident connected with the
departure of the Prophet and her father from Makkah on the
historic Hijrah to Madinah.
Asma’
was one of the few persons who knew of the Prophet's plan to leave
for Madinah. The utmost secrecy had to be maintained because of
the Quraysh’s plans to murder the Prophet. On the night of their
departure, Asma’ prepared a bag of food and a water container
for their journey. Not finding anything to tie the containers
with, she decided to use her waistbelt (nitaq) but followed
her father’s suggestion to tear it into two. The Prophet
commended her action and from then on she became known as the One
with the Two Waistbelts.
When
it came her turn to emigrate from Makkah, soon after the departure
of the Prophet, Asma’ was pregnant. She did not let her
pregnancy or the prospect of a long and arduous journey deter her
from leaving. As soon as she reached Quba’ on the outskirts of
Madinah, she gave birth to a son, `Abdullah. The Muslims shouted
“Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) and “La ilaha illa
Allah” (There is no god but Allah) in happiness and thanksgiving
because this was the first child to be born to the Muhajirun in
Madinah.
Excerpted with slight
modifications, from: www.yougmuslims.ca
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