أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ أَبِي بَكْر
رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا
Asma bint Abi Bakr
Dhat an-Nitaqayn · Early Muslim · Of the Hijrah
may Allah be pleased with her
Quraysh — Banu Taym · Makkah and Madinah, up to about 73 AH
She carried food to the cave of Thawr during the Hijrah, tearing her waistband in two to tie the provisions — which is where her title comes from. She lived a very long life and is remembered for steadiness at both ends of it.
Known for
Dhat an-Nitaqayn — she of the two waistbands
From the night she tore her belt in two to fasten the provisions she carried to the cave.
She supplied the cave of Thawr during the Hijrah
Among the early Muslims of Makkah
She lived to a great age
She outlived almost all of that generation and died around 73 AH, shortly after her son Abdullah was killed.
Story
Her story in moments
Short episodes from her life, in order. Read one at a time.
In full
Life & legacy
Makkah and the Hijrah
Asma was Abu Bakr's elder daughter and among the early Muslims of Makkah. She married Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, another of the earliest Muslims.
Her part in the Hijrah is the thing she is best known for. While the Prophet ﷺ and her father were hidden in the cave of Thawr, she carried food out to them, and her brother Abdullah brought news of what was being said in Makkah.
Later life
She migrated to Madinah and lived an unusually long life — long enough to see the Companions' generation pass and the community change beyond recognition.
Her son Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr was killed in Makkah around 73 AH after a prolonged conflict, and she died shortly afterwards. She was by then very old and had lost her sight.
How the sources describe her
Steady under pressure
The Hijrah is the clearest example: she carried food out of a city that was actively searching for the two men she was feeding.
Connect
People around her
Family
Her father, whom she supplied in the cave of Thawr during the Hijrah.
- Abdullah ibn az-Zubayrعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرChild
Her son, and the first child born to the Muhajirun after they reached Madinah.
Her husband, and one of the earliest Muslims of Makkah.
Her younger sister, by a different mother, and a wife of the Prophet ﷺ.
Full timeline
- 1 AH
Supplies the cave of Thawr during the Hijrah
- Around 73 AH approximate, reports differReports give 73 and 74 AH.
Dies in Makkah at a great age
Shortly after her son Abdullah ibn az-Zubayr was killed.
Part of
Sources & review
Draft content — undergoing reviewThis content was written for SahabaMate and has not yet been checked by a reviewer against the works below. Treat it as a starting point, not a citation.
Sahih al-Bukhariصحيح البخاري
Hadith collection · Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari
As-Sirah an-Nabawiyyahالسيرة النبوية
Classical biography · Ibn Hisham, from the recension of Ibn Ishaq
Kitab at-Tabaqat al-Kabirالطبقات الكبرى
Classical biography · Ibn Sa'd
Tarikh ar-Rusul wa'l-Mulukتاريخ الرسل والملوك
Classical history · Muhammad ibn Jarir at-Tabari
Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz as-Sahabahالإصابة في تمييز الصحابة
Classical biography · Ibn Hajar al-'Asqalani
Siyar A'lam an-Nubalaسير أعلام النبلاء
Classical biography · Shams ad-Din adh-Dhahabi
SahabaMate editorial summary
Editorial summary
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