Asma’a Bint Yazeed: The Orator of Women

Sahaba

The Sahaba learnt many things from Muhammad (SAW). They  asked him about the problems they  encountered in daily life and many others and The never failed to get them acquainted with the truth.  Not only men but also women went into the presence of the Prophet (SAW) to ask him about their
problems for they knew that modesty did not scorn at mastering one's faith. 

One of the women who raised many issues, especially about women was Asma bint Yazid. She belonged to the clan of Abd Al-Ashhal of the Aws, whose chief was Sa’ad ibn Mu'adh. She and Kabshah bint Rafi (Sa’ad's own mother) were the first among the Ansari women to pledge their loyalty to the Prophet (SAW) upon his arrival in Madinah. 

She was not rich but she was generous, she took spiritual pleasure when she shared her food and drink with the Prophet (SAW). She was married to Abu Sa'id Al-Zrqy Al-Ansari. Once, she saw the Prophet (SAW) performing salatul Maghrib at the Masjid. She went home and prepared some bread and raisins. She waited for him outside the Masjid and invited him to her house. The Prophet (SAW) did not want to break the heart of his self-sacrificing follower. He went to her house with some Companions. 

Asma’a put the food she had prepared in front of the Prophet and said, “O Messenger of Allah! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you! Help yourselves.” 

The Prophet said to his Companions “Help yourselves! Bismil­lah!” and they ate the food. 

After narrating this incident, Asma’a said, “I swear by Allah, in whose hand is my existence that I saw with my own eyes. The group of 40 people could not finish the bread or the raisins. After eating, they drank water and left. When the people in my family got ill, we would drink the water that was left in the water-skin by the Messenger of Allah and the Companions and got well. Our sustenance increased thanks to it.” 

When the Prophet married Aisha, Asma’a was there with some other female Companions. The Prophet drank some milk and he gave the bowl of milk to Aisha. She did not want to take it because she was feeling very shy. Thereupon, Asma’a said, “O Aisha! Do not refuse the offer of the Messenger of Allah. Take it and drink it.” 

Aisha took the bowl, drank some milk and gave it back. This time, the Prophet gave the bowl to Asma’a. She took it and drank from the milk that the Prophet had left. 

Asma’a was distinguished among the female Companions due to her straightforwardness and eloquence. Therefore, she was known as "the Orator of the Women". 

Whenever the women of Madinah wanted to ask the Prophet (SAW) something, they would send her as their representative. Once, the women chose her as their representative and sent her to the Prophet (SAW) to ask about an issue that occupied their minds. 

Asma’a appeared before the Prophet (SAW); when she was given permission to speak, she said, “O Messenger of Allah! May my mother and father be sacrificed for you. I am the representatives of some women. There is no doubt that Allah Almighty sent you as His Prophet for all mankind – men and women. We believe in you and your Lord.  We, women, live within our houses and fulfill the legitimate wishes of our husbands. Men are superior to us in that they perform Friday prayers and attend congregational prayers in the Masajid, visit ill people, take part in the janazah prayer and go to hajj many times. The most virtuous of all is taking part in jihad. When men go to hajj, umrah or jihad, we protect their property, clean and repair their clothes. We look after their children. Are we going to be given the same rewards as men?” 

After listening to Asma’a, the Prophet appreciated her intelligence and eloquence; he said to the Companions who were there, “Have you ever heard any woman asking a religious question or speak more eloquently than her?” 

Then, he gave the following glad tiding to Asma’a and all believing women: “Listen and tell the other women whom you are representing! If a woman gets on well with her husband and attains his consent, she receives the same rewards for the deeds that you have listed.” 

(Some jurists have expressed doubt over the authenticity and/or accuracy of this statement of the Prophet (SAW)). 

Asma’a left joyfully after the answer of the Prophet (SAW). She wanted to give the glad tiding to her friends. She told them what she had heard from the Messenger of Allah (SAW). All of the women became very happy when they heard the glad tiding. From then on, they regarded housework as worshipping bringing them rewards and not as burden. 

Asma’a narrated 81 Ahadith. One of them is as follows: “The Prophet said to his Companions, ‘Shall I tell you who are the best ones among people?’ They said, ‘Yes! O Messenger of Allah!’ He said, ‘The ones you see mentioning Allah (dhikr).’ Then, he said, ‘Shall I tell you who the worst ones among people are? They are the ones who drive a wedge between people who gossip and act as talebearers.” 

Asma’a belonged to a family of brave fighters. In the Battle of Uhud, when the Muslim army was in disarray, her brother, Imarah ibn Yazeed, was one of the few who remained steadfast and defended the Prophet (SAW) until he was martyred. Her father and uncle were also martyred in the same battle. 

Three years after the Prophet (SAW) had passed away; Asma’a joined the Muslim army heading to Syria to fight the Byzantines. She took part in the fighting, using the pole of her tent to defend herself and the women with her. She was able to slay nine of the enemy soldiers. 

After the battle when Syria came under Muslim rule, Asma’a stayed in Syria, teaching women about Islam. She lived until an advanced age. 

According to good reports, Asma’a bint Yazeed passed away in Damascus in year 63 AH, she was around 90 years old at the time of her passing. 

She was buried in Bab Al-Sagheer cemetery in Damascus. 

May Allah be pleased with her!

LESSONS

• Literacy of Women: Islam puts no embargo on women learning about their religion like is found in other religions. Learning Islam is binding on every Muslim regardless of gender.
• Freedom of Expression: There are religions in the world that prohibit women from speaking in religious gatherings. As far as those religions are concerned, women are too inferior to speak in the presence of men. Islam is clearly not on that page. Islam permits Muslim women to come into the same congregation as men, albeit segregated, for the purpose of learning.
• Gender Equality: The Muslim women were not interested in doing the same things as the men because they wanted status; they just wanted equal chances to please Allah. When they were told that they had equal reward by just being obedient and loyal, they anxieties were quelled.
• The Ability of Women: Muslim women were considered intelligent enough to take part in battle right from the time of Muhammad (SAW), something western women were only able to fully achieve in the Twentieth century.
• Miracles of Muhammad (SAW): Again, an instance to prove that Muhammad (SAW) was a chosen creature. A meal that will ordinarily not satiate two people ends up becoming surplus for over forty people.