أسماء بنت عميس
Asma bint Umays
The Emigrant to Two Lands, Companion of Greatness
Relationship with the Prophet ﷺ
Asma had a deeply familial relationship with the Prophet ﷺ through her first husband Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, who was among the Prophet's ﷺ most beloved cousins. When the Abyssinian emigrants returned to Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ welcomed them with great joy and embraced Ja'far, declaring that he did not know which news made him happier — the return of the emigrants or the Conquest of Khaybar. When Ja'far was martyred, the Prophet ﷺ personally went to Asma's home and consoled her and her children. He told her children that their father Ja'far was flying in Paradise with wings, which is why he is called Ja'far al-Tayyar (the Flyer). This personal act of consolation showed the depth of the Prophet's ﷺ care for his companions' families.
Key Life Events
Emigrated to Abyssinia with her husband Ja'far ibn Abi Talib as early converts
Gave birth to sons Abdullah, Muhammad, and Awn in Abyssinia
Returned to Madinah on the day of the Conquest of Khaybar
Widowed when Ja'far was martyred at the Battle of Mu'tah
Married Abu Bakr al-Siddiq after his caliphate began
Passed away in Madinah after a life spanning three great marriages
Full Biography
Asma bint Umays al-Khath'amiyyah holds a unique position in Islamic history as one of the few companions who made two hijras — first to Abyssinia and later to Madinah. She was among the earliest converts to Islam in Mecca and was married to Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's ﷺ cousin, who led the Muslim emigrants to Abyssinia.
Asma lived in Abyssinia for approximately fifteen years while the persecution in Mecca continued. During this time, she and Ja'far had three sons: Abdullah, Muhammad, and Awn. They returned to Madinah on the same day the Prophet ﷺ returned from the Conquest of Khaybar in 628 CE. The reunion was joyful, but sorrow followed quickly — Ja'far was martyred at the Battle of Mu'tah just months later in 629 CE.
Widowed with three sons, Asma bore her grief with extraordinary composure. After Ja'far's death, she later married Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, with whom she had a son named Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. Upon Abu Bakr's death, she married Ali ibn Abi Talib, becoming a stepmother to Hasan and Husayn. Her life touched three of the greatest men of Islam as a wife.
Asma was renowned for her knowledge, her experience of two hijras, and her direct transmission of knowledge from the Prophet ﷺ. She was consulted on matters of Islamic practice and narrated numerous hadiths. She passed away in approximately 40 AH.
Famous Quotes
The best thing I saw in Abyssinia was the justice of the Negus.
We were in Abyssinia for the sake of Allah — we missed the Prophet ﷺ every day.
When the Prophet ﷺ consoled me about Ja'far, his words were more comforting than any other.
Lessons for Your Life
Making two hijras (emigrations) for Allah's sake demonstrates extraordinary commitment to faith.
The ability to bear repeated loss — spouse, home, community — with sabr is a Prophetic virtue.
A woman's spiritual and intellectual worth is independent of her marital connections.
Direct proximity to the Prophet ﷺ through family ties deepens one's understanding of Islam.
The Ansar and Muhajirin's mutual support was a model of community solidarity.
How to Be Like Them
Want to walk in the footsteps of Asma bint Umays? Begin with these practical steps drawn from their life.
- 1
Making two hijras (emigrations) for Allah's sake demonstrates extraordinary commitment to faith.
- 2
The ability to bear repeated loss — spouse, home, community — with sabr is a Prophetic virtue.
- 3
A woman's spiritual and intellectual worth is independent of her marital connections.
- 4
Direct proximity to the Prophet ﷺ through family ties deepens one's understanding of Islam.
- 5
The Ansar and Muhajirin's mutual support was a model of community solidarity.