When Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib was martyred in the Battle of...

When Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib was martyred in the Battle of Mu’tah and news of this reached the Prophet (S), he wept and So, did the companions. When the news reached the Prophet’s chambers, the Hashimi women began to weep. The Prophet went to Asma’ and called Ja’far’s children. He began stroking their heads and showing them affection. He carried them and placed them on his chest.

When Asma’ saw this, she realized that something was wrong and asked: “O Messenger of Allah, have you received any news about Ja’far?” The Prophet began to cry and said to her, “Grieve for Ja’far, for he has been martyred.” So, she began weeping and wailing.

The Prophet then went to his daughter Fatimah’s house and said to her, “Prepare some food for the family of Ja’far as they are occupied in mourning.” So, al-Sayyida Fatimah took flour, baked plenty of bread, and placed some dates [on a tray] along with it before sending it to Ja’far’s family. It is noteworthy that the Prophet did not ask any of his wives or any other Hashimi woman to do this, probably because the Prophet wanted the great reward for this action to go to his daughter Fatimah.

Or the Holy Prophet (S) chose her for this deed because of the good relation and numerous services that Asma’ Bint ‘Umays had rendered to the family of the Prophet in the past. We have seen that Asma’ was present with al-Sayyida Khadijah on her deathbed and had assisted in the preparations that were required for the wedding of al-Sayyida Fatimah. Furthermore, Asma’ was with al-Sayyida Fatimah when she gave birth to Imam al-Husayn and played the role of midwife with the help of some other women.

Despite the fact that she married Abu Bakr after her husband Ja’far was martyred, she continued having a close relationship with the and did not change in the least, even after the Holy Prophet passed away. On the other hand, the position of Abu Bakr towards the was well known. In spite of the ‘cold war’ between the and the government headed by Abu Bakr, Asma’ was not affected by love for her husband and she defied the government in a manner that defies belief.

How did Abu Bakr allow her to go to the house of Ali (‘a) and serve al-Zahra and her children? Why did he not command her to cut off her ties with the at that particular moment? In any case, al-Sayyida Fatimah al-Zahra used to take comfort in Asma’’s presence and would confide in her.