She said, “Az-Zubayr married me when he had nothing but a horse that I used to groom and provide with fodder. I used to grind date stones for his camel (which was used for carrying water), bring water and knead the dough. I used to carry the date stones on my head from the plot of Az-Zubayr which the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) had allocated to him. It was as far as about two-thirds of a Farsakh (from the house). I remained in that state until Abu Bakr sent me a maid to groom the horse. It was as if he had freed me.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Dear Muslim sister, do you know who the speaker is?
She is Asmaa’ bint Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with herdescribing her living conditions and giving without limits, without asking for a return.
When she married Az-Zubayr ibn Al-‘Awwaam may Allah be pleased with him he had no property or servant. She led a tough life at the beginning of their life together. She used to feed the horse, grind its food, knead the dough, and so on. She had no servant to relieve her of taking care of the horse until Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him sent her a servant and it was as if he had freed her.
Years later, Allah The Almighty provided her husband with abundant provisions. After having no servant, he had one thousand servants. He had so much money that it was calculated as forty million.
Before the bestowal of this abundant provision, Asmaa’ may Allah be pleased with herearnestly supported him. She was patient and satisfied with the decree of Allah The Almighty and certain of His reward.
There is no doubt that the giving of a woman needs patience. The Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said to Ibn ‘Abbas may Allah be pleased with him: “And know that victory comes with patience, relief with affliction and ease with hardship.” [At-Tirmithi]
Asmaa’ of the two waistbands
Here is another situation of the giving of Asmaa’ may Allah be pleased with her in Hijrah. She used to carry food and water and news from Makkah to the Cave of Thawr. The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) called her Asmaa’ of the two waistbands because when she prepared food and water for the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) and her father on the day of the Hijrah (emigration) from Makkah to Al-Madeenah, she did not find anything to tie them with. Consequently, she tore her waistband into two pieces: one for the container of food and the other for water. As a result, she won the supplication of the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) for her to be compensated with two waistbands in Paradise instead of them.
She set the best and most vivid example to be emulated by women until our time. She remained patient with her husband during the time of poverty and was keen on pleasing and obeying him by serving him without any complaint.
She did not leave her home complaining to her family about her poor husband who had no luxuries. In fact, this is the effect of faith when it sincerely enters the heart.
Today, there are many women who are repelled by leading a modest life with their husbands and do not rest until they pursue the way of the devil to achieve their worldly desires. Thus, they abandon their husbands and children and their families are destroyed — newspapers and magazines tell us about this bitter reality every day.
Contentment results in happiness and tranquility of the soul. It makes the person honored and protects them safe from disgrace or committing unlawful acts for gaining material benefits.