Introduction
Asma bint Umays accepted Islam in Makkah with her husband Ja'far ibn Abi Talib. They emigrated with the Muslims to Abyssinia and remained there for years in exile, then returned to Madinah around the conquest of Khaybar. For that reason she is remembered as one of those who made two migrations.
After Ja'far was martyred at Mu'tah, she married Abu Bakr and later Ali. She gave birth to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr on the way to the Farewell Pilgrimage, and the Prophet taught her how to enter ihram in that situation, which became the ruling for all women in her state. She also asked the Prophet about protecting Ja'far's children from the evil eye.
She is also remembered for the du'a the Prophet taught her for times of distress, and for her answer to Umar that the people of the ship had endured fear and harm for Allah and His Messenger. She narrated several hadiths and died during the caliphate of Ali or soon after.
The story
Makkah, early Islam
Accepted Islam and married Ja'far ibn Abi Talib (biographical reports).
Abyssinia
Emigrated with the Muslims and stayed in exile under the Negus; she later described it as a time of harm and fear.
Read the wording
Sahih al-Bukhari 4230Sahih Arabic text
… فِي أَرْضِ الْبُعَدَاءِ الْبُغَضَاءِ بِالْحَبَشَةِ، وَذَلِكَ فِي اللَّهِ وَفِي رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَايْمُ اللَّهِ، لاَ أَطْعَمُ طَعَامًا، وَلاَ أَشْرَبُ شَرَابًا حَتَّى أَذْكُرَ مَا قُلْتَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ كُنَّا نُؤْذَى وَنُخَافُ، وَسَأَذْكُرُ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَسْأَلُهُ، وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَكْذِبُ وَلاَ أَزِيغُ وَلاَ أَزِيدُ …
“There we were harmed and frightened”
7 AH, Khaybar
Returned to the Prophet after Khaybar was taken; the Prophet gave a share to the people of the ship.
Read the wording
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih Arabic text
… لأَصْحَابِ سَفِينَتِنَا مَعَ جَعْفَرٍ وَأَصْحَابِهِ قَسَمَ لَهُمْ مَعَهُمْ - قَالَ - فَكَانَ نَاسٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَقُولُونَ لَنَا - يَعْنِي لأَهْلِ السَّفِينَةِ - نَحْنُ سَبَقْنَاكُمْ بِالْهِجْرَةِ. قَالَ فَدَخَلَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ - وَهِيَ مِمَّنْ قَدِمَ مَعَنَا - عَلَى حَفْصَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَائِرَةً وَقَدْ كَانَتْ هَاجَرَتْ إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فِيمَنْ …
“He, however, made an exception for the people of the boat, viz. for Ja'far and his companions”
8 AH, Mu'tah
Ja'far was martyred; the Prophet asked that food be sent to his family.
Read the wording
Sunan Ibn Majah 1611Hasan Arabic text
قَالَتْ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ عَوْنٍ ابْنَةُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ جَدَّتِهَا، أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ قَالَتْ لَمَّا أُصِيبَ جَعْفَرٌ رَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ " إِنَّ آلَ جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ شُغِلُوا بِشَأْنِ مَيِّتِهِمْ فَاصْنَعُوا لَهُمْ طَعَامًا". قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَمَا زَالَتْ سُنَّةً حَتَّى كَانَ حَدِيثًا فَتُرِكَ.
“The family of Ja'far are busy with the matter of their deceased, so prepare food for them”
10 AH
Gave birth at Dhul-Hulayfah on the way to the Farewell Hajj and was told to wash and then enter ihram.
Read the wording
Sahih Muslim 1209Sahih Arabic text
قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، - عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، - رضى الله عنها - قَالَتْ نُفِسَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ بِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ بِالشَّجَرَةِ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَبَا بَكْرٍ يَأْمُرُهَا أَنْ تَغْتَسِلَ وَتُهِلَّ.
“she should take a bath and then enter into the state of Ihram”
After 11 AH
Married Abu Bakr, then Ali; died c. 38-40 AH.
A day in their footsteps
6 small, repeatable practices from Asma bint Umays's life. Each comes with the Arabic text and English wording of its source, and links to read the full report.
Calling on Allah alone in distress
The Prophet taught Asma a short du'a for hard times: "Allah, Allah is my Lord; I do not associate anything with Him". She repeated it and passed it on to others.
Try this today
Say "Allahu Allahu Rabbi la ushriku bihi shay'an" when anxious.
Sit with this
When anxiety comes, which words do you reach for first?
Sources
Sunan Abi Dawud 1525Sahih قَالَتْ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَلاَ أُعَلِّمُكِ كَلِمَاتٍ تَقُولِينَهُنَّ عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ أَوْ فِي الْكَرْبِ اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي لاَ أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا". قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ هَذَا هِلاَلٌ مَوْلَى عُمَرَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ وَابْنُ جَعْفَرٍ هُوَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ.
“May I not teach you phrases which you utter in distress”
Sunan Ibn Majah 3882Sahih قَالَتْ عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ عِنْدَ الْكَرْبِ " اللَّهُ اللَّهُ رَبِّي لاَ أُشْرِكُ بِهِ شَيْئًا".
“Allah! Allahu Rabbi la ushriku bihi shay'an”
Defending the truth with courage and honesty
When Umar suggested that the Muhajirun who came by land had more right to the Prophet than the people of the ship, Asma answered strongly, then went to the Prophet and repeated Umar's words without adding or leaving out anything. The Prophet told her that the people of the ship had two migrations.
Try this today
Take a disagreement to the right authority, and report both sides faithfully.
Sit with this
Can you raise a disagreement honestly and still report both sides fairly?
Sources
Sahih al-Bukhari 4230Sahih … فِي أَرْضِ الْبُعَدَاءِ الْبُغَضَاءِ بِالْحَبَشَةِ، وَذَلِكَ فِي اللَّهِ وَفِي رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَايْمُ اللَّهِ، لاَ أَطْعَمُ طَعَامًا، وَلاَ أَشْرَبُ شَرَابًا حَتَّى أَذْكُرَ مَا قُلْتَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ كُنَّا نُؤْذَى وَنُخَافُ، وَسَأَذْكُرُ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَسْأَلُهُ، وَاللَّهِ لاَ أَكْذِبُ وَلاَ أَزِيغُ وَلاَ أَزِيدُ …
“I will mention this to the Prophet (ﷺ) and will not tell a lie or curtail your saying or add something to it”
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih … هِجْرَتَانِ". قَالَتْ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَأَصْحَابَ السَّفِينَةِ يَأْتُونِي أَرْسَالاً يَسْأَلُونِي عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مَا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا شَىْءٌ هُمْ بِهِ أَفْرَحُ وَلاَ أَعْظَمُ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِمَّا قَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. قَالَ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ فَقَالَتْ أَسْمَاءُ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسْتَعِيدُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ …
“for you, i. e. for the people of the boat, there are two migrations”
Seeking protection for children
Asma asked the Prophet whether she could use ruqyah for Ja'far's children who were suffering from the evil eye. He allowed it and said that if anything could overcome the decree, it would be the evil eye. She acted at once to protect them.
Try this today
Recite ruqyah and protective du'as for your children.
Sit with this
Which protective du'as do you say over your children?
Source
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2059Sahih … الْبَابِ عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ وَبُرَيْدَةَ. وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ. وَقَدْ رُوِيَ هَذَا، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ بْنِ رِفَاعَةَ، عَنْ أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم. حَدَّثَنَا بِذَلِكَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْخَلاَّلُ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، …
“Some of Ja'far's children have suffered from an accelerated case of the inflammation of the eye”
Asking what to do after childbirth on a journey
At Dhul-Hulayfah, Asma gave birth. Abu Bakr asked the Prophet, who said she should wash and enter ihram. She did not allow it to prevent her from the pilgrimage, and a ruling for women came from her situation.
Try this today
Ask the specific question and follow the answer; your question may benefit others.
Sit with this
What question have you not asked because it felt too specific?
Sources
Sahih Muslim 1209Sahih قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَةُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، - عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، - رضى الله عنها - قَالَتْ نُفِسَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ بِمُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرٍ بِالشَّجَرَةِ فَأَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَبَا بَكْرٍ يَأْمُرُهَا أَنْ تَغْتَسِلَ وَتُهِلَّ.
“she should take a bath and then enter into the state of Ihram”
Sunan an-Nasa'i 2762Sahih قَالَ نَفَسَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ فَأَرْسَلَتْ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَسْأَلُهُ كَيْفَ تَفْعَلُ فَأَمَرَهَا أَنْ تَغْتَسِلَ وَتَسْتَثْفِرَ بِثَوْبِهَا وَتُهِلَّ.
“perform Ghusl and wrap her private parts in a cloth, and to begin the talbiyah”
Feeding the family of the bereaved
When Ja'far was killed, the Prophet told his household to prepare food for Ja'far's family because they were occupied with their grief. Asma was in that family; the practice of cooking for the bereaved came from her loss.
Try this today
Take food to a bereaved family this week.
Sit with this
Which bereaved family could you take a meal to this week?
Source
Sunan Ibn Majah 1611Hasan قَالَتْ حَدَّثَتْنِي أُمُّ عَوْنٍ ابْنَةُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ جَدَّتِهَا، أَسْمَاءَ بِنْتِ عُمَيْسٍ قَالَتْ لَمَّا أُصِيبَ جَعْفَرٌ رَجَعَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ إِلَى أَهْلِهِ فَقَالَ " إِنَّ آلَ جَعْفَرٍ قَدْ شُغِلُوا بِشَأْنِ مَيِّتِهِمْ فَاصْنَعُوا لَهُمْ طَعَامًا". قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَمَا زَالَتْ سُنَّةً حَتَّى كَانَ حَدِيثًا فَتُرِكَ.
“The family of Ja'far are busy with the matter of their deceased, so prepare food for them”
Staying patient far from home
Asma stayed in a foreign land with her husband for years for the sake of Allah and His Messenger. She said it was constant fear and harm and made no complaint beyond reporting it to the Prophet.
Try this today
When sacrifice is hard, remember it is seen and counted by Allah and His Messenger.
Sit with this
What hidden sacrifice of yours does only Allah see?
Source
Sahih al-Bukhari 4230Sahih … جَاهِلَكُمْ، وَكُنَّا فِي دَارِ أَوْ فِي أَرْضِ الْبُعَدَاءِ الْبُغَضَاءِ بِالْحَبَشَةِ، وَذَلِكَ فِي اللَّهِ وَفِي رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَايْمُ اللَّهِ، لاَ أَطْعَمُ طَعَامًا، وَلاَ أَشْرَبُ شَرَابًا حَتَّى أَذْكُرَ مَا قُلْتَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ كُنَّا نُؤْذَى وَنُخَافُ، وَسَأَذْكُرُ ذَلِكَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَسْأَلُهُ، وَاللَّهِ لاَ …
“we were in the far-off hated land of Ethiopia, and all that was for the sake of Allah's Messenger”
Virtues
The Prophet told her that the people of the ship, who had gone to Abyssinia, had two migrations.
“for you, i. e. for the people of the boat, there are two migrations”
Arabic text
… هِجْرَتَانِ". قَالَتْ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَأَصْحَابَ السَّفِينَةِ يَأْتُونِي أَرْسَالاً يَسْأَلُونِي عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مَا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا شَىْءٌ هُمْ بِهِ أَفْرَحُ وَلاَ أَعْظَمُ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِمَّا قَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. قَالَ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ فَقَالَتْ أَسْمَاءُ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسْتَعِيدُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ …
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih
The Prophet included Ja'far and his companions, including Asma, in the share of Khaybar even though they were absent.
“He allocated a share to them”
Arabic text
… فَكَانَ نَاسٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ يَقُولُونَ لَنَا - يَعْنِي لأَهْلِ السَّفِينَةِ - نَحْنُ سَبَقْنَاكُمْ بِالْهِجْرَةِ. قَالَ فَدَخَلَتْ أَسْمَاءُ بِنْتُ عُمَيْسٍ - وَهِيَ مِمَّنْ قَدِمَ مَعَنَا - عَلَى حَفْصَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَائِرَةً وَقَدْ كَانَتْ هَاجَرَتْ إِلَى النَّجَاشِيِّ فِيمَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ فَدَخَلَ عُمَرُ عَلَى حَفْصَةَ وَأَسْمَاءُ عِنْدَهَا فَقَالَ عُمَرُ …
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih
Her story was so loved by the people of the ship that Abu Musa asked her to repeat the hadith again and again.
“I saw Abu Musa, asking me to repeat this hadith to him again and again”
Arabic text
… هِجْرَتَانِ". قَالَتْ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَأَصْحَابَ السَّفِينَةِ يَأْتُونِي أَرْسَالاً يَسْأَلُونِي عَنْ هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مَا مِنَ الدُّنْيَا شَىْءٌ هُمْ بِهِ أَفْرَحُ وَلاَ أَعْظَمُ فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ مِمَّا قَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم. قَالَ أَبُو بُرْدَةَ فَقَالَتْ أَسْمَاءُ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ أَبَا مُوسَى وَإِنَّهُ لَيَسْتَعِيدُ هَذَا الْحَدِيثَ …
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih
Sayings and moments
Her reply to Umar: they had been far away in Abyssinia, among enemies, and it was all for Allah and His Messenger.
“we had been far (from here) in the land of Abyssinia amongst the enemies and that was all for Allah and Allah's Messenger”
Arabic text
… فِي دَارِ أَوْ فِي أَرْضِ الْبُعَدَاءِ الْبُغَضَاءِ فِي الْحَبَشَةِ وَذَلِكَ فِي اللَّهِ وَفِي رَسُولِهِ وَايْمُ اللَّهِ لاَ أَطْعَمُ طَعَامًا وَلاَ أَشْرَبُ شَرَابًا حَتَّى أَذْكُرَ مَا قُلْتَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ كُنَّا نُؤْذَى وَنُخَافُ وَسَأَذْكُرُ ذَلِكَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَسْأَلُهُ وَوَاللَّهِ لاَ أَكْذِبُ وَلاَ أَزِيغُ وَلاَ أَزِيدُ عَلَى …
Sahih Muslim 2503Sahih
Words on this page
- Du'aدعاء
- Supplication: calling on Allah and asking Him, in any language and at any time.
- Hadithحديث
- A report of what the Prophet ﷺ said, did or approved, passed down through a chain of narrators.
- Hajjالحج
- The pilgrimage to Makkah in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah, required once in a lifetime of every adult Muslim who is able.
- Ihramإحرام
- The sacred state a pilgrim enters for Hajj or Umrah, with its own dress and restrictions.
- Madinahالمدينة
- The city, formerly Yathrib, to which the Prophet ﷺ migrated and where the first Muslim community was built.
- Makkahمكة
- The city of the Ka'bah, where the Prophet ﷺ was born and revelation began.
- Muhajirunالمهاجرون
- "The emigrants": the Muslims who left Makkah for Madinah for the sake of Allah.
- Ruqyahرقية
- Reciting the Quran or approved du'as over someone who is ill or afflicted, as a means of healing.
Related companions
- أبو بكر الصديقAbu Bakr al-SiddiqThe Prophet's closest companion and first caliph, remembered for truthfulness, tender-hearted worship and giv…
- علي بن أبي طالبAli ibn Abi TalibCousin and son-in-law of the Prophet, among the first to believe, and fourth caliph; remembered for knowledge…
- عمر بن الخطابUmar ibn al-KhattabUmar ibn al-Khattab, al-Faruq and second caliph: his night prayer, justice, generosity and respect for the Bo…
- أبو موسى الأشعريAbu Musa al-Ash'ariAbu Musa al-Ash'ari of Yemen, whose sweet recitation the Prophet praised, later a judge and governor of Basra…
- ميمونة بنت الحارثMaymunah bint al-HarithMaymunah bint al-Harith, the last wife of the Prophet, a freer of slaves and narrator of ghusl, night prayer…
Sources and review
- Sunnah.com hadith collections (text confirmed via hadith-api mirror) (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: Asma bint Umays (dates and biography) (opens in a new tab)
Hadith numbers follow sunnah.com. Each report links to sunnah.com, and, where the numbering matches, to al-Hadees or HadithUnlocked as well. Quran verses link to quran.com, Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tanzil. The Arabic is taken from the hadith editions and trimmed around the quoted words, so read the full report at the source before relying on it. Grades are the ones those editions give.
This page is pending scholar review. It was compiled from public sources, and its citations were last checked on 7 October 2026. If you notice a mistake or a missing source, please tell us.