Hajjaj gave instructions that Abdullah’s lifeless body be crucified. To add insult to injury, he declared that it would only be taken down if Asma beseeched him to do so. Asma (RA) refused to do any such thing and her refusal was relayed to Hajjaj. The tyrant vowed that she would come to him, or he would send someone to drag her by her hair. In return, Asma vowed that she would not come to him, unless someone did drag her by her hair.

In the end, Hajjaj went to Asma’s residence. Keen to see her spirit broken, he insolently enquired: “What do you say about this matter?” Subhaanallah. This is a tyrannical governor who has just murdered her son asking such an impertinent question, yet Asma did not flinch. She proudly replied, “As far as I am concerned, the result of the battle between you and my son is that you have destroyed his worldly life and he has destroyed your akhirah (hereafter)!” Asma then contemptuously asked: “Has not the time yet arrived for this knight to dismount?” Hajjaj replied, “You mean this munafiq (hypocrite?)” Asma boldly countered, “By Allah! He was not a munafiq. He was a man well-known for his prayers and fasting. I heard Allah’s Messenger (SAW) say that a great liar and a great fitnah-maker will arise from the tribe of Thaqeef. We have already seen the liar (Musaylimah al-Kathab) and I think that the fitnah-maker is none other than you!”

The unswerving attitude of Asma (RA) in times of calamity is a testimony to the strength of her character. She displayed a remarkable level of sabr (patience) when severely tested. Her patience was reflected in the character of her sons. Another one of her sons, Urwah ibn az-Zubayr, was one of the renowned scholars of Madinah. Urwah’s son Hishaam reports that his father's leg had to be amputated at the knee and he was advised to drink an intoxicant. Urwah refused saying, "I did not think that anyone would drink something which would take away his intellect to the point that he did not know his Lord." So they took off his leg with a saw, and he did not say anything but "Ouch, ouch." And in the same journey his son Muhammad was kicked to death by a mule and 'Urwah was not heard to say anything about it but: We have suffered much fatigue in this, our journey. [Soorah Kahf 18:62]. O Allaah, I had seven sons and You took one and left me with six, and I had four limbs and You took one and left me with three - so if You have tested me then You have saved me, and if You have taken - You have left (more) behind." (Ibn 'Asaakir (11/287)

Asma bin Abu Bakr died a few days after the murder of her son Abdullah. She was amongst the earliest to accept Islam. She was a strong, dedicated, righteous lady. Even when grief-stricken, she was determined to speak out against injustice. Where others would have weakened and complained, she bore tremendous difficulties for the sake of Allah. One can see that Allah chose the best of creation to be the Companions of the last Prophet sent to mankind - Muhammad (SAW). "And the foremost to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar and also those who followed them in goodness, Allaah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. Allaah has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success." [Surah At-Tawbah: 100]

Source: al-istiqamah.com

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