Asma bint Umays

Asma bint Umays had the distinction of being married to three of the most prominent companions of the Prophet ﷺ. Her first husband was Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and leader of the Abyssinian emigrants. She emigrated to Abyssinia with him and lived there for several years. When Ja'far returned from Abyssinia to Madinah, she rejoiced at meeting the Prophet again and at the Muslim victories. Ja'far was martyred at the Battle of Mu'tah in 8 AH. After her iddah (waiting period), she married Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, who became the first caliph. She bore him a son, Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. When Abu Bakr died in 13 AH, she married Ali ibn Abi Talib, giving her a unique connection to all three of the first three caliphs and to the Prophet's family. She narrated hadiths from the Prophet. She was known for her wisdom and was consulted on matters of Islamic practice by other women. Her children from these three marriages were among the most prominent figures of the next generation.