Qutaylah bint Abd-al-Uzza

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Qutaylah bint Abd-al-Uzza (Arabic: قتيلة بنت عبدالعزة‎) was married to Abu Bakr and had two children with him, Asma bint Abu Bakr and `Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr, when Muhammad started his mission. When Abu Bakr declared his conversion to Islam, Qutaylah did not do the same. This resulted in Abu Bakr divorcing her, since a Muslim cannot be married to a polytheist.

Seven years had passed since Asma had migrated from Makkah and they had been parted ever since. Qutaylah then came to visit her daughter, Asma, in Medina. She had brought with her gifts of raisins, clarified butter and qaraz (pods of a species of sant tree).

Her daughter at first refused to admit her mother into her house or accept the gifts. She sent someone to Aisha to ask Muhammad about her attitude to her mother and he replied that she should certainly admit her to her house and accept the gifts.

This was the occasion for the following revelation of Muhammad:

"God forbids you not, with regard to those who do not fight you because of your faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. God loves those who are just. God only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your Faith, and drive you from your homes, and support others in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances) that do wrong."