Maymunah, the Holy Prophet's wife, was the daughter of al-Harith Ibn Hazan al-'Amiri al-Hilali. Her mother was Hind Bint 'Awf Ibn Zuhayr form the tribe of Himyar. Originally, her name was Barrah, but the Messenger of God (S) changed her name to Maymunah. She was the sister of Umm al-Fadl (Lubabah), the wife of al-'Abbas Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, and the maternal sister of Asma' Bint 'Umays and Zaynab Bint Khuzaymah.

Before the advent of Islam, she married with Mas'ud Ibn Amr al-Thaqafi. And, after him she married Huwaytib Ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza (Qutadah has said his name was Aburahm Ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza). After his death she married with the Messenger of God (S) for a dowry of 500 dirhams in a place called Sarf1 in the year seven A.H. during the 'Umrat al-Qada'2 under the auspices of the Prophet's uncle, al-'Abbas.3

Maymunah, the wife of the Messenger of God (S), passed away in the same place called Sarf in the year 51 A.H. Her sister's daughter, Ibn 'Abbas, prayed over her and entered her grave. Some have said she passed away in the year 62 or 63 A.H. However, Ibn Hajar has said, “The year 51 is correct, because Yazid Ibn al-Asamm4 said, 'After the death of Maymunah I went to 'A'ishah, and she said about her, 'Maymunah was both one of the most credulous people and a person of conviction.''"5 The current map of the Baqi' Cemetery lists Maymunah among the wives of the Messenger of God (S) who are buried there.

'A'ishah died in the year 57 or 58 A.H. and was alive at the time of the death of Maymunah (according to the writings of most of the historians). Therefore, we can see that the years 62 and 63 cannot be correct. However, Ibn Sa'd relates from Muhammad Ibn 'Umar that Maymunah passed away in the year 61 A.H. during the reign of Yazid Ibn Mu'awiyah, and that she was the last wife of the Prophet (S) to pass away. At that time she would have been 81 years old.6

Her Merits

Maymunah was the wife of the Messenger of God (S) and related 76 traditions from him.7 Qutadah has said, "The verse was revealed about Maymunah."8

وَامْرَأَةً مُّؤْمِنَةً اِن وَهَبَتْ نَفْسَهَا لِلنَّبِيّ‌ِ اِنْ أَرَادَ النَّبِيُّ أَن يَسْتَنكِحَهَا خَالِصَةً لَّكَ مِن دُونِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ

“……..and a believing woman if she gives herself unto the Prophet, if the Prophet desires to wed her, for you exclusively, not for the (rest of the) believers……..” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:50).

The author of al-Mizan has written, "This verse is said to have been revealed about Khawlah (Umm Sharik) and Layla Bint Hatim too."9

The Messenger of God (S) has said about her and her sisters, "May God bless the sisters whose places are in Heaven." And, then he mentioned their names in this way: Asma" Bint 'Umays, Umm al-Fadl... and Maymunah Bint al-Harith who was the wife of the Prophet..."10

Maymunah was a devotee of Imam 'Ali ('a). Jabir Ibn Yazid al-Ja'fari relates from Abu Ja'far ('a) as saying, "The Prophet (S) said, 'The enemy of 'Ali who ignores his mastership and friendship, and likes his enemies will not find an escape from the fire, or its burning, flames, and heat.'

Maymunah, the wife of the Prophet (S) said, 'I know of only a few of the companions who are friends of 'Ali.'

He answered, 'A small number of believers is much. Which associates (of his friends) do you know?'

Maymunah said, 'I know Abu Dharr, al-Miqdad, and Salman. I have learned to like 'Ali through liking you.'

He stated, 'You have stated the truth. God has tested your true faith."'11

The Messenger of God (S) gave 80 wasaq of dates and 20 wasaq of barley to Maymunah from the conquest of Khaybar.12 This shows that she was present at Khaybar.

Al-Tabarani based on his documents relates from Jari Ibn Samarah that he said, "During the early days of the reign of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) someone in al­Madinah went to the house of Umm al-Mu'minin Maymunah. She asked, 'Where are you coming from.'

He answered, 'From al-Kufah.'

She asked, 'From which tribe?'

He responded, 'From Banu-'Amir.'

Maymunah asked him, 'Why did you come?'

He said, 'Because I saw the people's sedition. I was afraid I would go astray.'

Maymunah said, 'Have you pledged allegiance to 'Ali.'

'Yes', he said.

She told him, 'Return and don't leave the group of 'Ali. I swear to God that whoever is with him will not go astray."'13

Al-Hakim has also quoted this tradition from Jari Ibn Kulayb al-'Amiri in his book al-Mustadrak based on his documents. There he has said, "This tradition is correct according to the conditions of the two Shaykhs.”14 & 15

Ibn Sa'd and al-Tabarani based on their documents have related from Kurayb from Ibn 'Abbas that the Messenger of God (S) said, "The believing sisters are Maymunah, Umm al-Fadl, and Asma'.'"'16

Ibn Sa'd has related that one of the relatives of Maymunah entered her house and his mouth smelled of alcohol. Maymunah said, "Go out and never come to my house." He has also related that Maymunah saw some pomegranate seeds on the ground. She picked them up and said, “God does not care for corruption.”17

Shaykh al-Tusi and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal have counted Umm al-Mu'minin Maymunah among the companions and transmitters of traditions from the Messenger of God (S).18

'Allamah Mamqani has written, "There is one of the companions whose name was mentioned in the tradition from 'Ubaydullah Ibn 'Ali al-Halabi about the major ablution for menstruation in the book al-Faqih." He has also written, "The words of the Messenger of God (S) about Maymunah prove her trustworthiness, because a person whose heartfelt faith has been tested by God is clearly trustworthy and just.''19

Sayyid Muhsin al-Amin has written, "From what al-Hakim has related in his book al-Mustadrak, her liking and devotion to Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) is clear."20

Shaykh Mahallati has said, "Both the Sunnis and the Shi’ah agree on her dignified station."21

She has related traditions from the Messenger of God (S).22 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a), Abdullah Ibn 'Abbas (her nephew), 'Abdullah Ibn Shaddad (her nephew), Abd al-Raman Ibn al-Sa'ib al-Hilali (her nephew), Yazid Ibn al-Asamm (her nephew), 'Ubaydullah al-Khawalani (her student), Nudbah [or Budayyah] (her servant), 'Ata' Ibn Yasar (her servant), Sulayman Ibn Yasar (her servant), Ibrahim Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Ma'bad, Kurayb the servant of Ibn 'Abbas, Ubayd Ibn al-Sabbaq, 'Ubaydullah Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn 'Utbah Ibn Mas'ud al-Hudhali, 'Aliyah Bint Subay', 'Abdullah Ibn Sulayt, Miqsam the servant of Ibn 'Abbas, and 'Imran Ibn Hudhayfah.23

Maymunah related many traditions from the Prophet (S), and al-Tabarani brought these in his book al-Mu'jam al-Kabir.24

Al-Tabarani based on his documents quotes from Muhammad Ibn Nadlah from Ja'far Ibn Muhammad (Imam al-Sadiq) from his father, from his ancestor 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a), from Maymunah Bint al-Harith that she reported about one night when the Messenger of God (S) was with her, "He woke up to get the minor ablution for his prayer. I heard him repeat three times: 'Labbayka' while he was washing. And, three times he said, 'I helped, I helped, I helped.' When his prayer finished, I said, 'May my mother and father be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of God (S)! I heard you say while you were getting the minor ablution..."'25

Al-Saduq based on his documents relates from Imam al-Baqir ('a) that Maymunah said, "The Prophet (S) told me, 'When you are in your period and your clothes become dirty and the uncleanness has passed into your clothes (or you put a cloth to catch it), you can lie next to me in bed."26

Al-Tabarani based on his documents relates from Ibn Abbas from Maymunah Bint al-Harith that she said, "The Messenger of God (S) woke up one morning much changed and distressed, and was like this till the afternoon. I said, 'O Messenger of God (S), why do I see you worried and distressed?'

He said, 'the angel Gabriel had promised to come, and he has never broken his promise. But, he hasn't come.'

They looked around and found a puppy under the table (a small table to put the household items on). The Prophet (S) told them to remove the puppy from there and wash the place with water. Gabriel came and the Messenger of God (S) said, 'You promised me to come, and you had never

broken your promise before.' The angel said, 'Don't you know that I never enter a house in which there is a dog or a statue."'27

Al-Tabarani relates the following traditions from Ibn 'Abbas from Maymunah from the Prophet (S): "Five traditions about how the Messenger of God (S) took the major ablution,28 two traditions about the blessings from praying in the Prophet's Mosque,29 and three traditions about using a single dish of water for taking the major ablution."30

Ibn Sa'd has also related traditions similar to these: eight traditions about using the hide of a dead sheep,31 and four traditions about using oil in which a mouse has fallen.32 The al-Sihah al-Sittah books have related traditions from Maymunah, and Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim have related 13 similar traditions.33

Al-Majlisi relates the following tradition from a number of people from Maymunah from Imam 'Ali ('a) about the Messenger of God's fondness for al-Husayn ('a), "The Prophet (S) came to our house at a time that I ('Ali) was sleeping in bed. Hasan wanted some water, and he (the Prophet) brought some for him. At the same time al-Husayn wanted some water, however the Prophet (S) was reluctant for al-Husayn to drink the water first. Fatimah said, 'O Messenger of God (S), it would seem that you like al-Hasan more than al­Husayn.' He said, 'al-Hasan is not dearer, but he is the first one to ask for water.' Then he said, 'You and I, and these two, and that one who is sleeping - 'Ali ('a) - will be in one place on the day of Judgment."'34

• 1. Sarf is the name of a region between Makkah and al-Madinah which is ten miles away from Makkah. (Taj al-'Arus, vol. 6, p. 137)
• 2. Al-Qada is the name of a battle in which the Messenger of God (S) participated. This took place in the year 7 A.H. 'Umrat al-Qada' is a trip to Makkah which the Messenger of God (S) took before this battle.
• 3. Hibah or tafwid means that a woman marries herself to the Prophet (S) without a dowry. This law just pertained to the Holy Prophet (S). Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1917; al­Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 422.
• 4. Yazid Ibn al-Asamm Ibn Ubayd Ibn... Ibn 'Amir Ibn sa’sa'ah al-Kufi lived in al­Raqqah. His mother was Raza Bint Harith, the sister of Maymunah Umm al-Mu'minin (i.e., the mother of the believers; the Holy Prophet's wife). He transmitted many traditions and was considered to be reliable. (Tahdhib al-Tahdhib).
• 5. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 453.
• 6. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 140.
• 7. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 5, p. 139.
• 8. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1917.
• 9. Tafsir al-Mizan, vol.16, p. 342.
• 10. Al-Khisal, vol. 2, p. 363.
• 11. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 83.
• 12. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 14.
• 13. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 10.
• 14. Shaykhayn (the two mentors) stands for al-Bukhari and Muslim. Shart al-Shaykhayn (conditions of the two mentors) stands for the conditions under which al-Bukhari and Muslim have accepted the traditions to be authentic.
• 15. Hayat al-Qulub, p. 335; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, 199.
• 16. Al-Tabaqt al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 138.
• 17. Al-Tabaqt al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 139.
• 18. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 32; al-Jami 'fi'l-'Ilal wa-Ma'rifat al-Rijal, p. 244.
• 19. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 83.
• 20. A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 10, 199.
• 21. Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 2, p. 334.
• 22. Al-Jami fi’l- 'Ilal wa-Ma'rifat al-Rijal, p. 244.
• 23. Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 312.
• 24. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 422 - 431.
• 25. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 433.
• 26. Man la Yahdaruhu al-Faqih, vol. 1, p. 99 (in the section about the major ablution for menstruation and after childbirth, p. 205).
• 27. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 430.
• 28. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 422 - 424.
• 29. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 425.
• 30. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 23, p. 425 – 426.
• 31. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 23, p. 426 – 428.
• 32. Ibid, vol. 23, p. 429 - 430.
• 33. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 453.
• 34. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 283.