Umamah was the daughter of Abu al-'As Ibn Rabi' Ibn 'Abd al-'Uzza al­Qurayshiyyah al-Abshamiyyah (the nephew of Lady Khadijah) and her mother was Zaynab the daughter of the Messenger of God (S). She was born during the time of his prophecy. After the martyrdom of Lady Fatimah ('a), Imam 'Ali ('a) married with Umamah according to her wishes. And, after the martyrdom of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) she married Nawfal Ibn al-Harith Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib according to his wishes.

At the time of her death she was unable to speak. Imam al-Hasan ('a) and Imam al-Husayn ('a) were with her when she passed away. This happened in about the year 50 A.H.L.1

Her Merits

The Messenger of God (S) liked Umamah dearly from the time of her birth. He would even put her on his shoulders during his daily prayers, and put her on the ground during his bending in prayer and his prostration.2 She was the granddaughter of the Prophet (S) and the niece of Fatimah ('a).

Fatimah had a great liking for Umamah and at the time of her death requested that Amir al­ Mu'minin ('a) marry with Umamah after her passing away.3 She said that Umamah was like a mother to her children. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr and Ibn al-Athir have included her among the companions of the Prophet (S).4

Ayatullah Khu'i has included her among the women transmitters of traditions and said that she has related traditions from Imam 'Ali ('a).5 Fatimah Bint 'Ali ('a) has related traditions from her.

Shaykh al-Kulayni, based on his own sources, has said that Abu Basir has related from Fatimah Bint Ali from Umamah Bint Abi 'As saying, "'Ali came to me during the month of Ramadan. I took dates and mushrooms for his dinner, and he ate them. Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) liked mushrooms."6

• 1. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 69.
• 2. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 39; al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 22, p. 438.
• 3. Al-Kafi, vol. 5, p. 555.
• 4. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1788; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 400.
• 5. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 23, p. 181.
• 6. Al-Kafi, vol. 6, p. 369.