Darimiyyah al-Hujuniyyah was a dark-skinned woman with a pure character from the tribe of Banu-Kinanah. She was one of the defenders of 'Ali ('a) and lived in al-Hujun in Makkah. She was alive at the time of the reign of Mu'awiyah.

Her Merits

She was an admirable and eloquent woman. Ibn 'Abd-Rabbih relates from Abu­Sahl al-Tamimi and Ibn Tayfur from Abu Ishaq al-Muqaddami her speech with Mu'awiyah in their books.

Her eloquence, strong reasoning, superior intelligence, and firm faith in the leadership of Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali ('a) may be seen from the following story.

When Mu'awiyah went on the Hajj pilgrimage, he asked as to the health of Darimiyyah al-Hujuniyyah. When he was informed as to her health, he sent someone to bring her to him. Darimiyyah came to him, and he asked as to her well-being in a demeaning manner. Then he said, "Do you know why I sent for you to come to me?"

She replied, "No. No one except God knows the unseen."

Mu'awiyah said, "I asked you to come here to see why you like 'Ali and consider me to be your enemy."

Darimiyyah said, "If my life is safe, I will tell you."

Mu'awiyah said, "You are safe. Tell me."

Darimiyyah said, "I like 'Ali because of his justice to his subjects. And, he distributed the public wealth evenly. You are my enemy because you fought with 'Ali over something which he was more deserving of; and, you asked for something which you had no right to. I like 'Ali because the Messenger of God (S) set the agreement for his leadership. He was the friend of the homeless and honored the scholars. You are my enemy because you have spilled the peoples blood unjustly, judged with oppression and unfairness, and passed laws based on your own desires."

In order to further humiliate her Mu'awiyah used more dishonorable words and Darimiyyah answered him.

Mu'awiyah said, "O woman! Have you seen 'Ali?"

Darimiyyah said, "Yes, I swear to God, I saw him."

He said, "How was he?"

Darimiyyah said, "That kingdom which deceived you, did not deceive him. The blessings which kept you busy (and caused you to forget God) did not keep him busy.”

Mu'awiyah said, "Have you heard him speak?"

Darimiyyah said, "By God, yes. He enlightened hearts from darkness and oppression, and shined them like oil shines a metal wash-tub."

Mu'awiyah said, "You are right." In the end Mu'awiyah ordered them to give her what she needs to keep her quiet and said, "I swear to God, if 'Ali was alive he wouldn't have given you anything."

Darimiyyah said, "Yes. I swear to God, he wouldn't even have given a mouse from the Muslims wealth (meaning he never gave anyone anything unjustly or without reason).”1

Darimiyyah has related traditions from 'Ali ('a); and Abu Ishaq Muqaddami and Abu Sahl al-Tamimi have related traditions from her. It is related from Abu Ishaq al-Muqaddami that Darimiyyah said,2 "I like 'Ali because of his justice to his subjects. And, he distributed the public wealth evenly. You are my enemy because you fought with 'Ali over something which he was more deserving of and you asked for something which you had no right to. I like 'Ali because the Messenger of God (S) made the pact for his leadership. He was the friend of the homeless and honored the scholars. I swear to God that the power which has deceived you did not deceive him. The blessings which have made you neglectful did not make him neglectful. His speech polished the darkness from the hearts without removing the color of the container."3

• 1. Al-'Iqd al-Farid, vol. 1, p. 352; Balaghat al-Nisa', p. 105.
• 2. The definition of a tradition is, relating a quote, deed, or writing from one of the Holy lnfallibles (al-Masumin, the Holy Twelve Imams plus the Holy Prophet and Lady Fatimah al-Zahra', peace be upon all of them). Therefore, Darimiyyah's words about Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) may be considered to be a tradition.
• 3. Al-'Iqd al-Farid, vol. 1, p. 352; Balaghat al-Nisa', p. 105.