Rabab was the daughter of lmru'al-Qays Ibn 'Adi Ibn Aws Ibn... Kalb. Her mother was Maysur the daughter of 'Amr Ibn Tha'labah Ibn Husayn Ibn Samsam. Rabab married al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali ('a) and their children were Sakinah and 'Abdullah, or 'Ali al-Aghar. She accompanied Imam al-Husayn ('a) and the rest of his family and close ones to Karbala'. On the day of 'Ashura' her nursing infant, 'Abdullah, was martyred.1

After that heartrending tragedy she was taken as a captive along with the rest of the women and children of the family of the Messenger of God (S) to al-Kufah and Damascus. After that she was returned to al-Madinah; and, she set up residence there. Even though after her waiting period several men from among the nobles and people of distinction asked for her hand in marriage, Rabab refused saying, "I will never take a spouse after the son of the Messenger of God (S).2

Grief and sadness caused her to pass away one year after the events at Karbala'; and, she was buried in al-Madinah.3

Her Merits

Rabab was one of the best and most superior women of her time. She had the honor of being the wife and companion of Abu 'Abdullah, al-Husayn ('a). She was a witness and part of the tragedy and difficulties which were brought upon al-Husayn ('a), his family, and dependents. And, she tolerated it all. Rabab was a witness to the martyrdom of her infant child, 'Abdullah ('Ali al-Asghar) and her husband, the king of the Imams, Abu 'Abdullah, al-Husayn ('a). And then she suffered the hardships of travels, captivity, and humiliation in Kufah and Damascus until she reached al-Madinah.

In al-Madinah she cried day and night over the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn ('a). In memory of him, she compiled poems. Shaykh al-Kulayni also talks of the mourning of Rabab and says, "When al-Husayn ('a) was martyred, his Kalbi wife (Rabab was the daughter of lmru'al-Qays al-Kalbi) mourned and cried for him; and, her women and servants cried with her until their tears dried."4

'Allamah Mamqani has listed her among the women transmitters of traditions. He has written, "There is the most authentic in her quotes."5

'Umar Ridha Kahhalah says, "She was one of the Arab poets; and, one of the best and most superior women of her time.6

She has related traditions from Imam al-Husayn ('a). About the martyrdom of her husband, Abu 'Abdullah al-Husayn ('a), she has composed a poem with the following meaning:7

“The person who was light, and others asked him for light, was killed in Karbala' without being buried. O son of the Prophet, may God bless you with a suitable reward in place of us. You were protected from impairment or loss. You were like a strong and firm mountain which I took shelter in. You were kind with us like a father and mother. Now who is the shelter for the orphans and the poor? Who is it that every destitute person can take refuge in him, and become satisfied? I swear to God, I want no spouse in place of him, till the time when I am buried among the sand and dirt.”

• 1. Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 3, p. 343.
• 2. Al-Kamil fi'l-Tarikh, vol. 4, p. 36; al-Sayyidah Sakinah, pp. 85, 87.
• 3. Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, pp. 883, 1014; al-Aghani, pp. 14, 16.
• 4. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 466, tradition no. 9; Bihar al Anwar, vol. 45, p. 170.
• 5. Tanqih al Maqal, vol. 3, p. 78.
• 6. A'lam al Nisa', vol. 1, p. 438.
• 7. Al Aghani, vol. 16, p. 142; A'lam al Nisa', vol. 1, p. 439.