Umm Ahmad was the mother of Ahmad1 Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far and one of the wives of Imam Kazim ('a). Her epithet comes from a tradition, which Shaykh al-Kulayni, Shaykh al-Tusi and Shaykh al-Saduq have narrated. Nothing is known about her real name and her family. She was also called Umm Walad.2 Most of the books who mention her name have referred to her as "Umm­Ahmad Ibn Musa."

However, Shaykh al-Mufid and the author of al-Mujdi do not list her among the daughters of Imam al-Kazim ('a). But, they list Ahmad's name among his sons' names. Some of the books on distinguished personalities have listed her name as Umm Muhammad, the wife of Imam al-Kazim ('a) 3

However, in studying the said tradition in the book al-Hujjah the name of the wife of Imam al-Kazim ('a) is given as Umm Ahmad. Thus, Umm Ahmad is correct, not Umm Muhammad.4 She died in 190 A.H.

Her Merits

Imam Musa al-Kazim ('a) showed a special affection for Umm Ahmad. When he left al-Madinah for Baghdad, he left the trusts of the Imamate with her and told her, "Whoever comes to you at any time and asks you for these trusts, know then that I have attained martyrdom and that this person is my successor after me. He is the Imam whom you and all the people must obey."

After the martyrdom of Imam Musa al-Kazim (‘a), Imam al-Ridha ('a) came to Umm Ahmad and asked her for the trust. Umm Ahmad asked him: "Was your father martyred?"

He answered, "Yes. I am returning from his funeral just now. So, give me the trust my father left with you when he left for Baghdad, because I am his successor and I am the true Imam for all Jinn and people."

Umm Ahmad rent her collar (in grief), then she turned the trust over to him and swore her allegiance to him as the new Imam.5

Shaykh al-Saduq narrates in the course of a long tradition the bequest of Imam Musa Ibn Ja'far ('a) when he said, "I have made my bequest to my children 'Ali, Ibrahim, 'Abbas, Isma'il, and Umm Ahmad."6 These words show the high esteem in which Imam Musa al-Kazim ('a) held Umm Ahmad, to the point of putting the trusts of the Imamate into her hands and entrusting her with the preservation of its secrets. Only the infallible and those closest to God attain this high station.

'Abbas Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far brought up doubts and suspicion as to the will and testament of Imam al-Kazim ('a). He asked that his seal be opened in the presence of a judge. Umm Ahmad's name was present among the executors of his will. Umm Ahmad was present with a veil covering her face. 'Abbas claimed that she was not Umm Ahmad. Therefore, they uncovered her face and saw that it was indeed Umm Ahmad. Umm Ahmad said, "I swear to God that my master (Imam Musa Ibn Ja'far ('a)) told me, 'You will be taken by force to a gathering in the future."' lshaq Ibn Ja'far said angrily, "Be quiet. Women are weak and disabled."7

Umm Ahmad has related traditions from Abu al-Hasan Musa Ibn Ja'far, and al-Husayn (Hasan) Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far has related traditions from her.

Shaykh al-Kulayni, al-Saduq and Shaykh al-Tusi narrate from al-Husayn Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far, who quoted his mother and Umm Ahmad Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far8 as having said, "We were traveling with Abu al-Hasan through the desert towards Baghdad when he ('a) said, 'Today is Thursday, do your ritual washing (ghusl) today instead of tomorrow, because tomorrow there will be only very little water.' Therefore, we did our ritual washing on Thursday instead of FRidhay...9

• 1. Ahmad Ibn Musa Ibn Ja'far, the brother of Imam al-Ridha ('a), is buried in Shiraz. His epithet is Shah Chiragh. Ahmad pledged allegiance to his brother Imam al-Ridha ('a), and was at his service until al-Ma'mun, the 'Abbasid ruler, invited the Imam to Khurasan. He was a generous and honorable man, and the Imam liked and respected him. [Kitab al-Irshad, p. 303; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 48, p. 307].
• 2. Al-Kafi, vol. 3, p 42; Tahdhib al-Ahkam, vol. 1, p 365.
• 3. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 74; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 488.
• 4. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 318.
• 5. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 48, p. 307. A similar tradition may be seen in the book lthbat al-Wisayah, p. 166.
• 6. 'Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha, vol. 1, p 42.
• 7. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 318.
• 8. In the narrations of Shaykh al-Kulayni, some versions refer to Umm-Ahmad as Umm-Ahmad Bint (daughter of) Musa; but in the narrations of Shaykh al-Saduq and Shaykh al-Tusi she is referred to as Umm-Ahmad Ibn (son of) Musa. In books on genealogy, the name Umm-Ahmad cannot be found among Imam Musa al-Kazim's daughters, but one of his sons is called Ahmad Ibn Musa. (Kitab al-Irshad, p. 302; Jamharatal-Ansab, p. 65; 'Umdat al-'Talib, p. 257). So, Umm-Ahmad Ibn Musa is more likely to be correct.
• 9. Al-Kafi, vol. 3, p. 42, Kitab al-'Taharah, This may be found in the chapter about the necessity of ritual washing on FRidhays; al-Faqih, vol. 1, p. 117. This is in the chapter about ritual washing on FRidhay; al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, 365; This is found in the chapter about how to do ritual washing; Tradition No. 1110.