Zaynab was the daughter of Abu Salamah 'Abdullah Ibn 'Abd al-Asad al­Qurayshi al-Makhzumi. And her mother was Umm Salamah (Hind Bint Abi­Umayyah Ibn Suhayl al-Makhzumi), who later became the wife of the Prophet (S). She was born in Abyssinia and accompanied her mother in coming to al­Madinah. Her name was Barrah; and the Messenger of God (S) called her Zaynab.

She was an infant when her father Abu Salamah passed away. She was the sister through nursing of 'Urwah Ibn al-Zubayr the son of Asma' Bint Abi­Bakr. She married 'Abdullah Ibn Zuma' Ibn al-Aswad al-Asadi and they had six sons and three daughters together. Ibn Sa'd relates based on his documents from Abi Harmalah that Zaynab Bint Abi Salamah parted this world in the year 73 A.H. when Tariq was ruling in al-Madinah.1

Her Merits

Zaynab was raised by the Messenger of God (S) and her mother Umm­Salamah. She was one of the highest experts in jurisprudence in al-Madinah of her time. She is also considered to be one of the companions of the Messenger of God (S). She had a long life, and related seven traditions from him.

Ibn al­Athir quotes 'attaf in writing, "My mother said, 'I saw Zaynab when she was an old woman, but her face remained unchanged.'"2 (This means she didn't look old in appearance).

Abu Rafi' has said, "Whenever we wanted to mention a woman who was eminent in religious jurisprudence in al-Madinah, we would remember Zaynab the daughter of Umm Salamah."3 He also quotes al-Hasan al-Basri as saying, "During the War of al-Harrah4 a large number of the people of al-Madinah were killed, including two of the sons of Zaynab, the stepsons of the Messenger of God (S). When they brought them to her she said, "inna lillahi wa-inna ilayhi raji 'un (a Qur'anic expression when a misfortune befalls; We are Allah's and to Him shall we be returned)."5

Shaykh al-Tusi has listed Zaynab among the companions and transmitters of traditions from the Messenger of God (S).6

Sayyid al-Amin has mentioned her among the notables of the Shi'ah and said, "Zaynab, like her mother, was one of the most devoted of followers of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a)."7

Mamqani has called her one of the transmitters of traditions and companions saying, "I know her to be one of the good people."8

'Umar Ridha Kahallah has written, "She was a woman transmitter of traditions, knowledgeable, and more learned than all of the other women of her time in al-Madinah."9

She has related traditions from the Prophet (S), Umm Salamah (her mother), 'A'ishah, Zaynab Bint Jahsh, Umm Habibah the daughter of Abu Sufyan, Habibah the daughter of Umm Habibah, and the wives of the Prophet (S).10

'Ali Ibn al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali ('a), Abu 'Ubaydah Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Zama' (her son), Muhammad Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Ata, Humayd Ibn Nafi' al-Madani (Abu­Aflah), 'lrak Ibn Malik al-Ghifari, 'Urwah Ibn al-Zubayr, Abu Salamah Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman, Kulayb Ibn Wa'il, Abu Qulabah, 'Abdullah Ibn Zayd al­Jarmi, Qasim Ibn Muhammad Ibn Abi Bakr, Amir al-Mash'abi and others have related traditions from her.11

Ibn al-Athir has related based on his own documents from 'Attaf Ibn Khalid al­Makhzumi from his mother from Zaynab the daughter of Abu Salamah as saying, "Whenever the Messenger of God (S) was taking a shower my mother would say, 'Go to the Prophet.' When Iwould enter he would throw a handful of water in my face and say, 'Go back."'12

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr based on his own documents quotes from Muhammad Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Ata from Zaynab Bint Abi Salamah and Zaynab Bint Jahsh as saying, "My name was Barrah and the Prophet named me Zaynab."13

Al-Tabarani and the writer of Tahdhib al-Kamal based on their own documents have quoted from Ibn Luhay'ah from 'Amr Ibn Shu'ayb from Zaynab Bint Abi­Salamah as saying, "The Messenger of God (S) was in the house of Umm­Salamah when al-Hasan, al-Husayn, and Fatimah entered. The Prophet (S) seated al-Hasan ('a) to one side, al-Husayn ('a) to the other side, and Fatimah ('a) on his lap. Then he said, 'May God's mercy and blessings be upon you, my household, and He is praised and good."'

Zaynab says, "Umm Salamah and I were seated there. Umm Salamah cried. The Messenger of God (S) looked at her and said, 'Why are you crying?'

Umm Salamah said, 'O Messenger of God (S), you have made them special; and, my daughter and I were not considered.'

He said, 'You and your daughter are part of my household. '"14

Al-Tabarani has related eight traditions from Zaynab Bint Abi Salamah. Some of these are like the ones related here.

• 1. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 461.
• 2. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 468.
• 3. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 421.
• 4. The Event of al-Harrah was an attack that was led by Muslim Ibn 'Aqabah, one of the commanders of Yazid Ibn Mu'awiyah's army, against the people of al-Madinah in the year 63 A.H. More than 300 people of the children of the Muhajirun and Ansar and many of the Sahabah (companions of the Holy Prophet) were martyred during this attack.
• 5. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 421.
• 6. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 33.
• 7. A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 7, p. 133.
• 8. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 78.
• 9. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 767; Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 461.
• 10. Tahdhib al-Kamal, p 185.
• 11. Tahdhib al-Kamal, p 185.
• 12. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 468.
• 13. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1855.
• 14. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 281; Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 186.