Sukaynah1 was the daughter of al-Husayn Ibn Ali Ibn Abi Talib, and her mother was al-Rabab Bint Imru'al-Qays Ibn 'Adi Ibn Aws Ibn Jabir. Sukaynah's name has been mentioned to be Aminah, Umaymah, and Aminah (the same name as her ancestor, Amina Bint Wahab), but the most common name for her was Sukaynah.2

She married her cousin 'Abdullah Ibn al-Hasan,3 but he was martyred in Karbala' with his uncle Imam al-Husayn ('a). After the martyrdom of her father Imam al-Husayn ('a) and his followers, Sukaynah, along with her aunt Zaynab ('a), and the rest of the remaining family from the Prophet (S) were taken as captives to Damascus. And, then they were taken to al-Madinah.

Subsequently, Sukaynah married Mus'ab Ibn al-Zubayr4 and Rabab was born. Following Mus'ab she married 'Abdullah Ibn 'Uthman Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn... Ibn Khuwaylid and Hakim and 'Uthman were born. After 'Abdullah she married Zayd Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Uthman Ibn ‘Affan.5

According to what most of the historians have said, Sukaynah passed away in al-Madinah on the 5th of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 117 A.H. during the reign of Khalid Ibn 'Abd al-Malik.6

Khalid didn't permit her to be buried, because he wanted to pray over her himself, so he brought the excuse of the weather being too warm. The people waited till night. Finally, they returned to their houses, and distributed perfume and incense around the body. The next day the governor allowed her to be buried, and the prayer to be read.

Sukaynah was buried in the city of her ancestor the Messenger of God (S) in al-Madinah.7 Some have said that Sukaynah passed away while doing the Lesser Pilgrimage ('Umrah) in Makkah in the year 126.8

Abu al-Faraj has said, "Sukaynah passed away in al-Madinah during the government of Khalid Ibn 'Abd al-Malik, and he postponed her burial because of the noontime heat. 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a) ordered that everyone who had come for the burial and prayer should be sprayed with perfume...9

In consideration of the fact that 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a) passed away between the years 92 and 94, and Sukaynah in the year 117, his presence at her burial cannot be true. The shrine in Damascus for Sukaynah is in truth for a different Sukaynah. On its grave stone is written, "Sukaynah Bint al-Malik." Ibn 'Asakir too has said, "The religious authorities consider the possibility of the grave in Damascus belonging to Sukaynah to be weak, because according to what the historians have said she passed away in al-Madinah."10

Sukaynah's marriage with Zayd Ibn 'Amr Ibn 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan has been reported in such books as al-Tabaqat al-Kubra and al-Aghani by Abu al-Faraj. However, authors such as al-Muqarram and al-Hassun believe this is incompatible with the personality of the members of the immaculate and pure household.11

Her Merits

Sukaynah was an eloquent woman. She was considered one of the best poets of her time, and as such held a high position. The great poets and literary men from the Quraysh would come to her for discussion and debate. She would judge and correct their poems, and she would pay them a fee. Some of the writers in their books have mentioned her meeting with a group of poets including al-Farzdaq.12 & 13

Abu Faraj al-Isfahani14 has also brought her words and poems in his book. For instance, he has said, "A group of the people of al-Kufah came to Sukaynah to see her and give their condolences. She told them, 'God knows how much I am angered with you. You martyred my ancestor 'Ali ('a) and murdered my husband Mus’ab. You made me an orphan as a child, and made me sit in my home as an adult. How can you come to visit me like this?"'15

Sukaynah along with her husband followed her father al-Husayn ('a) to Karbala', and was present during the events of Karbala'. She took part in all the tragedies and difficulties, and witnessed the martyrdom of her brothers, uncles, cousins, husband, and father. She said goodbye to the mutilated body of her father, and tolerated captivity. She was a modest and chaste woman.

Sahl Ibn Sa'd, one of the companions of the Messenger of God (S), relates, "When I entered Damascus and heard the household of the Prophet (S) had entered, I went to them to see if there was anything I could do for them. I asked a girl, 'Who are you?'

She said, 'Sukaynah Bint al-Husayn.'

I asked her, 'Is there anything you need? I am Sahl Ibn Sa'd. I saw your grandfather, and I heard his words.'

Sukaynah said, “O Sahl, tell the person who is carrying the head (of Imam al-Husayn) to go in front of us. In this way the people will be busy looking at it and not look at us, in view of the fact that we are the women from the household of the Messenger of God (S).”16

Sukaynah was a brave woman, and did not remain quiet in face of the curses of Banu-Umayyah. 'Umar Ridha Kahhalah has written, "On FRidhays she would go in front of Khalid Ibn 'Abd al-Malik. When he would start to curse and use foul language about 'Ali ('a), Sukaynah along with her servants would curse him. And, Khalid's guards would beat her servants."

Sukaynah, as the female leader of the Quraysh, entered upon Hisham.17 She removed his sash from his waist and his turban from his head.

When Marwan would curse Sukaynah's ancestor (Imam 'Ali), Sukaynah would curse Marwan, his father, and his grandfather. The daughter of 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan told Sukaynah, "I am the daughter of a martyr." Sukaynah was quiet. All of a sudden, the caller to prayer (Muezzin) said, "I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God." Sukaynah said, "ls this my father or yours?"

The other woman said, "I will never boast in front of you."18

Thus, Sukaynah was a brave, awe-inspiring, great woman, and no one had the dare to be disrespectful to her. When she humiliated Hisham, he was unable to say anything in response to her. This shows her authority and greatness.

Imam al-Husayn ('a) has said about her and her mother, "I swear to you on your life, I like the house in which Sukaynah and al-Rabab live."19

'Umar Ridha Kahhalah has written, "Sukaynah was an honorable, chaste woman with a high station."20

Bint al-Shati has written, "Truly, because of Sukaynah's high ancestry, status, and position she had a limitless and clear esteem."21

Zaynab Fawwaz has written, "Sukaynah was an eminent woman in her time, one of the most beautiful, with great morals, and of the most esteemed.22

Mamqani has listed Sukaynah among the women transmitters of traditions.'23

She has related traditions from al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali ('a), her father, and Umm­Kulthum Bint 'Ali ('a). Fa'id al-Madani the servant of 'Ubaydullah and Fatimah Bint Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a) have related traditions from her.

Ibn 'Asakir has related based on his documents from Fa'id the servant of 'Ubaydullah Ibn Abi Rafi' who related from Sukaynah Bint al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali from her father that she told me, "The Messenger of God (S) stated, '(On the Judgment Day) the carriers of the Qur'an (those who have memorized it) are outstanding people in Heaven.'"24

Al-Majlisi based on his documents relates from Bakr Ibn al-ahnaf from Fatimah Bint 'Ali Ibn Musa al-Ridha ('a) from the daughters of Musa Ibn Ja'far ('a), Fatimah, Zaynab, and Umm Kulthum, from Fatimah Bint Ja'far Ibn Muhammad from Fatimah Bint Muhammad Ibn 'Ali from Fatimah Bint 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn from the daughters of al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali ('a), Fatimah and Sukaynah, from Umm Kulthum Bint 'Ali ('a) from her mother Fatimah the daughter of the Messenger of God (S) that she said, "I heard the Messenger of God (S) say, 'The night I was taken to the heavens, I entered Heaven and saw a palace made of white diamonds. It had a door decorated with pearls and rubies. There was a curtain over the door. I raised my head, and on the door it was written, 'There is no god besides God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God, and 'Ali is the master of his nation.' Also, it was written, 'Lucky are the followers (Shi'ah) of 'Ali.""25

• 1. Sukaynah is the name of a small girl who has a sensitive and cheerful spirit. This word is used for the daughter of Imam al-Husayn ('a) in the lexicons.
• 2. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 221; Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, p. 827; Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 155.
• 3. Al-Mujdi, p. 19.
• 4. Mas'ab Ibn al-Zubayr was his brother's ('Abdullah Ibn al-Zubayr) agent in al-Basrah. Al-Aghani, vol. 14, p. 163.
• 5. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 216; Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, p. 878; Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 156.
• 6. Al-Farazdaq was the nickname of Hammam Ibn Ghalib Ibn Sa'sa'ah. He was a famous poet who passed away in the year 110 A.H.L. His poems had a large effect on the Arabic language.
• 7. Safinat al-Bihar, vol. 1, p. 638; Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, p. 1035; Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 7, p. 475; Wafiyyat al-A'yan, vol. 1, p. 298; Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 170; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 491.
• 8. A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 492; A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 224.
• 9. Al-Aghani, vol. 16, p. 165.
• 10. Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 169; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 492.
• 11. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 475, p. 113; Hassun, p. 432.
• 12. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, pp. 203-216; Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, pp. 1020-1030; Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 160-169; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p 492; Al-Aghani, vol. 16, p. 106.
• 13. Abu al-Faraj 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn Ibn Muhammad Ibn Haytham al-Isfahani (284-356 A.H.L) was a skilled genealogist, related many traditions, and able poet.
• 14. Khalid Ibn 'Abd al-Malik Ibn al-Harith Ibn al-Hakam was the governor of al­Madinah.
• 15. Al-Aghani, vol. 16, p. 106.
• 16. Maqtal al-Husayn, vol. 2, p. 61.
• 17. Hisham Ibn 'Abd al-Malak Ibn Marwan was one of the Umayyad tyrants in Syria. He was born in Damascus, and started his rule in the year 105 A.H.L. He died in the year 125. [Al-A'lam by al-Zarkali, Lughat Nama Dihkhuda]
• 18. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 223; Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 157.
• 19. Al-Aghani, vol. 16, p. 89.
• 20. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 202.
• 21. Tarajim Sayyidat Bayt al-Nubuwwah, p. 956.
• 22. Al-Durr al-Manthur fi 'Tabaqat Rabbat al-Khudur, p. 244.
• 23. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 80.
• 24. Tarajim al-Nisa', p. 155.
• 25. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 65, p. 76.