Salma was freed by the Messenger of God (S) and she was his servant. They have also called her Mawlat Safiyyah Bint 'Abd al-Muttalib. She was the wife of Abu Rafi' (the servant of the Messenger of God), and the mother of his children. Her nickname was Umm Rafi'.1

Her Merits

Salma was the midwife for Lady Khadijah ('a). She was also with Mariyyah at the time when Ibrahim the son of the Messenger of God (S) was born. She was the midwife of Fatimah when her children were born and her nurse when she was sick. Furthermore, at the time for washing Fatimah before her burial she helped 'Ali ('a) and Asma' Bint 'Umays. During the war of Khaybar she was present along with the Messenger of God (S).2

About her husband the Messenger of God (S) said, "Every Prophet has had someone to trust, and that person for me is Abu Rafi'." Abu Rafi' accompanied the Prophet (S) in most of the wars which he participated in, and after him served Amir al-Mu'minin ('a). He was considered to be one of the very close Shi'ah to that Imam. The public treasury was in his hands. At the Battle of Jamal and Siffin he was the attendant to the Imam. His sons (the sons of Salma) 'Ubaydulllah and 'Ali were the scribes and special companions for Amir al-Mu'minin ('a).3

Ibn al­Athir has written, "Abu Rafi' was the treasurer for 'Ali."4

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, Ibn Mandah, and Ibn al-Athir have listed her among the companions of the Messenger of God (S).5

Kahhalah has written, "Ibn Habban has mentioned her as one of the trustworthy friends."6

Mamqani while introducing her as one of the women transmitters of traditions has written, "I know her to be one of the honourable people and her traditions are acceptable."7

She has related traditions from the Messenger of God (S) and Fatimah ('a). 'Ubaydullah Ibn 'Ali Ibn Abi Rafi', Abu Rafi' (the servant of the Messenger of God), and Ayyub Ibn al-Hasan Ibn Ali Ibn Abu Rafi' have related traditions from her.

Ibn Sa'd quotes Abi Rafi' from Salma based on his documents that she said, "Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of God (S), became sick. The day of her death, 'Ali ('a) went out of the house. Fatimah told me, 'Mother, pour some water for me to wash.'

I poured water for her, and she washed herself well. Then, she said, 'Give me my new clothes.' I gave her these clothes and she put them on. After this she said, 'Place my bedding in the middle of the floor.' I placed it there. Death pains overtook her. She faced Makkah and said, 'O mother, my soul will now be taken. I have washed myself, so no one needs to open my shroud."'

Salma says, "Fatimah passed away. 'Ali returned. I told him what she had said.

Then, he said, 'I swear to God no one will open her shroud.' He carried her and buried her."

Ibn Sa'd brings another tradition after mentioning this tradition from Muhammad Ibn Musa that 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib washed Fatimah.8

Al-Tabarani based on his documents quotes 'Ubaydullah Ibn 'Ali from his ancestor Salma as saying, "The Messenger of God (S) was reluctant to take the best of the foods from what was served."

He also relates based on his documents from Muhammad Ibn al-Fadl al-Rafi'i from his ancestor Salma that she said, "I was with the Prophet (S) in the bazaar when he said, 'A man from Heaven will now appear.' I heard the sound of feet, and suddenly 'Ali ('a) came up." Al-Tabarani relates 13 traditions from Salma.9 Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah have related traditions from Salma.10

• 1. Tahdhib al-Kamal, p. 196.
• 2. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 227; Tarikh al-Tabari, vol. 2, p. 178; al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1862.
• 3. Rijal al-Najjashi, p. 2.
• 4. Al-Kamil fi'l-Tarikh, vol. 3 p. 263.
• 5. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 1862; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 478; Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 80.
• 6. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 254.
• 7. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 80.
• 8. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 28.
• 9. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, pp. 297-302.
• 10. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib; vol. 12, p. 425.