Salma was the daughter of 'Umays Ibn Ma'd Ibn Harith al-Khuth'ami. Her mother was Hind (Khawlah the daughter of 'Awf Ibn al-Zuhayr Ibn Harith Ibn Kinanah). She was the sister of Maymunah (the wife of the Messenger of God), Asma' Bint 'Umays (the wife of Ja'far, the Prophet's cousin), and Lubabah (Umm al-Fadl), the wife of al-'Abbas (the uncle of the Prophet).1

Salma married Hamzah Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, the uncle of the Prophet (S). The fruit of this union was 'Imarah or Umamah, who was mentioned earlier in this book under the name Fatimah Bint Hamzah. After the death of her husband Hamzah, she married Shaddad Ibn Usamah Ibn Had al-Laythi And, their children were 'Abdullah and 'Abd al-Rahman.

Her Merits

Salma became Muslim in the very first days of Islam along with her sister Asma'. She had the blessing of being the wife of a man such as the martyr Hamzah. His superior qualities are clear to all. Hamzah was the paternal uncle and brother through nursing of the Prophet (S). He was a great supporter and protector of religion and the Messenger of God (S). He was martyred while defending his religion in fighting with the unbelievers.

Salma was a poet, and wrote poems in praise and mourning for her husband.2 Salma is one of the four sisters about whom the Messenger of God (S) said, "The believing sisters.3

Shaykh al-Saduq based on his documents relates from Abu Basir who quotes Imam al-Baqir ('a) as saying, "May God forgive the sisters of heaven who are: Asma' Bint 'Umays the wife of Ja'far, Salma Bint 'Umays the wife of Hamzah, Maymunah..." (This tradition was related under the merits for Salma's sisters.)4

It is written that Asma' Bint 'Umays was present at the wedding of Fatimah ('a).5 Al-Majlisi has written, "The night of Fatimah's wedding Asma' Bint 'Umays stayed with her according to the request of Khadijah ('a), and the Prophet (S) prayed for her in this world and the Hereafter."6

Al-Majlisi relates from Imam al-Sadiq ('a) as saying, "Coins (Dirhams) were poured in the Messenger of God's (S) lap from heaven. He gave a handful of these coins to Umm Ayman for her to buy household needs. He gave another handful to Asma' Bint 'Umays for her to buy perfumes. Another handful he gave to Umm Salamah for buying food..."7

History witnesses that in the beginning of the year 2 A.H. (the year of Fatimah's marriage) Asma' Bint 'Umays was in Abbysinia. At the time of the conquest of Khaybar (6 A.H.) she entered al-Madinah along with her husband Ja'far. Thus, Asma' was not present at the time of Fatimah al-Zahra’s wedding in al­Madinah. We can result that the person present was someone else. Possibly it was someone with the name of Asma' and the historians thought this was Asma' Bint 'Umays and added Bint 'Umays themselves, or Bint 'Umays was mentioned and what was meant was Salma.

It is also probable that some of the transmitters of traditions made a mistake between the names of the two sisters and in place of Salma reported Asma' who was better known. It is not unlikely that one of the transmitters made a mistake and others followed him. In evaluating the description, family, transmitters of traditions from the Messenger of God (S), and their attachment to his household, it is impossible for this woman who was called Asma' Bint 'Umays and was with Fatimah ('a) on her wedding night to be other than her sister Salma Bint 'Umays. Although al-Majlisi has written, "Asma' Bint Yazid Ibn Sakan8 was present.9

If this is true, she must be one of the women transmitters of traditions who was devoted to the household of the Prophet (S). However, she is not listed in the books on Shi'ah transmitters of traditions, and there is no tradition related from her to show this close relationship.

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, Ibn al-Athir, and Ibn Hajar have listed Salma among the companions of the Messenger of God (S).10 Ayatullah Khu'i has listed her among the women transmitters of traditions.11 Arbali12 has said, "Salma was like her sister, however Asma' is more famous."13

• 1. Al-Isti'ab, vol. 4, p. 195.
• 2. Al-Aghani; A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 2, p. 251; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 4, p. 351.
• 3. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1861; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 479; al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 302.
• 4. Al-Khisal, vol. 2, p. 363.
• 5. Kashf al-Ghummah, vol. 1, p.374.
• 6. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 117.
• 7. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 113.
• 8. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 134.
• 9. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 134.
• 10. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1861; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 479; al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 324.
• 11. Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 23, p. 194.
• 12. 'Ali Ibn Fakhr al-Din 'Isa Ibn Abu al-Fath al-Arbali Biha' al-Din lived in Baghdad and passed away in the year 693 A.H.L. He was an author and wrote the book Kashf al­Ghummah fi Ma'rifat al-A'immah.
• 13. Kashf al-Ghummah, vol. 1, p. 374.