144. Samanah, The Mother Of Imam Al-Hadi ('A)
Samana al-Munaqrash al-Maghribi, the mother of Imam 'Ali Ibn Muhammad al-Hadi ('a), or Umm Walad was nicknamed Umm al-Fadl.1 She was bought from a slave seller with the specifications Imam al-Jawad ('a) gave and according to his order. Samanah was one of the nobles of birth from her country. However, she had been taken as a prisoner of war.
Her Merits
Samanah was one of the greatest and most dignified women of her time. No one equaled her in piety and virtue. She fasted most days. She had the dignity and honor of being the wife of Imam al-Jawad ('a) and the mother of Imam al-Hadi ('a). Imam al-Jawad ('a) has said about her, "There is a servant who is aware of my right (the right of Imamate), meaning she understood the status and rank of Imamate. She is an inhabitant of heaven. The rebellious Satan cannot approach or influence her. His tricks, deception, and rebellion do not reach Samana. She is under the supervision of God, and she is never heedless. She is no different from the honest and pure mothers.2
Mulla Qahpa'i has listed Samanah among the women transmitters of traditions.3 Considering the fact that Samanah was the wife and mother of an Imam, surely, she has related some of their words or deeds.
