Sawdah was the daughter of 'lmarah Ibn al-Ashtar Hamdani.

Her Merits

She was a brave woman, eloquent, and superior in speech. She was among the Shi'ah of Imam 'Ali ('a), and fought with her words and poems. She spoke the truth before Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan and proved her faithfulness to the leadership (wilayah) of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a). Her virtues are clear from the story of her meeting with Mu'awiyah.

Ibn Tayfur relates from Muhammad Ibn 'Ubaydullah and Ibn 'Abd-Rabbih in the section al-wafidat 'ala mu'awiyah a tradition the meaning of which is this: Sawdah Bint 'Imarah requested permission to enter upon Mu'awiyah. Mu'awiyah gave her permission.

When she entered Mu'awiyah asked her, "Are you the person who has said poems in praise of 'Ali and vilification of us?"

Sawdah said, "Yes, so that I wouldn't be lost and have to apologize."

Mu'awiyah said, "What persuaded you to talk like this?"

Sawdah responded, "My liking of 'Ali and trying to follow the truth."

Mu'awiyah said, "By God, I see no sign of this (following of the truth) in you."

Sawdah said, "Today you have become sovereign over the people and control their affairs. God will ask you about us and our right on you. You have put someone over us who has fooled you. With your power and kingdom, he has stretched out his hand to us, and harvests us like clusters of wheat. He cuts us down and destroys us just like the way plants are cut. He takes our wealth and

honor. This is Busr Ibn 'Arta'ah1 that has come to our land. He kills our men and takes our possessions. If he didn't obey you, our honor and eminence would still be in place. If you remove him from this position, we will be thankful to you. Otherwise, we will have recognized you.

Mu'awiyah said, "Are you threatening me? It is necessary for me to sit you on an unruly camel and send you to him for him to judge you."

Sawdah was quiet and cried. She recited a poem the meaning of which is, "May God send his greetings upon the body which has been encompassed by the grave and buried justice along with it. He was an ally of the truth, and there is never an equal to him. He is coupled and was born with truth and faith."

Mu'awiyah said, "Who is this about? (this poem)"

Sawdah said, "'Ali Ibn Abi­Talib ('a)."

Mu'awiyah said, "What has he done for you that he is this way (so dear) for you?"

Sawdah said, "He put a man in charge of us, and between him and me an argument arose. I went to 'Ali ('a) to complain of what that ruler had done to us. I found him praying. When he saw me, he finished praying and with kindness and affection said, 'Is there something you need?' I told him my story. He cried and said, 'God you are a witness over me and him that I didn't tell him to oppress...' (His words will follow later in this section, God willing.)."

Sawdah said, "I received a letter from him which I swear to God had no seal or fastening, and I read it."

Mu'awiyah said, 'The son of Abu Talib, like drinking water, little by little taught you and got you used to being provoked against the ruler. This taste will gradually leave from under your tongue."

Then he added, "Write that her wealth should be returned to her and she should be dealt with justly."

Sawdah asked, "For me, or for me and my people?"

Mu'awiyah said, "For you." Sawdah responded, "By God, this is not justice, and it is an ugly deed. I am like the rest of the people."

Mu'awiyah said, "Write for her and her people."2

She has related traditions from 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib ('a). And, Muhammad Ibn 'Abdullah and Amir al-Shi'bi have related traditions from her.

Ibn Tayfur and Ibn 'Abd Raba based on their documents have related from Abbas Ibn Bakkar from Muhammad Ibn 'Ubaydullah about the visit of Sawdah Bint al-Asakk al-Hamdani with Mu'awiyah. The translation of this dialog was previously given and so its repetition will be avoided here. Only the words of Sawdah about Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) will be given when she said, "May God send his greetings upon the body which has been encompassed by the grave and buried justice along with it. He was an ally of the truth, and there is never an equal to him. He is coupled and was born with truth and faith."

To this Mu'awiyah replied, "Who is this about?"

Sawdah said, '"Ali Ibn Abi­ Talib ('a)."

Mu'awiyah asked, "What has he done for you that he is so dear to you?"

Sawdah said, "He put a man in charge of us, and between him and me an argument arose. I went to 'Ali ('a) to complain of what that ruler had done to us. I found him praying. When he saw me, he finished praying and with kindness and affection said, 'Is there something you need?' I told him my story. He cried and said, 'God you be a witness over me and him that I never told him to oppress the people, and I never ordered him to stop doing your justice.'

Then he took a piece of leather out of his pocket and wrote on it."3

• 1. Busr Ibn 'Arta'ah or Ibn Abi 'Arta'ah al-'Amiri al-Qarashi, Abu 'Abd al-Rahman, was born in Makkah before the Prophet (S) migrated to al-Madinah. He passed away in the year 86 A.H.L. He became a Muslim as a child. He became one of the helpers of Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi Sufyan. [Al-A’lam by al-Zarkali, vol. 2, p. 51).
• 2. Balaghat al-Nisa', p. 47; al-'Iqd al-Farid, vol. 1, p. 344.
• 3. Balaghat al-Nisa', p. 47; al- 'Iqd al-Farid, vol. 1, pp. 344-345.