Shahrbanu was the daughter of Yazdgird Ibn Shahriyar Ibn Shirawayh Ibn Kasra Parviz, and the mother of Imam 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a). Some of the names used for her include Sallamah, Jahan-Shah, Shah-Zanan, Sulafah, and Ghazalah.1

Shahrbanu was taken captive following the loss of the Persians to the Muslims, and was brought before the Caliph of the Muslims. She subsequently married al-Husayn Ibn 'Ali ('a), and after a time their son Imam 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn ('a) was born. Shahrbanu passed away shortly after the birth of Imam Zayn al-'Abidin (38 A.H.), and was buried in al-Madinah.

Her Merits

Al-Kulayni relates a quote from 'Umar Ibn Shimr from Abu Ja'far Imam al­Baqir ('a) as follows: "When they brought the daughter of Yazdgird before 'Umar the women of al-Madinah came to see her. When she entered the Mosque, it filled with light. 'Umar looked at her, and she covered her face and said, "If only days were to become black.2

'Umar said, "You are cursing me?" and he was interested in taking her for himself.

Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) said, "You have no right on her. Let her choose a husband for herself. (And, whomsoever she chooses she will become a part of his portion from the battle)”

She chose al-Husayn ('a).

Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) told her, "What is your name?"

She said, "Jahan-Shah."

He said, "But you shall be Shahr-Banawayh."3

Then he told al-Husayn, "O, Abu 'Abdullah, this woman will bring the best person on the earth for you."4

There is some doubt as to this tradition due to the transmitter 'Umar Ibn Shimr and some matters which are contained in it.

In a tradition which al-Saduq has related from Imam al-Ridha ('a) he has said, "The daughters (granddaughters) of Yazdgird which were taken captive were sent before 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan. 'Uthman gave one of them to Imam al-Hasan and the other to Imam al-Husayn ('a)."5

Shaykh al-Mufid has written, "Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) picked Harith Ibn Jabir al-Hanafi to govern a region in the east. Harith sent the daughters (granddaughters) of Yazdgird Ibn Shahriyar Ibn Kasra to Imam 'Ali ('a), and he wed one of them to Imam al-Husayn ('a) and the other to Muhammad Ibn Abi­Bakr."6

Shahrbanu was a very righteous, devout, pious, and upright woman who had the honor and distinction of being the wife of Imam al-Husayn ('a) and the mother of Imam Zayn al-'Abidin ('a). She had such a high position before God that while being from the court of the Magus and far from any Islamic training or having a guide she had a tendency to Islam. In addition, she was able to enter Islam and the family of the pure, infallibles.

Mulla Qahpa'i has listed Shahrbanu, the mother of Imam Zayn al-'Abidin ('a) among the women transmitters of traditions.7

'Allamah Mamqani has listed her among the transmitters of traditions from the Imams.8

Kahhalah has written, "Sulafah, the mother of 'Ali Ibn al-Husayn, was a good and benevolent woman.9

It is related from Shahrbanu that she said, "Before the entrance of the Muslim army on us I dreamt that Muhammad the Messenger of God (S) came to our house accompanied by al-Husayn ('a) and sat down. He asked my father for my hand in marriage for al-Husayn, and my father wed me to al-Husayn ('a). When morning arrived, I felt the effect of this in my heart. On the second night I saw Fatimah ('a), the daughter of the Messenger of God (S). She came to me and invited me to Islam. I accepted Islam, and then she said, 'The Muslims will win. You will come to my son al-Husayn in safety, and no one will bother or touch you.'" Shahrbanu says, "This is how I came to al-Madinah."10

No other traditions were found which Shahrbanu had transmitted. Without a doubt as the wife of the Imam she has related matters from the words of the Imam and/or actions he has done. However, these have not been passed down.

• 1. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 388; Kitab al-Irshad, p. 253; Kamal al-Din, vol. 1, p. 307; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 46, pp. 7, 12, 13; Majm'a al-Rijal, vol. 7, p. 186; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p. 12.
• 2. This sentence means, What a pity that the days of Hurmuz have become black, and have turned against him to such an extent that his children are taken as prisoners of war.
• 3. With this sentence Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) changed her name, or convinced her to choose this name.
• 4. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 466.
• 5. Uyun Akhbar al-Ridha, vol. 2, p. 135.
• 6. Kitab Al-Irshad, p. 253.
• 7. Majm'a al-Rijal, vol. 7, p. 176.
• 8. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 80.
• 9. A'lam al-Nisa’, vol. 2, p. 225.
• 10. Al-Kamil by al-Mubarrad, vol. 2, p. 93.