Umamah was the daughter of Hamzah Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib Ibn Hashim al­Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Her mother was Salma Bint 'Umays al-Khuth'amiyyah, and her aunt Asma' Bint 'Umays.1 Another name used for her was Fatimah and her nickname was Umm al-Fadl. She was the Prophet's cousin, and her uncles were 'Abdullah and 'Abd al-Rahman, the sons of Shaddad.

In examining the books and traditions it would appear that Fatimah Bint Hamzah and Umm al-Fadl Bint Hamzah are actually Umamah. Ibn Sa'd has listed the name Umamah only under the names of the paternal cousins of the Messenger of God (S). Meanwhile, some books such as Usd al-Ghabah and al­Isabah list all three names.2 And, it is correct to say that all three names refer to one person.

Al-Tabarani has written, "Fatimah the daughter of Hamzah Ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib had the nickname of Umm al-Fadl, and they say her name was Umamah or 'lmarah.3

Her Merits

Umamah became Muslim and separated from her polytheistic husband. Alongside 'Ali, Fatimah al-Zahra', and Fatimah Bint Asad she migrated to al­Madinah. 'Ali ('a) suggested the Prophet (S) marry Umamah and the Prophet (S) said, "Her father (Hamzah) is my foster brother."4

After the martyrdom of Hamzah there was discussion about whether the guardianship of Umamah should go to 'Ali ('a), Ja'far, or Zayd. The Prophet (S) said, "It is more appropriate for Ja'far to take her since her aunt, Asma' Bint 'Umays, is his wife.' After that the Messenger of God (S) married her to Salamah, the son of Umm Salamah.5

Ibn al-Athir based on his documents relates from Ju'dah Ibn Hubayrah that Imam 'Ali ('a) said, "The Messenger of God (S) gave me a silk material to be a covering for the Fatimahs. I divided it into four pieces. One for Fatimah Bint Muhammad (S), one for Fatimah Bint Asad, one for Fatimah Bint Hamzah..."6

Ibn al-Athir and Ibn Hajar have introduced her as one of the companions of the Messenger of God (S).7

Sayyid Muhsin al-Amin has mentioned her among the Shi'ah dignitaries. She has related traditions from the Messenger of God (S), and 'Abdullah Ibn Shaddad (her brother from her mother) has related traditions from her.

Ibn al-Athir based on his documents relates from 'Abdullah Ibn Shaddad that Bint (the daughter of) Hamzah said, "My servant passed away leaving a daughter behind. The Messenger of God (S) divided her wealth between me and her daughter."8

Al-Tabarani has related twelve similar traditions from the daughter of Hamzah with slight variations.9

• 1. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, pp. 48 and 158.
• 2. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 48; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, pp. 399, 518, and 608; al-Isabah, vol. 4, pp. 229, 369, 461.
• 3. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, p. 353.
• 4. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 1, p. 110.
• 5. Al-Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, pp. 159 and 160; al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 229.
• 6. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 519.
• 7. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, pp. 399, 518, and 608; al-Isabah, vol. 4, pp. 229, 461 and 369.
• 8. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 518; al-Isabah, vol. 4, p. 461.
• 9. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 24, pp. 353 - 357.