Layla was the daughter of Mas'ud Ibn Khalid Ibn Rab'i Ibn Muslim Ibn Jandal Ibn Nahshal Ibn Darim al-Tamimiyyah. Her mother was 'Umayrah Bint Qays Ibn Asim Ibn Sinan Ibn Khalid Ibn Manqar, and was from a tribe which was well known for its supremacy and wisdom among the Arabs. Layla was the mother of the sons of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a), 'Abdullah ('Ubaydullah) and Muhammad al-Asghar al-Makani (Abu Bakr).

She and her two sons were with Imam al-Husayn ('a) during the events of Karbala'. Shaykh al-Mufid has introduced her as Layla Bint Mas'ud al-Darimiyyah.1 Ibn al-Athir has said that her two children were 'Ubaydullah and Abu Bakr.2

Her Merits

Layla was a prosperous lady, because she had the virtue of being the spouse of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a). She was one of the four wives of Imam 'Ali Ibn Abi­Talib ('a) who was alive after his martyrdom. She was present during the heartrending tragedy of Karbala', witnessed all of these hardships and afflictions which came upon the Ahl al-Bayt, shared in this tragedy with them, and was patient in the way of God.3

There is no doubt that Layla, the wife of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a), who was present at Karbala' must have reported about the words or deeds of Imam 'Ali ('a) or Imam al-Husayn ('a). Layla had the honor of accompanying her Imam and sacrificing her sons for him.

• 1. Maqtal al-Husayn, vol. 2, p. 28; Kitab al-lrshad, p. 186; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p. 308.
• 2. Al-Kamil fi'l-Tarikh, vol. 3, p. 262.
• 3. Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p. 308.