We have no information as to her name and biography. Her epithet is known only based on a tradition transmitted by Ibn Qawlawayh.

Her Merits

She was a transmitter of traditions from Imam al-Sadiq ('a), and was informed of many of his secrets. Some of the most eminent companions of Imam al-Sadiq ('a) have narrated from her.1

Umm Sa'id al-Ahmasiyyah is one of the women whom according to Imam al-Sadiq ('a) will arise with Imam al-Mahdi ('aj).2

Shaykh al-Tusi and al-Barqi count her among the companions of Imam al-Sadiq ('a).3 Ibn Qawlawayh considers her to be reliable and narrates several traditions from her.4 Mamqani has written, "It is clear that she is a Shi'ah because Shaykh al-Tusi lists her among the companions of Imam al-Sadiq ('a)."5

Mahallati has written, "There is no doubt that this woman is one of the eminent and learned women of the Shi'ah."6 She has related traditions from Ja'far Ibn Muhammad Imam al-Sadiq ('a). Ibn Abi 'Umayr, Yunus Ibn Ya'qub, Abu Dawud al-Mustaraqq, al-Husayn al­Ahmasi, and Ahmad Ibn Rizq al-Ghumshani have related traditions from her.

Ibn Qawlawayh, relying on his own sources, quoting Muhammad Ibn Abi­'Umayr from al-Husayn al-Ahmasi, narrates that Umm Sa'id al-Ahmasiyyah said, "I asked Imam al-Sadiq ('a) about visiting Imam al-Husayn's grave, and he answered, 'It is equal in value to making the Hajj greater or lesser pilgrimage. And it is equivalent to such and such a virtuous action (He signaled with his hand)."7

Ibn Qawlawayh, relying on his own sources, quotes Yunus Ibn Ya'qub as relating from Umm Sa'id al-Ahmasi that she said, "I asked Imam al-Sadiq ('a), 'What virtues are received for visiting the grave of Imam al-Husayn ('a)?"

He answered, “O, Umm Sa'id, the blessings are equivalent to going on the greater or lesser pilgrimage to Hajj, and its goodness is such and such (He reached out his arms and opened and closed his hands).”8

• 1. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 72; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 479; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p. 396.
• 2. Dala'il al-Imamah, p. 259.
• 3. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 341; Rijal al-Barqi, p. 62; Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 23, p. 176.
• 4. Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 158.
• 5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 72.
• 6. Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p. 396.
• 7. Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 158.
• 8. Kamil al-Ziyarat, p. 159.