Umm 'Ala’s name was Iman. She was the daughter of Hajji Ja'far Hassun and the wife of the Engineer 'Abd al-Husayn Hassun. Umm 'Ala' was born in Baghdad and grew up there in her father's house. After marrying her father's paternal cousin, she moved to al-Kufah.

Her Merits

Umm Ala' began to study the Islamic sciences after her marriage. She participated in the study meetings for women that took place in her husband's house. She also studied under her uncle, Shaykh Zuhayr al-Hassun. Ayatullah Mar'ashi during the last years of his life, came to stay in her uncle's, Shaykh Zuhayr al-Hassun, house, and gave her permission to narrate from him.1

• 1. A'lam al-Nisa 'al-Mu'minat, p. 171.