Umm Kulthum was the third daughter of the Messenger of God (S) and Khadijah. She was born after Ruqayyah and before Fatimah ('a). She married 'Utaybah Ibn Abi Lahab. When Surah (Qur'anic chapter) al-Masad was revealed, Abu Lahab and his wife, Umm Jamil, forced their sons, 'Utbah and 'Utaybah, to divorce their wives, the daughters of the Prophet (S), Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum. Their divorces took place before they consummated their marriages.

After the death of Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum married with 'Uthman Ibn 'Affan.1 Umm Kulthum passed away at the home of 'Uthman in the year 9 A.H. They didn't have any children. The Messenger of God (S) prayed over her, and 'Ali ('a), al-Fadl, and Usamah Ibn Zayd entered her grave. Asma' Bint 'Umays and Safiyyah, the aunts of the Prophet (S), washed her. Umm 'Atiyyah witnessed the washing.

'Allamah Mamqani has written, "Because of what is said about her in the prayer for the month of Ramadan it may be said that she is trustworthy."2

Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, Ibn al-Athir, and Ibn Hajar have said that Umm Kulthum was one of the companions of the Prophet (S). Mamqani has said she was one of the women transmitters of traditions. Sayyid Muhsin al-Amin has said she was one of the Shi'ah dignitaries.3

• 1. Ibn Athir, vol. 7, p. 115.
• 2. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 74.
• 3. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 507; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 7, p. 374; al-Isabah, vol. 8, p 460 (In this book she has been listed as Umm-Kulthum Bint Sayyid al-Bushr); Tanqih al­Maqal, vol. 3, p. 73; A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 486.