Umm Mubashshir was the daughter of al-Bara' Ibn Mu'arwar al-Ansari al­Khazraji, and the wife of Zayd Ibn Harithah. She was also called Umm Bishr or Umm Bashir. Ibn Hajar called her Khalidah.1

Her Merits

Umm Mubashshir became a Muslim and swore allegiance to the Holy Prophet (S). She has transmitted ten traditions from or about him, and Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah (a well-known companion of the Holy Prophet (S) who is considered reliable by everyone) has narrated traditions mentioning her in the chain of transmitters.

Her father was one of the tribal leaders chosen for swearing allegiance (on behalf of their tribes) during the 'Aqabah Night2 where all those selected were designated by Gabriel. Umm Mubashshir died during the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (S) and did not live long enough to see the Caliphate of Imam 'Ali ('a). However, she never wavered in her faithfulness to Imam 'Ali ('a).3

Her husband was among the companions of Imam 'Ali ('a).4 Therefore, Umm Mubashshir can be considered as one of the true followers of Imam 'Ali ('a). Shaykh al-Tusi counts Umm Mubashshir among the companions of the Holy Prophet (S) and among the transmitters of traditions from him.5

Ibn 'Abd al­Barr writes about her, "She was one of the eminent companions of the Holy Prophet (S)."6

Mamqani counts her among the women transmitting traditions and writes, "Because Jabir narrates from her, she can be considered trustworthy."7

'Umar Ridha Kahhalah writes, "She is one of the women transmitters of traditions from among the companions of the Holy Prophet (S)."8

She has related traditions from the Holy Prophet (S). Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah al­Ansari and Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn Khallad al-Ansari have related traditions from her.

Umm Mubashshir has narrated ten traditions from the Holy Prophet (S), which have been transmitted by Muslim, al-Nassa'i and Ibn Majah al-Qazwini.9 Ibn al­Athir, relying on his own sources, quotes Jabir when relating that Umm­Mubashshir said, "I heard the Holy Prophet say in the house of Hafsah, ‘None of those who were present at the Battle of Badr or during the al-Hudaybiyah Pact will enter hellfire.’

Hafsah said, ‘O Messenger of God, verily God says’:

وَإِن مّـِنكُمْ إِلاَّ وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَي رَبّـِكَ حَتْماً مَقْضِيّاً

“And (there is) not one of you but shall come to it (Hell). This is, with your Lord, a fixed decree.” (Surah Maryam, 19:71).

The Holy Prophet (S) answered, ‘But later God continues’:

ثُمَّ نُنَجّـِي الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا وَنَذَرُ الظَّالِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيّاً

“Then We shall rescue those who kept from evil, and leave the unjust therein on their knees.” (Surah Maryam, 19:72).

Ibn Sa'd narrates a similar tradition concerning the people who swore allegiance under the tree, and Mujahid also relates this tradition from Umm Mubashshir.

Muhammad Ibn Ishaq, relying on his own sources and quoting Mujahid, reports that Umm Mubashshir said: I heard the Messenger of God (S) tell his companions, 'Shall I introduce you to the best of people?'

The companions answered, 'Yes, O Messenger of God.'

'A man who has only a few sheep, prays and gives in charity. He will (thereby) keep away people's evil from himself. '10

Jabir Ibn 'Abdullah narrates that Umm Mubashshir said: The Holy Prophet entered my house when I was next to my date tree.

He asked, 'Who planted this tree, a Muslim or an unbeliever?'

I answered, 'A Muslim.'

The Holy Prophet said, 'Whenever a Muslim plants a tree or sows some seeds, and a man, a bird, or an animal eats from their fruits, it will be counted as charity for him.'11

Al-Tabarani, relying on his own sources, relates from Jabir that Umm­Mubashshir said: The Holy Prophet came to me when I was next to the wall of a garden belonging to (the tribe of) Banu'l-Najjar. In this garden were the graves of people who had died before the advent of Islam.

When he left, I heard him say, 'I seek refuge with God from the torment of the grave.'

I said, 'O Messenger of God, the grave has torment?'

He answered, 'Yes, in the grave people are tormented and the animals hear it (their cries)."'

Al-Tabarani also relates two other traditions from Umm Mubashshir.12

• 1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 479.
• 2. The Night of 'Aqabah refers to two nights during which the early Muslims secretly gathered to swear allegiance to the Holy Prophet (S) in a place called 'Aqabah near Makkah. On the first of those nights, twelve persons swore allegiance to the Holy Prophet (S). This was the first time that a group of Muslims took the oath of allegiance, and was thus of great importance. The following year, seventy persons gathered at 'Aqabah to take the oath, and every group sent a representative to take the oath in their name. (Muntaha al-Irab fi Lughat al-'Arab).
• 3. A'yan al-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 553; Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 279.
• 4. Rijal al-Tusi, p. 42; Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 3, p. 337.
• 5. Rijal al-Tusi, vol. 36, p. 34.
• 6. Al-Isti’ab, vol. 4, p. 1957.
• 7. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 74 (from the chapter about women).
• 8. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 5, p. 20.
• 9. A'lam al-Nisa', vol. 5, p. 20; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 479.
• 10. Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 617; al-Isabah, p. 471; al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 25, p. 100.
• 11. Al-'Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 458; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 617; al-Mu'jam al­ Kabir, vol. 25, p. 104.
• 12. Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir, vol. 25, p. 103.