This five-year-old girl was alive during the rule of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a), and 'Abd al-Wahid Ibn Zayd saw her beside the Ka'bah.

Her Merits

This girl was one of the followers of Imam 'Ali ('a). Her father was martyred among the troops of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) during the Battle of Siffin. One day Imam 'Ali ('a) went to check on this martyr's family as was his habit. He asked as to the welfare of the children.

Their mother described from behind a curtain for him how both her son and daughter had come down with a disease which had caused white spots to appear on their eyes, and therefore they had both become completely blind.

Imam 'Ali requested that both of them come to him, and he then prayed for them and rubbed his hand over their eyes. Then, they were both able to see again.

This girl related this story for 'Abd al-Wahid Ibn Zayd when she saw him beside God's house in a journey to the ritual Hajj pilgrimage. She told him, "I swear to God, because of the blessing of his presence, I can now see so well that I can see all of the camels within (a distance of) one farsakh (parasang).''

'Abd al-Wahid said, "I took out two dinar (i.e., golden coin) to give her, but she didn't accept and said, 'Keep it. I have no need for dinar. We are now under the guardianship of Abu Muhammad Hasan Ibn 'Ali ('a), and he takes care of our expenses. Do you like 'Ali?"'

He told her, "Of course."

She said, "I give you glad tidings that you have clung to a strong rope which will never tear."1

This young girl’s affection and understanding as to Imam 'Ali ('a) considering the fact that her father was killed in the retinue of Imam 'Ali ('a) shows her knowledge and understanding of his position and her liking for him.

She has related traditions from Amir al-Mu'minin ('a), and 'Abd al-Wahid Ibn Zayd has related traditions from her.

Al-Majlisi relying on his sources has related that 'Abd al-Wahid Ibn Zayd said, "I went to Makkah. While I was circumambulating the Ka'bah I saw a five year old girl who was clinging to the curtain of the Ka'bah. She addressed a girl similar to herself and said, 'Be aware! I swear to the truth of his being chosen, being the inheritor, the one who judges with equality, and the one who has determination and a correct intention. That is the husband of Fatimah ('a). It is this way and that way.'

I asked her, 'O girl. Whose are these characteristics?'

She replied, 'I swear he is the guide of the guides, the book of Islamic rules, and the divider of heaven and hell. He is the trainer of this nation, the first Imam, the brother of the Prophet (S), and his successor. He is the master, Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib.'

I told her, 'O little girl, how can you describe 'Ali in this way?'

She said, 'I swear to God, my father was his servant, and was killed in his presence in the battle of Siffin. One day he came to our house and my mother was behind a curtain. My brother's and my eyes had become blind from small pox. When he saw us he moaned a painful sigh and called us over to himself. He rubbed his hand over our eyes, prayed, and removed his hand. Now I - may my father be sacrificed for you O Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) - I swear, can see the camels from many farsakh2 away. All of this is because of the blessing of his existence - may God send His blessings upon him.'"3

• 1. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 41, p. 220.
• 2. Farsakh (farasang) is a unit of distance now equal to 6 km.
• 3. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 41, p. 220.