83. Al-Jarda' Bint Samir
Al-Jarda' was the wife of Hirthimah Ibn Salim (or Salma1 or Abi Muslim2) who had been one of the companions of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) during the Battle of Siffin. Hirthimah was present during the tragedy at Karbala'; however, he was in the army of Ibn Ziyad. He met with Imam al-Husayn ('a) and recounted the tradition he had heard from Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) during the Battle of Siffin. Nonetheless, he did not join the army of Imam al-Husayn ('a) and fled instead.3
Her Merits
Al-Jarda' was one of the followers of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a). When her husband, Hirthimah, related the words of Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) about the martyrs of Karbala', he expressed disbelief and questioned how the Imam could know the unseen. But, al-Jarda' believed the words of the Imam, and told her husband, "Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) only says the truth."4
She related traditions from Imam 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib ('a) and Hirthimah Ibn Salim. She also relates from her husband Hirthimah Ibn Salim as saying, "We started out with 'Ali ('a) until we came to Karbala'. He dismounted there next to a tree. He picked up some dirt from the ground, smelled it, and said, 'Woe on you, O dirt! Surely a group will be killed on you who will enter heaven without any calculation.' We asked, 'From our fighters?' (Now,) 'Ali ('a) has been killed and we have forgotten the traditions. When I was in the ranks of the army of 'Ubaydullah Ibn Ziyad we came close to the place of al-Husayn ('a) and l recognized it as the place where I had been with Ali ('a). I told al-Husayn what Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) had said. He asked if I was with him or against him. I told him that I was not with him or against him. Therefore, he told me to flee so as not to witness his being killed.' So, Hirthimah fled and didn't help alHusayn."5
- 1. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 529.
- 2. Al-Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq, p. 136.
- 3. Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 529; Mustadrakal 'Ilm Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 8, p. 145.
- 4. Mustadrakat 'Ilm Rijal al-Hadilh, vol. 8, p. 145.
- 5. Al-Amali by Shaykh al-Saduq, p. 136; Majlisi, vol. 28, p. 6; Tahdhib al-Tahdhib, vol. 1, p. 529; Mustadrakat 'Ilm Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 8, p. 145.
