Harrah was the daughter of Halimah al-Sa'diyyah Bint Abi Dhu'ab1 from the tribe of Banu-Bakr Ibn Sa'd, and the foster sister of the Holy Prophet (S).

Her Merits

Harrah was one of the believing women who accepted the leadership (wilayah) of 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib ('a). She fought with her tongue in order to uphold the right in front of the unjust king of that time, al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf. Al-Majlisi writes, "It's related from a group of trusted people that Harrah, the daughter of Halimah al-Sa'diyyah, entered upon al-Hajjaj Ibn Yusuf and stood before him.

He said, "Are you Harrah the daughter of Halimah al-Sa'diyyah?"

She answered, "Insight and perception have appeared in an unbelieving person (that he has recognized me)."

Al-Hajjaj said, "God has brought you here. It is said that you believe 'Ali to be superior to Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman."

Harrah said, "He who has said that I consider him to be superior only to them has lied."

Al-Hajjaj said, "Do you consider him to be superior to others too?"

She said, "I consider him to be superior to (the prophets) Adam, Noah, Lot, Abraham, David, Solomon, and Jesus the son of Mary ('a)."

Al-Hajjaj said, "Woe on you! You consider him to be superior to the Companions of the Prophet. Then you add the Arch-prophets? If you don't bring proof for what you have said I will cut your neck."

She said, "I am not the one who considers him to be superior, but God the Almighty and Glorious is the one who has extolled him in the Qur'an. About Adam ('a) He says:

فَاَكَلاَ مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْءَاتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِن وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَعَصَي ءَادَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَي

“So they both ate of it (the forbidden tree), then their shameful parts became exposed to them, and they both took to stitching upon themselves leaves of the Garden. And (thus) Adam disobeyed his Lord, and went astray.” (Surah Ta Ha, 20:121).

While about 'Ali, he says:

إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَاءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُمْ مَشْكُورًا

“Verily this is a reward for you, and your endeavour is accepted and appreciated.” (Surah Al-Insan, 76:22).

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done, O Harrah. Why do you consider him to be superior to Noah and Lot?"

She answered, "God the Almighty and Glorious has given him superiority where he says:

ضَرَبَ اللَّهُ مَثَلًا لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا امْرَأَتَ نُوحٍ وَامْرَأَتَ لُوطٍ كَانَتَا تَحْتَ عَبْدَيْنِ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا صَالِحَيْنِ فَخَانَتَاهُمَا فَلَمْ يُغْنِيَا عَنْهُمَا مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَقِيلَ ادْخُلَا النَّارَ مَعَ الدَّاخِلِينَ

Allah has set forth an example for those who disbelieve: the wife of Noah and that of Lot. They were under two of our righteous servants, but they both betrayed them. So their relationships with the two Prophets availed them not against Allah’s torment and it was said unto them: "Enter the Fire along with those who enter!" (Surah Al-Tahrim, 66:10).

Meanwhile, the marriage of 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib took place under the farthest lote-tree. His wife was the daughter of Muhammad (S), Fatimah al-Zahra'. God is satisfied with her satisfaction, and angered at her anger."

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done. Why do you consider him superior to the father of the prophets, Abraham the friend of God."

She said, "God the Almighty and Glorious has given him superiority because He has said about Abraham:

وَإِذْ قَالَ إِبْرَاهِيمُ رَبِّ أَرِنِي كَيْفَ تُحْيِـي الْمَوْتَى قَالَ أَوَلَمْ تُؤْمِن قَالَ بَلَى وَلَـكِن لِّيَطْمَئِنَّ قَلْبِي

And when Abraham said: ' My Lord! Show me how you give life to the dead ', He said: 'Do you not believe?' 'Yes', said Abraham, 'but to make my heart at ease…..' (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:260).

My leader, Amir al-Mu'minin, stated, 'If the curtains be drawn aside (the covers removed) it won't add to my certainty.' These words were never said before or after him. And none of the Muslims differ as to his words.'"

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done. So why do you consider him to be superior to Moses, the Interlocutor of God?"

She said, "God has said about Moses:

فَأَصْبَحَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ خَآئِفاً يَتَرَقَّبُ

“And he was in the city, fearing, awaiting………” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:18).

But, 'Ali ('a) spent a whole night replacing the Holy Prophet on his bed so as to enable the Prophet to escape the assassins, and 'Ali was never afraid. God revealed this verse about him:

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَشْرِي نَفْسَهُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ رَءُوفٌ بِالْعِبَادِ

“And among men is he who sells himself to seek the pleasure of Allah; and Allah is affectionate to the servants.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:207).

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done. So why do you consider him to be superior to David and Solomon?"

She said, "The Exalted God has given him superiority with this verse:

يَا دَاوُدُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقّ‌ِ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَي فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ

“O David! Verily We have appointed you a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between the people with justice and do not follow (vain) desire for it will mislead you from the way of Allah…………..” (Surah Sad, 38:26).

Al-Hajjaj asked, "What was his judgment about?"

She said, "It was about two men. One of them had a garden of grapes and the other had some sheep. The sheep entered the garden and ate the grapes and destroyed it. The owner of the garden complained to David, who thus ruled that the sheep should be sold in order to pay for the garden and return it to its original state. His son Solomon said, 'No, father. The damages should be paid from the wool and milk of the sheep.' The Exalted God says, 'So We made Solomon to understand it.

فَفَهَّمْنَاهَا سُلَيْمانَ وَكُلاًّ ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْماً وَعِلْماً وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُدَ الْجِبَالَ يُسَبّـِحْنَ وَالطَّيْرَ وَكُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ

“So We made Solomon to understand it, and unto each (of them) We gave wisdom and knowledge. And with David We subdued the mountains to give glory, and the birds, and We were the doers (thereof).” (Surah Al-‘Anbiya, 21:79).

While our leader, Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali ('a) stated, "Ask me before you lose me. Ask me about whatever is above the Divine Throne and whatever is below it.'2 He entered upon the Messenger of God (S) on the day of the victory at Khaybar. The Prophet (S) faced those who were present and stated, 'The most excellent, the most knowledgeable, and the best judge amongst you is 'Ali."'

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done. How do you consider him to be superior to Solomon?"

She said, "The Exalted God has given him superiority. God says:

قَالَ رَبّ‌ِ اغْفِرْ لِي وَهَبْ لِي مُلْكاً لاَ يَنْبَغِي لأَحَدٍ مِنْ بَعْدِي إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ

“He said: ‘My Lord! Forgive me and grant me a dominion such as shall not be fit anyone after me, verily You are the Bounteous (without measure).” (Surah Sad, 38:35).

And our leader, Amir al-Mu'minin said, 'O world, I have divorced you three times (so there is no return), and I have no need of you.' This is why the Exalted God revealed this verse about him saying:

تِلْكَ الدَّارُ الاَخِرَةُ نَجْعَلُهَا لِلَّذِينَ لاَ يُرِيدُونَ عُلُوّاً فِي الاَرْضِ وَلاَ فَسَاداً وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

“That abode of the Hereafter, we assign it for those who do not intend to exalt themselves in the earth nor (to make) mischief and the good end is for the pious ones.” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:83).

Al-Hajjaj said, "Well done O Harrah. How do you consider him to be superior to Jesus the son of Mary?"

She said, "The Exalted God has given him superiority when he says:

وَإِذْ قَالَ اللّهُ يَا عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَأَنتَ قُلتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِي وَأُمِّيَ إِلَـهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ قَالَ سُبْحَانَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِي أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِي بِحَقٍّ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِي وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِي نَفْسِكَ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلاَّمُ الْغُيُوبِ

"And when Allah says: ' O' Jesus son of Mary! did you say to the people: 'Take me and my mother for two gods besides Allah?' He (Jesus) says: 'Glory be to You! It was not mine to utter what I had no right to (say). Had I said it, then You would have known it. You know whatever is in myself and I do not know what is in Your Self. Verily You are the Knower of all the unseen'." (Surah Al-Maida, 5:116).

مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلاَّ مَا أَمَرْتَنِي بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِي كُنتَ أَنتَ الرَّقِيبَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَنتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

"I did not say to them (anything) except what you commanded me with; (saying): 'That worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness to them so long as I was among them. But when You took me up, You were the Watcher over them, and You are witness to all things." (Surah Al-Maida, 5:117).

These verses show that he delayed the judgment to the Day of Resurrection. But, 'Ali Ibn Abi Talib killed the group of Nusayriyyah3 when they asserted their way of life; and, he did not delay their judgment. This is just one of his virtues, and I have not counted for you his other many virtues."

The eloquence, wisdom, resolve, and strong faith of Harrah are to such an extent that words fall short of being able to describe. Her reasoning and perseverance in front of a king like al-Hajjaj is truly commendable.

She is one of the transmitters of traditions from Ali Ibn Abi ‘Talib ('a). Some of the reliable transmitters of traditions have narrated from her. During her debate with al-Hajjaj, Harrah relates a tradition from Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) and the Messenger of God (S) and mentions one of the deeds of 'Ali ('a). For example, she says, "Our leader, Amir al-Mu'minin 'Ali stated, 'Ask me (I know) about what is above the Divine Throne and what is below it. Ask me before you lose me.'"

Also, she recounts when Imam 'Ali ('a) entered upon the Messenger of God (S) on the day of the victory at Khaybar and the Prophet (S) faced those who were present and stated, "The most excellent, the most knowledgeable, and the best judge amongst you is 'Ali."4

• 1. Halimah al-Sa'diyyah the daughter of Abu Dhaw'ab Ibn 'Abdullah Ibn Harith was from the tribe of Banu-Bakr Ibn Sa'd. She was the wet nurse of the Holy Prophet (S). She passed away in the year 8 A.H.
• 2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 46, p. 134.
• 3. This was a group of Shi'ah Muslims who followed Nusayr al-Numayri. They believed that God appeared in the shape of Imam 'Ali.
• 4. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 46, p. 134.