Hakimah1 was the daughter of Imam Musa al-Kazim ('a), and the sister of Imam al-Ridha ('a). Shaykh al-Mufid has listed her among the children of Imam Musa Ibn Ja'far ('a).2

Her Merits

This honorable woman was raised in a family which was pure and infallible. She is one of the narrators of the traditions of her honorable brother, Imam al­Ridha ('a). She was also present at the time of the birth of her nephew, Imam al­Jawad ('a). Al-Barqi in his book about the transmitters of traditions has listed her among the transmitters of traditions from Imam al-Ridha ('a).3

Ardabili has also introduced her as one of the transmitters of traditions from Imam al-Ridha ('a).4 Muhammad Ibn Jahrash has narrated traditions from her.5

Shaykh al-Kulayni has narrated from his documents from Muhammad Ibn Jahrash from Hakimah Bint Musa as saying, "I saw Imam al-Ridha ('a) standing at the door of the warehouse for firewood. He was whispering to someone; but I couldn't see anyone.

I asked him, 'Who are you whispering with?'

He said, 'This is Amir al-Zahra'i who has come to me. He has some questions from me and some complaints.'

I said, 'I would like to hear.'

He said, 'Listen.' I listened and heard a sound similar to a whistle. I came down with a fever; and, that fever stayed with me for close to a year."6

Al-Majlisi quotes from Ibn Shahr'ashub from Hakimah Bint Abu al-Hasan Musa Ibn Ja' far ('a) as saying, "When it was getting close to the time for al­Khayzuran, the mother of Imam al-Jawad ('a), to give birth, Imam al-Ridha called for me and said, 'O Hakimah, be present for the delivery. Al-Khayzuran, the midwife, and you enter the room.' Then the Imam brought a light for us and locked the door. When the birth pains overcame her the light went out. There was a wash-tub in front of her. I was saddened by the light going out; but, suddenly I saw Abu Ja'far ('a) glowing in the wash-tub. There was a delicate film like clothes which covered him. His light enlightened the room to such an extent that all of us could see him. We looked at him. I picked him up, put him in my lap, and took the film off of him. When our work had finished Imam al­Ridha came and opened the door. He picked up the new born, put him in his cradle, and said, 'O Hakimah, take care of his cradle.'"

Hakimah said, "On the third day, the new born opened his eyes, looked toward the sky, and said, 'I witness there is no God but Allah; and, I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.' I arose frightened, went to Imam Abu'l­Hasan al-Ridha ('a) and said, 'I saw something very strange from this child.' He asked, 'What was it?' I explained for him what I had seen. He said, 'O Hakimah, you will see even stranger things than this from him.'"7

• 1. Her name is Hakimah and not Halimah, as has appeared in some books.
• 2. Kitab al-Irshad, p. 302.
• 3. Rijal al-Barqi, vol. 62; Mu'jam Rijal al-Hadith, vol. 23, p. 187.
• 4. Jami' al-Ruwat, vol. 2, p. 457.
• 5. Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 76.
• 6. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 395, tradition no. 5.
• 7. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 48, p. 316; Tanqih al-Maqal, vol. 3, p. 76.