On the sad occasion of the death anniversary of Hazrat Ummul Baneen (s.a) World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) extends its condolences to the Imam of Our  Time (atfs), the Prophet (saw), Imam Ali (as), the Ahlul Bayt (as), righteous scholars, and all believers.
 
 
Lady Ummul Baneen’s real name was Fatima bint Hizam al-Qilabiyya: she was born in the year 5 A.H (626 CE), and married Imam Ali (as) after the death of Fatima-tuz-Zahra (sa). She was specifically selected as his wife for she heralded from a tribe known for its bravery, which undoubtedly showed in the courage of the four sons she bore Imam Ali (as). She was extremely devoted to Imam Ali (as) as her husband and the imam of her time, but she was just as devoted to the memory of Lady Fatima (sa) and thus serving her (sa) children were the centre of Lady Ummul Baneen’s life. She made it clear that her role was to serve this holy family into which she was married. She impressed this attitude onto her sons, telling them to always think of themselves as the servants of Imams Hasan and Husain (as), not their brothers.
 
 
Hazrat Ummul Baneen (sa) was so conscious of the rights and comfort of Bibi Fatima’s children that she asked Imam Ali (as) not to be addressed as Fatima in case it reminded them of their mother and gave them pain. Hence, she became known as Ummul Baneen, ‘the mother of sons’.
 
 
Lady Ummul Baneen bore Imam Ali (as) four sons: Abbas, Abdullah, Imran and Jafar. All four were extremely brave, especially Hazrat Abbas, whose devotion and bravery for Imam Husain (as) are legendary. All four sons were martyred in Karbala along with Imam Husain (as).
 
 
Lady Ummul Baneen was so devoted to Imam Husain (as) that she encouraged her sons to sacrifice their lives if necessary in protecting him. Indeed on hearing the news of their martyrdom, she was bereaved but restless to hear news of Imam Husain. On hearing of his martyrdom, she lamented in grief. We read that she took Hazrat Abbas’s young son in her arms and made her way to Jannatul Baqi: when asked where she was going, she cried that she needed to condole Sayeda Fatima (sa). She then established what was probably the first majlis, reciting eulogies.
 
 
Lady Ummul Baneen could not survive the extent of her grief at the tragedy of Karbala for much longer. Whenever she was addressed as ‘Ummul Baneen’ she would lament and ask, ‘where are the sons?’ She passed away in Madinah at the age of 59 in 64 AH (683 CE).
 
 
There are many lessons that we can learn from the life of this great woman: not only was she a devoted loyal wife, but she was devoted to following the Imams of her time, she spent a life serving the Ahlul Bayt (as), and raised brave, noble, honourable sons. Her son Abbas (as) was a source of great joy and pride to Imam Ali (as). Ummul Baneen (sa) shows us how a virtuous brave noble woman produces devout loyal offspring, and that seeking Allah’s pleasure by serving the Ahlul Bayt (as) through both deeds and progeny, is our aim in life.



Peace and blessing be upon the virtuous, noble, devout lady, Ummul Baneen (sa).
 
 
Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK
 

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