Umm al-Banin (a)

Her burial place (Baqi' cemetry)

Fātima bt. Hizām (فاطمه بنت حزام) well-known as Umm al-Banin is one of the wives of 'Ali b. Abi Talib (a) and is one of the most honourable Shi'a personalities. She is the mother of 'Abbas and three other sons, 'Abd Allah, Ja'far and 'Uthman all of whom were martyred on the day of 'Ashura. Because she had four sons, she was called as Umm al-Banin (mother of the sons). After the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a), Umm al-Banin mourned the Imam (a) and her children so sorrowfully that even the enemies of Ahl al-Bayt (a) accompanied her. According to Shi'a point of view, her mourning for Imam al-Husayn (a) before mourning for her children and her respect toward the children of the Lady Fatima al-Zahra (a) indicate that she had a high level of religious true knowledge. Her tomb in Baqi' is a pilgrimage site for Shi'a.

Lineage and Demise

Umm al-Banin's father was Abu al-Majl Hizam b. Khalid from the tribe of Bani Kilab and her mother was Liyla or Thamame bt. Suhayl b. 'Amir b. Malik.

The exact date of her demise is unknown. However, her demise is marked on Jumada l-Thaniyya 13th. She is buried in Baqi' cemetery near other eminent personalities such as: Imam al-Hasan (a), Imam al-Sajjad (a), Imam al-Baqir (a) and Imam al-Sadiq (a).

Marriage with Imam Ali (a)

It has been narrated that after the demise of Fatima al-Zahra (a) in 11/632 , Imam 'Ali (a) consulted with his brother -'Aqil, who was an expert in Arab genealogy, about choosing a wife with a good lineage who will give birth to courageous and brave children. 'Aqil suggested Fatima bt. Hizam b. Khalid and added that among Arab, no one is more courageous than the men of Bani Kilab. Thus, Imam 'Ali (a) married her.

She gave birth to four sons –'Abbas (a), 'Abd Allah, Ja'far and 'Uthman. Her 4 sons were renowned for their courage and bravery. So, she was called Umm al-Banin (mother of the sons). All of her sons were martyred fighting along with Imam al-Husayn (a), in Karbala.

It is quoted that a while after the marriage, she suggested Imam 'Ali (a) to call her Umm al-Banin instead of Fatima, which was her original name, because the children of Fatima al-Zahra (a) would remember their mother and the sad memories by hearing "Fatima".

After the Event of Karbala

Umm al-Banin was not present in Karbala. When the caravan of the Captives of Karbala arrived in Medina, someone informed her about the martyrdom of her sons; but she asked: "Tell me about al-Husayn." When she heard that Imam al-Husayn (a) was martyred, she said: "I wish my children and everything in the world were ransom for al-Husayn (a) and he would have survived. "These words shows her great loyalty toward Ahl al-Bayt (a) and especially Imam al-Husayn (a).

Zaynab (a) and Umm al-Banin

It's quoted that when Zaynab (a) arrived in Medina, she visited Umm al-Banin and expressed her condolence for the martyrdom of her children.

Umm al-Banin's Mourning for Her Children

After that she received the news of her sons' martyrdom, she went to Baqi' cemetery every day with her grandson, 'Ubayd Allah (son of 'Abbas). she recited the lament that she had composed for her sons and cried sorrowfully. People of Medina gathered around her and cried along with her. It is even said that Marwan b. Hakam also cried with them. She recited this lament which she had composed for 'Abbas:

"O, he who saw 'Abbas attacking a multitude of enemy and the sons of Ali (a) were backing him up like brave lions. I was told that my son was hit on the head while his hands were cut. Woe unto me! my son had lowered his head [that] he was hit on the head. If his sword was in his hand, no one would have dared to approach him."

The Words of Scholars About Umm al-Banin

Zayn al-Din al-'Amili, known as al-Shahid al-Thani says, "Umm al-Banin is a virtuous lady. She had a great affection and loyalty toward the family of the Prophet (s) and devoted her life to serve them. In reverse, the household of the Prophet considered an elite status for her and honoured her. They visited her on the days of 'Id (Islamic holidays) as a sign of respect."

Sayyid Mahmud Shahrudi (d. Sha'ban 17, 1394/January 7, 1931) said, "When I face troubles, I recite Salawat hundred times for Abu al-Fadl al-'Abbas's mother -Umm al-Banin- and after that my problem is solved."

Sayyid Muhsin Amin writes in his book A'yan al-Shi'a, "Umm al-Banin was an eloquent poet, from a noble and brave family."

Muqarram says, "Umm al-Banin is counted among the virtuous ladies. She knew the right of Ahl al-Bayt (a) very well and love them honestly. Reversely, she had an elite statue among them."

'Ali Muhammad 'Ali Dukhayl, a contemporary Arab writer, writes describing this great lady, "The greatness of this woman becomes obvious by this event: when she heard the news of martyrdom of her sons, she did not pay attention to it, but asked about Imam al-Husayn (a). It is as if, Imam al-Husayn (a) is her son not her own sons."

Baqir Sharif Qurayshi, the author of the book 'Abbas b. Ali, ra'id al-karama writes about the virtues of Umm al-Banin, "No one has seen a woman like this pure lady (Umm al-Banin) in the history who would like her fellow wife's children honestly and care about them more [than her children]."