wikishia:Featured Article/2015/8

Maytham al-Tammār al-Asadī al-Kūfī (میثم التمار الأسدي الکوفي) (d. 60/692) was a devout and loyal companion of Imam 'Ali (a) . Although there isn't alot of detailed information available about his life, he is known for being a date-seller in Kufa who had many outstanding qualities. Maytham was executed by the Ummayad governor before the event of Karbala.

Maytham was a non-Arab, and because he was the slave of an Asadi woman, he was ascribed to the tribe of Bani Asad. Later, he was bought and then freed by Imam 'Ali (a) . When Imam 'Ali (a) asked him his name, he answered: "Salim". Imam 'Ali (a) said, "The Prophet informed me that your Persian parents named you Maytham." Imam 'Ali (a) then asked him to return to the name which the Prophet called him and he accepted, and was therefore called Abu Salim. His other title was Abu Salih.

Maytham was a companion of Imam 'Ali (a) , Imam al-Hasan (a) and Imam al-Husayn (a), but he is best known as a devout follower of Imam 'Ali (a). He was a devoted and sincere lover of the Prophet (s) and his household (a), and they were also affectionate towards him. As reported by Umm Salama, the Prophet (s) praised Maytham many times during his life.

Maytham received great spiritual knowledge from the Ahl al-Bayt (a) . Imam 'Ali (a) taught him the secrets of vicegerency and informed him of unseen matters.

Maytham wrote a commentary of the Qur'an from what he had learned from Imam 'Ali (a) . According to one account, Maytham told Ibn 'Abbas that Imam Ali had taught him the knowledge of Ta'wil (hidden meaning of the Qur'an). continue...