Umm al-Baneen (peace be upon her)

Lady Umm al-Baneen, whose name was Fatimah bint Hizam al-Kilabiyya, is honored in Shia Islam as the noble wife of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the mother of four heroic sons, including the valiant al-Abbas ibn Ali, standard-bearer of Karbala. Her life was marked by unwavering faith, sacrifice, and love for the Prophet’s family (Ahl al-Bayt).

Lineage and Marriage

Umm al-Baneen came from the noble and courageous Kilab tribe, known for their chivalry and loyalty. Imam Ali (peace be upon him), after the passing of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), asked his brother Aqeel to find a wife from a family of brave warriors so that her children would serve Islam. Aqeel recommended Fatimah al-Kilabiyya, and their marriage was blessed.

To avoid confusion with Lady Fatimah al-Zahra, she became known as "Umm al-Baneen" – Mother of Sons.

Mother of Martyrs

Umm al-Baneen bore four sons to Imam Ali:

All four sons accompanied Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) to Karbala and were martyred defending him. Umm al-Baneen never claimed pride over this. Instead, she mourned deeply and prioritized the loss of Imam Hussain over that of her own children, saying:

“All of them are for Hussain.”

Love and Loyalty to Ahl al-Bayt

What distinguishes Umm al-Baneen is her immense love for the family of the Prophet (pbuh), especially Lady Fatimah al-Zahra. Upon entering Imam Ali's household, she treated Fatimah’s children with the utmost love and never saw herself as their mother, always calling them “my masters.”

Her devotion was such that after the tragedy of Karbala, she dedicated herself to mourning Imam Hussain before mourning her own sons, a testimony to her loyalty.

Her Role After Karbala

After receiving the news of the tragedy of Karbala, Umm al-Baneen visited Jannat al-Baqi daily, reciting poetry of grief and pain, reviving the memory of Karbala among the people of Medina. Her lamentations became so well-known that even Marwan ibn al-Hakam, a known opponent of Ahl al-Bayt, was moved to tears.

She became a symbol of patience, resilience, and true love for the Imams.

Death and Legacy

Lady Umm al-Baneen passed away around the year 64 AH (circa 683 CE) and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi in Medina. Her grave, like many others, was destroyed in later centuries, but her memory lives on in the hearts of believers.

Today, she is honored particularly by those who seek intercession in times of hardship. Many turn to her as a motherly figure of hope and compassion, especially in Arabic poetry and lamentations during Muharram.

Umm al-Baneen (peace be upon her) is not merely the mother of the moon-faced warrior of Karbala, she is the mother of sacrifice, the embodiment of devotion, and a beacon of humility. Her life teaches us that love for truth transcends blood, and that the true servants of Ahl al-Bayt are those who give everything, even their children for the path of righteousness.