Fatimah bint Hizam, known as Umm al-Banin, was among the noble wives of Amir al-Muminin, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), and the mother of al-Abbas (peace be upon him), Abdullah, Jafar, and Uthman—each of whom was martyred on the Day of Ashura. Some historians maintain that Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) was poisoned and thus attained martyrdom.
Her Lineage
Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) belonged to the noble tribe of Banu Kilab. Her father was Hizam ibn Khalid—or Hiram ibn Khalid—and her mother was Layla, or Thamama, daughter of Sahl ibn Amir ibn Malik. According to historical accounts, the tribe of Banu Kilab was renowned for courage, valor, and noble character. This reputation played a significant role in the decision of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) to marry Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her).
Her Status Among the Shia
Shia scholars have praised the bravery, eloquence, and profound devotion of Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) toward the Ahl al-Bayt, especially Imam al-Hussain (peace be upon him).
The Shia historian Baqir Sharif al-Qarashi has written:
“In history, no woman like Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) is seen—one who showed sincere affection toward the children of her co-wife and gave them precedence over her own.”
The Reason Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) Chose Her as His Wife
- Ibn Inabah, the eminent Shia genealogist, narrates:
“Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) summoned his brother, Aqil—who was deeply knowledgeable in Arab lineage and aware of the conditions of families—and said to him, ‘I desire that you choose for me a courageous woman from a tribe known for bravery, so that she may bear me a courageous son.’
Aqil said, ‘Marry Fatimah al-Kilabiyyah, for I know of no tribe among the Arabs braver than hers.’
Amir al-Muminin Ali (peace be upon him) approved of this suggestion.”
This account is also recorded in Ayan al-Shia, citing Umdat al-Talib.
- Al-Hakimi in Ayan al-Nisa narrates:
“Aqil ibn Abi Talib asked his brother, ‘Why are you seeking such a woman?’
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) replied, ‘I wish to marry a woman who will bear me a valiant son who will support my son al-Hussain in the event of Karbala.’
Aqil then recommended Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her), noting that her forefathers were among the bravest of the Arabs.”
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) proposed marriage to her, and her family accepted with honor and pride.
Why Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) Consulted Aqil
It may be asked: If Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) possessed the divinely granted knowledge of Imamate, why did he consult Aqil?
In the Noble Quran, Surat Āl Imran, verse 159, Allah commands His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family):
“Consult them in the matter, and when you have decided, place your trust in Allah.”
Though the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) had no need of consultation—being guided by divine instruction—this command establishes consultation as a principle for the Muslim community. Likewise, in Surat al-Shura, verse 38, Allah praises believers whose affairs are conducted through mutual consultation.
Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of consultation in Nahj al-Balagha:
- In Saying 161 he states:
“He who is arrogant about his own opinion shall perish, but he who consults others shares in their wisdom.”
- In Saying 211 he affirms:
“Consultation itself is guidance. One who deems himself self-sufficient in his own opinion exposes himself to danger.”
A Request from Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her)
It is narrated that sometime after their marriage, Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) asked Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) not to address her by her given name, Fatimah, lest the young al-Hasan and al-Hussain (peace be upon them) be reminded of their mother, Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her).
Thus, Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him) named her “Umm al-Banin”—“Mother of Sons.”
She bore him four sons: al-Abbas (peace be upon him), Abdullah, Jafar, and Uthman.
According to Sahl ibn Abdullah al-Bukhari, after the martyrdom of Amir al-Muminin (peace be upon him), Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) never married again.
Her Martyrdom by Poison at the Hands of the Umayyads
With her eloquence and clarity, Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) courageously exposed the injustices and oppression of the Umayyads. Through her moving elegies and constant mourning, she awakened people to the tyranny and unworthiness of the rulers of her time.
It has been recorded—by the renowned historian Shaikh Ali Falsafi in Zanan-i Nabighah and by Abd al-Adim al-Bahrani in Umm al-Banin—that the Umayyads poisoned Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) with honey laced with poison, leading to her martyrdom.
In Ikhtiyarat, it is narrated from al-Amash:
“On the 13th of Jumada al-Thani, a Friday, I was with Imam Zayn al-Abidin (peace be upon him) when Fadl ibn Abbas entered, weeping, and said, ‘My grandmother, Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her), has passed away. For the sake of Allah, reflect upon how this deceitful world has once again inflicted tragedy upon the Household of the Cloak within a single month!’”
