Honoring Legacy of Sayyida Umm al-Banin: A Symbol of Devotion, Faith, and Sacrifice
Honoring Legacy of Sayyida Umm al-Banin: A Symbol of Devotion, Faith, and Sacrifice
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The Shia Community worldwide will, on Friday 13 of Jumadi al-Ukhra, commemorate the sorrowful martyrdom anniversary of Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her), the revered wife of the Commander of the Faithful Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). She became mother to Abbas ibn Ali (peace be upon him) and three other sons who valiantly fought in protecting the Imams of their time.
Originally named Fatimah, she requested to be called “Umm al-Banin” to honor Lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her) and avoid repeating her revered name within the household. This act reflected her humility and exemplary manners from the very beginning of her life with the household of Imam Ali (peace be upon him). She entered the home with utmost respect for Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (peace be upon them), addressing them as “I am your servant” and never assuming a position above them, a demeanor that persisted even after the tragic events of Karbala.
Historical sources highlight her unwavering devotion. Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) daily visited the Baqi cemetery, reciting elegies for Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), which moved listeners, including opponents of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), to tears. Her son Abbas (peace be upon him) is particularly remembered as a symbol of courage, loyalty, humility, and devotion, qualities he inherited from his mother.
In honouring her memory, Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sadiq al-Shirazi has recently emphasized that the martyrdom of Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her) is a historically and theologically established fact. He affirmed that using the term “martyrdom” in its broad sense for her is entirely appropriate, reflecting her elevated status in the path of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and her unparalleled loyalty to Imam Husayn (peace be upon him) and his family.
In Najaf, the sacred shrine of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was draped in black, and mourning banners were displayed throughout the site to honor her memory. Devotees participated in ceremonies commemorating her role in Islamic history and expressing grief for her sacrifice.
Similarly, the Imam Sadiq Institute in Denmark, affiliated with Grand Ayatollah Shirazi, organized a two-night program to commemorate both Lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her) and Lady Umm al-Banin (peace be upon her). The event featured lectures by Hujjat al-Islam Sheikh Rashad Al-Ansari, recitations by Haider Al-Attar, and a Danish-language address by Ustadh Hussein Al-Bahrani. Participants also conducted a symbolic procession honoring Lady Fatimah’s sacred presence.
