WIVES & CHILDREN

WIVES & CHILDREN

In deference and consideration for Hazrat Fatima Zehra (a.s.), Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) didn’t think of another marriage during her life time. But after she passed away, he married ladies from different tribes at different times.and had several issues through them. The particulars of Hazrat Ali (a.s.)’s spouses and their children are given here:

Hazrat Fatima Zehra (a.s.):

She gave birth to Imam Hassan (a.s.) on 15 Ramadan 3H and to Imam Hussain (a.s.) on 5 Shaaban 4 H. History mentions about another son, Mohsin, who died in early childhood. Some say that he died before birth in an accidental miscarriage. This was a tragedy in the History of Islam that happened within about a year of the passing away of the Prophet (s.a.). She gave birth to two daughters. The elder was Zainab Kubra whose title was Aqeela. The second daughter was Zainab Sughra whose Kunyat was Umme Kulthum. Zainab Kubra was married to Abd Allah ibne Jafar and Umm Kulthum married Mohammed ibne Jafar.

Imama binte Abil Aas:

In deference to the will of Hazrat Fatima Zehra, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) married her. She gave birth to Mohammed al Awsat who was martyred in the Battle Field of Karbala.

Umm al Banin binte Hazam Kalabia:

Hazrat Ameer al Momineen (a.s.) asked his brother Aqeel, who was an expert at Arab geneology, to select a lady from any tribe that is known for its exceptional valor so that she gave birth to valorous sons. Aqeel suggested to him to marry Umm al Banin Kalabia whose tribe was famous in Arabia for their exploits of chivalry and bravery. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) married her. She gave birth to four sons: Abbas, Abd Allah, Othman and Jafar. Abbas was born in 26 H and was the eldest of the four brothers. Then Abd Allah, Othman and Jafar were born in that order. All the four brothers fought valiantly and were martyred by the troops of Yazid in the battle of Karbala.

Laila binte Masood Darmia:

Ibne Athir writes in Kaamil and Ibne Saad in Tabaqaat that two sons were born to her. They were Abu Bakar and Abd Allah. Some historians are of opinion that both the names were of the same person. Sheik Abbas Qummi writes in Muntahi al Aamaal that she gave birth to Mohammed al Asghar and Abu Bakar. Syed Mohsin Amin writes in Aiyan al Shia that apparently the two names were that of one person. Mohammed al Asghar is the name and Abu Bakar is the Kunyat. Sheik Mufeed too considered Abu Bakar as the Kunyat. He too was martyred in Karbala.

Asma binte Umais Khasamia:

Ibne Athir writes in Kaamil that Mohammed al Asghar was born to her. Ibne Saad writes in Tabaqaatb that she gave birth to Yahya and Aun. Yahya died while Hazrat Ali (a.s.) was alive and Aun died in the battle of Karbala. Umme Habib Sehba binte Rubiah Taghlabia:
She gave birth to one son, Omer al Atraf and one daughter Ruqayya Kubra. They were both born as twins. Ruqayya Kubra was married to Muslim ibne Aqeel.

Qaula binte jafar Hanafia:

She gave birth to Mohammed who was well known with the title of Hanafia. His Kunyat was Abul Qasim. Hedied at Taef in 81 H. Umm Sayeed binte Urwa Saqafia:

Ibne Shahr Ashoob writes that she gave birth to Nafisa, Zainab Sugra and Ruqayya Sugra. Syed Mohsin Amin writes that she gave birth to Umm al Hassan and Umm Kulthum Sugra. Some chronichlers write that Umm Kulthum was Nafisa’s Kunyat.

Umm Shoaib Maqzoomia:

Ibne Shahr Ashoob writes that Umm al Hassan and Ramla, two daughters were born to her.

Maqbat binte Umra al Qais :

She gave birth to one daughter who died in her childhood..

Besides these wives, hazrat Ameer al Momineen had several slave girls whom he had married. The daughters born through these alliances were Umme Hani, Maimona, Zainab Sugra, Ramla Sugra, Fatima Imama, Khadija, Umm al Karam, Umm Salama, Umm Jafar, Jamana and Nafisa.

At the time of the death of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) the surviving wives were Amama, Asma binte Umais and Umm al Banin besides the eighteen slave girls. His progeny continued with Imam Hassan (a.s.), Imam Hussain (a.s.), Mohammed ibne Hanafia, Abbas and Omar al Atraf. Some chronichlers say that the total number of children he had was 25, some others say that it was 28 and others say they were 33 or 35. The reason for this difference is perhaps some of them had counted the name and the Kunyat as separate persons. Some have counted Mohsin in the list of children and others have not.