Lady Ummul Baneen: The First Nohe Reciter for the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain

Honouring the Mother of Martyrs and Her Enduring Legacy in Islamic Mourning Traditions

After the tragic events of Karbala, when Imam Sajjad and Lady Zainab returned to Madinah, a remarkable woman named Lady Ummul Baneen emerged as a central figure in commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Known as the first Nohe (lamentation poetry) reciter for this cause, Lady Ummul Baneen’s devotion and poetic voice became a cornerstone of mourning rituals that continue to this day.

Lady Ummul Baneen, born Fatima Binte Hazam from the noble and courageous Banu Kilah clan, became the wife of Imam Ali (AS) after the martyrdom of Lady Fatimah Zahra (SA). Imam Ali, seeking a partner from a lineage renowned for bravery, married her with the hope of raising sons who would stand valiantly beside Imam Hussain. True to this hope, Lady Ummul Baneen bore four sons—Abbas, Abdulla, Ja’far, and Usman—all of whom were martyred at Karbala.

Her loyalty to the Prophet’s family was profound. Upon entering Imam Ali’s household, she humbly regarded herself as a servant to Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain, and her love for them surpassed even her affection for her own children. When Imam Hussain set out for Iraq, she encouraged her sons to sacrifice their lives for his sacred cause.

The depth of her devotion was most evident after the tragedy of Karbala. When news of her sons’ martyrdom reached her, she asked first about Imam Hussain, declaring that all her children and everything under the sky could be sacrificed for him. Her grief was not just personal—it became communal. Lady Ummul Baneen gathered the women of Madinah in her home, recounting the harrowing events of Karbala and leading them in mourning. This gathering is recognised as the first Majlis (mourning assembly) for Imam Hussain.

A gifted poet, Lady Ummul Baneen’s Nohe recitations at the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery in Madinah were so moving that they brought all present to tears. Her poetry, considered a masterpiece of Arabic literature, transformed the cemetery into a center of mourning for Imam Hussain, establishing a tradition of Azadari (mourning) that endures in the Muslim world.

Lady Ummul Baneen passed away on 13th Jamadi al-Thani, 64 A.H., and was laid to rest in Jannat al-Baqi. Her legacy as the first Nohe reciter and as a symbol of unwavering loyalty and sacrifice continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the enduring power of love, poetry, and remembrance in the face of tragedy.

Reference: ABNA