Maymunah bint Ali

Maymunah bint Ali
مَيْمُونَة بِنْت عَلِيّ
Born	Her birth likely occurred before 21 AH (circa 642 CE) Mecca or Medina
Died	after the 682 CE
Resting place	Medina
Known for	Survivor of the Battle of Karbala
Spouse	Abdullah al-Akbar
Children	Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdullah al-Akbar Ali ibn Abdullah al-Akbar Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Akbar Aqil ibn Abdullah al-Akbar Ruqayyah bint Abdullah al-Akbar Umm Kulthum bint Abdullah al-Akbar
Parents	Ali ibn Abi Talib (father) Umm Maymunah (mother)
Relatives	List Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib (grandfather) Hasan (half-brother) Husayn (half-brother) Muhsin (half-brother) Umm Kulthum (half-sister) Zaynab (half-sister) Ruqayya (half-sister) Khadija (half-sister) Ramla (half-sister) Abbas (half-brother) Hilal (half-brother)
Family	Ahl al-Bayt

Maymunah bint ʿAlī (Arabic: مَيْمُونَة بِنْت عَلِيّ),was one of the daughters of ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the fourth caliph of Islam and the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad. Historical accounts indicate that ʿAlī named her after Maymunah bint al-Harith, one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, also known as a Mother of the Believers. Her birth is estimated to have occurred around 642 CE, though some sources suggest an earlier date. Historical references mention her mother as Umm Maymuna, and in some cases, she is described using the term umm walad, which was commonly used to refer to a concubine who bore a child,

Maymunah is mentioned as a half-sister to several significant figures in early Islamic history, including Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, Zaynab bint Ali, Umm Kulthum bint Ali, and Abbas ibn Ali, who is especially noted for his participation in the Battle of Karbala. Through her paternal lineage, She was a member of the family of the Prophet Muhammad, known in Islamic tradition as the Ahl al-Bayt, who are regarded with particular reverence in many Islamic sects. Alongside siblings such as Umm Hani and Nafisa, Maymunah is referenced in some historical sources as part of a household involved in the transmission of religious and ethical teachings during the formative period of Islam.

Marriage and family life

Maymunah was reportedly married to ʿAbd Allāh al-Akbar, a figure associated with the early Islamic period. According to some historical sources, she was older than her sisters Umm Hani and Nafisa, as her marriage is said to have taken place during the lifetime of her father, ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib. In contrast, Umm Hani and Nafisa are recorded as having married ʿAbd Allāh al-Awsat and ʿAbd Allāh al-Asghar, respectively. These familial relationships are mentioned in biographical literature that documents the descendants and household of ʿAlī and their roles in early Islamic society.

Maymunah had a son with her husband, ʿAbd Allāh al-Akbar, whom they named ʿAqīl, in reference to his grandfather. According to some historical accounts, ʿAqīl ibn ʿAbd Allāh took part in the Battle of Karbala, where he was killed alongside his brother Muḥammad and their father, ʿAbd Allāh al-Akbar. These individuals are listed among those who are described in sources as having fought and died during the battle. Maymunah is also said to have had other children through her marriage to ʿAbd Allāh, including Ruqayyah, ʿAlī, ʿAbd al-Raḥmān, and Umm Kulthūm.

Presence at Karbala

Maymunah is reported in some historical accounts to have been among the women of the Ahl al-Bayt who accompanied Imam Ḥusayn during his journey to Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE). Her husband, ʿAbd Allāh ibn ʿAqīl, is listed among those who fought and were killed on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ. Her sons, Muḥammad and ʿAqīl, are also recorded in traditional sources as having participated in the battle and being killed alongside other members of the Banū Hāshim.

Although no recorded speeches or direct statements attributed to Maymunah have been preserved in historical sources following the events of ʿĀshūrāʾ, some accounts mention her presence in Imam Ḥusayn's camp. She is noted as one of the women who lost close family members during the battle, including her brothers and nephews.

After the Battle of Karbala

Following the Battle of Karbala, Maymunah is reported in some historical accounts to have been among the women who accompanied Zaynab bint Ali during the aftermath of the conflict. These sources describe her as one of the captives taken by the forces of Yazid, first to Kufa and later to Damascus. While no recorded speeches or statements are directly attributed to Maymunah, her presence among the captives is occasionally noted in historical narratives. Zaynab bint Ali is widely recognized for delivering public addresses during the captivity, whereas other women, including Maymunah, are described as sharing in the experience of loss and displacement following the events at Karbala.

After the release of the Ahl al-Bayt from captivity in Damascus, Maymunah is reported to have returned to Medina. Some historical sources indicate that she lived the remainder of her life mourning the loss of her husband and son. While she did not deliver public speeches like Zaynab bint Ali, her experience of loss and resilience is mentioned in accounts related to the aftermath of Karbala.