Loyalty to the Holy Household

Lady Umm-ul-Baneen loved the Prophet's family more than she loved her own sons. When news of the heart-breaking events of Karbala reached her, she did not ask about the fate of her four sons first and instead said, "Tell me about Hussain", and when she received the news of Imam Hussain's martyrdom, she said: "All of the arteries of my heart are torn. May all of my children and whatever that exists under this azure heaven be sacrificed for the sake of Imam Hussain."
Indeed, the characteristics of Umm-ul-Baneen's sons are a reflection of her own greatness. It is vastly ironic that Lady Umm-ul-Baneen was a cousin of the evil Shimr, one of the killers of Imam Hussain. During the events of Karbala, Shimr came and stood facing the companions of Imam Hussain and called out in a loud voice, "Where are the sons of our sister (of clan)?"
Hearing this, Abbas and his brothers Abdullah, Jafar, and Uthman came out and asked him what he desired. Shimr replied, "O sons of my sister! You are guaranteed security." They replied, "Woe be upon you and your security! You offer us security while the son of the Prophet is devoid of it?"
Abbas then called out in a loud voice, "May your hands be amputated! What an evil security you have brought for us. O enemy of God! Do you desire that we should betray our brother and master Imam Hussain and obey the accursed sons of accursed fathers?"
Lady Umm-ul-Baneen trained her children to love and remain loyal towards the Prophet and his Household, and to serve Islam regardless of the cost. Their morals and guidance could not have been manifested without the courage and selflessness of their mother, and once again, we find more examples of lessons to draw from the life of Lady Umm-ul-Baneen.

This article was borrowed from Message of Thaqalayn.

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