Narjis, was the mother of al-Hujjah Ibn al-Hasan, al-Qa'im ('aj), and the wife of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari ('a). Her name was Malikah and she was the daughter of Yashu'a Ibn Qaysar, the king of Rome. Her mother was one of the descendants of the disciples of Prophet Jesus going back to Simon the successor of Jesus Christ ('aj).1

The names which have been given for this honorable woman include: Rayhanah, Narjis, Sayqal,2 Sawsan, and Maryam Bint Zayd al-'Alawiyyah.3 She was a manumitted bondmaid and her nickname was Umm Muhammad Ibn al-Hasan.

She was brought to Baghdad from Rome with the prisoners of war and was purchased from the slave sellers as a servant. In a tradition from al-Saduq he quotes Jabir, one of the famous companions of the Messenger of God (S), where he talks of the parchment of Fatimah ('a), and writes about the name of the mother of Imam al-Mahdi, "His mother is a bondmaid. Her name is Narjis."4

Narjis passed away during the lifetime of Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari ('a) in the city of Surra-man-ra'a. This would mean before his death in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal in the year 260 A.H.L. However, Mahallati has written, "She was buried in the year 261 A.H.L behind Imam al-Hasan al-Askari ('a). She has a coffer which is noticeable in its beauty."5

Her Merits

Malikah had a dream in which Jesus ('a), Simon (the successor of Jesus), and a group of the disciples entered Caesar's castle. Subsequent, the Messenger of God, Muhammad (S), entered with a group of his descendants. After embracing Jesus ('a) he told him, "I have come to ask for the daughter of Simon's hand in marriage for my son (Imam al-Hasan al-'Askari). Following Simon's acceptance, the Messenger of God (S) wed Malikah to his son Imam al-'Askari ('a).”

Malikah became sick, but the physicians in Rome were unable to cure her. Caesar asked her if she had some wish that he could carry out for her and in this way perhaps help to make her better. Malikah said, "I have no hope, however stop torturing the Muslim prisoners of war, take the chains off their necks, and free them. Maybe Jesus and his mother Maryam will help me and bring back my health." Caesar did this and Malikah expressed that she was somewhat better.

For the next four nights Malikah dreamt that Fatimah ('a), Maryam ('a), and 1000 women of Paradise came to visit her and Malikah witnessed to the oneness of God, the prophethood of Muhammad ('a), and became Muslim. Then Abu Muhammad, Imam al-'Askari ('a) continuously came to her dreams until one night he said, "Your father is going to send an army towards the Muslims. Go among the servants."

After the defeat of the Roman army, Malikah was taken as a prisoner of war to Baghdad. Imam 'Ali al-Naqi ('a) dispatched someone by the name of Bishr Ibn Sulayman the slave-trader6 to Baghdad in order to purchase Malikah from the slave-trader.

The story of how Malikah (Narjis) was purchased, and what she told Bishr Ibn Sulayman is very long. Therefore, the complete description has been avoided here for brevity.7

Bishr has said, "When I took her (Narjis) to Imam 'Ali al-Naqi ('a), he asked her, 'How did God show you the glory of Islam and the household of Muhammad (S) and the problems in Christianity?'

Narjis said, 'How can I explain something, O son of the Messenger of God (S), which you know better than me.'

He said, 'I wish to honor and respect you. Which is better (to you), ten thousand dirhams or glad tidings of eternal honor?'

Narjis said, 'I prefer the glad tidings.'

He said, 'I give you glad tidings of a child who will rule the east and the west. He will fill the world with justice after it has been filled with oppression and injustice.'

Narjis asked, 'Who will this child be from?'

Imam 'Ali al-Naqi ('a) replied, 'From the person for whom the Messenger of God (S) asked for your hand on such and such night, such and such month, and such and such year.'

Narjis asked, 'From the family of Jesus and his successor?'

Then, he asked her who Jesus ('a) and his successor had married her to. Narjis answered, 'To your son Abu Muhammad.'

The Imam asked, 'Do you know him?'

Narjis responded, 'From the night when I became Muslim at the hands of the best woman, Fatimah al-Zahra', not a single night has passed that he has not come to see me.'

Then, Abu al-Hasan, Imam 'Ali al-Naqi ('a) called his sister Hakimah and told her, 'Take this woman to your house and teach her the religious laws and duties. She is the wife of Abu Muhammad and the mother of al-Mahdi ('aj).'"8

Therefore, this honorable woman had a high station before God as may be seen. Narjis was very chaste and pious. It is enough to show her station by saying that she was the mother of Imam al-Mahdi the Awaited ('aj), the last of God's Proofs and the one who will establish justice in the world. Narjis carried God's secrets and was the keeper of the best of His creation. May God send His peace upon her and her esteemed son!

For this blessed woman, the mother of the Awaited al-Mahdi ('aj), special prayers have been reported to be read for her which tell some of the characteristics of this pure woman. We read, "May peace be upon you, O woman who is truthful and with whom God is satisfied. May peace be upon you, O one who is pious and pure. May peace be upon you, O woman who is satisfied with God, and He is pleased with you."9

The tradition which Narjis relates from Imam al-'Askari is from a dream which she had. There are certainly other traditions which she has related from her husband or son ('aj); however, they were not found.

• 1. Kamal al-Din, vol. 2, pp. 420 and 423; Kitab al-Ghaybah, p. 135.
• 2. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 50, p. 331.
• 3. Kamal al-Din, vol. 2, p. 432; Mu'jam al-Rijal; vol. 7, p. 189 (Sayqal has been written as Siqil).
• 4. Kamal al-Din, vol. 1, p. 308 (In this tradition the names of the Imams and their mothers are mentioned.)
• 5. Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, p.26.
• 6. Bishr Ibn Sulayman al-Nakhkhas was a descendant of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, the famous companion of the Prophet (S) and Imam 'Ali ('a). He was the neighbor, friend, and one of the reliable associates of Imam 'Ali al-Naqi al-Hadi ('a).
• 7. Kamal al-Din, vol. 2, pp. 419 - 422; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 3, pp. 28 and 29; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 7.
• 8. Kamal al-Din, vol. 2, p. 423; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 51, p. 10; Kitab al-Ghaybah, p. 138.
• 9. Mafatih al-Jinan, the prayer to be read for the mother of Imam al-Mahdi al-Qa'im (may God hasten his coming).