It has been narrated by b. 'Akkasha al-Asadi. We will briefly mention his narration as follows: "I (b.'Akkasha) visited Imam Abu Ja'far al-Baqir, peace be on him. His son Abu 'Abd Allah was standing before him to hand some grapes. 'He turned to us to give us some teachings on the manners of having food, saying. The old man and the young boy must eat grapes one by one; those who think that they do not get full must eat it three or four (by three or four); and you eat it two by two because it is recommended.'"
Ibn 'Akkasha said: "I looked at Abu 'Abd Allah al-Sadiq and saw that he became a grown-up; I asked his father to marry him, saying: 'My master, why do you not marry Abu 'Abd Allah, for he has attained puberty.' The Imam told me that he had decided that; there was a purse (of money) before him and he said to me: 'A slave trader will come and stop at Maymun's house; we will buy him (al-Sadiq) a slave-girl for this purse (of money).'"
The people left the Imam's house. Shortly after that b. 'Akkasha along with a group of his companions visited the Imam. When they had sat down, the Imam told them about the arrival of the slave-trader and the slave-girl. He asked them to buy the slave-girl for the purse they have seen before. They all arose and their hearts were full of happiness and delight. When they reached the slave trader, they asked him to show them the slaves he had. He told them that he had no slave girl except two sick ones. They asked him to bring them and he did. They chose the one who was about to get well. He wanted to sell her for seventy dinars. They asked him to reduce her price, but he refused. They opened the purse and found seventy dinars wherein. They gave the money to him, took the slave-girl, and brought her to the Imam, who praised and lauded Allah, became happy and asked the slave-girl:
"What is your name?"
The Imam gave her a medal of honor and dignity, saying: "You are praiseworthy (Hamida) in this world and praised (Mahmuda) in the hereafter."
The Imam happily turned to his son and granted her to him.[2] Abu 'Abd Allah (al-Sadiq) married her; she was the dearest, most beloved, and preferred of all his wives to him.
The historians have differed over her name and origin: it was said that she was from al-Andulus and her nickname was Lu'lu'a.[3] It was said that she belonged to the Berbers[4] and was the daughter of Salih, al-Beriberi.[5] It was said that she was Salih's sister.[6] Some historians believed that she was from Rome.[7] It was said that she belonged to one of the greatest families of the non-Arabs.[8] Many historians have neglected her lineage and not mention it.
Mrs. Hamida was generously treated in her house; the 'Alawid women took care of her and respected her.
Also Imam al-Sadiq did her a lot of favor, for he came to know that she had plentiful, perfect reason, and good faith. He greatly lauded her, saying: "Hamida is as purified from defilement as a gold ingot; the angels guarded her until she gave to me and the Imam after me a dignity from Allah."[9]
This lady was righteous, pure and free from defects; he soul was full of faith and righteousness. Imam al-Sadiq supplied her with his knowledge to the extent that she became on top of the women of her time in knowledge, piety, and faith. He entrusted her with teaching the Muslim women the religious aspects.[10] She was entitled to occupying this rank and to be the most brilliant of the women of her time in chastity, jurisprudence, and perfection.
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[1] Al-Nefha al-'Anbariya, p. 15. It is a handwritten book and is available in the Public Library of Imam Kashif al-Ghta'. It has been mentioned in it that her name was Nabbata.
[2] Usool al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 476. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 11, p. 232.
[3] Mir'at al-'Uqool, vol. 1, p. 451. Ma'lim al-'Ittra.
[4] Keshf al-Ghumma, vol. 3, p. 2.
[5] A'lam al-Wara. Bihar al-Anwar. In al-Menaqib vol. 4, p. 323, her name is Hamida al-Musaffat (the purified one), daughter of Sa'id al-Berberi.
[6] Mukhtasar Akhbar al-Kulafa', p. 39.
[7] Al-Sayyid Damin b. Shaddqam, Tuhfat al-Azhar wa Zulal al-Anhar. It is a handwritten book and is available in the Library of Imam Kashif al-Ghita'.
[8] Al-Anwar al-Behiyya, p. 87.
[59 Bihar al-Anwar, vol., 11, p. 232. Usool al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 477. A'yan al-Shi'a, second part of vol. 4, p. 5.
[10] Al-Anwar al-Behiyya, p. 78.
