Bio Data

Introduction

Maytham al-Tammar was a non-Arab (Persian) companion of Imam Ali (AS). He was originally a slave of a woman from the tribe of Bani Asad and was therefore attributed to that tribe. Imam Ali (AS) later purchased and freed him. When Imam Ali (AS) asked him his name, he replied that it was Salim. Imam Ali (AS) said, “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) informed me that your Persian parents named you Maytham.” He then returned him to his original name Maytham. His kunyah was Abu Salim, and he became known as Maytham al-Tammar because he sold dates.

A Legacy of Devotion

Maytham was a date-seller in the bazaar of Kufa; therefore, he was given the title of “al-Tammar”, “seller of dates”.

Maytham was a companion of Imam Ali (AS), Imam al-Hassan (AS) and Imam al-Hussain (AS), but he is best known as a devout follower of Imam Ali (AS). He was a devoted and sincere lover of the Prophet (PBUH) and his household, and they were also affectionate towards him. As reported by Umm Salama, the Prophet (PBUH) praised Maytham many times during his life.

Maytham received great spiritual knowledge from the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). Imam Ali (AS) taught him the secrets of succession and informed him of unseen matters.

A Legacy of Loyalty

His sons, Salih, Shu’ayb and Hamzah, followed their father in being loyal partisans of the Ahl al-Bayt (AS). His grandchildren were among the companions of the Imams and narrators of hadith. One of his descendants, Ali ibn Isma’il ibn Shu’ayb ibn Maytham, became a great theologian and wrote some early theological books.

Foretelling

Maytham foretold the death of Mu’awiya, the martyrdom of Imam al-Hussain (AS), his own execution and the release of Mukhtar ibn Abi ‘Ubayd al-Thaqafi from prison.

Intellectual Contributions

Maytham wrote a commentary of the Quran from what he had learned from Imam Ali (AS). According to one account, Maytham told Ibn Abbas that Imam Ali (AS) had taught him the knowledge of Ta’wil (hidden meaning of the Quran). He asked Ibn Abbas to ask him any question about the interpretation of the Quran, and Ibn Abbas questioned him and wrote down his answers. When Maytham foretold the story of his own martyrdom, Ibn Abbas became suspicious about him and decided to destroy the writings. Maytham asked him not to do that and said, “Keep yourself from doing that until my prophecy is fulfilled; if it does not happen, destroy my interpretations”.

Maytham is also said to have compiled a hadith collection from which his descendants narrated. Some of these narrations are available in references. These narrations are about love and hatred towards Ahl al-Bayt (AS), the precedence of Kufa Mosque over Bayt al-Maqdis, the hatred of hypocrites towards Imam Ali (AS), the four-time confession of fornication and its penalty and other stories about the judgments of Imam Ali (AS).

Maytham was an outspoken and eloquent speaker who astonished even Ibn Ziyad with his words. His speeches against the Umayyad caliphate made him famous for his hatred of injustice.

Imam Ali (AS) and Maytham al-Tammar

He was a member of Shurta al-Khamis (the special Guards of Imam Ali (AS)), who pledged themselves to fight with Imam Ali (AS) in all battles and support him in all hardships.

Since there is no record of Maytham’s presence in any battle with Imam Ali (AS), it is thought that he became acquainted with Imam Ali (AS) in the last years of the Imam’s life. This is also indicated by some narrations reported by Maytham about the events of the last years of leadership of Imam Ali (AS), such as the invasion of the partisans of Mu’awiya to the districts of Heet and Anbar and their killing of women and children.

While cursing Imam Ali (AS) and his partisans, Mu’awiya also cursed Maytham.

After the demise of Imam Ali (AS), Maytham became a devout companion of Imam al-Hassan (AS) and Imam al-Hussain (AS). Imam al-Hussain was affectionate towards Maytham and treated him kindly.

In 60/680 Maytham went to Mecca to perform Umrah, but could not meet Imam al-Hussain (AS). Umm Salama informed him of Imam al-Hussain (AS)’s situation. Maytham then asked Umm Salama to pass his greetings to Imam al-Hussain (AS) and to tell him that he would meet the Imam in paradise.

Imam Ali (AS) had promised Maytham a high level in paradise beside himself for his resistance against the governor of Kufa, ‘Ubayd Allah ibn Ziyad. The Imam had also informed Maytham of his martyrdom, the name of his killer and the story of his execution on a palm tree. He even showed him the exact tree on which he was going to be hung. It is reported that Maytham prayed beside that tree and talked to it. He told the story of his martyrdom to his friends, but once when he told Habib ibn Mazahir in front of others, people began to mock him.

Execution

There are two different accounts about his arrest and execution.

According to the first account, the governor of Kufa, Ibn Ziyad, was ordered by Yazid, the Umayyad caliph, to arrest Maytham and execute him. Ibn Ziyad then asked the chief of Maytham’s tribe to surrender Maytham or be killed. Maytham was arrested on his way back from Mecca to Kufa, probably in Qadisiyya. In the prison of Kufa, he met Mukhtar al-Thaqafi and foretold Mukhtar’s release from prison.

According to the second account, Maytham, along with some businessmen from Kufa, went to Ibn Ziyad to protest the injustice of his agent in the bazaar. There, ‘Amr ibn Hurayth, the commander of the Kufa army, called Maytham a liar and a partisan of the liar (meaning Imam Ali (AS)). In response, Maytham called himself a truthful partisan of the truthful one. Ibn Ziyad then ordered Maytham to curse Imam Ali (AS) and praise Uthman ibn ‘Affan, and threatened to cut off his arms and legs if he didn’t. Maytham chose martyrdom. He told Ibn Ziyad that Imam Ali (AS) had said Ibn Ziyad would cut off his tongue. Ibn Ziyad wanted to prove the words of Imam Ali (AS) to be wrong; therefore, he ordered the cutting of Maytham’s arms and legs only, and hung him beside the house of ‘Amr ibn Hurayth.

After being hung, Maytham miraculously called people loudly to gather around him and listen to some narrations from Imam Ali (AS). He then talked about the virtues of Bani Hashim and the evil of the Umayyads.

When Ibn Ziyad was informed of this, he ordered a leash to be put on his mouth. Maytham was the first martyr to be leashed in Islam. According to other reports, Ibn Hurayth suggested cutting his tongue, and Maytham reminded people of Imam Ali’s prediction. His tongue was then cut off by an agent of Ibn Ziyad.

The Martyrdom and its Divine Vindication

Meesam-e-Tammar was brought to the same tree to be hanged as pointed out by Imam Ali (AS). Meesam began singing the praises of his master, and about a thousand people gathered to see Meesam being hanged.

Amr ibn Huraith saw Meesam. Amr ibn Huraith remembered Meesam’s words: “I’ll be your neighbour. Treat me kindly.” So, Amr ibn Huraith ordered one of his daughters to sweep the ground around the palm trunk. He also ordered her to splash it with water.

A person looked at Meesam and said: “Disown Ali to save your soul.”

Meesam said with a smile: “By Allah (SWT), this palm trunk has been created for me! And I’ve been created for it.” Thus, the people knew the secret of Meesam’s visit to the palm-tree throughout the long years.

Even after being hanged, the tongue of Meesam went on singing the praises of Imam Ali (AS). Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad was informed about this and the tyrant ordered that the tongue of Meesam be cut and thus the prophecy of Imam Ali (AS) came true and Meesam-e-Tammar died after his tongue was cut out.

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajioon.

Divine Justice: The Revenge of Mukhtar

Six years passed. Al-Mukhtar announced his revolution in Kufa to avenge the massacre of Karbala. His army met Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad on the Riverbank.

Ibrahim al-Ashtar could behead Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad. Some fighters brought al-Mukhtar Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad’s head. Al-Mukhtar stood up and kicked Ubaidullah ibn Ziyad’s head. Al-Mukhtar remembered Meesam’s words in the prison: “Al-Mukhtar, you’ll get out of prison. You’ll get revenge on Imam Hussain’s killers.”

Days passed. Imam Hussain’s killers perished. People have cursed them throughout history.

The Shrine Today

Today, the visitor leaves the Holy Najaf City. He goes to see Kufa ruins. On the way he sees a beautiful dome. The dome decorates Meesam’s shrine.

As your journey from the radiant sanctuary of Holy Najaf, the road to the historic ruins of Kufa reveals a sight of profound devotion. Look for the beautiful dome that rises against the horizon; it marks the shrine of Maytham al-Tammar. Here lies the ‘Lion of the Gallows,’ whose loyalty to Imam Ali (AS) remains an eternal light for every visitor.

Since the shrine of Maytham al-Tammar is very close to the Great Mosque of Kufa (Masjid al-Kufa), it is usually the first stop pilgrims make before entering the mosque.

Visit the Lion of the Gallows

Experience the profound devotion of Maytham al-Tammar by visiting his shrine in Kufa. Located near the Great Mosque of Kufa (Masjid al-Kufa), this is an essential stop for pilgrims traveling from Najaf. Walk in the footsteps of this loyal companion and witness where prophecy became reality.

Our Kufa packages include visits to Maytham al-Tammar’s shrine, the Great Mosque of Kufa, and other historic sites of early Islam. Mentioning this proximity will help you manage your time effectively during your spiritual journey.

Plan your visit: www.ziaratplanner.com