The Full Family Tree of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi Talib, the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), holds a deeply revered place in Islamic history. His lineage, descendants, and family connections form an essential part of early Islamic heritage.

As the fourth caliph and one of the greatest companions, his family included many noble figures, his sons, daughters, siblings, wives, and parents, each with their own story, contributions, and sacrifices. This comprehensive overview explores the full family tree of Ali ibn Abi Talib, tracing his children from different wives, highlighting key members of his household, and honoring the legacy of his noble bloodline.

The Number of Wives of Ali ibn Abi Talib

The total number of women Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) married is nine. The first among them was Fatimah. He did not marry any other woman while she was alive. It is worth noting that he did not marry more than one woman at a time, as it is prohibited in Islam to have more than four wives at once. If one of his wives passed away, he would marry another. Below is a brief overview of his wives.

Overview of the Wives of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Fatimah bint the Messenger of Allah

She is Fatimah, daughter of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib, of the Hashimite tribe, from Mecca and later Medina. She was the mother of Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn and the youngest daughter of the Prophet (peace be upon him). She was born in Mecca in the 41st year after the Year of the Elephant. Ali married her at the age of 21 when she was 15, in the third year after Hijrah.

Ali married her in Medina after the Battle of Uhud. Her dowry was said to be a shield, or 480 dirhams, one-third of which was used to buy perfume. She gave birth to four children for Ali: Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them), and two daughters: Umm Kulthum and Zaynab. Ali did not marry another woman while Fatimah was alive, out of respect for her and the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). She died seven months after the Prophet, on a Tuesday, the 3rd of Ramadan, in the 11th year after Hijrah.

Umm al-Banin bint Hizam

Umm al-Banin bint Hizam, daughter of Abu al-Muhallib ibn Khalid ibn Rabi’ah ibn al-Wahid ibn Ka’b ibn Amir ibn Kilab. She bore Ali four sons: Al-Abbas, Ja’far, Abdullah, and Uthman. All of them joined their brother Al-Husayn ibn Ali in his battle against the Umayyads and defended him until they were all killed. Their lineage was cut off except for Al-Abbas, whose descendants remained.

Layla bint Mas’ud

Layla bint Mas’ud ibn Khalid ibn Malik ibn Rubay’ ibn Salma ibn Jandal. She bore Ali two sons: Ubaydullah and Abu Bakr. They fought alongside their brother Al-Husayn and were martyred on the Day of Karbala. It is said that Ubaydullah was killed by Al-Mukhtar ibn Abi Ubayd in Al-Madhar.

Khawlah bint Ja’far al-Hanafiyyah

Khawlah bint Ja’far ibn Qays ibn Maslamah ibn Tha’labah from the tribe of Banu Hanifah. She gave birth to Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah for Ali. She gave birth to him the same year Abu Bakr died. Several narrations exist regarding her marriage to Ali:

• She was among the captives from the Battle of al-Yamamah.
• She was a black slave, whom Ali purchased and gifted to Fatimah, who then sold her. Ali then bought her again.
• Some say she was part of the gifts Abu Bakr gave to Ali.

Asma’ bint Umays

Asma’ bint Umays ibn Malik ibn al-Nu’man ibn Ka’b ibn Malik of the tribe of Khath’am. She and Maymunah, the Prophet’s wife, were sisters from the same mother. She was married to Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and gave birth to Muhammad, Abdullah, and Awn ibn Ja’far. Then she married Abu Bakr and gave birth to Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr. After that, she married Ali and gave birth to Yahya. She was among the earliest Muslims, migrated with Ja’far to Abyssinia, narrated hadith, and died after Ali was martyred.

Al-Sahba’ bint Rabi’ah

Al-Sahba’, also known as Umm Habib, daughter of Rabi’ah ibn Bijayr ibn al-‘Abd ibn Alqamah al-Taghlabiyyah, from the Taghlib tribe. She was among the captives from Ayn al-Tamr in the land of Taghlib, taken by Khalid ibn al-Walid. She bore Ali two children: Umar al-Akbar and Ruqayyah, who were twins.

Umm Sa’id bint Urwah al-Thaqafiyyah

Umm Sa’id bint Urwah ibn Mas’ud ibn Mu’attib ibn Malik al-Thaqafi. She gave birth to Umm al-Hasan and Ramla al-Kubra for Ali. She was previously married to Utbah ibn Abi Sufyan and had a son with him named Abdullah.

Muhayyah bint Imru’ al-Qays

Muhayyah bint Imru’ al-Qays ibn Adi ibn Aws ibn Jabir al-Kalabiyyah from Banu Kalb. Her father came to Caliph Umar as a Christian and converted to Islam. Ali married his daughter and gave the two sisters to his sons in marriage: Al-Hasan married Zaynab, and Al-Husayn married Al-Rabab, the mother of Sukayna bint Al-Husayn. Muhayyah bore Ali a daughter.

Ummamah bint al-As ibn al-Rabi’

Ummamah bint Abi al-As ibn al-Rabi’ ibn Abd al-‘Uzza ibn Abd Shams of Banu Umayyah. She was a descendant of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) because her mother was Zaynab, the daughter of the Prophet. Imam Al-Dhahabi said: “Ummamah is the one whom the Prophet used to carry during his prayer.” Ali married Ummamah during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him). She remained with Ali until he was martyred, and she bore children for him. After his martyrdom, she married Al-Mughira ibn Nawfal ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib, and remained with him until she died.

The Children of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) had many children—fourteen sons and seventeen daughters. Among them were:

• Al-Hasan
• Al-Husayn
• Umm Kulthum
• Zaynab
• Al-Muhsin
• Al-Abbas
• Ja'far
• Abdullah (son of the daughter of Hizam)
• Uthman
• Yahya
• Muhammad
• Abu Bakr
• Abdullah (son of Layla)
• Umar
• Ruqayyah
• Muhammad al-Awsat (the middle)
• Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah
• Ramla
• Umm al-Hasan
• Jariyah

It is noted that the daughters of Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) married the sons of Aqil and Al-Abbas, except:

• Umm Kulthum, who married Umar ibn al-Khattab.
• Zaynab al-Kubra, who married Abdullah ibn Ja’far.
• Umm al-Hasan, who married Ja’da ibn Hubayrah al-Makhzumi.
• Fatimah, who married Sa’id ibn al-Aswad al-Harithi al-Asadi.

Children of Ali from Fatimah al-Zahra

Al-Hasan

Born in the third year after the Hijrah, in the middle of Ramadan. He died in the month of Rabi' al-Awwal, in the 50th year after Hijrah. He was buried in Baqi' al-Gharqad and was known as "the master of the youth of Paradise." He had the following children: Talha, Al-Qasim, Al-Hasan, Zayd, Abu Bakr, Abdullah, Amr, Abd al-Rahman, Muhammad, Ya'qub, Al-Husayn, Isma'il, Hamza, Aqil, Ja’far, and Umm al-Husayn. His lineage continued through Zayd and Al-Hasan.

Al-Husayn

Born on the fifth night of Sha’ban in the fourth year after Hijrah, martyred on the tenth of Muharram in the 61st year. Also known as "the master of the youth of Paradise." His sons include: Ali al-Akbar (martyred with him), Abdullah, Ja’far, and Ali Zayn al-Abidin, from whom a large lineage came.

Muhsin

He died in infancy shortly after birth.

Umm Kulthum

Born in the sixth year after Hijrah, she lived during the Prophet’s lifetime but did not narrate from him. She married Umar ibn al-Khattab in the 17th year after Hijrah and had two children: Zayd and Ruqayyah.

Zaynab (the elder)

Married her cousin Abdullah ibn Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and had children with him.

Children of Ali from Women Other than Fatimah

Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyyah

Also known as Abu al-Qasim. His mother was Khawla bint Ja'far al-Hanafiyyah, hence the name. Born in Medina in 21 AH, he was known for knowledge, piety, and strength. He died in 81 AH at the age of 65 and was buried in Al-Baqi’. His children include:

• Abdullah, Hamzah, Ja'far al-Akbar, and Ali (mother: Na’ilah)
• Al-Hasan (died during the caliphate of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz), mother: Jamal bint Qays
• Al-Qasim (his kunya), Abd al-Rahman, Umm al-Qasim, Umm Abiha, Ruqayyah, and Hubbabah (mother: Al-Shahba’)
• Ibrahim (mother: Musra’ah)
• Ja’far al-Asghar and Awn (mother: Umm Ja'far)

Fatimah

Her mother was a concubine. She married Muhammad ibn Abi Sa'id ibn Aqil ibn Abi Talib and had Hamidah. She later married Sa’id ibn al-Aswad and had Barzah and Khalid, and then married al-Mundhir ibn Ubaydah ibn al-Zubayr, having Kubra and Uthman.

Al-Abbas

Had a son named Ubaydullah (mother: Lubabah). His half-siblings from his mother were: Al-Qasim ibn al-Walid ibn Utbah ibn Abi Sufyan and Nafisah bint Zayd.

Umar

Narrated from his father; his son Muhammad narrated from him. Named after Umar ibn al-Khattab. His mother was Al-Sahba’ bint 'Imad. He died in 67 AH and had children: Isma'il, Muhammad, and Umm Musa (mother: Asma' bint Aqil ibn Abi Talib).

Ubaydullah

Moved from Hijaz to Kufa, was imprisoned by al-Thaqafi, later joined Mus’ab ibn al-Zubayr in Basra and died in a region called “al-Madhar,” between Wasit and Basra.

Ja’far

Died young alongside his brother Al-Husayn.

Yahya

Mother: Asma’ bint Umais ibn Mughannam. Died before his father. No children. His maternal brothers include: Muhammad, Awn, and Abdullah—sons of Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, and Muhammad ibn Abi Bakr.

Ruqayyah

Known as Ruqayyah the Elder. Married Muslim ibn Aqil and had three sons: Abdullah, Muhammad, and Ali.

Abu Bakr

Mother: Layla bint Mas’ud. Had no children.

Muhammad the Younger

His mother was a concubine.

Umm al-Husayn

Mother: Umm Sa'id bint Urwah al-Thaqafi. Sister of Ramla. Her children were Hasan, Habib, and Ali.

Ramla

Mother: Umm Sa’id bint Urwah al-Thaqafi. Married Abdullah ibn Abi Sufyan ibn al-Harith ibn Abd al-Muttalib. Had two sons, but both died young.

Umm Hani

Married Abdullah al-Akbar ibn Aqil and had Muhammad, Umm Kulthum, Muslim, and Abd al-Rahman.

Umm Kulthum the Younger

Married Abdullah al-Akbar ibn Aqil and had Umm Aqil. Later married Kathir ibn al-Abbas and had Hasan, then married Tamam ibn al-Abbas and had Nafisah.

Maymunah

Had a son named Aqil from her husband Abdullah ibn Aqil.

Zaynab the Younger

Married Muhammad ibn Aqil and had Abdullah, Al-Qasim, and Abd al-Rahman.

Khadijah

Married Abd al-Rahman ibn Aqil and had Aqil and Sa’id, then married Abu al-Sanabil, Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdullah ibn Amir.

Fatimah (another)

Married Muhammad ibn Abi Sa’id ibn Aqil and had Hamidah. Later married Sa’id ibn Abi al-Bakhtari and had Khalidah and Burrah. Then married al-Mundhir ibn Ubaydah ibn al-Zubayr and had Uthman and Kathirah.

Ummamah

Married al-Salt ibn Abdullah ibn Nawfal ibn al-Harith and had a daughter named Nafisah.

Ali ibn Abi Talib’s Advice to His Children

• Preserve your dignity and avoid dishonorable actions not aligned with Islamic values.
• Keep your secrets and don’t reveal them to others.
• A righteous companion is the best fortune of life.
• The foundation of religion is certainty.
• Sincerity is perfected by avoiding sin.
• Accept the apology of those who apologize.
• Enlighten your soul through wisdom and advice.
• Enjoin good and forbid evil.

Brothers and Sisters of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) had many siblings. The most well-known among them were three brothers: Aqeel, Talib, and Ja’far. Ali was the youngest of them. He also had two sisters: Umm Hani and Jumana. Below is a brief overview of each of them:

• Talib: He did not believe in the message of Muhammad and died on his original religion after being forced to participate in the Battle of Badr. It is known that he joined the battle reluctantly, as he loved the Prophet (peace be upon him).
• Aqeel: He was captured by the Muslims after reluctantly participating in the Battle of Badr. His uncle Al-Abbas ransomed him. He later embraced Islam on the day of the conquest of Mecca in the 8th year after Hijrah (some say during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah in the 6th year). After that, he joined the Prophet (peace be upon him) in several battles such as the Battle of Mu’tah and the Battle of Hunayn.
• Ja’far: He was among the early noble companions to accept Islam. He migrated to Abyssinia twice. His second return coincided with the Muslim victory at the Battle of Khaybar. The Prophet appointed him as the commander of the army at the Battle of Mu’tah, where he fought valiantly, had both of his hands cut off, and was martyred at the age of approximately thirty-three.
• Umm Hani: She accepted Islam on the day of the conquest of Mecca. The Prophet entered her house and prayed the Duha prayer there—eight rak’ahs.
• Jumana: She embraced Islam and married Abu Sufyan ibn Al-Harith ibn Abdul Muttalib.

Parents of Ali ibn Abi Talib

Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib (Father)

Abu Talib was the father of Ali ibn Abi Talib. His full name was Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim. He was a respected leader of the Quraysh tribe and the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He took care of the Prophet after the death of his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib and supported him during the early years of the Islamic message, offering him protection and comfort in the face of persecution.

Despite his deep love and support for the Prophet, Abu Talib did not embrace Islam before his death. The Prophet was deeply saddened by his passing, and his death marked the end of an era of protection for the Muslim community in Mecca. He passed away in the 10th year of Prophethood, the same year as Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her), which became known as the “Year of Sorrow”.

Fatimah bint Asad (Mother)

Fatimah bint Asad ibn Hashim was the mother of Ali ibn Abi Talib. She belonged to the Hashimite clan, the same tribe as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was among the early Muslims and one of the first women to embrace Islam. She was known for her piety, wisdom, and kindness and had a strong bond with the Prophet, who considered her a second mother due to the care she provided him in his youth.

Fatimah bint Asad migrated to Medina with her son Ali and the early Muslim community. When she passed away, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) personally led her funeral prayer. He honored her by placing his own shirt in her grave and laying her to rest with great compassion, praying for her and praising her faith and service.

The family of Ali ibn Abi Talib reflects a rich tapestry of faith, loyalty, and sacrifice. His descendants and relatives played pivotal roles in shaping Islamic history. Understanding his family tree offers deeper insight into the foundations of the early Muslim community and the profound legacy he left behind.