Fatimah bint Amr "Grandmother of the Prophet"

Fatimah bint Amr was one of the most distinguished women in Quraysh during the pre-Islamic era. She belonged to the Banu Makhzum clan, one of the most powerful and prestigious tribes in Mecca. She was married to Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the chief of Quraysh and the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

She was the mother of several significant figures in Islamic history, including Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib (the father of the Prophet ﷺ), Abu Talib, Al-Abbas, and Hamzah.

Her Lineage and Origins

• Full Name: Fatimah bint Amr ibn A’idh ibn Imran ibn Makhzum ibn Yaqzah ibn Murrah.
• Tribe: Banu Makhzum, one of the most powerful and influential tribes of Quraysh.
• Husband: Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the leader of Quraysh and the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
• Children:
  • Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib – Father of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
  • Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib – Paternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ and his greatest supporter.
  • Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib – A prominent companion of the Prophet ﷺ.
  • Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib – A great warrior of Islam.

Her Status in Quraysh

Fatimah bint Amr belonged to Banu Makhzum, one of the most influential and powerful tribes in Mecca, known for their strength, generosity, and warrior spirit. She was regarded as one of the noblewomen of her people, which made her a fitting wife for Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the leader of Quraysh.

She was considered among the most respected and distinguished women of Quraysh, holding a high social status due to her noble lineage and esteemed background. Fatimah played a significant role in the Banu Hashim family, as she gave birth to key figures who had a lasting impact on Islam, particularly Abdullah (the father of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) and Abu Talib (the Prophet’s greatest supporter). She also contributed to instilling Quraysh’s core values in her children, such as generosity, courage, honor, and the protection of the sacred Kaaba, values that were later evident in the lives of her sons.

Her Marriage to Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim

Fatimah bint Amr married Abd al-Muttalib ibn Hashim, the leader of Quraysh. Their marriage was a strategic alliance between two of the most prestigious tribes in Mecca; Banu Hashim and Banu Makhzum. This union further strengthened Abd al-Muttalib's position in Meccan society and solidified ties between these powerful clans.

She gave birth to several sons, many of whom became prominent figures in Islamic history. Among her most famous children were:

• Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib – The father of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who passed away before the birth of his son.
• Abu Talib ibn Abd al-Muttalib – He played the role of a second father to the Prophet ﷺ and was his strongest defender against Quraysh.
• Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib – One of the prominent companions of the Prophet ﷺ and a key supporter of Islam after embracing the faith.
• Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib – One of the greatest warriors of Islam, known as "The Lion of Allah," who was martyred in the Battle of Uhud.

Through her marriage to Abd al-Muttalib, Fatimah bint Amr became the mother of influential leaders whose roles were instrumental in protecting, supporting, and spreading Islam.

Her Role as a Mother and Grandmother of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Fatimah bint Amr held a special status within her family, as she was the mother of Abdullah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the father of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Although Abdullah passed away before the birth of the Prophet, Fatimah’s influence extended through her other sons, particularly Abu Talib, who took care of the Prophet ﷺ after the death of his grandfather Abd al-Muttalib.

It is believed that she played a significant role in raising her children with noble values, as each of them later had a strong impact on Mecca and the spread of Islam.

She had a clear influence in instilling generosity, courage, and honor—the core values of Banu Makhzum- in her children. These qualities were especially reflected in Hamzah and Abu Talib, both of whom became key supporters of the Prophet ﷺ.

Her Status After the Death of Abd al-Muttalib

After the death of Abd al-Muttalib, Abu Talib took on the responsibility of caring for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It is believed that the values and principles that shaped Abu Talib’s character; such as generosity, family protection, and standing up for the weak were instilled in him by his mother, Fatimah bint Amr.

Although historical sources provide limited details about her life after the death of Abd al-Muttalib, her influence was evident through her sons, who played a crucial role in supporting and protecting the Prophet ﷺ during the early years of Islam.

Her legacy lived on through her children, whose unwavering loyalty and sacrifices helped shape the course of Islamic history.

Her Death

There are no precise historical records about the year of Fatimah bint Amr’s death. However, it is believed that she passed away before the birth of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.