The Hidden Treasure

Lady Umm Kulthum (s) was the fourth child born to Imam Ali (a) and Lady Fatima (s). She spent her life serving seven Infallibles, and witnessed crucial moments that changed the landscape of Islam forever: from her mother’s sermon about Fadak, to the terrible calamities on the plains of Kerbala.

Despite this, her name has been mentioned only occasionally in the books of history. Controversies over her existence and marriage to the second caliph, Umar al-Khattab, have overshadowed discussions on her noble characteristics, and the crucial role she played in the unfolding of Islamic History.

From the libraries of Damascus to Beirut, Jaffer Ladak has spent two years investigating and evaluating historical resources and scholarly opinions, to piece together what is known about her life.

The Hidden Treasure is her first published biography. It seeks to address these issues and restore Lady Umm Kulthum (s) to her rightful place in the hearts of those who love the Ahlul Bayt (a).

Endorsements

"For those who have always wanted to learn more about Lady Umm Kulthum (A) this book will be a long-awaited answer to their prayers. For the first time in English, a comprehensive biography of the younger daughter of Ali (A) and Fatima (A) is now available. Jaffer Ladak has prepared a meticulously researched book that chronicles her life and achievements in detail. The author has not hesitated to delve into some “dark corners” of Islamic history in an attempt to present the clearest picture of the contribution of this great lady. I would recommend this book highly." Sheikh Abbas Jaffer, Author and Lecturer at Islamic College

"The Hidden Treasure is a book on a historical figure which is hard to write about. Jaffer Ladak has shown in this book that how profound investigation can shed light on deep secrets of history. His examination of the subject is thorough and his arguments are convincing. The book certainly adds value to our historical and religious understanding."
Sheikh Mohammed Saeed Bahmanpour, Author, Scriptwriter and Principle at Islamic College

"This is a piece of outstanding research which combines the usage of critical historical method and professional study of reconstructing accurate history from that which is unreliable. Shaykh Jaffer has also kept this work an extremely devotional one. We as a Community no longer have an excuse to neglect the historical memory of our beloved Lady Umm Kulthum (s)."
Brother Yahya Semour, Researcher

"An impressive job...[The] work is comprehensive and this was a much-needed topic to address."
Sayed Hadi al-Qazwini

About the Author

Jaffer Ladak lives in Milton Keynes, UK, where he is a partner in a firm that supplies medical staff to the NHS and the private sector. Since returning from a pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj) in 2005, he was inspired to start a systematic study of the Ahlul Bayt (a). This journey has led him to lecture in many Islamic centres across Europe, Canada, USA, Dubai, and Kenya; and he regularly appears on AhlulBayt TV.

He has also guided groups of pilgrims to Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran and Iraq. He studies courses at the Islamic College in London and private lessons from a student of Ayatollah Syed Kamal Hayderi and Ayatollah Mohammed Sadiq Tehrani. Jaffer's main areas of interest and study include Qur'anic Commentary, Jurisprudence and History.