Zahra Shafei, cultural researcher
Sayyida Āmina Haidar al-Sadr, who later adopted the pen name Bint al-Huda, was born in Muharram 1357 AH (1938) in Kadhimiya, Baghdad. She emerged as one of the most prominent figures in the Islamic world, especially in Iraq, during the mid-20th century. Her life and work stand as a rare example of dedication and struggle in the pursuit of religious education and the promotion of Islamic values amid a turbulent social climate. As the sister of the renowned scholar and martyr, Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, she played an unparalleled role in shaping the intellectual and spiritual vision of Muslim women in her time. Through her writings and educational efforts, she became a guiding light and a source of inspiration for generations of women who take steps along the path of the uprising of scholars and martyrs.
Early Life and Education
Sayyida Āmina al-Sadr was born into a distinguished family of scholars and learned individuals. Her father, Sayyid Haidar, was a high-ranking Shia authority, and her mother was the daughter of Shaykh ‘Abd al-Hussain Āl Yāsīn, one of the leading scholars of his time. Just six months after her birth, the death of her father placed the family in financial hardship. At the age of five, she began learning to read and write from her mother, and later, under the guidance of her two brothers—Sayyid Isma‘il and Sayyid Muhammad Baqir — she studied grammar, logic, jurisprudence, and principles of Islamic law. With remarkable intelligence and unmatched aptitude, she entered the seminary of Najaf at the age of eleven, accompanying her brothers in pursuit of knowledge.
Among her siblings, Sayyid Muhammad Baqir — four years her senior — would become her closest mentor, guide, and companion. Sayyida Āmina continued her advanced studies under his supervision until the end of her life, ultimately reaching the level of ijtihād (independent legal reasoning). During the difficult days of orphanhood and poverty, she and her brothers spent their limited resources on second-hand books, selling them afterward to buy new ones. It was this commitment to learning and acquiring knowledge that shaped Aminah's scholarly character and ignited her drive to spread awareness.[1]
Contributions to Islamic Media and Literature
One of Bint al-Huda’s most remarkable contributions was her pioneering role in Islamic literature and media. Her involvement in this field began at the age of twelve, when she launched a religious and cultural magazine for Muslim women called "Jāmi‘ah" (University). Perceptively recognizing the urgent need for a female voice in religious discourse — especially at a time when Western ideologies sought to erode Islamic values — she took upon herself the vital mission of raising awareness among Muslim women and girls.
Writing under the pen name “Bint al-Huda” — a reflection of her humility and lack of interest in personal fame — she published numerous articles in renowned Islamic magazines like "Aḍwā’" (Lights) and "Al-Īmān" (Faith). These platforms became outlets for her views on social, cultural, and religious issues facing Muslim women. Her writings were insightful, profound, and firmly rooted in Islamic values. In one of her essays, she urged young Muslim women to resist the seductive pull of Western moral decline and to remain steadfast in their faith. She emphasized the importance of education and believed that both men and women shared the responsibility of advocating Islam. Covering topics ranging from hijab to marriage, she offered practical solutions based on Islamic teachings, teaching women how to confront modern challenges without compromising their beliefs. Recognizing the importance of literature, poetry, and storytelling — and the lack of appropriate reading material for young audiences vulnerable to anti-Islamic propaganda — she authored several books and short stories. These works vividly depicted ethical dilemmas, social issues, and the pains of the oppressed. Like her brother’s writings, Bint al-Huda’s books were banned under the Ba‘ath regime, and possessing or reading them carried severe punishment.
Role in Women’s Education and Community Engagement
Bint al-Huda dedicated herself to enriching Islamic culture by educating Muslim women and girls. She managed al-Zahrā’ schools in the cities of Kadhimiya and Najaf. these schools adhered to the official curriculum while incorporating additional classes focused on Islamic studies, teaching students the principles of Islam and explaining Shia thought. Her tireless efforts turned these institutions into academically distinguished centers, widely recognized for their success in national exams and admired as popular places of learning.
One of her other heroic endeavors was organizing Majālis Ḥussainiyyah (commemorative gatherings for Imam Hussain). Recognizing their potential as powerful spaces for religious education and social interaction, she restructured these events to align more closely with Islamic principles. Rather than being limited to mourning recitations, her gatherings featured speeches, group discussions, and interactive sessions aimed at enhancing the religious and social insight of attendees. This innovative approach attracted women from all walks of life. In all her gatherings, Bint al-Huda would stress the value of thought and reflection. In one such session, when the hostess was busy serving elaborate refreshments, Bint al-Huda — true to her gentle and composed demeanor — smiled and softly remarked: "I wish the time you spent preparing sandwiches, cakes, and tea had been used just to make some juice and sweets — and you’d have spent the rest preparing a meaningful topic to share with the guests. That way, no one’s time would be wasted, and they’d leave with something valuable in their hands and hearts."[2] Imam Khamenei described the character and the scholarly and jihadi movement of Martyr Bint al-Huda al-Sadr, saying, “In our era, there was a courageous, scholarly, intellectual, artistic young woman by the name of Ms. Bint al-Huda – the sister of Martyr Sadr – was able to influence history. She was able to play a role in the oppressed country of Iraq. Of course, she was martyred too. The greatness of a woman like Bint al-Huda is no less than any of the courageous, great men. Her movement was a feminine movement, while the movement of those men was a masculine movement. But both movements are evolutionary and indicative of a greatness of character and the brilliance of the human essence and nature. Women like this should be educated and nurtured” (Oct. 22, 1997).
Leadership and Legacy
During the suffocating oppression of the Ba‘ath regime — when spies roamed near her and her brother’s home — Bint al-Huda displayed extraordinary strength as a leader and educator. With unwavering conviction, she continued along the path inherited from her noble ancestors — an ideal to which she had devoted her entire youth. The impact of her illuminating words spread far beyond her immediate circle. Many professional women and students gained insight and awareness from her teachings, learning from her to preserve their dignity and strive for empowerment. In the darkest of times, she became a source of comfort and inspiration for oppressed women under tyranny. Her warm smile, her Zaynab-like patience, and her fearless composure in the face of adversity struck fear into the hearts of the enemy.
This devoted jurist and activist, along with her revered brother Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, was arrested by the Ba‘ath regime’s forces after eleven months of intense siege on their household. After days of brutal torture, they were both martyred.[3]
(The views expressed in this article are author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Khamenei.ir.)
[1] A Daughter of the Lineage of Guidance by Fariba Anisi
[2] "Bint al-Huda as I Saw Her", Aman Magazine, Farvardin & Ordibehesht 1390 (April–May 2011), Issue No. 29.
[3] https://al-islam.org/tribute-sadr-martyrs
