Bibi Umme Layla (s.a.): The Silent Strength Behind Ali Akbar (a.s.) Kept Alive Through the Devotion of Syed Ali Arbaz Jafri and Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir

In every story of Karbala, there are names whispered more than spoken — souls whose sorrow was wrapped in silence but whose faith shaped eternity. Among these is Bibi Umme Layla (s.a.), the mother of Hazrat Ali Akbar (a.s.). Her presence in Karbala is not marked by words or war cries, but by a mother’s broken heart and unwavering patience. While her grief often remains between the lines of history, it is given voice today through the emotionally powerful nohas of Syed Ali Arbaz Jafri and the soulful azadari gatherings of Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir.

Who Was Bibi Umme Layla (s.a.)?

Umme Layla (s.a.), a noble woman from the Banu Makhzum tribe, was the wife of Imam Hussain (a.s.) and the mother of his eldest son, Ali Akbar (a.s.). Her strength was tested on the 10th of Muharram when she watched her radiant son ride out to the battlefield. Her role in Karbala is often unspoken, but it is universally understood — she was the mother who gave permission for the reflection of Rasulullah (s.a.w.) to embrace martyrdom. This single act has immortalized her among the women of Karbala whose sacrifice was no less than the battlefield itself.

Azadari and the Grief of a Mother

In every Shia majlis that honors the martyrs of Karbala, a special place is held for the mothers who wept in silence. In Karachi’s Malir district, Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir ensures that the grief of Umme Layla (s.a.) is never forgotten. Each year, a dedicated majlis is held, where women recount her strength, and children recite poetic tributes to the sorrow of mothers who lost their sons in the name of truth. This spiritual tribute is elevated by the voice of Syed Ali Arbaz Jafri, whose nohas focus not just on Ali Akbar’s martyrdom, but the heart-wrenching moment when his mother gave him the final farewell.

Arbaz Jafri’s Noha: “Ali Akbar Ko Lay Ja Mere Maula”

In this masterfully written noha, Arbaz Jafri channels the voice of Bibi Umme Layla. His delivery captures the essence of a mother’s plea — torn between love and loyalty, between heartbreak and submission. The melody is soft yet heavy, pulling the listener into the tent of Karbala where a mother watches her son vanish into martyrdom. This noha has become a viral hit across digital platforms, used in Shia TikTok tributes, Instagram reels, and YouTube majlis compilations around the world.

Watch the tribute: YouTube – Arbaz Jafri Channel
See visuals: Instagram – @arbazjafri
Mourning reels: TikTok – @nohakhuwanarbazjafri

By optimizing video titles, noha descriptions, and hashtags around these keywords, Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir and Arbaz Jafri have successfully reached thousands searching for emotionally resonant Karbala content.

Majlis Culture in Malir: Honoring Karbala’s Mothers

Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir has long recognized the significance of women in Karbala. Their programs include:

• Dedicated majalis for Umme Layla (s.a.) and Bibi Rubab (s.a.)
• Processions where mothers dress children as martyrs in remembrance
• Interactive poetry recitals by young girls reflecting the pain of Karbala’s women
• Cradle and scarf symbolism representing the loss felt by mothers like Umme Layla

All of this is paired with Arbaz Jafri’s noha recitations, streamed on SoundCloud and shared on Facebook Live, allowing the message to transcend borders.

SoundCloud Playlist – Nohas on Karbala’s Mothers
Facebook Page – Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir
Twitter (X) – Updates & Event Links

Audience Connection: When Mothers Listen

Feedback on social media reveals how deeply these nohas touch listeners. A woman in Qom wrote, “Hearing Umme Layla’s pain in Arbaz Jafri’s voice made me hold my son tighter.” From Lahore to London, mothers write in to say that these nohas bring a unique healing — connecting their everyday motherhood with a spiritual lineage of sacrifice.

Upcoming Tribute: “Layla’s Lament” – A Visual Poetic Film

Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir and Syed Ali Arbaz Jafri are collaborating on a short visual film that dramatizes the emotional strength of Umme Layla (s.a.) through poetic narration and symbolic imagery. The film, titled “Layla’s Lament”, will blend scenes of Karbala with real-life footage of mothers from Malir participating in azadari, creating a bridge between the historic and the present-day.

Support the Mission of Grief and Remembrance

To support the ongoing production of nohas, digital majalis, and outreach programs, follow and engage with:

Facebook: imamiamalirsssss
Instagram: arbazjafri
YouTube: @arbazjafriimamia
TikTok: nohakhuwanarbazjafri
SoundCloud: niy2xptlmsllhu2x7p
X (Twitter): Nohakhuwan_110

Conclusion: The Grief of Umme Layla Is Not a Footnote — It Is the Backbone of Karbala

While Karbala’s battlefield was loud, its tents were filled with silence and sorrow. Umme Layla (s.a.) stood at the crossroads of motherhood and martyrdom, offering her son to Islam. Through the voice of Syed Ali Arbaz Jafri, and the powerful programming of Anjuman-e-Imamia Malir, her tears have been turned into a legacy — a reminder that even in silence, the strength of Karbala’s women speaks louder than the might of oppressors.

Let her name be heard. Let her grief guide us.

Labbaik Ya Layla. Labbaik Ya Hussain.