THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA chapter1

THE LIFE OF

FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA'

ID BOOK

THE LIFE OF

FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA'

The Principal of all Women

Study and analysis

حیاة فاطمة الزهراء

By: Allamah Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi

Translated by: Abdullah al-Shahin

Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum

First Edition 1427 – 2006 - 1385

Thamin Al-a'immah Press

Ansariyan Publications

Dedication

To the builder of the Human Civilization, and the emitter of spirit and knowledge in generations,

To the Last of the Prophets, and the Master of messengers Muhammad (blessing and peace be on him) ;

I offer to his exalted standing this study on the highest woman Allah has ever created in the earth;

The part of the Prophet (a. s. ) , and the principal of the women of the worlds; Fatima az-Zahra’ (peace be on her) , hoping that it will be accepted, and this is my expectation when I shall meet Allah the Almighty.

The author

Quranic Verses

فَمَنْ حَاجَّکَ فِیهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَکَ مِنْ الْعِلْمِ فَقُلْ تَعَالَوْا نَدْعُ أَبْنَاءَنَا وَأَبْنَاءَکُمْ وَنِسَاءَنَا وَنِسَاءَکُمْ وَأَنْفُسَنَا وَأَنْفُسَکُمْ ثُمَّ نَبْتَهِلْ فَنَجْعَلْ لَعْنَةَ اللَّهِ عَلَى الْکَاذِبِینَ. (3/61)

“Say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our selves and your selves, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. (3: 61) ”

إِنَّمَا یُرِیدُ اللَّهُ لِیُذْهِبَ عَنْکُمْ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَیْتِ وَیُطَهِّرَکُمْ تَطْهِیرًا. (33/33)

“Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a thorough purifying. (33: 33) ”

قُلْ لاَ أَسْأَلُکُمْ عَلَیْهِ أَجْراً إِلاَّ الْمَوَدَّةَ فِی الْقُرْبَى. (42/23)

“Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives. (42: 23) ”

Before Your Hands

O you the part of the messenger of Allah,

A fragrance from the soul of Muhammad,

The source of dignity in the world of Islam,

A flame from the light of Allah, and a flow from His mercy,

The mother of the two masters of the youth of Paradise,

The psalm of every noble lady from the daughters of Eve,

The light by which the confused are guided in the darkness of ignorance,

O you who rejected the pleasures of life, and lived for abstinence, virtuousness, and asceticism,

O my Lady, the aims of your father, the savior of humanity, lit in your soul, and his values shone inside you, and so you set out from the essence of the revelation and the mission into a great revolution against deviation that Muslims were afflicted with after the departure of your father to the better world.

You struggled stably and loftily to take them back to the path of the mission that your father had made to save the nation from deviation and from slipping into the abysses of this life. So you refuted suspicion, lit the way, and showed the clear proof, but people admired this life, were interested in its pleasures, and they insisted on erring and stubbornness.

My lady, these are glimpses from your high ideals, which are as a Legion of Honor to the Islamic nation, that I offer humbly and reverently to your high standing expecting from Allah the Almighty that I shall obtain your intercession that includes many many slack people like me!

The author

A word by the Verifier

Fatima (a. s. ) is the highest woman in knowledge, purity, patience, and piety that history has ever known. She was brought up in the house of Revelation and grew in the lap of the greatest Prophet (a. s. ) , and thus she was the vessel of Imamate and the continuity of Prophethood.

She got married to Ameerul Mo'minin Ali bin Abi Talib (a. s. ) and lived with him a life of simplicity and asceticism, and so she was an ideal example for Muslim women or, indeed, for all Muslims.

However, fate willed for her that she would not live after her father’s death but for a short time because of the oppression and harms she met from the people; though the Prophet (a. s. ) had said about her, ‘Fatima is a part from me; whoever harms her harms me. ’ But, people denied the truth, deviated from the path of the Mission, and turned him (Imam Ali) away from the position of Imamate.

The book before you, dear reader, is a study on the life of Infallible Fatima (a. s. ) , the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (a. s. ). Our role in this book was the reviewing and verifying of its texts and sources. Praise be to Allah and Allah’s blessing be on Muhammad and his pure progeny.

Mahdi Baqir al-Qurashi

13th Muharram, 1424 AH.

Foreword

This is a study on the highest lady in the history of Islam at all. She is Fatima az-Zahra’ (peace be on her) , the daughter of the Prophet (a. s. ) , the part of him, and his trust to his nation. He was utmost loyal in his love to her. He fed her with his talents, geniuses, and mentality.

The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) put Fatima (a. s. ) in the highest place, and most honorable position in Islam to be the highest example for the women of his nation, not in chastity and abstinence only, but to play her role in the inclusive reformation if his umma (nation) would go astray. And indeed, the principal of women (a. s. ) undertook her positive role when the umma deviated from its spiritual and worldly leadership that the Prophet (a. s. ) had assigned to be in the people of his house who were the centers of knowledge and intellect in the world of Islam. She, peace be on her, set stably, bravely, and loftily against the rulers and invited them to straightness and to the very principles of Islam. She asked them to return the caliphate to the master of the pure progeny Ameerul Mo'minin, Imam Ali (a. s. ) whom the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) had appointed as his successor, the caliph, and the leader over the umma.

***

The Prophet (a. s. ) did not leave any kind of honoring, reverence, and glorification, but he showed to his daughter. He announced that in the yard of his mosque, from on his minbar, and in all his meetings. This veneration was strange to that society that disregarded, despised, and disdained woman. A man was grieved when his wife gave birth to a female. The Holy Qur'an says, (When one of them receives tidings of the birth of a female, his face remains darkened, and he is wroth inwardly. 16: 58) The people of that society buried their daughters alive, and it was famous among them their saying “the burying of girls is a virtue”. Allah says in the Qur'an, (And when the female infant that was buried alive is asked; For what sin she was killed. 81: 9)

p: 4

- Page4 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet (a. s. ) wanted, out of honoring his daughter Fatima (a. s. ) , to make Muslims know her high position to him, and know her educational, religious, and scientific virtues. She was extremely perfect, and therefore, the Prophet (a. s. ) wanted to make her as a high example for his umma; men and women. Besides, he wanted to reinforce her situation in jihad that she would undertake after him.

The Prophet (a. s. ) established a new society that acknowledged the right and the high position of woman, and acknowledged her importance in the religion of Allah.

***

The certain thing that has no bit of doubt is that the Prophet (a. s. ) did not follow any emotional or material tendency, for the importance of prophethood was above that. He preferred the satisfaction of Allah to everything else. He was sincere in all his conducts, for he was the greatest propagandist of Allah who did not speak out of desire but a revelation that was revealed to him.

And the certain thing that has no bit of doubt is that the veneration and high respect the Prophet (a. s. ) showed to his daughter besides his preferring her to all the women of the worlds, as mentioned in the traditions that were transmitted from him in the books of Hadith and other books of history, were not out of the sentiment of fatherhood, but it came out of the real infallibility, abstinence, and the deep faith in Allah that Fatima (a. s. ) had, besides her full perceiving of her father’s heavenly mission. She was a treasure from the treasures of Islam, a high example from the spirituality of prophethood, and a light that guided the nation from ignorance to the truth.

p: 5

- Page5 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

***

The principal of the women of the worlds (a. s. ) , since the beginning of the Islamic mission, helped and assisted her father who met bitter cruelty and persecution from the tyrants of Quraysh,[1] at the head of whom was the Umayyad gang under the leadership of Abu Sufyan who spared no effort in trying to put out the light of Islam and to revive the characteristics of the pre-Islamic era with all its sins and vices.

Fatima (a. s. ) was a young girl then. She comforted her father, treated his wounds, and washed his clothes from the filths that the rude men of Quraysh threw on him. Her soul melted for him, and she cried bitterly for his sufferings in the way of the mission. She occupied the feelings and sentiments of her father, and therefore, he had special love in the deep of his heart towards her. He preferred her to the rest of his children.

***

Asceticism and turning away from the desires and pleasures of the worldly life was the prominent feature in the life of Fatima (a. s). She was satisfied with a very simple living. Historians say that her food was not more than water and bread, and the furniture in her house was a bed made of palm-tree branches, a sheep skin, some pillows stuffed with palm-tree fibers, and some pottery. It had never been mentioned that she had ever asked or insisted on her husband to bring her any of the pleasures of life. She was satisfied with the simplest living that the poorest people lived. It was a lesson for Muslim woman not to burden her husband with heavy requests that he cannot carry out.

p: 6

- Page6 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

***

It is nonsense and confusion, and in fact, it is out of the enmity to Islam that which Lamans said in his book “Fatima and the daughters of Muhammad”. He said that the Prophet (a. s. ) hated Fatima (a. s. ) because he had married her to Imam Ali (a. s. ) who was poor, and that the furniture of her house was too simple. Lamans did forget that Islam had established the marital relation on the basis of love and kindness between spouses paying no attention to the means of luxury. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The best women of my nation are those whose dowries are the least. ’ Do furniture and means of luxury have any value if the marital life is full of troubles, hatred, and spite?

***

Allah the Almighty gave a prevailing victory to His slave and messenger Muhammad (a. s. ). Islam prevailed and defeated all enemies. Mecca, which was the strong fort for the enemies of Islam, was conquered and people entered the religion of Allah a troop after another. This short period was the happiest period in the life of Fatima (a. s. ) , for Islam triumphed and its enemies were defeated.

In this period, the principal of the women of the worlds undertook the leadership of the women of Muslims. She taught them the Holy Qur'an and gave lectures on the principles and values of Islam. She took the women towards the nobilities of character and high ideals, and taught them the rulings of Islam and woman’s duties towards her husband, children, and family.

p: 7

- Page7 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Fatima (a. s. ) lived during that period in veneration and glorification under the care and mercy of her father (a. s. ) , besides the great respect and regard she got from the Muslim women and the Prophet’s companions.

***

When the Prophet (a. s. ) left to the better world, Fatima (a. s. ) suffered severe distresses and misfortunes. She received aversion and cruelty from some of her father’s companions. They denied her high position and importance to her father. She said in some poetry, or some poet said describing her,

“Disasters were poured on me that if they were poured on days,

they would turn nights. ”

What were those disasters that changed the happy days of Fatima (a. s. ) into dark nights?!

What were those pains that made her disgust life and wish eagerly to join her father?!

The beloved daughter of the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) lived a short period after the death of her father surrounded by waves of distresses and sufferings, and then she joined her father in the better world while she was in the prime of youth yet.

***

Disasters were not limited to Fatima az-Zahra’ the daughter of the messenger of Allah alone, but they afflicted her children after her too. Her eldest son Imam al- Hasan (a. s. ) met from Mo’awiya different calamities and pains until, finally, he was poisoned to death by him.

Her second son Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was afflicted with disasters that mountain would shake before. The great army of criminals that Yazid bin Mo’awiya, the wicked Umayyad caliph, sent to fight Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) surrounded the imam, his family, and companions in the desert of Kerbala, and prevented them from water until women and children were about to die of thirsty. The spiteful army of Yazid killed the best choice of the progeny of the messenger of Allah, and the best of his companions. Then swords came to Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) to tear him into pieces and maim his holy body. They buried the corpses of their killed ones, but left the pure corpses of Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) and his family and followers on the desert. Later on, some men from bani[2] Asad buried these martyrs to change into light stands for Muslims who circumambulated them and still do as they circumambulate the Kaaba, for they have become symbols of justice, dignity, and all values that Muslims pride of.

p: 8

- Page8 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

As for Fatima’s only daughter Zaynab, she also faced successive calamities. She saw the murders of her brothers and all the members of her family before her eyes. She saw the fierce attack of the wicked criminals towards her and the daughters of prophethood while holding flaming torches and crying out: “Burn the houses of the unjust! ”

O my God!

The house of prophethood, the source of mercy, the center of wisdom and knowledge was “the house of injustice” due to those criminals, whereas the house of the (illegitimate) son of Marjanah, and the house of his master the drunkard Yazid were “the houses of justice”!!!

The criminals set fire to the tents of the Alawid women who ran away in the desert followed by fire. The enemies of Allah robbed the jewels of those women and all that they had, and then they were taken as captives to the terrorist, criminal son of Marjanah, and then to his master Yazid the grandson of Abu Sufyan who was the head of the polytheists. These women of the house of prophethood were carried from a country to another, and their faces were exposed to this and that.

These calamities that the Prophet’s progeny faced were, undoubtedly, a result of the saying that some people called for after the death of the Prophet (a. s. ) that “prophethood and caliphate should not gather in one house”.

From the direct results of this saying was that the Umayyads assumed the rule and exceeded in killing the Ahlul Bayt (s) [3] and whoever believed and followed them.

The terrible events that took place in the first Islamic age tried Muslims severely and left for them seditions and great evils. The sad events that took place directly after the departure of the Prophet (a. s. ) were the source of the great sedition that afflicted Muslims and separated their unity throughout their history. These events must be studied as they were with no partiality or tendency.

From the most terrible events of that age was the attack against the house of Fatima (a. s. ) that caused her to miscarry her fetus. The attackers, who were eminent companions of the Prophet (a. s. ) , threatened to set fire to her house. Some past and present historians and authors concealed, intentionally, these events to sanctify and exalt those companions.

I think that studying these events objectively and accurately will be fruitful for all Muslims. It shall unite Muslims, remove confusions and ambiguities, and show the truth, for the Islamic history had been mixed with fabrications, distortions, and lies.

***

He, who studies the history of the first age of Islam impartially and away from emotions, will be certain that there was a plot intendedly concluded against the Ahlul Bayt (s) in order to keep them away from the political life, the rule, and all affairs of the state. People tried their best to obtain the authority, the leadership of the nation, and the wealth of the country. They gave deaf ears to what the Prophet (a. s. ) had said and they threw his traditions into the wastebasket. The nation suffered, because of that, terrible problems and lost too much.

p: 10

- Page10 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

From the direct results of extorting the caliphate from the Ahlul Bayt (s) was that people revolts broke out where rivers of Muslims’ blood were shed. Sorrow spread everywhere and widows and orphans were in every house. Surely, all that was because people deviated from the path that the Prophet (a. s. ) had established for his nation and guaranteed success for it if it would keep to the Qur'an and the pure progeny.

***

Certainly, authority and caliphate had no value near the Ahlul Bayt (s) who had been created for virtue and perfection. They had no any tendency to the rule. The importance of the rule to them was just to establish the truth and spread justice among all people.

Once, Ameerul Mo'minin (Imam Ali) (a. s. ) saw his vizier delighted for the caliphate of Imam Ali (a. s. ) who had a shoe made of palm-tree fibers in his hand. Imam Ali (a. s. ) said,

‘O ibn Abbas, what is the value of this shoe? ’

Ibn Abbas said, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, it has no value. ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘It is better to me than your caliphate except that I establish the truth and resist falseness…’

For these noble aims that Muslims would enjoy, the wish of the Ahlul Bayt (s) to the undertaking of the leadership of the nation was.

Imam Ali (a. s. ) showed the motives behind his dispute with Abu Bakr saying, ‘O Allah, You know that, which was between us and Abu Bakr, was not a competition on authority or looking forward to something of the pleasures of this world, but it was to carry out the rulings of Your religion, and revive the annulled penalties of Yours, so that the oppressed of Your people would be safe…’

p: 11

- Page11 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

And really, when the Islamic caliphate, which was the shadow of Allah in the earth, was taken away from the Ahlul Bayt (s) , the Umayyads and after them the Abbasid jumped to it and it became as a play in their hands. They spent the wealth of the nation on amusements and pleasures. They ruled over the nation with injustice and oppression. At first sight on the history of those kings, it shall be clear that they poured terrible calamities and misfortunes on the nation.

The situation of Fatima (a. s. ) towards the rule of Abu Bakr and her resisting to him was just for the welfare of the nation and to protect it against injustice and oppression.

***

From the direct results and fruits of the resistance of Fatima (a. s. ) to the rule of Abu Bakr was the foundation of the school of the Ahlul Bayt (s) that represented the real Islam with its deep legislations and wonderful rulings that the infallible imams of the Ahlul Bayt (s) spread.

The historic sermon that Fatima (a. s. ) had made in the yard of her father’s mosque put everything in its place. In that speech, she declared the great dangers and crises that the nation would face because of taking the caliphate away from the progeny of the Prophet (a. s. ) who were the house of revelation, the center of knowledge, and the pillars of honor in Islam. By her will to her husband Imam Ali (a. s. ) , she strengthened her situation that denied the rule of Abu Bakr.

p: 12

- Page12 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

She asked, in her will, Imam Ali (a. s. ) to bury her, after death, in the darkness of night, and not to let anyone of those, who oppressed and deprived her of her rights, escort her pure corpse or attend her funerals.

A part of Muslims followed the Ahlul Bayt (s) , and the faith in them has been an essential part in their religious life. The followers of the Ahlul Bayt (s) depend on the traditions transmitted from the imams of the Ahlul Bayt (s) in legislation, and not from other than them of the other sects of Muslims.

***

This study is not limited to the sufferings or the bad events that Fatima (a. s) faced after the death of her father. It offers an inclusive review on the high qualities of her great personality such as chastity, purity, infallibility, deep faith in Allah, and other qualities that were similar to her father’s. She was like her father, the messenger of Allah, in most of his qualities by which he was preferred to all of the other prophets.

Muslim women would better imitate Fatima (a. s) and make her their example in everything. They might take the day of her birth as an occasion to hold festivals for honoring this great Lady and taking lessons from her conducts, morals, and teachings.

***

I do not think that any of the personalities of Islam had got veneration and glorification like that which the principal of the women of the worlds had got. Muslim and non-Muslim scholars got the honor of researching on her biography, conducts, and all details of her life, sayings, and deeds. About three hundred books have been written about her. Some of them are encyclopedias, like “Al-Kawthar fee Ahwal Fatima bint an-Nabiy al-At~har” by Allama Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al- Musawi. Another encyclopedia is “Know that I am Fatima” by Sheikh Abdul Hameed al-Muhajir who had spent twenty years in writing this encyclopedia.

p: 13

- Page13 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Lamans, the orientalist, has written a book on Fatima (a. s. ) , but he attacked Fatima (a. s) claiming that her father had married her to Ali who was poor and who took her to a simple house with poor furniture. Great researcher as-Sayooti had mentioned in his book “Musnad Fatima” the traditions that Fatima (a. s) narrated from her father (a. s. ).

Anyhow, this book, which I hope it shall be useful and interesting, is one of the books that have been written about Fatima (a. s) , and the judgment on it is left to readers.

***

Before I end this foreword, I would like to offer my gratefulness to Sayyid Jawad al-Wada’iy for his continuous help in publishing what I have written about the lives of the infallible imams (peace be on them).

I offer my sincere gratefulness to Sayyid Abdullah Hashim al-Musawi for his help in publishing my books praying Allah to reward him with the best of His reward.

Baqir Shareef al-Qurashi

Holy Najaf

23rd, Sha’ban, 1422 AH.

________________________

[1] The tribe which inhabited Mecca at the time of the Prophet (a. s. ) and to which he belonged.

[2] Bani means “the family of” or “the tribe of”.

[3]The prophet’s progeny.

The Noble Lineage

The Noble Lineage

There is no lineage in the earth higher than the lineage of Fatima, the principal of the women of the worlds.

Her father

The father of Fatima (a. s) is the master of the creation and the chief of mankind who had opened the horizons of intellect and light, and established the civilization that had saved man from the abysses of sins and superstitions that he had sunk in. Her father was a treasure from the treasures of Allah and a gift from Him for His people to teach them the Book and wisdom, though they were, before him, ignorant and in manifest error.

p: 14

- Page14 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

It was her father who had changed the history of man, where the weak were easy bites for the strong, girls were buried alive, and idols were worshipped instead of the One and Only Creator, into a shiny life where all people were equal, where there was no preference for man to woman, and where reason ruled over man instead of superstitions. It was her father who had freed man from ignorance, bad habits, and poverty.

It was enough for Fatima (a. s) that she was the daughter of the messenger of Allah, His beloved, and His last prophet, and it was enough for Fatima that she was the most beloved, and the closest to her father from among all his children and from among all people.

Her mother

The mother of Fatima (a. s) was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid who was called as “the mistress of the women of Quraysh” in the pre-Islamic era, and “the Mother of the Believers” in Islam. She was from a noble, honored, glorious house. She met with the Prophet (a. s. ) in Qusay who was the fourth grandfather of the Prophet (a. s. ) and the third grandfather of her, and this lineage ended to Prophet Abraham (a. s. ). No woman from Quraysh was like her in her high position and lofty rank. She was the first spark in the great Islamic Revolution that spread light everywhere and destroyed the forts of atheism and polytheism.

Here, we talk in brief about some concerns of this great lady who was the mother of the best woman Allah had ever created in the earth; Fatima (a. s) the mother of the Prophet’s two grandsons al-Hasan al-Husayn whom the Prophet’s progeny stemmed only from.

p: 15

- Page15 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The wealth of Khadijah

Lady Khadijah was so wealthy that no one of the merchants of Quraysh had wealth like hers. Historians say that the merchants of Mecca traded with the capitals of Lady Khadijah. They went to some countries like Sham to sell their goods there, and to bring clothes and some kinds of food that the people of Mecca needed. Therefore, her wealth grew bigger and bigger.

The Prophet (a. s. ) trades with her money

Prophet Muhammad (before prophethood) suggested to his uncle Abu Talib, who loved him too much, that he wanted to trade with the money of Lady Khadijah, and Abu Talib agreed to his suggestion.

Al-Wafidi says that it was his uncle Abu Talib, who encouraged him to trade with the money of Lady Khadijah by saying to him, ‘O my nephew, I am a man of no money, and life is difficult for us, and severe years have struck us and left us neither with money nor with trade. These are the caravans of your people ready to go to Sham, and Khadijah sends men to trade with her money and get profits. If you go to her, she will prefer you to all others because she has been informed about your fidelity and purity, though I hate for you to go to Sham, and I fear for you from the Jews. I was informed that she had hired so-and-so for two camels, and we do not accept for you like what she had given to him. Do you want me to talk to her about you? ’[1]

p: 16

- Page16 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘As you like, uncle. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) , or his uncle Abu Talib asked Lady Khadijah to trade with her capital, and she responded delightedly for she knew that Muhammad was honest and with high morals unlike the youth of Quraysh who were involved in play and pleasures.

She gave him some monies and sent with him her servant Maysarah. The Prophet (a. s. ) went to Sham. He sold his goods in Sham, bought others from there, and came back. He made great profits that no one from those, who traded with the money of Lady Khadijah, had ever made before him. Maysarah was astonished by the wonders he saw in his travel with the Prophet (a. s. ). He saw a cloud moving over them to make a shadow for the Prophet (a. s. ) , and he saw the Prophet’s special looks at the heaven that showed deep faith in Allah.

Lady Khadijah was pleased with the talk of her servant. She loved the Prophet (a. s. ) and thought he would have a great future that would include all the earth.

The marriage of the Prophet with Khadijah

Lady Khadijah believed, with no bit of doubt, that Muhammad would be the prophet by whose mission the world would shine. It was he whom the prophets of Allah had brought good tidings about before. She proposed to him to marry her, and she gave him some money (so that he would give it to her as if it was his) to be as her dowry. The Prophet (a. s. ) told his uncle Abu Talib who became very pleased for that, because he knew Khadijah and knew her high position and honor. He knew that she refused to get married to the masters and chiefs of Quraysh when they asked for her hand. Abu Talib, Hamza, and other uncles of the Prophet (a. s. ) went to Khuwaylid, the father of Khadijah, who received them warmly and was pleased with this marriage.

p: 17

- Page17 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The speech of Abu Talib

On the occasion of the engagement of the Prophet (a. s. ) and Khadijah, Abu Talib made a speech saying,

“Praise be to Allah, Who has made us from the progeny of Abraham and the offspring of Ishmael, and made for us an inviolable country, and a House of pilgrimage, and made us the rulers over people. Then, Muhammad bin Abdullah, my nephew, is one that no one of the

youth of Quraysh is compared to him unless he is preferred to him by his piety, virtue, determination, reason, discernment, and nobility, though he is of little money, but money is a transient shadow and a loan that shall be given back. He has a wish towards Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, and she has like that. Whatever dowry you would like I shall pay…”[2]

Khuwaylid agreed, and Khadijah, who was forty years old, was carried in procession to the house of her husband Muhammad (a. s. ) who was twenty-five years old then.

Lady Khadijah got married by her own option and freedom, turning her back to the traditions of her age that it was man who would propose to woman and not vice versa. Khadijah took her big wealth with her to the Prophet (a. s. ) who spent it neither on himself nor on her, but on the Islamic mission. The wealth of Khadijah was one of the pillars that Islam depended on in its success.

The marital relation between the Prophet (a. s. ) and Khadijah was based on love, kindness, and sincerity. It was the best marital life in Mecca. Khadijah was so sincere to the Prophet (a. s. ) and the Prophet (a. s. ) found with her all love and care that he had missed because of the death of his parents whom he had lost since his early childhood.

p: 18

- Page18 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

In the cave of Hara’

The Prophet (a. s. ) liked loneliness in the cave of Hara’. He spent long times there pondering on the signs of Allah, and on all facts in the universe that proved the existence of a Great Creator. His loyal wife watched and cared much for him. She feared too much for him. She sent some ones after him to guard him. [3] She was certain that he would be the great prophet that Allah had chosen to save man from the darkness of ignorance.

In the cave of Hara’, the Prophet (a. s. ) received the message of Allah the Almighty. Gabriel came down to him, honored him with the prophethood, and ordered him to recite a sura from the Book of Allah. It was the sura of “Iqra’; al-Alaq”. The Prophet (a. s. ) got up and the angel was with him. Wherever he turned he saw him. The Prophet (a. s. ) went home frightfully. He talked to his wife about what he saw and heard, and she cried out,

“Allah guards us. O cousin, be delighted and be firm! I swear by Him, in Whose hand the soul of Khadijah is, that I see you will be the prophet of this nation. Allah will not disgrace you at all, for you keep relation with your kin, are truthful in your speech, give deposits back to their owners, carry food (for the needy) , entertain guests, and relieve the distresses of others. ”[4]

This speech of Khadijah relieved the Prophet (a. s. ) and made him feel safe and calm. When the Prophet (a. s. ) went to bed, Gabriel came to him again carrying with him another Sura. The sura recited, (O you who are clothed. Arise and warn… 74: 1-2) It was no time for sleep. He had to rise and struggle to save man from ignorance and the slavery to other than Allah the Almighty. The Prophet (a. s. ) jumped from his bed and told his wife Khadijah what he saw again. She encouraged him with more resolution.

p: 19

- Page19 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Khadijah with Waraqah

Khadijah went to her cousin Waraqah bin Nawfal who was a virtuous man and had taken knowledge from the Torah and the Bible from priests and scholars. Waraqah became delighted with the talk of Khadijah and said enthusiastically and faithfully, ‘The Most Holy, the Most Holy! By Him in Whose hand the soul of Waraqah is, you would believe me that the Great Law, that had come to Moses and Jesus, has come to him. Surely, he is the prophet of this nation. Say to him to be firm! ’[5]

Khadijah went back to the Prophet (a. s. ) and told him what Waraqah said. She encouraged and gave him more confidence. The Prophet (a. s. ) was pleased to hear 

that.

Khadijah and Ali the first Muslims

All historians say that Khadijah was the first one who believed in Islam and embraced the mission that Allah had revealed to His slave and messenger Muhammad (a. s. ) and then Ali Ameerul Mo'minin (a. s. ).

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘…and there was no house, then, that gathered in Islam save the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) , Khadijah, and me the third of them. ’[6]

Ibn Abbas said, ‘Ali was the first one who believed (in Islam) from among people after Khadijah. ’[7]

Imam Ali (a. s. ) , when he turned a Muslim, was seven years old, and it was said nine years. [8]

Muhammad (a. s. ) became prophet on Monday, and he, with Khadijah and Imam Ali, who was a young boy then, offered the prayer in the Kaaba on Tuesday. [9]

p: 20

- Page20 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Afif al-Kindi said, ‘Once in the pre-Islamic age, I went to Mecca to buy some clothes and perfumes for my family. I went to al-Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib (one of the Prophet’s uncles) who was a merchant. While I was with him sitting looking at the Kaaba and the sun was high in the sky, a young man came, looked at the sky, and stood up towards the Kaaba. After no long, a young boy came and stood on his right, and then a woman cam and stood behind them. The young man bowed, and the boy and the woman bowed with him. Then, the young man prostrated himself, and the boy and the woman prostrated too. I astonishedly said,

‘O Abbas, it is a great thing! ’

Al-Abbas said, ‘Yes, it is a great thing! Do you know who this young man is? ’

I said, ‘No. ’

He said, ‘He is Muhammad bin Abdullah, my nephew. Do you know who this young boy is?

I said, ‘No. ’

He said, ‘He is Ali bin Abi Talib. Do you know who this woman is? ’

I said, ‘No. ’

He said, ‘She is Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Muhammad’s wife. My nephew (he appointed to Muhammad) told me that his Lord, the Lord of the heaven and the earth, had ordered him with this religion. By Allah, there is no one on the earth in this religion except these three ones. ’[10]

Khadijah was with the Prophet (a. s. ) all the time. She did not let him alone even in his circumambulation around the Kaaba. Abdullah bin Mas’ud said, ‘The first time I knew about the matter (prophethood) of the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) was that once, I came to Mecca with some uncles of mine. We were guided to al- Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib who was sitting at the well of Zamzam. While we were sitting with him, a young man came from the gate of as-Safa. He was reddish- white…wearing white clothes. He was like a full moon. On his right, there was a beardless, beautiful young boy, and after him a veiled woman. He went to the (Black) Rock and kissed it, and the young boy kissed it, and then the woman did so. Then, he circumambulated the House (the Kaaba) , and the boy and the woman circumambulated with him.

p: 21

- Page21 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

We said, ‘O Abul Fadhl (al-Abbas) , we have not known such a religion among you. Has something happened? ’

Al-Abbas said, ‘This is my nephew Muhammad, the boy is Ali bin Abi Talib, and the woman is Khadijah. ’

Ibn Mas’ud said, ‘By Allah, we have not known anyone on the face of the earth worshipping Allah by this religion except these three ones. ’[11]

Khadijah and Ali (peace be on them) were the first ones who believed in the Prophet (a. s. ) and embraced the new religion.

Moral assistance to the Prophet (a. s. )

Khadijah, the Mother of the Believers, stood with the Prophet (a. s. ) supporting and assisting him in bearing the severest harms and persecution he received from Quraysh.

Ibn Isaaq said, ‘Whenever the messenger of Allah heard something that he hated (from the people of Quraysh) and accusing him of lying, Allah relieved him by Khadijah. When he came back to her, she encouraged and comforted him. She believed him and made the troubles of people easy to him. She did so until she joined her Lord. ’[12]

Economical assistance

Lady Khadijah offered her great wealth to support Islam. She spent all what she had to propagandize for the Islamic mission. When Quraysh confined the Prophet (a. s. ) and the Hashemites in Shi’b Abi Talib and imposed a severe economical blockade on them, Khadijah supplied them with all what they needed throughout the period of the blockade which was more than two years.

Lady Khadijah offered to Islam all her wealth until she became poor where she had no mat to sit on.

Greetings from Allah to Khadijah

Lady Khadijah had a very high position near Allah the Almighty. Allah had thanked her great services and assistance to the Prophet (a. s. ) in supporting Islam. Many true traditions were transmitted saying that Allah had sent her greetings and peace through His slave and messenger Muhammad (a. s. ). [13]

Her house in the Paradise

For the lofty position Khadijah had near Allah, Allah had endowed her with a house in the High Paradise. It would be one of the high palaces that Allah had prepared for the good believing men and good believing women. It is related that the Prophet (a. s. ) had said, ‘I have been ordered to bring good news of a house of reeds in the Paradise for Khadijah. There will be neither clamor nor pains in it. ’[14]

This will be her reward from her Lord for the great services she did to Islam and the great favors she did Muslims.

Her position near the Prophet (a. s. )

Lady Khadijah occupied the feelings and emotions of the Prophet (a. s. ) and had a very high position near him. He loved her too much and was loyal to her.

Aa’ishah, the Prophet’s wife, said, ‘The Prophet, when going out of home, often mentioned Khadijah (after her death) and praised her. Once, he mentioned her, but I became jealous and said, ‘She was but an old woman that Allah has given you in place of her better than her. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) became angry until his forelock shook because of anger, and then he said, ‘No, by Allah, Allah has not given me in place of her better than her. She believed in me when people disbelieved, comforted me with her money when people denied me, and Allah had granted me offspring from her where He had not granted me from other wives. ’[15]

p: 23

- Page23 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Once, Halah, Khadijah’s sister, came to Medina and visited the Prophet’s house. When the Prophet (a. s. ) heard her voice, which was like the voice of Khadijah, in the yard of the house, he said, ‘O my Lord, she is Halah bint Khuwaylid…’

Aa’isha could not control herself and she said, ‘What do you remember from an old woman from the old women of Quraysh?... She died since long, and Allah has given you in place of her better than her. ’[16]

The Prophet (a. s. ) became angry and he shouted at Aa'isha, ‘No, by Allah, Allah has not given me better than her. She believed in me when people disbelieved, believed me when people accused me of lying, comforted me with her wealth when people denied me, and Allah granted me offspring from her when he did not granted me from wives other than her. ’[17]

When the Prophet (a. s. ) slaughtered a sheep, he said (to servants) , ‘Take (some meat) to the friends of Khadijah! ’

Once, Aa'isha said to him, ‘Why do you do that? ’

He said, ‘I do like her beloveds. ’[18]

In another tradition, it was narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) had said, ‘I have been granted her love. ’[19]

Envy overcame Aa'isha when she often heard the Prophet (a. s. ) praising Khadijah. She said, ‘I did never envy a woman like I did to Khadijah. The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) did not marry me except after her death. ’[20]

The soul of Khadijah was with the Prophet (a. s. ) whenever he went. His soul was full of her love. He often and always remembered her and prayed Allah to have mercy on her.

p: 24

- Page24 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The gifts of Allah on her

Allah the Almighty had endowed Khadijah with gifts that no any other one of the Prophet’s wives had been endowed with. From the great gifts of Allah to her was that Allah had made her the mother of the best woman Allah had ever created in the earth since the beginning of the creation until the Day of Resurrection; Fatima (a. s. ) the principal of the women of the worlds, and made her the grandmother of the two grandson of the Prophet (a. s. ) , two infallible imams, and two masters of the youth of Paradise; Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (peace be on them) , and the grandmother of Lady Zaynab, the first wronged and oppressed woman in Islam. Allah had made Khadijah the grandmother of the infallible imams who were his authorities on His people. These heavenly gifts that Khadijah had been endowed with had not been given to any woman other than her at all.

To the Paradise

Diseases attacked the Mother of Believers Khadijah and death approached her soon. In the last moments of her life, she felt pain whenever she looked at her only daughter Fatima az-Zahra’ (a. s. ) who was a young child then. She looked at Fatima (a. s) with pain and sigh. She recommended the Prophet (a. s. ) to take much care of her.

It was not long until Khadijah left to the better world and her pure soul rose towards its Creator surrounded by angels and received by the prophets with takbir and tahlil. [21]

The Prophet (a. s. ) was afflicted by the great loss of Khadijah who filled his life with satisfaction and tranquility, and relieved him from the persecution of the oppressors of Quraysh. He was very sad when she died.

p: 25

- Page25 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Anyhow, he washed, enshrouded, and offered the prayer on her. He dug a grave for her and buried her in it. [22] The loss of Khadijah caused the Prophet (a. s. ) a great sorrow until he called that year where also his uncle Abu Talib died in it “the year of sorrow”.

Death took Khadijah, who was the most loyal to the Prophet (a. s. ) , the most loving, and the best supporter to him and to his mission.

Khadijah left her daughter Fatima (a. s) , who was a young child yet, overcome by grief and sorrow. Fatima (a. s) lost her kind, loving mother since her early years, and then she took the role of her mother toward her father (a. s. ) who still faced the harms and aggressions of Quraysh. Fatima (a. s) comforted the loneliness of her father after her mother, relieved his sufferings, and served him with her love and kindness until she was called “the mother of her father”.

Footnote

[1] Uyoon al-Athar, vol. 1 p. 57. At-Tabari in his Tareekh, vol. 2 p. 126, mentioned that Khadijah had suggested to the Prophet (a. s. ) to go to Sham trading with her money.

[2] Sharh Nahjol Balaghah by ibn Abil Hadid, vol. 3 p. 316.

[3] As-Seera an-Nabawiyyah by ibn Hisham, vol. 1 p. 253.

[4] Tareekh at-Tabari, vol. 1 p. 205.

[5] Tareekh at-Tabari, vol. 2 p. 206, as-Seera an-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1 p. 254.

[6] Encyclopedia of Ameerul Mo'minin Imam Ali, vol. 1 p. 80, as-Seera an-Nabawiyyah, vol. 1 p. 254.

[7] Imta’ al-Asma’, vol. 1 p. 16.

[8] Sahih of at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 301, Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, vol. 3 p. 21, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 400.

[9] Tahthib al-Kamal, vol. 20 p. 482.

[10] Khasa’iss an-Nassa’iy, 3, Musnad of Ahmed bin Hanbal, vol. 1 p. 309, Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, vol. 8 p. 14.

[11] Majma’ az-Zawa’id by al-Haythami, vol. 9 p. 222, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 7 p. 56.

[12] Al-Isabah, vol. 4 p. 273, al-Istee’ab, vol. 6 p. 275.

[13] Al-Isabah, vol. 4 p. 274 quoted from Sahih of Muslim, vol. 2 chap. of “the Virtues of Khadijah” and from Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3 p. 186, and others.

[14] Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 3 p. 197, Sahih al-Bukhari, vol. 5 p. 48.

[15] Fatima wel Mufadhdhalat min an-Nisa’ (Fatima and the preferred women) , p. 66.

[16] Sahih of Muslim, vol. 7 p. 134.

[17] Al-Istee’ab, vol. 4 p. 182.

[18] Ibid.

[19] Sahih of Muslim, vol. 7 p. 134, al-Isabah, vol. 8 p. 63.

[20] Al-Isabah, vol. 8 p. 62.

[21] Takbir is saying “allahhu akbar; Allah is great”, and tahlil is saying “la ilaha illallah; there is no god but Allah”.

[22] Ad-Durr al-Manthur, p. 180.

Fatima’s Birth and Upbringing

Fatima’s Birth and Upbringing

The Prophet (a. s. ) eagerly received the birth of Pure Fatima (a. s). He perceived from behind the unseen that his newborn daughter would have a very high position in the earth and in the heaven, that she would be unequaled in purity, chastity, faith, and behavior from among all the women of the earth, and that his pure progeny would be from her. He was very delighted for the coming of this pure child, and was sincere in his love to her since her birth until his last breath.

When the Prophet (a. s. ) was informed that Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) gave birth to Fatima (a. s) , he went home quickly. He took his newborn daughter, kissed her, recited the azan in her right ear, and recited the eqama in her left ear.

p: 27

- Page27 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The first voice Fatima (a. s) heard was the voice of her father, the messenger of Allah, and the first words she heard were “Allah is great” and “there is no god but Allah”. Gabriel came down to the Prophet (a. s. ) bringing the greetings of Allah the Almighty to him and to his blessed newborn child. [1]

Historians say that Fatima (a. s) had been created from the fruits of the Paradise. On the night of the Prophet’s ascension to the Heavens, Allah had fed Prophet Muhammad (a. s. ) with the fruits of the Paradise and Fatima (a. s) was originated from those fruits. [2]

Date of her birth

Historians were different about the date of Fatima’s birth. Here are some of their sayings:

1. She was born five years after the prophethood of her father and three years after his ascension to the Heaven on the twentieth of Jumada al-Aakhirah,[3] and it was Friday. [4]

2. She was born one year after the prophethood of her father. [5]

3. She was born five years before the prophethood. This saying is odd and ignored. [6]

4. Some books of history mentioned that Fatima (a. s) had been born before the prophethood of her father but without mentioning the year and the month of her birth. [7]

There are other sayings about her birth, but the true saying is the first one mentioned above that determines her old to be eighteen years.

Place of her birth

Fatima (a. s) was born in Mecca in the house of Khadijah. The house was near the Lane of Perfumers, and now it is a mosque.

p: 28

- Page28 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Her name

The Prophet (a. s. ) named his newborn daughter as Fatima. It was like the name of Imam Ali’s mother. It is related to the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) that once, Imam Ali (a. s. ) asked the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘O messenger of Allah, why did you name Fatima[8] so? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Because she and her followers are weaned from Fire. ’[9]

Her epithets

Fatima the principal of the women of the worlds was attributed with many epithets expressing the high qualities she had. The following are some of those epithets:

1. As-Siddeeqah

It means the truthful woman. She was the most truthful woman in the world of Islam and other than Islam.

2. Al-Mubarakah

It means the blessed woman. Allah had blessed her and all her progeny in the earth.

3. At-Tahirah

It means the pure woman. She was the purest one among all the women of the world. Allah had endowed her with this favor by saying, (Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. 33: 33) All commentators say this verse had been revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ).

4. Az-Zakiyyah

It means the chaste, innocent woman.

5. Ar-Radhiyah

It means the satisfied woman. She was satisfied with the simple life of asceticism Allah had willed for her in the worldly life.

It was narrated from Imam as-Sadiq (a. s. ) his saying, ‘Once, the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) came to Fatima (a. s) and found her wearing a garment of camel-hair while milling with her hands and suckling her child. The Prophet’s eyes shed tears when he saw her in that case. He said to her, ‘O my daughter, suffer the bitterness of this life for the sake of the sweetness of the afterlife; for Allah has revealed to me, (And soon will your Lord give you so that you shall be well pleased. 93: 5). She said, ‘O messenger of Allah, praise be to Allah for His gifts, and thanks be to Him for His blessings. ’[10]

p: 29

- Page29 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

6. Al-Muhaddathah

The talked to; because the angels talked with her as they talked with Virgin Mary. Allah says, (When the angels said: O Maryam, surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him. 3: 45).

7. Al-Batool

She was called so, because she was devoted to Allah and because she had no equal in her virtues among all women. Once, Ahmed bin Yahya was asked about the reason why Fatima (a. s. ) was called al-Batool and he said, ‘because she was incomparable in her chastity, virtues, religiousness, and lineage. It was also said that she was called so because she had devoted herself to Allah the Almighty and turned her back to the worldly life. ’[11]

8. Az-Zahra’

Shining; she was called so because her great faith and high morals were shining. Imam as-Sadiq (a. s. ) was asked why she was called so and he said, ‘When she stood in her mihrab (for worshipping) , her light shone for the inhabitants of the Heaven as stars shone for the inhabitants of the earth. ’[12]

Al-Jami’ al-Azhar in Cairo was built by the Fatimids and called so by them after the name of Fatima az-Zahra’ to be blessed and honored.

Her surnames

Fatima (a. s) had several surnames. Here are some of them:

1. Umm[13] Abeeha

The mother of her father: she was called so (by her father) because she was too kind and loving to her father the messenger of Allah (a. s. ). [14]

From the examples of her kindness and great love to her father was that once, he came back to Medina from one of the battles, and came to Fatima’s house first before his wives as usual. Fatima (a. s. ) received him, and began kissing him on the face and the eyes, and crying. The Prophet (a. s. ) asked her, ‘Why are you crying? ’

p: 30

- Page30 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

She said, ‘I see that you have turned pale. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) calmed her down and said, ‘O Fatima, Allah the Almighty has delegated your father with a mission that no house on the face of the earth remains until it is entered into it with glory or with meanness. It will reach wherever night reaches. ’[15]

“With glory” is for those who believe in him, and “with meanness” is for those who deny his mission and fight him.

She highly revered her father. She addressed him by saying “O messenger of Allah” especially after the revelation of this verse (Make not the calling of the messenger among you as your calling one another. 24: 63).

That was difficult for the Prophet (a. s. ) who said to her, ‘O Fatima, it (the verse) was not revealed about you, nor your family, nor your progeny. You are from me and I am from you. It was revealed about the harsh and rude people of Quraysh; the people of lavishness and haughtiness. You say: O father! It is more refreshing to the heart, and more satisfactory to the Lord. ’[16]

Fatima (a. s) was the most beloved one to her father from among all his family, and she was the kindest to him. When he left to the better world, she was terribly affected and after a short time she joined him in the Paradise.

2. Umm al-Hasanayn

The mother of al-Hasan and al-Husayn, the Prophet’s two grandsons and the masters of the youth of the Paradise

p: 31

- Page31 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

3. Umm al-Hasan

Al-Hasan (a. s. ) was her eldest son.

4. Umm al-Husayn

Al-Husayn (a. s. ) was her second son, the reviver of Islam, the savior of Muslims, and the head of the free in the world.

Her upbringing

Fatima (a. s) was brought up by her father, the master of all creation. He fed her with his talents and mentality. He taught her the Qur'an and all things about the verses of verdicts, the causes of the revelation of verses, and other things concerning the Qur'an. He educated her the rulings of the Sharia, the nobilities of character, and high morals and principles. He upbrought her on the sincere faith in Allah, the Creator of the universe, and Giver of life.

From the Prophet’s educational programs to Fatima

From the programs of the Islamic education that the Prophet (a. s. ) offered to his Fatima, the principal of the women of the worlds, was that he recommended her of the following:

“He, whose neighbor is not safe from his harms, is not from the believers.

He, who believes in Allah and in the afterlife, should not harm his neighbor.

He, who believes in Allah and in the afterlife, should say good or, otherwise, keep silent.

Allah loves a good, patient, abstinent one, and hates an indecent, stingy, importunate one.

Coyness is from faith, and faith is in the Paradise. Indecency is from obscenity, and obscenity is in the Fire…”[17]

In this way, the Prophet (a. s. ) fed his daughter Fatima (a. s) with the high ideals and values.

p: 32

- Page32 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Asma’ bint Umays said, ‘Once, I was with Fatima when the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) came to her and saw a gold necklace on her neck that Imam Ali (a. s. ) had brought for her from his own money. The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) said to her, ‘Let people not deceive you by saying: the daughter of Muhammad, while you put on wears of tyrants! ’

Fatima (a. s) took off the necklace soon. She sold it and bought with its price a slave, and then she freed the slave. The Prophet (a. s. ) was pleased with that and he thanked her daughter for her doing. ’[18]

Prophet Muhammad (a. s. ) had educated his daughter to be ascetic in this life and not to care for its pleasures.

Once another, the Prophet (a. s. ) visited Fatima (a. s) and saw a necklace on her neck. He turned his face away from her. She, soon, took the necklace off and gave it to him. He said to her, ‘And you are from me Fatima. ’

A beggar knocked the door, and the Prophet (a. s. ) gave him the necklace and then said, ‘The wrath of Allah is great on whoever sheds my blood and harms me by harming my progeny. ’[19]

Some du’as from the Prophet to Fatima

In educating his dear daughter, the Prophet (a. s. ) taught Fatima (a. s) some du’as that would serve her in the worldly life and in the afterlife and take her closer to Allah. Here are some of those du’as:

“O Allah, the Most Glorious, Mentioned One, and the Most Olden in glory and might,

p: 33

- Page33 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, the Merciful to everyone asking for mercy, and the Shelter of everyone resorting to You,

O Allah, the Merciful to every sad one complaining of his grief and sorrow to You,

O Allah, the best of those who are asked for favor, and the Most Secretive in giving,

O Allah, Whom the angels, who are flaming with light, are afraid of,

I ask You by the attributes by which the carriers of Your Throne calls upon You, and those around Your Throne by Your Light glorify You for fear of Your punishment, and by the attributes by which Gabriel, Michael, and Israfel call upon You to respond to me, relieve my grief, and cover my sins.

O You Who orders by the cry His creation and they soon will be resurrected on the Land of Resurrection, I ask You by that attribute by which You give life to the bones when they are rotten to give life to my heart, expand my bosom, and set aright my affairs.

O You Who have singled only Yourself for everlasting, and created for Your creation death and life, O You Whose doing is just by a saying, and Whose saying is a command, and Whose command is applied to whatever You will, I ask You by the attribute by which Your friend (Abraham) asked You when he was thrown into fire and You responded to him and said, (O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham! 21: 69)

and by the attribute by which Moses prayed You from the blessed side of the mountain and You responded to his prayer,

p: 34

- Page34 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

and by the attribute by which You removed the distress from Ayyoob (Job) , and accepted the repentance of Dawud (David) , and subjugated for Solomon the wind blowing by his order and the devils, and taught him the language of birds,

and by the attribute by which You granted to Zachariah Yahya (John) , and created Jesus from the Holy Spirit with no father,

and by the attribute by which You created the Throne and Sovereignty,

and by the attribute by which You created the angels,

and by the attribute by which You created man and the jinn,

and by the attribute by which You created all the creation and everything You willed,

and by the attribute by which You had power over everything,

I ask You by these attributes to fulfill my request and satisfy my needs. ”[20]

From the other du’as that the Prophet (a. s. ) taught to Fatima (a. s. ) is this one:

“O You the knowing of the unseen and the hidden secrets, the Obeyed, the Knower, O Allah, O Allah, O Allah, the Defeater of the parties for Muhammad, the Planner against the Pharaoh for Moses, the Saver of Jesus from the hands of the unjust, the Rescuer of Noah’s people from the drowning, the Merciful to Your servant Ya’qub (Jacob) , the Reliever of Ayyoob’s distress, the Saver of Thinnoon (Jonah) from the darkness, the Doer of every good, the Guide to every good, the leader to every good, the Enjoiner on every good, the Creator of good, the Qualified for good, You are Allah; I have come to You for what You have known and You are the Knower of the unseen, I ask You to have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad. ”[21]

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said that one day Fatima (a. s. ) complained to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) of insomnia and he asked her to pray Allah by saying,

“O You the Satisfier of hungry stomachs, the Clothing of naked bodies, the Calmer of beating veins, the putting to sleep the sleepless eyes, calm my beating veins and permit to my eye a soon sleep. ”[22]

He also taught her a du’a that is recited when coming in a mosque:

“O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your mercy! ”

A du’a that is recited when coming out of a mosque:

“O Allah, forgive me my sins and open to me the doors of Your favor! ”[23]

Her similarity to the Prophet (a. s. )

Fatima (a. s. ) was similar to her father in figure, morals, high personality, and other qualities. Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansary said, ‘Whenever I saw Fatima walk, I remembered the messenger of Allah (a. s. ). She inclined to the right one time and to the left another. ’[24]

Aa'isha said, ‘I have not seen anyone more similar to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) in straightness, guidance, and talking in his sitting and standing than Fatima his daughter. When she came to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) , he got up, kissed her, and seated her in his place. When the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) came to her, she got up, kissed him, and seated him in her place. ’[25]

She was like her father not only in his figure and expressions but in all his features by which he was distinguished from all prophets. Some poet says about Fatima (a. s) ,

p: 36

- Page36 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

She is a second Ahmed[26] and the Ahmed of her time,

she is the element of monotheism,

she is the niche of the light of Allah the Almighty,

she is an olive-tree whose blessings include all mankind.

Fatima; the principal of women

Once, Fatima (a. s) was ill. The Prophet (a. s. ) and Imran bin Hussayn came to visit her. At the door, the Prophet (a. s. ) greeted her and said, ‘May I come in and the one who is with me? ’

She said, ‘Yes, you and the one with you…O father, by Allah I have nothing on except an aba. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) asked her to cover herself with the aba and he gave her a wrap to veil her head. Then he came in and asked her, ‘How do you feel my daughter? ’

She said, ‘I feel ill, and what increases my pain is that I have nothing to eat. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to her, ‘Are you not satisfied that you are the principal of the women of the worlds? ’

She said, ‘O father, what about Mary? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘She is the principal of the women of her world, and you are the principal of the women of your world. ’[27]

Once another, Fatima (a. s) was ill. The Prophet (a. s. ) and some of his companions came to visit her. At Fatima’s door, the Prophet (a. s. ) ordered her to veil herself. She said, ‘I have nothing on but an aba. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) threw his garment to her to cover herself with.

Then, the Prophet (a. s. ) and his companions came in, asked her about her condition, and she said she was going to be well.

They left while being astonished at the simple life Fatima (a. s) lived and the simple furniture she had in her house. They said, ‘O God! The daughter of our prophet lives such a life! ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to them, ‘She is the principal of women on the Day of Resurrection. ’[28]

Fatima (a. s) was so ascetic in the worldly life. She had turned away from all pleasure of this life, and turned devotedly to Allah the Almighty. The Prophet (a. s. ) loved her too much to an extent that he said to her, ‘May my father and mother be sacrificed for you. ’[29]

Footnote

[1] Mizan al-I’tidal, vol. 4 p. 72, Lisan al-Mizan, vol. 3 p. 367, where it is mentioned that ibn Abbas had said, ‘When Fatima was born, the Prophet (a. s. ) named her as al-Mansurah. Gabriel came to the Prophet (a. s. ) and said to him, ‘Allah sends you His greeting and sends your newborn daughter His greeting. ’

[2] Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 1 p. 156, Tareekh Baghdad, vol. 5 p. 87, Mizan al-I’tidal, vol. 27 p. 97.

[3] A’lam al-Wara, p. 148, Jami’ al-Usool, vol. 12 p. 9-10, Nisa’ an-Nabiy wa Awladuh (wives and children of the Prophet) , p. 89, Ma’sat (tragedy of) az-Zahra’ by Sayyid Ja’far Murtadha al-Aamily, vol. 1 p. 37, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 6, Usool al-Kafi, vol. 1 p. 458, Safwat as-Safwah, vol. 1 p. 148.

[4] Al-Kawthar fee Ahwal Fatima, vol. 1 p. 309.

[5] Nisa’ an-Nabiy wa Awladuh, p. 90.

[6] Ma’sat az-Zahra’, vol. 1 p. 36.

p: 38

- Page38 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

[7] Al-Isabah, vol. 8 p. 54.

[8] Fatima means “a weaned child”.

[9] Nisa’ an-Nabiy wa Awladuh, p. 91. In Thakha’ir al-Uqba,p. 26, it is mentioned that Imam Ali Asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, why did you name Fatima so? ’ The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Allah the Almighty will wean her and her progeny from Fire on the Day of Resurrection. ’ The same has been mentioned in Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 219 and Faydh al-Qadeer, vol. 1 p. 168.

s[10] Az-Zahra’ Sayyidaton Nisa’, vol. 1 p. 30.

[11] Lisan al-Arab, vol. 16 p. 43, an-Nihayah fee Gharib al-Hadith, vol. 1 p. 94.

[12] Nisa’ an-Nabiy wa Awladuh, p. 92.

[13] Umm means “mother of”

[14] Al-Istee’ab, vol. 2 p. 752, Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5 p. 520.

[15] Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 2 p. 30, and somehow like it in Kanzol Ummal, vol. 1 p. 77, and Majma’ az-Zawa’id, vol. 8 p. 262.

[16] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 33.

[17] Dala’il al-Imamah, p. 66.

[18] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 9 p. 557.

[19] Kashful Ghummah, vol. 1 p. 471.

[20] Muhaj ad-Da’awaat, p. 207.

[21] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 88 p. 370.

[22] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 384.

[23] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 9 p. 594.

[24] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 7.

[25] Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. 40, al-Istee’ab, vol. 4 p. 450, Sunan of at-Tarmithi, vol. 5 p. 361, Sunan of Abu Dawud, vol. 2 p. 522, Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 4 p. 272, al-Adab al-Mufrad, p. 136.

[26] Another name of Prophet Muhammad (a. s. ).

[27] Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 2 p. 42, Mushkil al-Aathar, vol. 1 p. 50, Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. 43.

[28]Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 2 p. 42.

[29]Mustadrak as-Sahihayn, vol. 3 p. 156.

Fatima’s Characteristics

Fatima’s Characteristics

Fatima az-Zahra’ (a. s. ) was different from all women in her high qualities and noble characteristics that took her to the highest rank of virtue and perfection. She was an example of her father’s morals and mentality. She resembled him in his deep faith in Allah the Almighty, asceticism, and refraining from pleasures of this life. Here, we talk about some of Fatima’s characteristics:

p: 39

- Page39 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Infallibility

Fatima (a. s) was infallible, and this is an indisputable fact. Allah had purified her from every sin and every defect, and endowed her with all virtues to make her an example for all the women of the world. She was an ideal example in faith, worship, chastity, purity, charity, and kindness to the poor and the deprived.

Proofs on her infallibility

1. The verse of purification; Allah has said, (Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. 33: 33).

The People of the House (the Ahlul Bayt) were Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn (a. s. ). [1]

The verse clearly proves the infallibility and purity of these persons from every sin and vices. Allah had chosen these people to be examples for His people and guides to His obedience and pleasedness. It is impossible for Allah to give sinners or guilty people this gift.

Infallibility, in its concept, definitely would not be far from the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) who were the centers of knowledge and wisdom in Islam. For forty years, I have researched and written books on them, but I could find a slip neither in their sayings nor in their doings. Even their enemies, who were full of grudge against them, did not mention any fault or any bit of deviation about them.

Imam Ali (a. s. ) says, ‘By Allah, if I am given the seven districts with all that under their skies to disobey Allah in a bran of a grain of barley that I deprive it of a mouth of a locust, I will never do. ’

p: 40

- Page40 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

This far extent of piety in the imams is the very infallibility that the Shia believe to be in their imams. Anyhow, Fatima (a. s) was one of the fourteen infallible members of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ).

2. The Prophet (a. s. ) made all his nation, through his repeated sayings, know that Fatima (a. s) was a part from him, and that whatever pleased her would please him and whatever displeased her would displease him. That she was a part from the Prophet (a. s. ) means that she was infallible since the Prophet (a. s. ) was infallible.

3. The true traditions that were transmitted from the Prophet (a. s. ) confirmed that Allah would be pleased for the pleasure of Fatima (a. s) and would be displeased for her displeasure. These traditions mean that Fatima (a. s) had reached a degree of faith and piety that would take her to the same rank of the infallible prophets who sincerely obeyed Allah and knew Him as He was.

4. The Prophet (a. s. ) compared his progeny to the Book of Allah as in the mutawatir (successive) tradition of “ath-Thaqalayn”, and since the Book of Allah is infallible from any falseness, so are the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) ; otherwise, the Prophet (a. s. ) would not compare them to the Book of Allah. Fatima (a. s) was at the head of the pure progeny of the Prophet (a. s. ) and was the mother of all the infallible imams (except Imam Ali) whom Allah had purified from all uncleanness.

Charity to the poor

Fatima (a. s) was charitable and too kind to the poor and the deprived. She, her husband, and her two sons were meant by these Qur’anic verses, (And they give food out of love for Him to the poor, the orphan, and the captive. We only feed you for Allah’s sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. 76: 8-9).

p: 41

- Page41 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Fatima (a. s) milled wheat and barley for her poor neighbors who were unable to do that. She carried water to her weak neighbors who could not get water.

On the night of her wedding, Fatima (a. s) had a new dress on. When she knew that a young woman from the Ansar[2] could not find a dress to put on, she took off the dress of her wedding and gave it to that young woman. Fatima (a. s) turned away from every material pleasure and preferred the satisfaction of Allah to everything. Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari said,

‘Once, the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) led us in offering the Asr (afternoon) Prayer, and when he offered the nafila (a supererogatory prayer) , he sat in the qibla and people sat around him. A very old man came complaining of hunger and saying, ‘O prophet of Allah, I am hungry. Feed me! And I am naked (have no clothes). Clothe me! ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) asked the old man to go to the house of his (the Prophet) daughter Fatima (a. s). The old nomad man went to Fatima’s house and from behind the door he greeted her and said, ‘O daughter of Muhammad, I am naked and hungry. Would you please comfort me, may Allah have mercy on you? ’

Fatima (a. s) herself was in neediness, and she found nothing to give to the man except a sheepskin that her sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn slept on. The old man did not like it and he gave it back to her. Then, Fatima (a. s) took a necklace, which was a present from her cousin Fatima bint Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, off her neck and gave it to the man.

p: 42

- Page42 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The old man took the necklace and went back to the Prophet (a. s. ) saying to him, ‘Fatima gave me this necklace and said to me, ‘Sell it! May Allah recompense you with good for it. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) cried and said, ‘And how does Allah not recompense you with good for it while the daughter of Muhammad, the principal of the daughters of Adam, has given it to you? ’

Ammar bin Yasir asked the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘O messenger of Allah, do you permit me to buy this necklace? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Buy it, Ammar! If the human beings and the jinn participate in it, Allah will not punish them with Fire. ’

Ammar said, ‘O Sheikh (old man) , how much is the necklace? ’

The old man said, ‘I sell it for a meal of bread and meat, a Yemeni garment that I cover my private parts and offer prayer for my Lord with, and a dinar that takes me to my family. ’

Ammar said to him, ‘I give you twenty dinars, two hundred dirhams, a Yemeni garment, my camel to take you to your family, and a meal of wheat bread and meat. ’

The old man said, ‘O man, how generous you are! ’ He left delightedly saying, ‘O Allah, there is no god but You. O Allah, give Fatima what no eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard of. ’

Ammar perfumed the necklace with musk, enveloped it in Yemeni garment, and gave it one of his slaves saying to him, ‘Take this necklace to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) and you will be his. ’

p: 43

- Page43 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When the slave took the necklace to the Prophet (a. s. ) , the Prophet (a. s. ) asked him to take it to Fatima (a. s) who took it and set the slave free. The slave smiled. Fatima (a. s) asked him what made him smile and he said,

‘What made me smile was the great blessing of this necklace. It satiated a hungry one, clothed a naked one, made a poor one rich, freed a slave, and then returned to its owner. ’[3]

Asceticism

Fatima (a. s) led an ascetical life, and lived in satisfaction away from the worldly pleasures like her father the Prophet (a. s. ) and her husband Imam Ali (a. s. ) who had divorced this world and been abstinent from its pleasures.

When these verses (And surely Hell is the promised place of them all. It has seven gates; for every gate there shall be a separate party of them. 15,43-44) were revealed to the Prophet (a. s. ) , he cried too much and his companions cried for his crying though they did not know why he cried. One of the companions went to Fatima (a. s) who was milling barley and reciting, (and whatever is with Allah is better and more lasting. 28: 60). He greeted and told her about the crying of her father. She wrapped herself with a ragged cloak that was sewed with palm-tree leaves and went to the meeting of her father. When Salman saw her, he said, ‘How sorrowful! The daughters of Caesar and Khosrau are in sarcenet while the daughter of the messenger of Allah wears a ragged wool cloak. ’

Fatima (a. s) came to the Prophet (a. s. ) and told him what Salman said, and then she said, ‘By Him Who has sent you with the truth, I and Ali since five years have nothing but a sheepskin. We give food on it to our camel in the day and in the night we sleep on it, and our pillow is from leather filled with palm-tree fibers. ’ Then she asked her father about the reason of his crying and he told her about the revelation of those verses. She said, Woe and woe unto whoever enters Fire. ’[4]

Anas bin Malik said, ‘Once, Fatima came to the Prophet (a. s. ) and said, ‘O messenger of Allah, I and ibn Abi Talib (Imam Ali) have no bed except a sheepskin. We sleep on it, and give food to our camel on it in the day. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to her, ‘My daughter, be patient! Moses son of Imran lived with his wife for ten years and she had no bed except an aba. ’[5]

Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari said, ‘Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) saw his daughter Fatima in a ragged garment while milling with her hand and suckling her child. His eyes shed tears and he said, ‘O my daughter, bear the bitterness of this life for the sake of the sweetness of the afterlife…’

She declared her satisfaction by saying, ‘Praise be to Allah for His favors and thanks to Him for His blessings…’[6]

Fatima (a. s) lived a very simple life with no pleasures or any kind of luxury. In her conducts, she showed the real picture of Islam and gave Muslim woman lessons of satisfaction with what Allah had determined for man.

Fatima (a. s) abstained from all desires of life in food, clothes, and others and she turned sincerely to Allah and preferred pleasing Him to everything else.

Chastity and veiling

Fatima (a. s) was the highest example in chastity, honor, and veiling for all Muslim women.

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘Once, a blind man asked permission to visit Fatima (a. s) , but she asked him to stay behind a screen. The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) asked Fatima (a. s) , ‘Why did you screen him though he is blind and could not see you? ’

She said, ‘He could not see me, but I could see him. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘I witness that you are a part from me. ’[7]

Once, Imam Ali (a. s. ) asked Fatima (a. s) , ‘When is woman closer to her Lord? ’

She said, ‘When she keeps to her house…’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) offered her answer to the Prophet (a. s. ) who said, ‘She is true. Fatima is a part from me. ’[8]

Veil is beauty and honor for woman. Whenever woman adorns herself with chastity, she will be in a highest position and most honorable rank besides gaining admiration of the all. But if woman is unveiled and unchaste, she will be worthless in the society and no one will appreciate her. The veil and chastity of Fatima (a. s) is a high example that every woman who wants to live regardable and honorable in the society.

Deep faith

Definitely, no one can suspect the unequaled faith and worship of Fatima (a. s). She spent most of her days and nights in worshipping.

p: 46

- Page46 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) said, ‘Some night, I saw my mother Fatima (a. s) in her mihrab bow and prostrate (offer prayers) until the light of morning appeared. I heard her praying Allah for the believing men and the believing women and mentioning them by the name. She prayed Allah for them too much, but without praying for herself. I said to her, ‘Why do you not pray Allah for yourself mother? ’

She said, ‘O my son, the neighbor (first) and then the house…’[9]

Al-Hasan al-Basri said about Fatima (a. s) , ‘No one in the umma worshipped Allah more than Fatima (a. s). She offered prayers in the night until her feet swelled. ’[10]

It was transmitted from Fatima (a. s) her saying, ‘Whoever raises his true worship to Allah, Allah will send down to him the best of his benefit. ’[11]

Fatima (a. s) assigned the last hours of the day of Fridays for Allah the Almighty. In the last ten days of Ramadan, Fatima (a. s) spent all the night in worshipping and supplicating, and she encouraged all those in her house to spend the night in worshipping and supplicating. Her feet swelled because of her long standing before Allah the Almighty. [12]

Devotedness

Devotedness

Fatima (a. s) devoted herself to Allah and resorted to Him totally in all of her affairs. This was clear in her du’as.

Her du’a on turning to Allah

Fatima (a. s) often supplicated Allah with this du’a,

“O Allah, by Your knowing of the unseen and Your power over the creation, make me live if You know that life is better to me, and make me die if You know that death is better to me.

p: 47

- Page47 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, I ask You for loyalty, and for the fear of You in pleasure and in anger, and for economy in wealth and poverty.

O Allah, I ask You for incessant bliss, and ask You for ceaseless delight, and ask You for satisfaction with fate, and ask You for a good life after death, and ask You for the looking at Your Face, and the eagerness to Your meeting without a harming distress or a dark sedition.

O Allah, adorn us with adornment of faith, and make us guided and guides, O You the Lord of the worlds! ”[13]

Her du’a on resorting to Allah

She recited in this du’a,

“O Allah, make me satisfied with what You have given to me, honor me and give me good health as long as You make me live, forgive me and have mercy on me when You make me die.

O Allah, do not afflict me with asking for what You have not determined for me, and whatever You have determined for me make it easy and accessible.

O Allah, reward my parents for me and whoever has done me a favor with the best of reward.

O Allah, take me to what You have created me for, do not make me busy with what You have already secured to me, do not punish me while I ask You to forgive me, and do not deprive me while I beg You.

O Allah, make me humble to myself, make Your standing great to me, and inspire me with Your obedience and the doing of what pleases You and avoiding what displeases You, O You the most Merciful of the merciful. ”[14]

p: 48

- Page48 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Her du’a of tasbih[15]

Fatima (a. s) recited in this du’a,

“Glory be to Him Who has shone with might and power.

Glory be to Him Who has hidden in seven heavens that no eye can see.

Glory be to Him Who has lowered creatures with death and honored Himself with life.

Glory be to Him Who remains and everything else perishes.

Glory be to Him Who has chosen praise to Himself and accepted it.

Glory be to the Ever-living, the Omniscient.

Glory be to the Forbearing, the Honorable.

Glory be to the Most High, the Great.

Glory be to Allah and by His praise. ”[16]

Her du’a on an important thing

Fatima (a. s) supplicated Allah with du’a for relieving griefs and fulfilling needs:

“By Yaseen and the Wise Qur'an, and by Taha and the Great Qur'an, O You, Who is able to fulfill all needs of requesters, Who know what is there inside conscience, O You Who cheer up the distressed, Who relieve the grieved, O You Who is merciful to the old, Who nourish infants, O You Who do not need expression, have blessings on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad! ”[17]

Her du’a for making things easy

“O Allah the Lord of the seven heavens and Lord of the Great Throne, our Lord and the Lord of everything, the Revealer of the Torah, the Bible, and the Qur'an, the Splitter of grains and stones, I seek Your protection from everything that You will pull down.

p: 49

- Page49 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

You are the First that nothing was before You, and You are the Last that nothing will be after You. You are the Evident that there is nothing above You, and You are the Hidden One that there is nothing below You. Pay for me the debt and save me from poverty! ”[18]

Her du’a for healing

“In the name of Allah the Light, in the name of Allah the light of Light, in the name of Allah a light on light, in the name of Allah Who is the Manager of affairs, in the name of Allah Who has created the light from the light, praise be to Allah Who has created the light from the light, and sent down the light on the mountain in a recorded Book, in a spread parchment, in a determined measure, on a happy prophet.

Praise be to Allah Who is with glory mentioned, with pride is known, for better or for worse is thanked, (O Allah) and have blessing on our master Muhammad and on his pure progeny! ”[19]

Her du’a in morning and evening

“O You the Ever-living, the Eternal, by Your mercy I ask for help; so help me and do not let me be deceived by my self for a twinkle of an eye at all, and repair all my affairs! ”[20]

Her du’a at sleeping

“Praise be to Allah the Sufficer, glory be to Allah the Highest. Allah is sufficient to me and enough. What Allah wills he fulfils. Allah hears whoever calls upon Him. There is no escape from Allah, and no shelter beyond Allah. (Surely I rely on Allah, my Lord and your Lord; there is no living creature but He holds it by its forelock; surely my Lord is on the right path. 11: 56). (Praise be to Allah, Who has not taken unto Himself a son, and Who has no partner in the Sovereignty, nor has He any protecting friend through dependence. And magnify Him with all magnificence. 17: 111). ”[21]

p: 50

- Page50 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

her du’as of the week days

Fatima (a. s) supplicated Allah on every day of the week with a special du’a. The following are her du’as of the week days:

Her du’a of Saturday

“O Allah, open to us the treasures of Your mercy, and give us, O Allah, a mercy that You torture us after it neither in this life nor in the afterlife, give us from Your wide favor a halal (lawful) , good livelihood, do not make us in neediness, do not make us need other than You, make us more grateful to You, and make us more in need to You and satisfied and abstinent with You than any other than You.

O Allah, enrich us in this life. O Allah, we seek Your protection from turning Your face away from us in a case where we look forward to You in it!

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and give us what You like, and make it strength to us in what You like, O You the Most Merciful of the merciful! ”

Her du’a on Sunday

“O Allah, make the first of my this day prosperity, the middle of it, righteousness, and the last of it success!

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and make us from those who turn to You and You receive them, and rely on You and You satisfy them, and beg You and You are Merciful to them…”

p: 51

- Page51 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Her du’a on Monday

“O Allah, I ask You for strength in worshipping You, insight in Your Book, and understanding in Your commands.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and do not make the Qur'an barren with us, the straight path crooked, and Muhammad (blessings of Allah be on him and on his progeny) averting from us! ”

Her du’a on Tuesday

“O Allah, make the inadvertence of people as a mention to us, and make their mention as gratitude to us, and make the good we say by our tongues as a true intention in our hearts.

O Allah, Your forgiveness is greater than our sins, and Your mercy is more hopeful than our deeds.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and lead us rightly to the good deeds and right doings…”

Her du’a on Wednesday

“O Allah, guard us by Your eye that does not sleep, by Your shelter that is beyond reach, and by Your great attributes. O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and his progeny, and keep for us what if other than You keeps, it will be lost, and cover for us what if other than You covers, it will be exposed, and make all that obedient to us, for You are the Hearing of du’a, Near, Responder…”

Her du’a on Thursday

“O Allah, I ask You for guidance, piety, chastity, and the doing of what You like and please.

p: 52

- Page52 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, I ask You from Your might for our weakness, from Your richness for our poverty, and from Your patience and knowledge for our ignorance.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and assist us in thanking, mentioning, obeying, and worshipping You by Your mercy, O You the Most Merciful of the merciful. ”

Her du’a on Friday

“O Allah, make us the nearest of those who come near to You, the best of those who turn to You, and the most successful of those who ask and supplicate You.

O Allah, make us from those who as if they see You until the Day of Resurrection when they will meet You, and do not make us die except on Your satisfaction.

O Allah, make us from those who are sincere to You in their deeds, and the most beloved to You from among all Your people.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and forgive us with definite forgiveness that we do not commit an error after it, nor do we engage in a sin or an offence.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad with growing, continuous, pure, successive, recurrent blessing by Your mercy, O You the Most Merciful of the merciful. ”[22]

You can easily see in these du’as the essence of Islam and the true faith in Allah that Fatima (a. s) had.

Her amulet

Fatima (a. s) sought the protection of Allah through this amulet that was written in it:

p: 53

- Page53 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

“In the name of Allah, O You the Ever-living, the Eternal, by Your mercy I ask for help; so help me and do not let me be deceived by my self for a twinkle of an eye at all, and repair all my affairs! ”[23]

Tasbih of Fatima (a. s)

After every prayer Fatima (a. s) offered, she recited the tasbih that the Prophet (a. s. ) had taught her only. Ameerul Mo'minin Imam Ali (a. s. ) said,

“Fatima was the most beloved one to her father. The quern had affected her hands. She carried water with the skin until it affected her neck. She swept the house until her clothes became dusty. She set fire under the cooking pot until her clothes darkened with smoke. She suffered some harm because of that. One day, we heard that some slaves were brought to the Prophet (a. s. ). I said to Fatima, ‘You could go to your father asking him for a servant to help you. ’ She went to her father but found him busy. She felt shy to ask him and then she came back. On the second day, the Prophet (a. s. ) came to Fatima’s house and asked her why she had come to him the day before, but she felt shy to tell him. I said, ‘By Allah, I shall tell you O messenger of Allah. She milled with the quern until her hands were affected, carried water with the skin until her neck was affected, swept the house until her clothes became dusty, and set fire under the cooking pot until her clothes darkened. We were informed that some slaves or servants were brought to you, and so I said to her to ask you for a servant. ’

p: 54

- Page54 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Shall I tell you about what is better than what you ask me for? When you go to bed, you recite thirty-four takbirs, thirty-three tasbihs, and thirty-three tahmids. [24] This is better for you than a servant. ”[25]

The Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) paid too much attention to this tasbih. They taught it to their sons and daughters as an educational method and spiritual nourishment. Imam as-Sadiq (a. s. ) said, ‘We teach our children the memorizing of this tasbih and reciting it after prayer and at sleeping. ’

Reciting this tasbih is a kind of glorification of Allah. Fatima (a. s) loyally practiced this tasbih and heartily kept on it since the moment when her father had taught it to her. She went to the tomb of her uncle, the eternal martyr Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, took a handful of soil from his tomb, and made the beads of her rosary by which she practiced this tasbih called as the “tasbih of Fatima”. Muslims imitated her in taking rosaries to glorify Allah with. When Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was martyred, the Shia made their rosaries from the soil of Kerbala where the imam was buried to practice with them the “tasbih of Fatima”. They also made, and still make, from the soil of Kerbala small dried pieces to prostrate on them in the prayers. Many traditions were transmitted from the infallible imams about the preference of this soil.

Fatima’s worship

(جدید)

The happiest times Fatima (a. s) had were the times when she communicated with her Lord in prayer. When she offered the prayer, her heart traveled high to the Divine Sphere, and her body shook out of the fear of her Lord.

After each prayer, Fatima (a. s) devotedly supplicated her Lord with some du’as. The following are some of those du’as:

Her du’a after the Dhuhr (noon) Prayer

When Fatima (a. s) finished the Dhuhr Prayer, she recited this du’a,

“Glory be to the Glorious, High, Sublime One. Glory be to the One of the great honor. Glory be to the One of the eternal, superior sovereignty.

Praise be to Allah by Whose blessing I have reached what I have had of the knowledge of Him, the doing for Him, the turning to Him, and the obeying of His command, and praise be to Allah Who has made me not deny anything of His Book, and not confused in anything of His affair, and praise be to Allah Who has guided me to His religion, and not made me worship anything else than Him.

O Allah, I ask You for the saying and the doing of repentants, the rescue and reward of mujahidin, the faith and reliance of believers, ease at death, and security at reckoning.

O Allah, make death the best absentee I am waiting for, and the best visitor that visits me, and endow me at the coming of death, at its attacking, at its pangs, and when the soul comes down from between the clavicles, and when it reaches the throat, and at my leaving this world, and at that moment when I have no power over any good or harm to myself, nor distress or ease, (endow me) with a mercy from Your mercy, and a share from Your contentment, and a good tiding from Your honor, before You take my life and make the Angel of Death dominate over my soul, with a good tiding from You!

p: 56

- Page56 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O my Lord, there is no one other than You that pleases by it (mercy and good tiding) my bosom, satisfies my soul, delights my eye, makes my face beams with joy, my complexion shine, my heart feel safe, and all my body rejoice at it that all those who see me from Your creation and hear about me from Your people envy me it. You make by it the agonies of death easy for me, relieve me from its grief, alleviate its severity, save me from its trouble, take away from me its grief and regret, keep me from its sorrow and sedition, protect me from its evil and the evil of that which comes to its (death) people, and endow me by it with its good and the good of that which comes with it and the good of that which will come after it.

And then if You make me die and take my soul, make my soul among the successful souls, and my spirit among the good spirits, and my body among the purified bodies, and make my deeds among the accepted deeds, and then grant me in my grave in the earth, and the place of my shield where my flesh is entombed, and my bone is buried, and I am left alone helplessly exiled by the land and deserted by people, and when I miss Your mercy, and need my good deeds, and meet what I have done for my afterlife and done in the days of my life, (grant me) a success from Your mercy, and a gleam from Your light, and a confirmation from Your honor with the firm word in this worldly life and in the hereafter, You cause the unjust to go astray and do what You pleases.

p: 57

- Page57 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then bless my resurrection and reckoning when the ground is split to me and people abandon me, the cry befalls me, the gust frightens me, and You resurrect me after death and send me for reckoning. Send with me, O my Lord, a light from Your mercy moving before me and on my right hand to reassure me with it, make my heart steadfast (with it) , show my excuse, honor my face, confirm my speech, declare my proof, take me to the firm handhold of Your mercy, and put me in the high rank of Your paradise, and grant me the companionship of Muhammad Your slave and messenger in the highest rank of the Paradise, and its best virtue, best gift, and most successful aspiration with those upon whom You have bestowed favors from among the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous, and a goodly company are they.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad the last of the prophets, and on all the prophets and the messengers, and all the angels, and on his good, pure progeny, and on all the imams of guidance; Amen, O Lord of the worlds.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad as You have guided us by him, have blessing on Muhammad as You have had mercy on us by him, have blessing on Muhammad as You have preferred us by him, have blessing on Muhammad as You have honored us by him, have blessing on Muhammad as you have enlightened us by him, and have blessing on Muhammad as You have saved us from a brink of an abyss of Fire.

p: 58

- Page58 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, honor his face, exalt his rank, make his authority prevail, perfect his light, make his scales heavy, confirm his proof, grant him until he is pleased, make him get to the high degree and means in the Paradise, take him to the praised position that You have promised him, make him the best of prophets and messengers to You in rank and means, make us follow him, give us to drink from his cup, make us get to his pond, resurrect us in his company, make us die on his religion, make us follow his paths, and carry out his Sunna being not abased, regretful, doubtful, or apostate.

O You, that Your door is opened for Your suppliants, and Your screen is raised for those who hope for You, O You, the Coverer of bad things, and Healer of wounded hearts, do not expose me in the stand of the (Day of) Resurrection with sins, and do not turn Your honored face away from me from among people.

O You, the aim of the distressed poor, and the Healer of broken bones, forgive me my great sins and what expose my inners, clean my heart from the burden of errors, and grant me with good preparedness for the coming of death.

O You the Most Generous of the generous, and the utmost hope of the begging ones, You are my Lord; You have opened to me the door of supplication and repentance, so do not close before me the door of acceptance and responding, and save me by Your mercy from Fire, put me up in the abodes of the Gardens, make me cling to the firmest handhold, make my end a happy one, and make me live with peace.

O Most Gracious, Most Perfect, Most Glorious, Most Lofty, do not let an enemy or envier rejoice at my misfortune, and do not let an oppressive ruler overpower me nor a mutinous devil, by Your mercy O the Most Merciful of the merciful, and there is no power save in Allah, the Most High, the Most Great, and may Allah have blessing and peace on Muhammad and his progeny. ”[26]

Her du’a after the Asr Prayer

After the Asr (afternoon) Prayer, Fatima (a. s. ) supplicated Allah with the following du’a:

“Glory be to Him Who is aware of what the hearts (minds) obtain! Glory be to Him who knows the exact count of sins! Glory be to Him Who nothing in the earth or in the heaven is unknown to him! Praise be to Allah Who has not made me ungrateful to His blessings, nor a denier to His favor. All good is from Him and He is the most fittest for it! Praise be to Him for His irrefutable authority over all that He has created from those who obey and do not obey Him. If He shows mercy, it is from His favor, and if He punishes, it is for what people themselves have committed, and Allah wills no injustice to His creatures.

Praise be to Allah the most high in place, of most exalted erection, of strongest pillars, of most glorious authority, most greatest position, of clear proof, the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Giver, the Benefactor.

Praise be to Allah Who has hidden from every creature that sees Him by the truth of Deity, and the power of Oneness; so sights cannot comprehend Him, nor can news include Him. No measurement can measure Him, and no mind can imagine Him because He is the Almighty Sovereign.

p: 60

- Page60 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, verily You see my place, hear my speech, know of my affairs, know what there is inside my soul, and nothing of my affairs is hidden to You. I have come to You offering my request, asking You for my need, beseeching You for my demand, and asking You due to poverty and neediness, meanness and distress, and misery and wretchedness.

You are the Lord Who is Generous of forgiveness; You can find another than me to punish him, but I cannot find another than You to forgive me. You can do without my punishment, but I cannot do without Your mercy. I beg You by my need to You and Your doing without me, and by Your power over me and my weakness before You to make my this supplication receive a response from You, and my this standing receive a mercy from You, and my this request receive a success. (O my Lord) whatever difficulty I fear, make it easy to me, and whatever failure I fear, afford it to me, and whoever from all the creatures intends evil to me, defeat him; Amen O the Most Merciful of the merciful. (O my Lord) make easy to me what I fear its severity, and relieve me from what I fear its distress, and make easy to me what I fear its hardship, Amen O the Lord of the Worlds!

O Allah, take self-deceit, hypocrisy, haughtiness, oppression, envy, weakness, doubtfulness, faintness, illnesses, diseases, treason, cunning, trickery, calamity, and corruption off my hearing and sight, and guide me to what You like and please, O the Most Merciful of the merciful.

p: 61

- Page61 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad and forgive my sin, cover my defect, calm down my fear, relieve my distress, suffice my poverty, make easy my need, pardon my slip, gather me with my family, and save me from all what may distress me; what is unknown to me, known to me, and all what I fear from You, O the Most Merciful of the merciful!

O Allah, I have entrusted my affairs to You, delivered my back to You, and handed over my self to You with all what I have committed against it out of fear and desire, and You are the Generous One that do not let down hope and do not disappoint supplication, so I ask You by the right of Your friend Abraham, and Your speaker (with) Moses, and Your soul Jesus, and Your choice and prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) not to keep Your Face away from me until You accept my repentance and forgive my errors, O the Most Merciful of the merciful!

O Allah, make my revenge on him who has oppressed me and give victory on him who has feuded me. O Allah, do not make my trial be in my faith, and do not make the worldly life be my foremost interest or the end of my knowledge!

O Allah, better my faith which is the protection of my affairs, and better my life in which my living is, and better my afterlife in which my resurrection will be there, and make life to me a growth in every good, and make death a relief to me from every evil!

p: 62

- Page62 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, You are the Most Pardoner and You love pardoning, so pardon me!

O Allah, make me live if You know that life is better to me, and make me die if death is better to me. I ask for (granting me) fearing You in absence and presence, and fairness at anger and satisfaction, and I ask You for (making me practice) economy in poverty and wealth, and I ask You for a bliss that does not cease, and delight that does not stop, and I ask You for satisfaction after (Your) judgment, and I ask You for the pleasure of the looking at Your Face.

O Allah, I ask You to guide me to my best affairs, and seek Your protection from the evil of my soul. O Allah, I have done wrong and been unjust to myself, so forgive me for that no one forgives sins except You. O Allah, I ask You to hasten Your hale to me, give me patience toward Your trial, and take me out of this life to Your mercy.

O Allah, I ask You, Your angels, the carriers of Your Throne, and all there is in the heavens and the earth to witness that You are Allah and there is no god but You alone with no partner, and that Muhammad is Your slave and messenger. O You, Who had been before the existence of anything, Who are the Creator of everything, and Who will exist after when there will be nothing existing.

p: 63

- Page63 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

And I ask You that praise is to You that there is no god but You, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

O Allah, to Your mercy I have raised my sight, and to Your bounty I have stretched my hand, so do not prevent me while I am begging You, and do not punish me while I am asking You to forgive me. O Allah, forgive me for You are aware of me, and do not punish me for You are powerful over me by Your mercy, O the Most Merciful of the merciful.

O Allah, the One of the vast mercy and the availing, exalting, and purifying prayer, bless the best one of Your people to You, the most beloved one of them to You, and the most prominent of them to You; Muhammad, Your slave and messenger, who has been preferred with the virtues of (being) the means, with the noblest, most perfect, most exalted, greatest, and the best blessings that You have ever blessed a messenger of You and a trustee with Your revelation by.

O Allah, as You have closed (ended) by him (Prophet Muhammad) blindness, and opened by him guidance, make the methods of his ways brilliance to us, and the proofs of his authority as means to us by which we come to You.

O Allah, praise be to You inasmuch as the seven heavens and their layers, and inasmuch as the seven earths and what there is between them, and inasmuch as the Throne of our Generous Lord and the scales of our Forgiving Lord, and inasmuch as the words of our Mighty Lord, and inasmuch as the Paradise and the Fire, and inasmuch as the number of soil, water, and all what is seen and what is not seen.

O Allah, make Your blessings, benediction, favor, forgiveness, mercy, pleasedness, peace, remembrance, light, honor, bounty, and good on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad as You had benediction, blessing, and mercy on Abraham and the progeny of Abraham, You are Praised, Glorious.

O Allah, give Muhammad the great means and the most benefic of Your reward in the end until You honor him on the Day of Resurrection, O the Lord of guidance.

O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad, and on all of Your angels, prophets, and messengers. Peace be on Gabriel, Michael, Israfel, the carriers of the Throne, Your Archangels, the noble recorders (angels) , the close angels, and peace be on all of Your angels.

Peace be on our father Adam and our mother Eve, and peace be on all the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs, and the righteous, and peace be on all the messengers, and praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, and there is no power save in Allah, the Most High, the Most Great. ”[27]

Her supplication after the Maghrib (sunset) Prayer

“Praise be to Allah Who sayers cannot come at His praise, and praise be to Allah Who counters cannot count His bounties, and praise be to Allah Who strivers cannot perform what He deserves.

There is no god but Allah, the First and the Last, and there is no god but Allah the Apparent and the Hidden, and there is no god but Allah the Giver of life and the Maker of death.

p: 65

- Page65 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Allah is Most Great of Might, and Allah is Most Great of Everlastingness.

Praise be to Allah Who knowers cannot come at His knowledge nor do the ignorant disparage His patience, nor can praisers come at His praise, nor can depicters depict His features, nor can creatures well describe Him.

Praise be to Allah, the Possessor of Dominion and Kingdom, of Might and Invincibility, of Honor and Glory, of Majesty and Magnificence, of Dignity and Beauty, of Power and Might, of Might and Strength, of Bounty and Dominance, of Favor and Influence, of Justice and Truth, of Creation and Exaltedness, of Sublimity and Grandeur, of Virtue and Wisdom, of Richness and Generosity, of Giving and Preventing, of Patience and Knowledge, of Irrefutable Argument, Ample Bounty, good, beautiful praise, gracious blessings, the King of the Life and the Afterlife, of the Paradise and the Fire and what there is in them, was He blessed and exalted.

Praise be to Allah Who knows the secrets of the unseen, and is aware of what hearts earn. There is no escape or runaway from Him.

Praise be to Allah the Lofty in His dominion, the Glorious in His place, the Predominant in His Kingdom, the Powerful in His seizing, the High above His Throne, the Aware of His creation, the Doer of whatever He wills by His knowledge. Praise be to Allah by Whose words the firmamental heavens have been erected, the plain earths have been fixed, the firm mountains have been set upright, the pollinating winds have been blown, the clouds have moved in the sphere of the sky, the seas have restrained at their boundaries, the hearts have been afraid of Him, and lords have submitted to his deity. Blessed You are, O the Counter of rain drops and tree leaves, and the Reviver of dead bodies for Resurrection.

p: 66

- Page66 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Glory be to You the Lord of Glory and Honor for whatever You do to the poor stranger when he comes to You resorting, calling for help, and for whatever You do to him who lodges in Your yard, looks forward to Your content, and resorts to You, and he kneels before You complaining to You of what is not unknown to You. O my Lord, let my chance in my supplication not be deprivation, and my share in what I hope from You not be disappointment!

O You Who had existed, is existing, and will exist as He has still been over every soul with what it has earned. O You Who has made the days of life to elapse, its months to change, and its years to turn while You are Everlasting that neither do times wear You out, nor do ages change You.

O You Whom each day with You is new and each sustenance with You is ready for the weak, the strong, and the severe. You have divided sustenance between the creatures and equaled the ant with the sparrow.

O Allah, if residing narrows to people, we seek Your protection from the narrowness of residence. O Allah, if the Day of Resurrection is prolonged to criminals, shorten that day to us as (the period) between a prayer and another. O Allah, if the sun becomes close to the skulls and there is between it and the skulls a measure of one mile and its heat is increased to the heat of ten years, we ask You to shade us with clouds, and erect for us pulpits and chairs to sit on and people get free in the place, Amen O the Lord of the Worlds.

p: 67

- Page67 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

I ask You, O Allah, by these praises to forgive me, pardon me, dress me with hale in my body, and safety in my religion.

I ask You and I am sure of Your response to my request, and I call upon You and I know of Your listening to my call, so listen to my supplication and do not end my hope, do not repel my praising, and do not disappoint my supplication. I am in need of Your content and I am poor to Your forgiving. I ask You and I am not desperate of Your mercy, and I call upon You and I am not safe from Your wrath.

O my Lord, respond to me and favor me with Your pardon, and make me die while I am Muslim, and join me to the righteous. O my Lord, do not prevent Your favor from reaching me O All Gracious, and do not entrust me to my self forlornly, O All Compassionate.

O my Lord, extend mercy, at the separation of lovers, to my dying, and at the quiet of the grave to my loneliness, and at the wild of (the day of) Resurrection to my forlornness, and before You standing for reckoning to my destitution.

O my Lord, I ask You to rescue me from Fire, so rescue me! O my Lord, I seek Your protection from Fire, so protect me! O my Lord, I resort to You from Fire, so take me away (from it)! O my Lord, I seek Your mercy out of my distress, so have mercy on me! O my Lord, I ask You to forgive me what I have been ignorant of, so forgive me! O my Lord, supplication has taken me forth for the need to You, so do not disappoint me, O You the Generous One of favors, charity, and pardoning!

p: 68

- Page68 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O my Lord, Beneficent, Merciful, respond to my call from among the suppliants to You, and pity, from among the weepers, my tear, and make in the meeting with You, on the day when I leave this world, my relief, and cover among the dead, O the Great Hoped One, my defect, and pity me at the going alone to my hole (grave) , You are my hope, the place of need, and the Knower of what I want in directing my request.

O the Provider of needs, provide my need! To You is the complaint and You are the Helper and the Hoped One. I escape to You from sins, so receive me, and I resort from Your justice

to Your forgiveness, so apprehend me, and I resort to Your pardon from Your punishment, so protect me, and I hope Your mercy against Your punition, so save me, and I want the closeness to You by Islam, so approach me (to You) , and from the great horror keep me safe, and in the shadow of Your Throne shade me, and two portions of Your mercy grant to me, and from this world safe protect me, and from darkness to light take me out, and on the Day of Resurrection honor me and with easy reckoning reckon with me, and do not expose me with my hidden defects, and against Your trials make me patient, and as You had kept impurity and unchastity away from Yousuf (Joseph) , keep it away from me, and whatever I cannot bear do not burden me with, and to the Abode of Peace guide me, and by the Qur'an benefit me, and by the true saying fix me, and from the cursed Satan save me, and by Your power, might, and dominance protect me, and by Your patience, knowledge, and vast mercy deliver me, and in Your Garden of Paradise house me, and with the looking at Your face endow me, and to Your prophet Muhammad join me, and from devils, their followers, and from the evil of every evildoer rescue me!

p: 69

- Page69 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, and my enemies and whoever intends evil against me if they come by land, coward their brave, scatter their gathering, blunt their weapons, hamstring their mounts, afflict them with storms and thunderbolts forever until You put them into Fire, degrade them from their forts, and make us dominate over them, Amen O the Lord of the Worlds.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad with a blessing with which bear witness the first ones of the righteous, the master of the messengers, the last of the prophets, the leader of good, and the key of mercy.

O Allah, the Lord of the Inviolable House and the inviolable month, the Lord of the Sacred Monument, the Lord of the Pillar and the Temple (of Abraham) , and the Lord of consecration and the breaking of consecration, send to the soul of Muhammad from us the greeting and peace.

Peace be on you O messenger of Allah. Peace be on you O the trustee of Allah. Peace be on You O Muhammad son of Abdullah. Peace be on you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. He is, as You have described him, to the believers most kind and merciful.

O Allah, give him (Muhammad) the best of what he has asked You for, and the best of what You have been prayed for him, and the best of what is prayed for him until the Day of Resurrection, Amen O the Lord of the Worlds. ”[28]

Her supplication after the Isha (evening) Prayer

p: 70

- Page70 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Glory be to Him that everything is humble to His greatness. Glory be to Him that everything is low to His glory. Glory be to Him that everything submits to His command and dominance. Glory be to Him that all affairs with their reins are subdued to Him.

Praise be to Allah Who does not forget whoever remembers Him. Praise be to Allah that whoever calls upon Him is not disappointed. Praise be to Allah Who suffices whoever relies on Him.

Praise be to Allah the Raiser of the heaven, the Leveler of the earth, the Blocker of seas, the Piler of mountains, the Creator of living beings, the Maker of trees, the Splitter of springs of the ground, the Manager of affairs, the Driver of clouds, the Guider of winds, water, and fire from the bottoms of the earth rising in the space, and the Downer of hot and cold, by Whose blessing good deeds are completed, and by thanking Him increases are deserved, and by Whose command the heavens have been established, and by Whose glory mountains have stabilized, beasts in the deserts and birds in nests are glorifying.

Praise be to Allah the Highest of ranks, the Revealer of signs, the Great in blessings, the Coverer of defects, the Accepter of good deeds, the Pardoner of errors, the Reliever of distresses, the Giver of blessings, the Responder to prayers, the Reviver of the dead, and the god of whatever in the earth and the heavens.

Praise be to Allah for every praise and remembrance, every thanking and patience, every prayer and zakat, every reverence and worship, every happiness and blessing, every increase and mercy, every bounty, honor, and obligation, every joy and distress, every grief and ease, every calamity and affliction, every ease and difficulty, every wealth and poverty, and in any case and at any occasion and time, and in any abode, resort, and residence.

p: 71

- Page71 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, I am resorting to You, so shelter me, and I am seeking Your protection, so protect me, and asking for Your assistance, so assist me, and calling for Your help, so help me, and praying You, so respond to me, and asking You for forgiveness, so forgive me, seeking Your victory, so render victory to me, and asking You for guidance, so guide me, and relying on You alone, so suffice me, and seeking refuge with You, so house me, and clinking to Your covenant, so save me, and depending on You, so suffice me, and make me in Your protection, guard, refuge, shelter, watch, security, sanctum, safety, under Your shadow, and under Your wing.

(O Allah) make on me a protective shield from You, and make Your guard, watch, security, and protection from behind and before me, and on my right, my left, from above, under, and around me so that no one from the creatures can reach me with evil and harm. There is no god but You. You are the All-Gracious, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of Glory and Honor.

O Allah, suffice me against the envy of enviers, the wronging of wrongdoers, the plotting of plotters, the cunning of cunning ones, the tricks of trickers, the assassination of assassinators, the backbiting of backbiters, the injustice of the unjust, the oppression of oppressors, the aggression of aggressors, the despise of despisers, the frowning of frowners, the attack of attackers, the stinginess of the stingy, the unfairness of the unfair, the erring of the erring ones, the slander of slanderers, the talebearing of talebearers, the magic of magicians, devils, and Satan, and the oppression of rulers, and the evil of all people.

p: 72

- Page72 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, I ask You by Your retained, good, pure name by which the heavens and the earth have been set, to which darkness has shone and the angels have glorified, and from which hearts are afraid, and necks have submitted, and by which You have revived the dead, (I ask You) to forgive me every error I have committed in the darkness of night and in the light of day intendedly or inattentively, secretly or openly, and to endow me with certainty, guidance, light, knowledge, and understanding so that I fulfill Your Book, follow what You have made lawful, refrain from what You have made unlawful, carry out Your obligations, and fulfill the Sunna of Your Prophet Muhammad.

O Allah, join me to the righteous of those who had passed away, make me from the righteous of those who have remained, and end my deeds with the best of them, You are Forgiving, Merciful.

O Allah, if my age ends, the days of my life elapses, and it is inevitable for me to meet You, I ask You O Most Kind to give me from the Paradise an abode that the first ones and the last ones envy me it.

O Allah, accept my praising, and pity my beseeching and my confession against myself, for I have made You hear my voice from among the suppliants, and my devotion among the devotees, my praising among the speakers, and my glorifications among the praisers, and You are the Responder to the distressed, the Assistant of those who ask for assistance, the Helper of the desirous, the Resort of the runners away, the Succorer of the believers, and the Pardoner of sinners, and may Allah have blessings on the bringer of good tidings and the warner, and the shining lantern (Prophet Muhammad) , and on all the angels and the prophets.

p: 73

- Page73 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O Allah, the Expander of the expanded things, the Creator of the high (heavens) , the Molder of hearts on their natures; the happy and unhappy ones, make the noblest of Your blessings, the greatest of Your benedictions, and the most honorable of Your greetings on Muhammad Your slave, messenger, and trustee over Your revelation, the undertaker of Your authority, the defender of Your sanctum, the announcer of Your command, the declarer of Your signs, and the fulfiller of Your vow.

O Allah, grant him (Muhammad) for every virtue of his virtues, attribute of his attributes, state of his states, and a position of his positions in which You have seen Muhammad a helper to You, patient with Your bitter trials, an enemy to whoever has feuded You, a supporter to whoever has supported You, faraway from what You have hated, and a caller for what You have liked, (grant him) with favors from Your reward, and special gifts from Your gifts and preference by which You honor his affair and exalt his rank with the achievers of Your justice and the defenders of Your sanctum, until no sublimity, splendor, mercy, and glory remain but You grant to Muhammad, and take him to the highest of ranks and most exalted of positions, Amen O the Lord of the worlds.

O Allah, I entrust You with my religion, soul, and all Your bounties on me. O Allah, make me in Your protection, security, glory, and guard. Glorious is the resorter to You, sublime is Your praise, sanctified are Your attributes, and there is no god but You. Sufficient to me You are in prosperity and misfortune, ease and distress, and Most Excellent is He Whom we rely on.

p: 74

- Page74 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

O our Lord, on You we have relied, to You we have turned, and to You is the returning. O our Lord, do not make us a lure to those who have disbelieved, and forgive us, You are the Mighty, Wise.

O our Lord, turn away from us the punishment of hell, surely the punishment thereof is a lasting anguish. Surely, it is an evil abode, and an evil place to rest in. Our lord, decide between us and our people with truth, and You are the best of deciders.

Our Lord, we have believed; therefore, forgive us our sins, and remit from us our evil deeds, and make us die with the righteous. Our Lord, and grant us what You have promised us by Your messengers, and disgrace us not on the day of resurrection; surely You do not fail to perform the promise.

Our Lord, do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake. Our Lord, do not lay on us a burden as You did lay on those before us. Our Lord, do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear, and pardon us and grant us protection and have mercy on us, You are our Patron, so help us against the unbelieving people.

Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire, and may Allah have blessing and peace on our master Muhammad the Prophet and on his pure progeny. ”[29]

Footnote

[1] Tafsir of ar-Razi, vol. 6 p. 783, Tafsir of ibn Jarir, Musnad of Ahmed bin Hanbal, vol. 4 p. 107, Sunan of al-Bayhaqi, vol. 2 p. 14, al-Khasa’iss of an-Nassa’iy, p. 33, al-Khasa’iss al-Kubra, vol. 2 p. 264, ar-Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 188, Mushkil al-Aathar, vol. 1 p. 324.

[2] Ansar means helpers; the people of Medina who believed and supported the Prophet (a. s. ) when he emigrated to Medina from Mecca.

[3] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 9 p. 266.

[4] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 2 p. 16.

[5] Fatima az-Zahra’ Bahjat Qalb al-Mustafa, p. 274.

[6] Safeenat al-Bihar, vol. 1 p. 571.

[7] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 91.

[8] Al-Ja’fariyyat, p. 95.

[9] Fee Rihab Ahlul Bayt, p. 205.

[10] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 84.

[11] Ibid. , vol. 68 p. 184.

[12] Fatima Ummu Abeeha, p. 64.

[13] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 94 p. 225.

[14] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 9 p. 571.

[15] Tasbih is saying “subhanallah; glory be to Allah”.

[16] Da’awat ar-Rawandi, p. 91.

[17] Ibid. , p. 54, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 92 p. 196.

[18] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 92 p. 297.

[19] Ibid. , vol. 43 p. 67-68.

[20] Muhaj ad-Da’awat, p. 141-142.

[21] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 283, ad-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 4 p. 208.

[22] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 90 p. 338-339.

[23] Al-Baqiyat as-Salihat, p. 429.

[24] Takbir is the reciting of “allahu Akbar; Allah is great”, tasbih is the reciting of “subhanallah; glory be to Allah”, and tahmid is the reciting of “al-hamdulillah; praise be to Allah”.

[25] Sunan of Abu Dawud, vol. 2 p. 489-490, Sahih of al-Bukhari, vol. 4 p. 208.

[26] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 173.

[27] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 203.

[28] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 238.

[29] Falah as-Sa’il, p. 251, 254.

Fatima in the Qur’an and the Sunna

Fatima in the Qur’an and the Sunna

p: 76

- Page76 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Fatima (a. s) had been extolled and praised in the Book of Allah and in the Sunna of His prophet. She was one of the shining suns that undertook the mission of Allah and took on the values, principles, and aims of Islam. She struggled for the sake of Allah and in the way of Islam until the last breath.

Her position in the Qur'an

Many verses had been revealed in the Holy Qur'an praising the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) at the head of whom Fatima (a. s) was. The following are some of those verses:

The verse of Mawaddah

Allah has said, (Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful. 42: 23).

In the Qur'an, Allah has imposed the love to the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) on all Muslims. Narrators said that the “near relatives” mentioned in the verse referred to Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn.

1. Ibn Abbas said,

‘When this verse was revealed, the messenger of Allah was asked, ‘Who are your relatives that you have ordered us to love? ’

He said, ‘Ali, Fatima, and their two sons. ’[1]

2. Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari said,

‘One day, a nomad came to the Prophet (a. s. ) and said, ‘O Muhammad, offer Islam to me! ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘You should bear witness that there is no god but Allah, Who is One and Only with no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. ’

p: 77

- Page77 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The nomad asked, ‘Do you ask me for a recompense for it? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘No, except love to the relatives. ’

The nomad asked, ‘My relatives or your relatives? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘My relatives. ’

The nomad said to the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘Give me your hand to pay homage to you. On whoever does not love you and not love your relatives the curse of Allah be! ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Amen! ’[2]

3. Ibn Abbas said,

‘When this verse was revealed, some people, in whose hearts there was a disease, said, ‘He (the Prophet) does not want except to make us submit to his relatives after him. ’

Gabriel told the Prophet (a. s. ) that some people had accused him and so Allah revealed the following verse about them, (Or do they say: He has forged a lie against Allah? 42: 24). Then, those people said, ‘O messenger of Allah, you are truthful. ’[3]

4. The Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) confirmed that the verse had been revealed about them.

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘The “Ha Mim”[4] is about us. It is the verse that no one keeps our love except the believers. ’ Then he recited the verse, (Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives). [5]

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) said in one of his sermons, ‘I am from the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) whom Allah has imposed their love on every Muslim when He said, (Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein). The earning of good is the love to us the Ahlul Bayt (a. s). ’[6]

p: 78

- Page78 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When Imam Zaynol Aabidin (as-Sajjad) (a. s. ) was brought captive to Yazid bin Mo’awiya in Damascus, an ignorant man came and said to him (Imam as-Sajjad) , ‘Praise be to Allah Who killed and uproot you, and cut off the cause of sedition. ’

Imam Zaynol Aabidin (a. s. ) said kindly to him, ‘Have you read the Qur'an? ’

The man said, ‘Yes, I have. ’

The Imam said, ‘Have you read the “Ha Mim”? ’

The man said, ‘I have read the Qur'an but I have not read the “Ha Mim”. ’

The Imam said, ‘Have you not read , (Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives)? ’

The man was astonished and said to the imam, ‘Are they you? ’

Imam Zaynol Aabidin (a. s. ) said, ‘Yes. ’[7]

The man left feeling too regretful for the bad word he said to the Imam.

Al-Fakhr ar-Razi said, ‘If this is proved (that this verse concerns the Ahlul Bayt) , then they must be glorified and highly revered…there are many proofs leading to this:

The first is the saying of Allah (but love to the near relatives) … Definitely, the relation between the Prophet (a. s. ) and Fatima, Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn was the strongest, and this shows that they were his near relatives.

The second is that there is no doubt that the Prophet (a. s. ) loved Fatima (a. s) when he said, ‘Fatima is a part from me. Whatever harms her harms me. ’ It is also proved by recurrent traditions transmitted from Prophet Muhammad (a. s. ) that he loved Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn. Since this is proved, therefore, all the nation must do as the Prophet (a. s. ) did, for Allah has said, (and follow him (the Prophet) that haply you may be led aright. 7: 158) , and (…therefore let those beware who go against his order lest a trial afflict them or there befall them a painful chastisement. 24: 63) , and (Say: If you love Allah, then follow me, Allah will love you and forgive you your faults. 3: 31) , and (Certainly you have in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exemplar. 33: 21).

p: 79

- Page79 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The third is that the prayer for the Aal (near relatives of the Prophet) is of a great rank, therefore, Allah has made it obligatory at the end of tashahhud,[8] that is to say: O Allah, have blessing on Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad. ’[9]

The verse of Abrar

Allah has said, (Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor. A fountain from which the servants of Allah shall drink; they make it to flow a (goodly) flowing forth. They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Him to the poor and the orphan and the captive. We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. 76: 5-9).

Commentators say that the Sura of “hal ata” was revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ). [10]

The cause of the revelation of this verse was that one day Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (when children yet) became ill. The Prophet (a. s. ) , with some of his companions, visited them and asked Imam Ali (a. s. ) to vow a fasting for Allah. He vowed to fast for three days when his two sons would recover. Fatima (a. s) and her servant Fiddha vowed to do the same. When Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) restored to health, the all fasted. Imam Ali (a. s. ) had no money to buy food for their iftar. [11] He borrowed some barley.

Fatima (a. s) milled and baked some of that barley for the iftar of the first day of their fasting. When it was time for iftar, a poor man knocked the door asking for some food. All members of the family gave their shares to the poor man and spent their night with no food. On the second day and at the time of iftar, an orphan knocked the door asking for some food. They all gave him their shares of food and spent the second night having nothing save water. On the third day, Fatima (a. s) milled and baked the rest of barley. At the time of iftar, a captive knocked the door asking for some food, and they did the same as they did on the two previous days. On the fourth day, the Prophet (a. s. ) came to them and saw them very weak and suffering hunger. He said painfully, ‘O my Lord! The people of the house of Muhammad are starving. ’

p: 80

- Page80 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

At those moments, Gabriel came down to the Prophet (a. s. ) carrying with him these verses as reward from the Generous Giver for these great people. (Therefore Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness. And reward them, because they were patient, with garden and silk. Reclining therein on raised couches, they shall find therein neither (the severe heat of) the sun nor bitter cold. 76: 11-13)

The verse of Tat’hir

From the Qur’anic verses that have been revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) is the verse of Tat’hir (purification). Allah has said,

(Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. 33: 33).

All commentators say that this verse was revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) who were the five persons of the kisa’ (garment). [12] They said it was revealed about the messenger of Allah, Imam Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn (peace be on them) only, and no anyone of the Prophet’s wives or companions other than these five persons.

Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, said, “This verse was revealed in my house when there were in the house Fatima, Ali, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn. The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) covered them with a garment that was on him and said, ‘O Allah, these are the people of my house. Keep uncleanness away from them and purify them a thorough purification! ’

I said, ‘Am I with you, O messenger of Allah? ’ I lifted the garment to enter with them, but the messenger of Allah kindly drew the garment and said to me, ‘You are to good. ”[13]

p: 81

- Page81 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Ibn Abbas said, “I saw the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) everyday for seven months come to the door (house) of Ali bin Abi Talib at the time of prayer saying, ‘Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be on you, the people of the house. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. Prayer! May Allah have mercy on You. ’ He did that five times every day. ”[14]

Anas bin Malik said, “The Prophet (a. s. ) came to the door (house) of Fatima (everyday) for six months when he went to offer the Fajr (dawn) Prayer (in the mosque) saying, ‘Prayer, O people of the house! Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. ”[15]

Abu Barza said, “I offered prayers with the messenger of Allah for seven months. Whenever he went out of his house, he came to the door of Fatima and said, ‘Peace be on you. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying. ”[16]

Imam al-Hasan, in one of his sermons, said, ‘I am from the people of the house whom Gabriel came down to and came up from, and I am from the people of the house whom Allah has kept uncleanness away from and purified a thorough purification. ’[17]

There are many traditions transmitted from the pure progeny of the Prophet (a. s. ) showing that the verse concerned them only and no anyone other than them. We have mentioned some important studies on the verse in the first chapter of our book “the Life of Imam al-Husayn bin Ali”.

The Verse of Mubahalah

One of the verses that Allah had revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) was the verse of mubahalah which recites:

(But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and ourselves and yourselves, then let us be earnest in prayer, and invoke the curse of Allah on the liars. 3: 61).

All commentators and narrators of Hadith say that this verse was revealed about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ). [18] What is meant by (our sons) is Imam al-Hasan and Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) , (our women) is Fatima (a. s) , and (ourselves) is Imam Ali (a. s. )

The verse was revealed on a very important historical event that took place between the Prophet (a. s. ) and the Christian clergymen. Once, a delegation of the chiefs of the Christians came to the Prophet (a. s. ) to argue with him on Islam. After a long argument, they agreed to pray Allah earnestly and invoke His curse to be on those who lie. They assigned a time for mubahala (mutual imprecation) and when the time came, the Prophet (a. s. ) chose for mubahala the best ones of all the creatures of Allah. They were his family; his dear daughter Fatima (a. s) , his cousin and son-in-law Ali (a. s. ) , and his two grandsons al-Hasan and al- Husayn (a. s. ).

The Prophet (a. s. ) with his family came to the place of mubahala, and the delegation of the Christians, headed by as-Sayyid and al-Aaqib and accompanied with horsemen from bani al-Harth, came in a wonderful procession. Masses of people crowded in the place waiting for the important event.

p: 83

- Page83 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When the Christians saw the Prophet (a. s. ) with his family who were highly glorified and revered by all people, their hearts were filled with fear and horror. The Prophet (a. s. ) knelt submissively before Allah the Almighty getting ready for the mubahala. As-Sayyid and al-Aaqib approached him saying,

‘O Abul Qassim, by whom do you imprecate us? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘I imprecate you by the best ones of the people of the earth and the most preferred by Allah. ’ He pointed to Imam Ali, his wife Fatima, and his two sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn (peace be on them).

They said to him, ‘Why do you not imprecate us by the notable and important people who have believed and followed you? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) confirmed to them that his family were the best ones at all, saying, ‘Yes, I imprecate you by these ones who are the best of the people of the earth and the most preferred to all creatures. ’

Horror and fear occupied the Christians’ hearts and they hastened towards their chief the bishop who said to them, ‘I see faces that if some one asks Allah by them to remove a mountain from its place, He will do. ’

The bishop feared for the Christians from perishment if the Prophet (a. s. ) would imprecate them. He said to his two fellows, ‘Do you not see Muhammad raising his hands waiting for what you shall do? By Jesus, if his mouth utters a word, we shall never go back to family or property! ’

p: 84

- Page84 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then he said to his people, ‘Do you not see that the sun has changed, dark clouds are coming in the horizon, black and red winds have begun blowing, and smoke is coming up from these mountains? Torment has come to us. Look at the birds how they spew their

craws, the trees how their leaves fall down, and the ground how it shakes under our feet! ’

The bishop was certain that his people would perish and therefore, he prevented them from that mubahala. The Christian delegation asked the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘O Abul Qassim, exempt us, may Allah exempt you! ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) addressed the Christians and the Muslims saying, ‘By Him in Whose hand my soul is, torment was about to afflict the people of Najran,[19] and if they did not give up, they would be metamorphosed into monkeys and pigs, and the valley would be burnt with fire on them, and Allah would remove Najran and its people and even birds on trees, and the new year would not come to all Christians. ’[20]

They submitted to the conditions of the Prophet (a. s. ) and they went back to their country while their hearts were full of respect and reverence to the Prophet (a. s. ) and to his family for the high position they had near Allah.

Anyhow, this event showed the importance of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) and that they had no equal at all in the Muslim society which was full of sincere believers who struggled devotedly for the sake of Islam. If the Prophet (a. s. ) found ones like or better than his family, he would not prefer his family to them. Besides, he did not invite anyone from his close relatives such as his uncle al-Abbas or anyone from the Hashimites, nor did he invite any of his wives, nor his aunt Safiyya to join them with his daughter Fatima (a. s) , nor anyone else at all.

p: 85

- Page85 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Of course, no one of Muslim men and Muslim women was equal to the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) whom Allah had honored and preferred to all of His creation.

In the Sunna

In the Prophetic Sunna there are many traditions the Prophet (a. s. ) had said about the virtue and the high position of Fatima (a. s) the principal of all women of the worlds where he mentioned her either by the name or implicitly for she is from the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) and all the traditions about the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) include her.

The following are some of those traditions:

1. Imam Ali (a. s. ) said that the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) said to Fatima (a. s) , ‘Allah is displeased for your displeasure and pleased for your pleasure. ’[21]

2. Imam Ali (a. s. ) narrated that the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) said to Fatima (a. s) , ‘The Lord is displeased for your displeasure and pleased for your pleasure. ’[22]

3. Musawwir bin Makhramah narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said to Fatima (a. s) , ‘Fatima is a part from me. Whoever displeases her displeases me. ’[23]

4. Musawwir bin Makhramah narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Fatima is a part from me. Whatever troubles her troubles me and whatever harms her harms me. ’[24]

5. Musawwir bin Makhramah narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Fatima is but a branch from me. Whatever delights her delights me, and whatever depresses her depresses me. ’[25]

6. Abdullah bin az-Zubayr narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Verily Fatima is a part from me. Whatever harms her harms me, and whatever irritates her irritates me. ’[26]

p: 86

- Page86 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

These traditions show the same meaning. It is that Fatima (a. s) had occupied her father’s feelings until he compared her pleasure to his pleasure and her displeasure to his. It is a great position that no woman has ever got.

6. Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The first person, who shall enter Paradise, is Fatima (peace be on her). ’[27]

7. Imam Ali (a. s. ) narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘On the Day of Resurrection, my daughter Fatima will be resurrected while wearing the garment of honor that will have been kneaded with the water of life. Creatures will look at her and will be astonished. Then, she will be clothed with a garment from the garments of Paradise. On one thousand garments there will be written: “Take the daughter of Muhammad into Paradise in the best way, most perfect reverence, fullest honor, and the best luck. ’[28]

8. Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) held Fatima’s hand and said before Muslims, ‘He, who has known Fatima has known her, and he, who has not (let him know her) ; she is Fatima bint Muhammad. She is a part from me and she is my heart and my soul that is between my two sides. Whoever harms her harms me, and whoever harms me harms Allah. ’[29]

9. Ahmad bin Hanbal mentioned in his Musnad that the Prophet (a. s. ) had said to his daughter Fatima (a. s) , ‘May your father be sacrificed for you! ’ He repeated that three times. [30]

10. Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Fatima is the delight of my heart, her two sons are the fruit of my soul, her husband is the light of my sight, and the imams of her progeny are the guardians of my Lord and His rope that is extended between Him and His people. Whoever keeps to it will be safe, and whoever lags behind it will perish. ’[31]

11. He also narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Fatima is a branch from me. Whatever distresses her distresses me, and whatever pleases her pleases me. ’[32]

12. The Prophet (a. s. ) said to Imam Ali (a. s. ) , ‘You will be with me in my place in the Paradise with my daughter Fatima. You are my brother and companion. ’ Then he recited this verse, (as brethren, on raised couches, face to face. 15: 47). ’[33]

Traditions About the pure progeny

Many traditions have been transmitted from the Prophet (a. s. ) talking about the preference and high position of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) and the obligation of following them. The following are some of them:

1. The tradition of ath-Thaqalayn

It is a true tradition that has been mentioned in all books of Hadith and it is famous among all Muslims.

Zayd bin Arqam narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said,

“I will leave for you the two weighty things that if you keep to them, you shall not go astray after me at all. One of them is greater than the other; the Book of Allah that is a cord extended from the Heaven to the earth, and my progeny. They will not separate until they will come to me at the Pond (in Paradise). So see how you will obey me in dealing with them. ”[34]

Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari said, ‘I saw the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) on the day of Arafa during offering the hajj preaching from on his she-camel and saying,

p: 88

- Page88 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

“O people, I have left for you what if you follow, you shall never go astray; the Book of Allah and my progeny. ”[35]

Zayd bin Arqam said, “The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) stayed at al-Juhfa, and then he came to people, praised Allah and said, ‘I have not found for any prophet except the half of the age of the one who was before him. And I am about to be called upon (to die). So what do you say? ’

People said, ‘You have been sincere to us. ’

Then he said, ‘Do you not bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, and that Paradise is true and Fire is true? ’

They all said, ‘We bear witness. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘I will precede you to the pond (in Paradise) , and you will come to me at the pond whose wide is as between Sana’a and Busra,[36] and it has silver cups as much as the number of stars. See how you will be loyal to me in dealing with the two weighty things! ’

Someone asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, what are the two weighty things? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The Book of Allah; one side is in the hand of Allah and the other side is in your hands so keep to it, and the other (weighty) thing is my family. The kind, the wise (Gabriel) has told me that they (the Qur’an and my family) will not separate until they will come to me at the pond (in Paradise) , and I have asked my Lord to grant me that. Do not precede them lest you perish and do not lag behind them, and do not teach them because they are more knowledgeable than you…’

p: 89

- Page89 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then he took Imam Ali’s hand and said, ‘Whoever I am worthier of him than himself, let Ali be his guardian. O Allah, be a guardian to whoever follows him and an enemy to whoever opposes him! ’[37]

Once again when being in the deathbed, the Prophet (a. s. ) said to his companions, ‘O people, I am about to be made die soon and taken. I had advised you to be excused before you. I have left to you the Book of my Lord the Almighty and my progeny the people of my house. ’

Then he took Imam Ali’s hand and said, ‘Ali is with the Qur'an and the Qur'an is with Ali. They will never separate until they will come to me at the pond (in the Paradise). ’[38]

This tradition is one of the truest traditions in its sanad. [39] Al-Manawi quoted from as-Samhudi his saying, ‘…in this subject there is more than twenty companions that all of them have narrated this tradition. ’[40]

Ibn Hajar said, ‘This tradition has been narrated in many ways from more than twenty companions. ’[41]

The tradition proves the infallibility of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) from any sin or deviation because the Prophet (a. s. ) had compared them to the Holy Book of Allah, and, of course, every deviation in the conducts of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) is considered as a separation from the Book of Allah, whereas the Prophet (a. s. ) had announced that they (the Book of Allah and the Ahlul Bayt) would never separate until they would come to him at the Pond in the Paradise.

p: 90

- Page90 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

3. The tradition of as-Safeenah (the Ark)

Abu Sa’eed al-Khidri said, “I heard the Prophet (a. s. ) saying, ‘Verily, the example of my family among you is like the example of the Ark of Noah. Whoever rode on it was saved and whoever lagged behind it drowned and perished. Verily, the example of my family among you is like the Gate of Hitta (repentance) of the Israelites. Whoever entered through it was forgiven. ’[42]

This tradition announces the great importance of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) and by keeping to them the nation is saved from drowning in the abysses of life.

Sayyid Sharafuddeen al-Aamily says, “You know that likening them with the Ark of Noah implies that whoever resorts to them in matters related to the creed, deriving the branches and basics of religion from their virtuous Imams, will certainly be saved from the fire of hell, and whoever lags behind them is like one who seeks shelter during the flood with a mountain so that it may save him from Allah's destiny, but he will eventually be drowned in water while the first will be hurled in the hellfire, may Allah protect us from it.

The reason why they, peace be upon them, are compared to the Gate of Salvation is that Allah has made that Gate a symbol of humility before His Greatness and submission to His Judgment; therefore, it becomes a reason for forgiveness. This is the reason for the similitude. Ibn Hajar, after quoting these and other similar traditions, says, “The reason for their similitude to the Ark is that whoever loves and highly respects them as means of thanking the One Who gave them honors, following the guidance of their learned men, will be saved from the darkness of dissension, and whoever lags behind them is drowned in the sea of ingratitude and will perish in the paths of tyranny. ” Then he adds the following: “As to the Gate of Salvation (meaning their similitude to the Gate of Salvation) , Allah has made entering that gate, which probably was the gate of Jericho or of Jerusalem, in humility, seeking forgiveness, a reason for salvation, and He (likewise) has made the love to the Ahlul Bayt a reason for this nation’s salvation. ”[43]

p: 91

- Page91 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

3. The tradition of Amaan

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, “Stars are security (amaan) for the inhabitants of the earth against drowning, and my family (the Ahlul Bayt) are security for my nation against dissension (in religious matters). If a tribe among the Arabs differs (regarding religion) from them, they will all then differ and become the party of Iblis. ”[44]

4. The Prophet (a. s. ) said to Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn (peace be on them) , “I declare war against whoever fights you, and peace unto whoever is peaceful to you. ’[45]

Abu Bakr said, “Once, I saw the messenger of Allah leaning on an Arabic bow and inside the tent there were Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan, and al-Husayn. He said, ‘O folks of Muslims, I declare peace unto whoever is peaceful to the people of this tent and a war against whoever fights them, and I am a guardian to whoever follow them. No one loves them except a lucky one, and no one hates them except an unfortunate one of bad birth. ’”[46]

5. Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) held al-Hasan and al-Husayn’s hands and said, ‘Whoever loves me, loves these two ones, and their father and mother will be with me in my rank on the Day of Resurrection. ’[47]

6. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Knowing the family of Muhammad gives one salvation from Fire, loving the family of Muhammad makes one pass across the Sirat,[48] and following the family of Muhammad makes one safe from torment. ’[49]

7. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The two feet of one will not move (on the Day of Resurrection) before he will be asked about four things; about his age how he has spent it, his body how he has worn it out, his wealth on what he has spent it and where from he has gained it, and about our love, we the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ). ’[50]

p: 92

- Page92 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

8. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Make my family among you as the head to the body, and as the two eyes to the head, for the head cannot be guided except by the two eyes. ’[51]

9. The Prophet (a. s. ) said,

‘Whoever dies because of his love for the progeny of Muhammad dies a martyr. Whoever dies because of his love for the progeny of Muhammad dies after being forgiven. Whoever dies because of the love for the progeny of Muhammad dies as repentant. Whoever dies because of the love for the progeny of Muhammad dies as a believer of a perfect faith. Whoever dies for loving the progeny of Muhammad will be given the glad tiding of entering the Paradise by the angel of death, and then by Munkar and Nakeer. Whoever dies for loving the progeny of Muhammad will be taken to the Paradise like a bride taken to her groom’s house. Whoever dies for loving the progeny of Muhammad will have two doors in his grave overlooking the Paradise. Whoever dies for the love of the progeny of Muhammad Allah will make his grave a visiting place for the angels of the Merciful One. Whoever dies for loving the progeny of Muhammad dies adhering to the Sunna and the consensus. Whoever dies hating the progeny of Muhammad will come on the Day of Resurrection written between his eyes: “He should despair of Allah’s mercy. ’[52]

The mentioned above are just some of the traditions transmitted from the Prophet (a. s. ) and mentioned in the books of Hadith that talk about the virtue and high rank of the Prophet’s progeny including his daughter Fatima (a. s. ).

Footnote

[1] Majma’ az-Zawa’id, vol. 7 p. 103, Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. 25, Noor al-Absar, p. 101.

[2] Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 3 p. 201.

[3] As-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, p. 102.

[4] It is the first verse in the Sura that contains the “verse of Mawaddah”.

[5] The Life of Imam al-Husayn bin Ali, vol. 1 p. 68, quoted from Kanzol Ummal, vol. 1 p. 218.

[6] The Life of Imam al-Husayn bin Ali, vol. 1 p. 67.

[7] Tafsir of at-Tabari, vol. 25 p. 16.

[8] Tashahhud is the saying “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger” after the second and the last rak’as of prayers.

[9] Tafsir of ar-Razi, vol. 7 p. 391.

[10] Tafsir of ar-Razi, vol. 10 p. 243, Asbab an-Nuzool by al-Wahidi, p. 133, Rawdhat al-Wa’idhin by an-Naysaburi, p. 163, Rooh al-Bayan, vol. 6 p. 546, ad- Durr al-Manthur, vol. 6 p. 299, Yanabee’ al-Mawaddah, vol. 1 p. 93, Imta’ al-Asma’, p. 502.

[11] Iftar is the meal that is taken at sunset to break fasting.

[12] Tafsir of ar-Razi, vol. 6 p. 783, Rawdhat al-Wa’idhin by an-Naysaburi, p. 157, al-Khasa’iss al-Kubra, vol. 3 p. 264, ar-Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 188, Tafsir of ibn Jarir, vol. 22 p. 334, Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 4 p. 107, Sunan of al-Bayhaqi, vol. 2 p. 150, Mushkil al-Athaar, vol. 1 p. 334, ad-Durr al- Manthur, vol. 5 p. 198, Jami’ al-Bayan, vol. 12 p. 9-12.

[13] Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 2 p. 416, Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5 p. 521.

[14] Ad-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 5 p. 199.

[15] Majma’ az-Zawa’id, vol. 9 p. 169, Ansab al-Ashraf, vol. 1 p. 157.

[16] Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. 24.

[17] Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3 p. 172.

[18] Tafsir of ar-Razi, vol. 2 p. 699, Tafsir of al-Baydhawi, p. 76, Tafsir al-Kashshaf, vol. 1 p. 49, Tafsir Rooh al-Bayan, vol. 1 p. 457, Tafsir al-Jalalayn, vol. 1 p. 35, Sahih of Muslim, vol. 2 p. 47, Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 1 p. 185, Masabeeh as-Sunna, vol. 2 p. 201, Siyer A’lam an-Nubala’, vol. 3 p. 193, Sunan of at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 166, Sunan al-Bayhaqi, vol. 7 p. 63.

p: 94

- Page94 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

[19] Najran was the place where the Christians lived.

[20] Noor al-Absar, p. 100.

[21] Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3 p. 153, Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5 p. 522, al-Isabah, vol. 8 p. 159, Tahthib at-Tahthib, vol. 12 p. 441, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 219, Fadha’il al-Khamsah min as-Sihah as-Sittah, vol. 3 p. 156, Mizan al-I’tidal, vol. 1 p. 525.

[22] Mizan al-I’tidal, vol. 2 p. 72, and in Tahthib at-Tahthib, vol. 1 p. 442 it is mentioned, ‘Allah is pleased for your pleasure and displeased for your displeasure. ’

[23] Sahih of al-Bukhari, vol. 4 p. 210, 219, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 12 p. 112, Faydh al-Qadeer, vol. 4 p. 554.

[24] Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 4 p. 328, Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 2 p. 40, Sahih of al-Bukhari, vol. 6 p. 158.

[25] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 12 p. 111, Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3 p. 154.

[26] Sahih of at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 19, Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 4 p. 5.

[27] Mizan al-I'tidal, vol. 2 p. 131.

[28] Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. 48.

[29] Noor al-Absar, p. 41.

[30] As-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, p. 109.

[31] Fara’id as-Simtayn, vol. 2 p. 66.

[32] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 74 p. 95.

[33] Ar-Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 209.

[34] Sahih of at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 308.

[35] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 1 p. 84, Sahih of at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 308.

[36] Sana’a is the capital of Yemen and Busra is a town in Syria.

[37] Majma’ al-Haythami, vol. 9 p. 163.

[38] As-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, p. 75.

[39] Sanad is the chain of authorities (narrators) which is the essential part in the transmission of a tradition.

[40] Faydh al-Qadeer, vol. 3 p. 14.

[41] As-Sawa’iq al-Muhriqah, p. 36.

[42] Majma’ az-Zawa’id, vol. 9 p. 168, Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 2 p. 43, Tareekh Baghdad, vol. 2 p. 119, Hilyatul Awliya’, vol. 4 p. 306, Thakha’ir al-Uqba, p. o20.

[43] Al-Muraja’at, p. 77.

[44] Ar-Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 52, and like it in Sahih of al-Bukhari, vol. 2 p. 319 and Sunan ibn Majah, vol. 1 p. 52.

p: 95

- Page95 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

[45] Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 1 p. 77, Sahih at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 301, Tahthib at-Tahthib, vol. 10 p. 43.

[46] Mawsoo’at Imam Ameerul Mo'minin, vol. 1 p. 190, Fara’id as-Simtayn, vol. 2 p. 40, Sharh al-Akhbar, vol. 3 p. 515.

[47] Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 1 p. 77, Sahih at-Tarmithi, vol. 2 p. 301.

[48] Sirat is the bridge that dominates Hell.

[49] Al-Muraja’at, p. 54, the Life of Imam Ameerul Mo'minin, vol. 1 p. 123.

[50] Al-Muraja’at, p. 58.

[51] Mawsoo'at al-Imam Ameerul Mo'minin, vol. 1 p. 191, al-Muraja'at, p. 58 quoted from ash-Sharaf al-Mu’abbad.

[52] Al-Muraja'at, p. 59, quoted from ath-Tha’labi when interpreting the Verse of Mawaddah in his at-Tafsir al-Kabeer.

The Marriage of Fatima with Imam Ali

The Marriage of Fatima with Imam Ali

When Fatima (a. s. ) grew youth, the great companions hurried to the Prophet (a. s. ) one after the other so that he might honor them by marrying his pure daughter to them but the Prophet (a. s. ) responded to none of them. From those who had asked the Prophet (a. s. ) for his daughter’s hand was Abu Bakr whom the Prophet (a. s. ) refused his request and said to him, ‘I am waiting, regarding her, for the Fate (of Allah). ’ After him came Umar and the Prophet (a. s. ) replied to him as he had replied to his former friend. [1]

The Prophet (a. s. ) announced that the marriage of Fatima (a. s. ) was in the hand of Allah and he himself had nothing to do concerning the matter. When Muslims knew that, they refrained from asking the Prophet (a. s. ) for his daughter’s hand any more.

p: 96

- Page96 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Sometime later, some companions met Imam Ali (a. s. ) and mentioned to him his close kinship to the Prophet (a. s. ) , his great jihad for Islam, and his support to the Prophet (a. s. ) in all his battles and situations. They asked him to propose to Fatima (a. s. ) and win the honor of the Prophet’s affinity. Imam Ali (a. s. ) went to the Prophet (a. s. ) hesitatingly because of shyness. He came to the Prophet (a. s. ) lowering his sight to the ground. The Prophet (a. s. ) asked him,

‘What do you want, my brother? ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) was silent for a while out of shyness and then said, ‘O messenger of Allah, I remembered Fatima. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) answered smilingly while delight appeared on his face, ‘Welcome! Allah has ordered to marry my daughter to you. ’[2]

Imam Ali’s heart was filled with delight for the honor that Allah granted him. He was the Prophet’s cousin and then he was going to be his son-in-law. It has been mentioned in some tafsirs that this verse (And He it is Who has created man from the water, then He has made for him blood relationship and marriage relationship, and your Lord is powerful. 25: 54) concerned Imam Ali (a. s. ). [3]

The Prophet (a. s. ) told his companions that Allah had ordered him to marry his daughter to Imam Ali (a. s. ). He said to them, ‘An angel came and said to me: O messenger of Allah, Allah sends you greeting and says to you: I have married Fatima to Ali in the high Heaven, so you marry her to him in the earth. ’[4]

p: 97

- Page97 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then, the Prophet (a. s. ) went to Fatima (a. s. ) and said to her, ‘I marry you to the best one of my umma. He is the most knowledgeable, the most prudent, and the first Muslim. ’[5]

On another occasion, he said to her, ‘O Fatima, do you not know that Allah observed the people of the earth, and then He chose your father from among them and sent him a messenger, and once another He observed and then He chose your husband and revealed to me so that I married him (to my daughter) and took him my guardian? ’[6]

On a third occasion he said to her, ‘He (Imam Ali) is the first of my companions in being Muslim, the most of them in knowledge, and the greatest of them in prudence. ’[7]

All high qualities, ideals, and values were available in Imam Ali (a. s. ) and therefore, Allah had chosen him a husband for the daughter of the Prophet (a. s. ). In traditions it is mentioned that: “If Ali was not created, there would be no equal for Fatima. ’[8]

The dowry of Fatima

The dowry of Fatima (a. s. ) was very simple. The Prophet (a. s. ) had assigned it so to be an example for all the women of his nation so that no man and no woman might remain unmarried because of high dowries.

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to Imam Ali (a. s. ) , ‘O Ali, do you have something (to pay as dowry)? ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘I have a sword, an armor, and a horse. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to him, ‘As for your horse, you need it, and as for your sword, you cannot do without it, but as for your armor, you can sell it. ’[9]

Imam Ali (a. s. ) went to the market and sold his armor for four hundred and eighty dirhams and came back with the amount knotted in the end of his shirt,[10] and put it before the Prophet (a. s. ). It was a very simple dowry and it was less than what the poor might pay for their wives.

Her furniture

The Prophet (a. s. ) took a handful of dirhams and gave them to Bilal to buy with them some perfumes for Fatima (a. s. ) , and other handfuls to Salman and Umm Salamah to buy some furniture. It was no long until all requirements of the wedding were prepared. The furniture of Fatima (a. s. ) and Ali (a. s. ) was the following:

1. A sheepskin to sleep on

2. A pillow of leather stuffed with palm-tree fibers

3. A bed made of palm-tree branches

4. A quern

5. A water skin

6. Two jars

7. Some pottery vessels

This furniture was very simple and cheap in people’s consideration, but it was too valuable in the Islam’s view. It was more precious than jewels and expensive things that kings and wealthy people give to their wives.

The furniture was put before the Prophet (a. s. ). He looked at the pottery and said, ‘Blessed are the people of a house whose most vessels are of pottery. ’

p: 99

- Page99 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Allama al-Fartoosi described this house of Imam Ali and Fatima in the following poem by saying,

“And your house that is too simple with what its four corners contained.

In a corner a mat beside it a jar was put,

And in another a bed of palm-tree branches there was,

And clay vessels that were the cups which were made by their owners hands,

And a quern was there that blistered the hand that milled barley,

As if humbleness with what it contained was a sign that everything worshipped. ”[11]

Lomnice concluded from the simplicity of Fatima’s wedding that the Prophet (a. s. ) hated Fatima because he married her to a poor man and that the furniture of her house was too simple. The ignorance of Lomnice regarding Islam led him to this conclusion. His mind was built by the Western life that did not understand Islam.

Islam hates excessive dowries so that to make marriage easy for all. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The best women of my community are those of less dowries. ’[12]

Imam as-Sadiq (a. s. ) said, ‘A man, during the time of the messenger of Allah, got married to a woman for a sura from the Qur’an,[13] a dirham, or some wheat. ’[14]

Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) married some man from his companions who possessed nothing to a woman for a dowry of that he should teach his wife one sura from the Qur’an. [15] That dowry was called “the dowry of the sura”.

The Islamic Sharia encourages marriage with little dowries and cancels superiority between spouses. It makes a Muslim man equal to a Muslim woman, but these values were ignored by Lomnice who looked at things only from the material angle.

p: 100

- Page100 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The sermon of marriage

On concluding the agreement of marriage, the Prophet (a. s. ) made this speech before a crowd of his companions. He said,

“Praise be to Allah Who is praised for His blessing, worshipped by His power, obeyed by His sovereignty, Who it is feared from His torment and affliction, Whose command is executed in His heaven and in His earth, Who has created the creation (people) by His power, distinguished them with His commandments, glorified them by His religion, and honored them by His prophet Muhammad, Allah’s blessing be on him and on his progeny.

Allah, Whose name has been blessed and Whose greatness has been exalted, has made affinity (through marriage) as subsequent kinship and imposed matter that He interlaces relatives and binds people by it. Allah the Almighty says, (And He it is Who has created man from water, then He has made for him blood relationship and marriage relationship, and your Lord is powerful. 25: 54). The command of Allah comes to His judgment and His judgment comes to His fate. Every judgment has a fate, and every fate has a term, and every term has a prescription. (Allah makes to pass away what He wills and establishes what He wills, and with Him is the basis of the Book. 13: 39).

Allah the Almighty has ordered me to marry Fatima to Ali. Now, I make you witness that I marry Fatima to Ali for four hundred weights of silver (as dowry) , if he agrees, due to the authentic Sunna and the obligatory duty. May Allah gather them together, bless them, make their offspring good, and make their progeny the keys to mercy, the source of wisdom, and safety to the nation. I say this and ask Allah to forgive me and forgive you. ”

p: 101

- Page101 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Imam Ali (a. s. ) was not present when the Prophet (a. s. ) was delivering the sermon of marriage for he was away to carry out something for the Prophet (a. s. ). After the end of the sermon, he came. When the Prophet (a. s. ) saw him, he smiled and said,

“O Ali, Allah has ordered me to marry Fatima to you, and I have done for four hundred weights of silver. ”[16]

Then, the Prophet (a. s. ) asked Imam Ali (a. s. ) to speak, and Imam Ali (a. s. ) said,

“Praise be to Allah Who has been near to His praisers, approached His askers, promised the Paradise for whoever fears Him, and warned with Fire whoever disobeys Him. We praise Him for His eternal favor, ask Him for assistance and to guide us, believe in Him, ask Him to suffice all our needs, and bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner with Him a witness that fits and pleases Him, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, may Allah have blessing on him a blessing that takes him closer to Allah, favors, exalts, and chooses him. Marriage is from that which Allah has ordered and from that which pleases Him. This is the messenger of Allah. He has married his daughter Fatima to me for a dowry of five hundred dirhams, and I have agreed. Ask him and witness on that. ”

Then the Prophet said, “I marry my daughter to you as the Beneficent One has willed for you. I have accepted what Allah has accepted for her. The best son-in- law, and the best companion you are, and Allah’s pleasure with you suffices you. ”[17]

p: 102

- Page102 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then, Imam Ali (a. s. ) prostrated himself before Allah as gratefulness for this great blessing that Allah had endowed him with. After that, the Prophet (a. s. ) prayed Allah for Imam Ali (a. s. ) and Fatima (a. s. ) saying, “May Allah bless you, prosper you, unite between you, and produce much good from you. ”[18]

The conclusion of marriage was held in the mosque of the Prophet (a. s. ). [19] The Prophet (a. s. ) ordered a vessel of unripe dates to be offered to the attendants to eat from it.

The banquet of marriage

On the night of wedding, the Prophet said to Imam Ali (a. s. ) , ‘ O Ali, there must be a banquet for the bride. ’[20]

Imam Ali (a. s. ) had nothing in order to prepare the banquet. Sa’d bin Ubadah offered a sheep and some men from the Ansar offered some corn. Food was prepared and Muslims were invited for dinner. The Prophet (a. s. ) gave some dirhams to Imam Ali (a. s. ) and asked him to buy some oil, dates, and cheese. When Imam Ali (a. s. ) bought those things, the Prophet (a. s. ) uncovered his arms and began splitting the dates and mixing them with the oil and cheese and so he made “heiss”[21] and offered it to the invitees. [22] After having dinner, the invitees congratulated Imam Ali (a. s. ) and prayed Allah to bless his marriage.

The Prophet (a. s. ) said to his daughter Fatima (a. s. ) , “Do you know Ali’s position to me? He supported me while he was twelve years old, stroke with the sword before me when he was sixteen, killed heroes when he was nineteen, relieved my grieves when he was twenty, and plucked up the gate of Khaybar when he was twenty-two years old. ”[23]

p: 103

- Page103 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The house

The house in which Imam Ali and Fatima (peace be on them) had got married was one of Haritha bin an-Nu’man’s houses. First, the Prophet (a. s. ) was shy to take the house, but when Harithah understood that, he hurried to the Prophet (a. s. ) saying, ‘O messenger of Allah, I and my properties are for Allah and for His messenger. By Allah, nothing is more beloved to me than what you take from me, and what you take (from me) is more beloved to me than what you leave (to me). ’ The Prophet (a. s. ) thanked and prayed Allah for him. Then, Fatima (a. s. ) moved to live in this house. [24]

The wedding

The Prophet asked his wife Umm Salamah to take his daughter Fatima (a. s. ) to the house of Imam Ali (a. s. ) that was next to the mosque of the Prophet (a. s. ). So Umm Salamah and some women from the Muhajireen and the Ansar carried Fatima (a. s. ) home in a procession while chanting some songs and poetry. After having offered the Isha’ Prayer, the Prophet (a. s. ) went to Imam Ali’s house and Umm Ayman received him there. He asked her, ‘Is my brother here? ’

She said, ‘O messenger of Allah, may my father and mother die for you! Who is your brother? ’

He said, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib. ’

How is he your brother whereas you have married your daughter to him? ’

He said, ‘It is so, Umm Aymen. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) came in and the two spouses got up out of respect and reverence. The Prophet (a. s. ) asked Fatima (a. s. ) to bring him some water and she did. He drank a sip and then ejected it back into the cup. He asked Fatima (a. s. ) to get up and he sprinkled some of that water on her chest and head. Then, he raised his head towards the heaven saying, ‘O Allah, I ask You to protect her and her progeny from cursed Satan. ’

Then the Prophet (a. s. ) asked Imam Ali (a. s. ) to bring another cup of water and he did. The Prophet drank a sip and ejected it back into the cup. Then he poured some of the water of the cup on Imam Ali’s head and prayed Allah for him saying, ‘O Allah, I ask You to protect him and his progeny from cursed Satan. ’ He asked him to turn back and when Imam Ali (a. s. ) turned back, the Prophet poured the rest of the water, prayed for Imam Ali (a. s. ) and asked him to go in to his wife. [25]

By getting married to Fatima (a. s. ) , Imam Ali (a. s. ) got further honor and importance before people. It has been mentioned in traditions that, “Ali had a high rank before people during the life of Fatima (a. s. ). ”[26]

Once, the Prophet said to Fatima (a. s. ) , “I have married you to a master in this life and a master in the afterlife. No one hates him except a polytheist. ”[27]

On the night of her wedding, Fatima (a. s. ) took off her wedding dress and gave it to a poor young woman. The following day, the Prophet (a. s. ) visited her and found that she was not wearing her wedding dress. He asked why and she said, ‘O father, a poor young woman knocked the door asking for a dress. I wanted to give her my old dress but then I remembered this saying of Allah (You will not attain unto piety until you spend of that which you love. 3: 92). Therefore, I gave her my new dress that I loved. ’[28]

This blessed house (of Imam Ali and Fatima) was established in the second year of Hijra. [29] And it was said other than this. It was said that Fatima (a. s. ) was ten years old when she got married[30] while Imam Ali (a. s. ) was twenty-one years and five months. [31]

The house that Fatima lived in

The Prophet (a. s. ) built his daughter a house adjacent to the Great Mosque and made a door in it that was opened to the mosque. When the Prophet (a. s. ) ordered all the doors that were opened to the mosque to be closed and he excluded the door of Fatima (and Ali) ’s house as a kind of honoring and glorifying. [32]

Ibn Umar considered the Prophet’s closing all the doors of the companions’ houses that were opened to the mosque except the door of Imam Ali (a. s. ) as one of the merits that Imam Ali (a. s. ) had got. [33]

The house affairs

Fatima bint Asad, Imam Ali’s mother, lived with the Imam in the same house. So he divided the house affairs between his mother and his wife Fatima bint Muhammad (a. s. ). The internal house affairs such as serving food and the like were his wife’s duty whereas the external affairs were his mother’s. [34]

Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, served food for her husband and children. She milled mostly barley in the quern and sometimes wheat. Then she kneaded and baked it. Fatima (a. s. ) lived as the prophets and their guardians lived. She was ascetic and very simple in all sides of her life.

p: 106

- Page106 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

She swept and cleaned the house with her bare hands. She wove clothes for her husband and children. The shirt that Imam Ali (a. s. ) put on in wars had been woven by her. [35]

Imam Ali (a. s. ) often helped Fatima (a. s. ) in the house affairs. He said, “Once, the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) visited us while Fatima was near the cooking pot and I was picking out lentils. He said, ‘O Abul Hasan, listen to what I say, and I do not say except from my Lord. Every man, who helps his wife in her house, Allah will write for him as much as the hairs on his body (the reward of) worship of a year; fasting in the day and worshipping all the night, and Allah will give him like the reward of the patient and the righteous. ’”[36]

In some sources, it has been mentioned that the Prophet (a. s. ) had determined for Fatima (a. s. ) the work inside the house and for Imam Ali (a. s. ) the work outside the house. [37]

The life of Imam Ali (a. s. ) and Fatima (a. s. ) was full of love and friendliness. About that Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘By Allah, I did never anger her or force her to do something (unwillingly) until Allah took her to the better world. She also did never anger me nor did she disobey me in anything at all. When I looked at her, my griefs and sorrows were relieved. ’[38]

Besides the tire and hardship she faced in milling the food for her family, she milled food for her weak and old neighbors just for the sake of Allah.

p: 107

- Page107 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Salman al-Farisi narrated, “One day, I passed by Fatima’s house and heard al-Hasan and al-Husayn, who were young children, crying. I pity them and said to Fatima from behind the door, ‘I want to carry al-Hasan and al-Husayn. ’

She said to me, ‘O Salman, I have no veil on my head. ’

I threw my aba to her. She veiled herself with it and went to al-Hasan and al-Husayn. I sat near the quern that she was milling with it and I began running it. I found some blood on the shaft of the quern and became astonished. I asked Fatima about it and she said that she milled barley and wheat for the poor people of Medina who had no querns. She received them kindly and milled their food for them. ’[39]

One day, the Prophet came to her and found her milling while wearing a garment of camel hair. He cried and said to her, ‘Be patient with the bitterness of this life for the sake of the bliss of the afterlife tomorrow. ’[40]

While she was milling she was reciting this saying of Allah, (and whatever is with Allah is better and more lasting. 28: 60).

The Prophet (a. s. ) recommended Fatima (a. s. ) not to insist on Imam Ali (a. s. ) to buy her anything from the pleasures of the worldly life. She said to Imam Ali (a. s. ) , “The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) had forbidden me from asking you for anything. He said to me, ‘Do not ask your cousin for anything. If he himself brings you something (accept it) ; otherwise, do not ask him for anything. ’”

p: 108

- Page108 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Fatima (a. s. ) often carried water for her weak neighbors. She filled the skin from wells and carried it to them until her back was affected. [41]

Fatima’s children are the Prophet’s children

Many true traditions have been transmitted from the Prophet (a. s. ) showing that he had considered Fatima’s children as his. All the Prophet’s children died in their early childhood, and so the polytheists rejoiced at that and said that the Prophet had no offspring; therefore, Allah revealed to the Prophet these verses, (Surely We have given you (al-Kawthar) the Fount (of abundance). Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice. Surely your enemy is the one who shall be without posterity. 108: 1-3).

Exegetes say that al-Kawthar was Fatima (a. s. ) the principal of all the women of the world and that the Prophet’s posterity was from her. The Prophet (a. s. ) loved his grandchildren from the deep of his heart and he saw that they would be the continuity of his life. Once, in their early childhood, al-Hasan and al-Husayn (peace be on them) walked and stumbled. The Prophet (a. s. ) descended from the minbar, carried them, and said, ‘Allah the Great is true when He says, (your possessions and children are but a trial. 8: 28). ’

When he heard one of them crying, he said to his daughter Fatima (a. s. ) , ‘Why are they crying? Do you not know that their crying distresses me? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) himself took care of them and managed their affairs. One night, he heard that al-Hasan (a. s. ) wanted some water. He brought some water. Al- Husayn (a. s. ) wanted to drink water but the Prophet (a. s. ) gave water to al-Hasan (a. s. ) first. Fatima (a. s. ) said to her father, ‘As if al-Hasan is more beloved to you!. ’

p: 109

- Page109 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet said, ‘No! But al-Hasan asked for water first. ’ Then he wrapped them with one wrap and said to them, ‘I and you will be in one place on the Day of Resurrection. ’[42]

The following are some traditions declaring that Fatima’s children were the Prophet’s offspring.

1. Fatima bint Imam al-Husayn narrated from her grandmother Fatima az-Zahra’ (a. s. ) that the Prophet had said, ‘All the children of Adam belong to their agnation except Fatima’s children that I am their father and I am their agnation. ’[43]

2. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘For all children of a father there is an agnation that they belong to except Fatima’s children that I am their guardian and I am their agnation. They have been created from my clay. Woe unto whoever denies their preference. Whoever loves them Allah loves him, and whoever hates them Allah hates him. ’[44]

3. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘The agnation of every children belongs to their father except Fatima’s children. I am their father and I am their agnation. ’[45]

4. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Every children of a mother belong to an agnation, except Fatima’s children that I am their guardian and I am their agnation. ’[46]

Nevertheless, the Umayyads denied the Prophet’s fatherhood to Fatima’s children and claimed that one’s daughter’s child was not considered as one’s child. Their poet said,

“Our children are the children of our sons,

but as for our daughters,

their children are the children of strange men. ”

Islam has refuted this notion of the pre-Islamic age and not differentiated between one’s daughter’s children and son’s children.

p: 110

- Page110 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

It is worth mentioning that we mention this story here. Aamir ash-Sha’bi narrated,

“One day, I was with al-Hajjaj. [47] It was the day of Eid ul-Adha. He turned towards me and said, ‘O Aamir, by what do people approach Allah on this day? ’

I said, ‘People approach Allah through sacrifices. ’

Al-Hajjaj said, ‘How about you if I shall sacrifice a man from the adherents of al-Hasan and al-Husayn? ’

Al-Hajjaj ordered his men to bring that man, and they did before no long. He was an old man tied with heavy ties. Al-Hajjaj shouted at this old man who was Yahya bin Ya’mur, ‘Are you still in your deviation from the truth? ’

The old man asked why and al-Hajjaj said to him, ‘You claim that al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the children of the messenger of Allah (a. s. ). ’

Yahya confirmed that al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on them, were the Prophet’s children and he gave proofs on that. He recited this verse (say: Come let us call our sons and your sons, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves. 3: 61) and said that it was al-Hasan and al-Husayn who were meant by (our sons).

Al-Hajjaj cried out harshly, ‘Do you have other than this verse or otherwise I shall behead you? ’

Yahya recited this other verse (and of his descendants, Dawood and Sulaiman and Ayyub… and Isa (Jesus) … 6: 84-85) and said that the Holy Qur’an declared that Jesus (a. s. ) was from the posterity of Prophet Abraham (a. s. ) though Prophet Jesus (a. s. ) had been born with no father.

Al-Hajjaj said, ‘Jesus was from Abraham’s children because of his mother Mary. ’

Yahya asked how long it was between Mary and Abraham and al-Hajjaj said it was some generations.

Then Yahya said, ‘Between al-Hasan and al-Husayn and the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) there was no one save Fatima. So are they not the Prophet’s children? ’

Al-Hajjaj looked at the ground and pondered for a while after being refuted by Yahya. Then, he said to his men, ‘Untie his ties and chains and give him ten thousand dinars in spite of me. ’

I (Aamir) followed after Yahya to see what he would do with the ten thousand dinars. I saw him standing in a square called Rahbat al-Kufa while distributing the money among the poor and saying, ‘This is from the blessings of al-Hasan and al-Husayn. ’[48]

The Abbasids were not better than the Umayyads in this concern. In fact, they were much worse. They hated the Alawids bitterly, chased them everywhere, threw 

many of them into dark prisons, and killed too many others. The Abbasid kings donated great gifts to the poets who dispraised the Alawids in their presence. Anyhow, we do not want to mention their shameful conducts in this concern in order not to expatiate.

Footnote

[1] Tabaqat ibn Sa’d, vol. 8 p. 11, Tareekh al-Khamees, vol. 1 p. 407, Thakha'ir

al-Uqba, p. 29.

[2] Noor Al-Absar, p. 42, Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 318, Mustadrak al-Hakim, vol. 3

p. 153.

[3] Majma’ al-Bayan, vol. 9 p. 175.

[4] Thakha'ir al-Uqba, p. 32.

[5] Jam’ al-Jawami’, vol. 6 p. 398.

p: 112

- Page112 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

[6] Thakha'ir al-Uqba, p. 32.

[7] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 153.

[8] Musnad of Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 5 p. 36, Majma’ az-Zawa’id, 6 p. 101, Ar-

Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 194.

[9] Kifayat at-Talib, p. 166, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 120.

[10] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 7 p. 14.

[11] Malhamat (epic of) Ahlul Bayt by al-Fartoosi, vol. 1 p. 35.

[12] Man La Yahdhuruhu al-Faqeeh, vol. 3 p. 243.

[13] To teach his wife a sura from the Qur’an as her dowry.

[14] Tahthib al-Ahkam, vol. 7 p. 366.

[15] Sahih Muslim, vol. 1 p. 545.

[16] Kashful Ghummah, p. 358-359, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 132.

[17] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 132.

[18] Noor al-Absar, p. 42, ar-Riyadh an-Nadhirah, vol. 2 p. 183, Thakha'ir al-

Uqba, p. 29.

[19] Khashf al-Ghummah, vol. 358.

[20] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 7 p. 14.

[21] The name of such food.

[22] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 132

[23] Amali as-Saduq, p. 483.

[24] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 40 p. 6.

[25] The Life of Imam al-Hasan bin Ali, vol. 1 p. 52-53.

[26] Ghareeb al-Hadith by ibn al-Jawzi, vol. 2 p. 455, an-Nihayah fee Ghareeb

al-Hadith, 5 p. 158.

[27] Thakha'ir al-Uqba, p. 43.

[28] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 2 p. 665.

[29] Murooj ath-Thahab, vol. 2 p. 187.

[30] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 10 p. 4.

[31] Murooj ath-Thahab, vol. 2 p. 187.

[32] Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 2 p. 26, al-Mu’jam al-Kabeer, vol. 2 p. 246,

[33] An-Nafahaat al-Qudsiyyah fee al-Anwar al-Fatimiyyah, p. 135 quoted from

Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, vol. 2 p. 26, Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 3 p. 214, Kanzol Ummal,

vol. 6 p. 319.

[34] Al-Istee’ab (printed on the margins of al-Isabah) , vol. 4 p. 363, Tahthib

al-Kamal, vol. 3 p. 248.

[35] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 39 p. 54.

[36] Ibid. , vol. 101 p. 132.

[37] Hilyat al-Awliya’, vol. 6 p. 104.

[38] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 133 quoted from Amali at-Toosi.

[39] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 4 p. 547.

[40] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 295.

[41] Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43 p. 82.

[42] Fatima az-Zahra’ and the Fatimids, p. 43.

[43] Tareekh Baghdad, vol. 11 p. 285.

[44] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 216.

[45] Thakha'ir al-Uqba, p. 221.

[46] Kanzol Ummal, vol. 6 p. 220.

[47] Al-Hajjaj bin Yousuf ath-Thaqafi was the cruelest wali of the Umayyads.

[48] Know that I am Fatima, vol. 3 p. 193-195, and mentioned briefer in Tafsir al-Qurtubi, vol. 7 p. 31 and al-Mustadrak ala as-Sahihayn, vol. 3 p. 180.

The Pure Progeny

The Pure Progeny

Here, we talk about the blessed children of Fatima (a. s. ) who and whose posterity were the infallible deputies of Allah in the earth.

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. )

Point

He was the first child of Fatima (a. s. ). He was born in Ramadan, in the second or the third year of hijra. [1]

When the Prophet (a. s. ) was informed about this blessed newborn child, he was very pleased and delighted. He hurried to Fatima’s house to congratulate her. Arriving in the house, the Prophet said to Asma’, ‘Bring me my son! ’

Asma’ brought Imam al-Hasan wrapped in a yellow piece of cloth. The Prophet took him, joined him to his chest, kissed him in the mouth, fed him with his saliva, raised his (the Prophet) hands towards the heaven and said, ‘O Allah, I ask You to protect him and his posterity from cursed Satan. ’[2]

Then, the Prophet (a. s. ) recited the azan in the right ear of his blessed newborn child and the eqama in his left ear. [3] This child of prophethood received the world of existence with the highest psalm; it was “Allahu Akbar; Allah is Great, and la illaha illallah; there is no god but Allah. ”

p: 114

- Page114 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet (a. s. ) asked Imam Ali (a. s. ) , ‘Have you named this blessed child? ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) replied, ‘I would not precede you, O messenger of Allah. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘And I would not precede my Lord. ’

It was no long when Gabriel came down to the Prophet carrying with him the name from Allah. The angel said to the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘Name him Hasan! ’[4]

Seven days after the birth of the Prophet’s grandchild, the Prophet came to his daughter’s house to endow his grandson with some honor. He slaughtered a ram as a sacrifice for him. It was the aqiqah[5] that has become a traditional since then until now. Then, he cut the hair of his grandson with his holy hands and gave silver, inasmuch as the weight of the hair, to the poor. [6] Then, he surnamed him (gave him a kunyah) [7] as Abu Muhammad. [8] Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) had no kunyah other than this one.

The Prophet (a. s. ) declared his love to Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) and praised him in many traditions. The following are some of them:

1. Aa’ishah narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘By Allah, this is my son. I love him and love whoever loves him. ’[9]

2. Al-Bara’ bin Aazib narrated, ‘Once, I saw the Prophet (a. s. ) carrying al-Hasan on his shoulder and saying, ‘O Allah, I love him, so love him! ’[10]

3. Abdullah bin Abbas said, ‘One day, the Prophet (a. s. ) came carrying al-Hasan on his neck. Some man met him and said, ‘O boy, it is the best back you have ridden on. ’

p: 115

- Page115 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘And the best rider he is. ’[11]

4. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Let him, who likes to look at the sire of the youth of the Paradise, look at al-Hasan. ’[12]

5. The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Al-Hasan is my pleasure in this world. ’[13]

6. Anas bin Malik narrated, ‘One day, al-Hasan came in to the Prophet (a. s. ). I wanted to take him away from him, but the Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘Stop that! Let alone my son and the fruit of my heart! Whoever harms this one will harm me, and whoever harms me will harm Allah. ’[14]

7. Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) offered the Maghrib (or Isha’) Prayer and prolonged the prostration. After finishing the prayer, People asked him why he did so and he said, ‘My son (al-Hasan) rod on me and I hated to send him down soon. ’[15]

8. Abdullah bin Abdurrahman bin az-Zubayr said, ‘The most similar and most beloved one to the Prophet was al-Hasan. I saw the Prophet prostrating (in prayer) and al-Hasan got up over his neck (or back). The Prophet did not send him down until he himself got down. Once, I saw him, while bowing (in prayer) , open his legs for him (al-Hasan) so that he could pass to the other side. ’[16]

There are many other traditions that have been transmitted from the Prophet (a. s. ) about the preference of Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) besides many others that are common between Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) and Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ). We have mentioned those traditions in the first volume of our book “the Life of Imam al- Hasan bin Ali”.

p: 116

- Page116 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

His education

The Prophet (a. s. ) brought up and educated his grandson Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) and fed him with his own ideals. The other educator of Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was his father Imam Ali (a. s. ) who was the best educator in the world of Islam after the Prophet (a. s. ). He also fed in his son his high ideals and morals. His mother Fatima (a. s. ) , too, educated him with the loyal faith and the deep love to Allah the Almighty. Therefore, he was a copy to these three great, infallible persons.

Fatima (a. s. ) often sent al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on them, to the meeting of their grandfather the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) to learn his traditions and moralities. When they came back home, she asked them about what knowledge and wisdom they got in the meeting of their grandfather (a. s. ). Al-Hasan, who was seven years old, listened to the revelation in his grandfather’s meeting and memorized it. Then, he came to his mother Fatima (a. s. ) to recite it before her. When Imam Ali (a. s. ) came to her, he found that she had known about the revelation that had at once been revealed to the Prophet (a. s. ). When he asked her about it, she replied that it was from her son al-Hasan (a. s. ).

Once, Imam Ali (a. s. ) hid himself in his room. Al-Hasan came to his mother to recite before her the revelation he had heard in his grandfather’s meeting. For a moment, he was tongue-tied, and his mother asked kindly, ‘What is the matter with you? ’

p: 117

- Page117 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

He said, ‘Do not be astonished at what has happened to me, for there is a Great One that takes care of me. ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) came out and began kissing his son al-Hasan. [17]

His moralities

All high qualities were available in Imam Abu Muhammad al-Hasan (a. s. ) , and this naturally was because he had been fed with his grandfather the Prophet (a. s. ) and his father Imam Ali’s virtues. The following stories show the high morals Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) had.

1. One day, an old man from Sham trespassed against Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) and began abusing him. Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) remained silent until the man finished his revilement, and then said to him kindly and smilingly, ‘O sheikh (old man) , I think you are a stranger. If you ask us for something, we will give you, if you ask us for guidance, we will guide you, if you ask us to carry you (to prepare for your travel) , we will do, if you are hungry, we will give you food, if you are in need, we will satisfy you, and if you are chased, we will shelter you. ’

The man was astonished and could answer with nothing. He was confused before these high morals of Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ). Then he said, ‘Allah knows best with whom to place His message. ’[18]

2. One day, Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was sitting in some place and when he wanted to leave, a poor man came to him. He welcomed the poor man, humored him, and said, ‘You sat just when we got up. Do you permit me to go? ’

p: 118

- Page118 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The poor man was astonished at such morality, and permitted the imam to leave. [19]

3. Once, he passed by some poor men who had put some pieces of bread on the earth and were eating from them. They invited him to participate in their food, and he responded. He sat down and began eating with them. He said, ‘Surely Allah does not love the proud. ’ Then, he invited them to his house. He gave them food, clothes, and other things. [20]

His patience

Imam Abu Muhammad al-Hasan (a. s. ) was too patient. He met whoever wronged him with pardon and kindness. Historians have mentioned many stories on this matter.

Once, he found that the leg of one of his sheep was broken. He asked his servant who did that and the servant said it was he. Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) asked him why and he replied, ‘To grieve you. ’

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) smiled at him and said, ‘I will please you in return. ’

He set the servant free and gifted him generously. [21]

Marwan, who was one of the bitterest enemies to Imam al-Hasan, acknowledged the great patience of the imam. When the imam died, Marwan came and carried the imam’s coffin. Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was astonished and said to Marwan, ‘Today you carry his coffin, while yesterday you depressed him bitterly! ’

Marwan said, ‘I did that to one whose patience was like mountains. ’[22]

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was a true copy of his grandfather the Prophet (a. s. ) in patience and morals.

His Generosity

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was one of the most generous people, the kindest, and most charitable to the poor and the wretched. He did never reject a beggar at all. He 

was asked about that and he said,

“I always beg Allah and look forward to His gift. Therefore, I feel shy to be a beggar and at the same time I reject a beggar. Allah has accustomed me to a habit that He pours on me His blessings, and I have accustomed Him that I pour His blessings on people. I fear that if I stop my habit, He will stop His habit. ’ Then he recited the following verses of poetry:

“When an asker comes to me,

I say: welcome to the One Whose favor is urgently obligatory on me.

And from His favor there is a favor on every favorer.

And the best of one’s days is when he is asked (by a needy one). ”[23]

Needy people often crowded at the door of Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) , and he always gave them generously. One day, a nomad came to him asking for help. The imam asked his servant to give the nomad all that there was in the bursary. It was ten thousand dinars. The nomad said to the Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) , ‘Would you let me reveal my need and declare my praise? ’

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) said to him,

“We are people whose donation is fresh,

in which hope and expectation revel.

Our selves give before being asked,

To save the face of one who asks.

If the sea knows the abundance of our donation,

It shall, because of shyness, flow over after its flooding. ”[24]

In our book “The Life of Imam al-Hasan bin Ali” we have mentioned many stories on his generosity and bounty.

His asceticism

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) turned his back to the pleasures of this worldly life and turned devotedly towards Allah the Almighty. It is related that he had said:

“A bit of poor bread sates me,

and a sip of water suffices me,

and a piece of thin clothe covers me when alive,

and when I die, it is enough as a shroud. ”

Muhammad bin Babwayh has written a book called “The Asceticism of Imam al-Hasan” in which he has mentioned many stories on Imam al-Hasan’s asceticism.

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) offered all that he had just to please Allah the Almighty. He gave all his possessions two times, and divided his properties with Allah three times…[25]

His worship

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was the most worshipping one in his time. Historians say, ‘He was not seen at any time unless he was mentioning Allah the Almighty’[26] and that when he recalled the Paradise and Hell, he became confused and upset as if he was ill, and so he prayed Allah to take him to the Paradise and protect him from the Hell. When he recalled death and what would come after it, he cried a crying of an afraid repentant. [27] When he recalled the standing before Allah on the Day of Resurrection, he sighed so deeply until he fainted. [28]

p: 121

- Page121 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When he wanted to perform wudu’ (ablution) , he changed color and he trembled. He was asked about this and he said, ‘He, who stands before Allah the Lord of the Throne, must tremble and his color fade. ’

When he finished his wudu’ and set towards the mosque, he prayed Allah by saying, ‘O my Lord, your guest is at Your door. O Beneficent, the wrong doer has come to You, so forgive the badness we have with the goodness You have. ’[29]

When he stood to offer the prayer, fear overcame him until all his organs trembled. [30] After offering the Fajr (dawn) Prayer, he did not utter save the mention of Allah until the sun shone. [31]

He had performed the hajj to the Inviolable House of Allah (the Kaaba) twenty-five times on foot though he had best camels. [32] He was asked about his going too much on foot to the Kaaba and he said, ‘I feel shy of my Lord not to go to His House on my feet. ’[33]

His caliphate

He assumed the Islamic caliphate after the martyrdom of his father Imam Ali (a. s. ) the pioneer of Justice in Islam. Some of his army rebelled against him and some other leant to rest and gave up fighting. Many of his soldiers were affected by the Kharijites who had accused Imam Ali (a. s. ) of reneging his religion. They invited the army to rebel against Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) , besides that the commanders of the divisions corresponded with Mo’awiya and agreed with him that they would assassinate Imam al-Hasan or capture him. Unfortunately, Ubaydillah bin al-Abbas, Imam al-Hasan’s cousin, who was the general leader of the army, was bribed by Mo’awiya, and so he took with him a part of the army and joined Mo’awiya under the darkness of night. Therefore, the army of Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) was left in confusion and seditions.

p: 122

- Page122 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Before this severe ordeal, Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) had but two choices; either to fight with his wrecked army and sacrifice himself, his family, and his followers without offering to Islam and the nation any good, because Mo’awiya with his trick and cunning would deceive the public and show them that Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) and his followers had deviated from Islam, and if the imam was taken a captive, Mo’awiya would set him free and thus he would purify himself and his Umayyad family from the disgrace that the Prophet (a. s. ) had stained them with when he set them free after the conquest of Mecca.

Or he would make peace with Mo’awiya unwillingly and in spite of him, and then Mo’awiya would be free in his oppression and consequently he would be exposed before the public that he was too far from the reality of Islam. And this came true immediately after the truce. Mo’awiya made a speech before the people of Iraq saying, ‘I have not fought you to offer prayers, to fast, pay zakat, or to perform the hajj, but I have fought you to have power over you, and Allah has given me this although you are unwilling. I have put everything, which I have agreed on with al-Hasan (in the truce) , under my feet. I will fulfill nothing of it. ’

Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) had chosen peace, and otherwise the nation would suffer calamities and bloodsheds that only Allah knew how disastrous they would be.

In the truce of peace, Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) made conditions on Mo’awiya that deprived him of the legal authority and showed him to people that he was just a boss of a gang. The imam stipulated on Mo’awiya that he (the imam) would not call him as Ameerul Mo'minin (the commander of the believers) , and that Mo’awiya should not violate the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His prophet in all of his conducts. Anyhow, Mo’awiya did not fulfill any of the conditions of the truce.

p: 123

- Page123 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

After the truce, the policy of Mo’awiya violated the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His prophet. He governed the nation with a dark policy that had no kindness and mercy. He killed innocent people and spread terror everywhere. He plundered the wealth of the nation and gave power to evil men like Ziyad bin Abeeh, Bisr bin Arta’ah, Amr bin al-Aas, Marwan bin al-Hakam and their like over the Muslims.

From the great offenses of Mo’awiya was the assassination of the Prophet’s grandson Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ). Mo’awiya asked Ja’da bint al-Ash’ath to insert poison into the food of her husband Imam al-Hasan (a. s. ) after he (Mo’awiya) had tempted her that he would marry her to his son Yazid. She gave the poisonous food to the imam, who was fasting, in the Iftar, and after no long the imam left to the better world.

Imam al-Husayn

Point

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was the reviver of Islam and the savior of the nation after it had been a prey in the hands of the Umayyads who subjected it to severe torment, killed its men, and spared its women. They seized the wealth of Allah and took His people as slaves to them. Therefore, Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) revolted against them in his great revolution by which Allah had revived Islam after it was about to be destroyed by those tyrants who distorted the Book, faith, morals, and everything. This revolution of Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) shook the forts of the Umayyads, did away with their pride and arrogance, and caused them a bitter defeat and disgrace. It paved the way for other successive revolts by Muslims until the Umayyad rule was overthrown forever.

p: 124

- Page124 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

We shall talk here in brief about Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ).

His birth

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was born on the third of Sha’ban in the fourth year of hijra. He was the second child to Fatima (a. s. ). When the news of this blessed birth spread, the Prophet’s wives and other ladies of Muslims hurried to Fatima’s house to congratulate her on this newborn child and participate in her joy and delight.

When the Prophet (a. s. ) was informed of the birth of his second grandson, he came to his daughter’s house but sorrow and distress had overcome him. He said to Asma’ with faint, sorrowful sound, ‘O Asma’, bring me my son. ’

Asma’ brought him his newborn grandson, and he began kissing him and crying. Asma’ was astonished and she asked him, ‘May my father and mother die for you! What for are you crying? ’

He replied while crying, ‘For my this son. ’

Asma’ became more astonished and said, ‘He has been born just now! ’

The Prophet said, ‘The oppressive party will kill him. May Allah not grant them my intercession. ’

Then the Prophet (a. s. ) said to Asma’, ‘Do not tell Fatima about this. She has just now given birth to her child. ’[34]

From behind the unseen, the Prophet (a. s. ) perceived what disasters his grandson would face.

The Prophet embraced his blessed, newborn grandson, and recited the azan in his right ear and the eqama in his left ear. It is related in traditions that “The azan and the eqama are protection to a newborn child from cursed Satan. ’[35]

p: 125

- Page125 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The first voice that penetrated Imam al-Husayn’s ears was the voice of his grandfather the great propagandist of Allah in the earth. The Prophet planted in the deep of his son the sacred psalms of “Allah is Great” and “there is no god but Allah”, and the son fed on them and by them he set out later on in the fields of jihad to raise the Word of Allah high in the earth and to make the power of goodness prevail everywhere.

The Prophet (a. s. ) named his second grandson Husayn as he had named his first grandson Hasan before. [36] He named him with this name after a revelation from the Heaven. [37]

After seven days of al-Husayn’s birth, the Prophet (a. s. ) ordered a ram to be slaughtered as the aqeeqa whose meat was to be distributed among the poor and that a leg was to be given to the midwife. [38] This has become one of the Islam’s traditional practices in the field of charity to the poor. On the same day, the Prophet (a. s. ) ordered his grandson’s hair to be cut and to pay silver to the poor as much as the weight of the cut hair. [39] Then Imam al-Husayn’s head was painted with a perfumed substance.

The Prophet’s love to al-Husayn

We mention here some traditions showing the great love the Prophet (a. s. ) had towards his grandson Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ).

1. Jabir bin Abdullah narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) had said, ‘Let him, who wants to look at the master of the youth of the Paradise, look at al-Husayn bin Ali. ’[40]

2. Ya’la bin Murrah said, ‘Once, we went with the Prophet (a. s. ) to a banquet we had been invited to. We saw Husayn playing in the road. The Prophet (a. s. ) opened his hands and the child began jumping here and there. The Prophet began joking with him. Then he lifted him and put one of his hands under his chin and 

the other on his head. He kissed him and said, ‘Husayn is from me and I am from Husayn. Allah loves whoever loves Husayn. Husayn is a nation from the nations. ’[41]

3. Salman al-Farisi related, “One day, I went to the Prophet (a. s. ) and found al-Husayn bin Ali sitting on his (the Prophet) thigh while the Prophet was kissing him on his mouth and saying to him, ‘You are a master and son of a master. You are an imam, a son of an imam, a brother of an imam, and the father of the imams. You are the authority of Allah, the son of His authority, and the father of nine authorities who will be from your posterity, the ninth of whom will be al-Qa’im (al- Mahdi). ’[42]

4. Ibn Abbas said, ‘One day, the Prophet (a. s. ) was carrying al-Husayn on his shoulder. Some man said to al-Husayn (a. s. ) , ‘O boy, it is the best back you have ridden on. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘And the best rider he is. ’[43]

5. Burayd bin Abu Ziyad said, ‘Once, the Prophet went out of Aa’isha’s house and passed by Fatima’s house. He heard al-Husayn crying. He became discomforted and said to Fatima, ‘Do you not know that his crying discomforts me? ’

The Prophet tells about Imam al-Husayn’s martyrdom

The Prophet (a. s. ) had foretold about the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) and Muslims were certain of that. Ibn Abbas narrated,

“We and the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) did not doubt that al-Husayn bin Ali shall be killed in at-Taff (Kerbala). ”[44]

The Prophet (a. s. ) perceived from the Heaven that his darling grandson Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) would be martyred at the hand of the worst people; therefore, he cried bitterly.

1. Umm al-Fadhl bint al-Harith related, ‘Al-Husayn was under my care. Once, I went to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) and I noticed his eyes shedding tears. I said to him, ‘O the Prophet of Allah, may my father and mother die for you! What is the matter with you? ’

He said, ‘Gabriel, peace and blessing be on him, has come and told me that my nation will kill my this son. ’ He pointed at al-Husayn. I was terrified and said, ‘Will this be killed? ’

The messenger of Allah said painfully, ‘Yes! Gabriel has brought me some red earth from his (al-Husayn) earth (in which he will be buried). ’ Umm al-Fadh began crying with the Prophet (a. s. ). [45]

2. Umm Salamah, the Prophet’s wife, narrated, “One night, the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) lay down to sleep, and then he waked up confusedly. Then, he lay down and waked up confusedly unlike the first time. Then, he slept and waked up and there was some red earth

in his hand and he was kissing it. I said to him, ‘O messenger of Allah, ‘What is this red earth? ’

p: 128

- Page128 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

He said, ‘Gabriel told me that this one (al-Husayn) will be killed in the land of Iraq. I asked him, ‘Show me the land where he will be killed. ’ And so this is his (al- Husayn) earth. ”[46]

3. Umm Salamah said, “One day, the Prophet (a. s. ) was sitting in my house. He said to me, ‘Let no one come to me. ’ After some moments, al-Husayn came in to him. I heard the Prophet (a. s. ) sobbing. Al-Husayn was in his lap. He was rubbing on his (al-Husayn) head and crying. I said to him, ‘By Allah, I did not notice him until he came in to you. ’

He said to me, ‘Gabriel was with us in the house. He asked me: Do you love him? I said: Yes. He said: Your nation will kill him in a land called Kerbala. ’ Then Gabriel took some of its (Kerbala) earth and showed it to the Prophet (a. s. ). ”[47]

4. Aa’isha said, ‘Once, al-Husayn bin Ali came to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) while Gabriel was revealing to him. Al-Husayn jumped on the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) while he was devoted (to the revelation). Gabriel asked, ‘O Muhammad, do you love him? ’

The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) said, ‘How do I not love my son? ’

Gabriel said, ‘Your nation will kill him after you. ’

Then, Gabriel stretched his hand and brought to the Prophet (a. s. ) some white earth and said, ‘In this land, your son will be killed. It is called at-Taff. ’

When Gabriel left, the earth was in the hand of the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) who was crying. He said to me, ‘O Aa’isha, Gabriel told me that my son Husayn will be killed in the land of at-Taff, and that my nation will be tried after me. ’

p: 129

- Page129 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Then the Prophet (a. s. ) , who was still crying, went out to his companions, among whom there were Ali, Abu Bakr, Umar, Huthayfah, Ammar, and Abu Tharr. They asked, ‘O messenger of Allah, why are you crying? ’

He said, ‘Gabriel told me that my son al-Husayn will be killed after me in the land of at-Taff. He brought me this earth and said he would be buried in it. ’[48]

5. Zaynab bint Jahsh, the Prophet’s wife, said, ‘one day, the Prophet (a. s. ) was sleeping in my house and Husayn was crawling in the house. I took no notice of him (al-Husayn) for a while until he came to the Prophet (a. s. ) and got over his abdomen. Then, the Prophet (a. s. ) began offering the prayer and he embraced al- Husayn. When he bowed and prostrated, he put him down, and when he stood up, he carried him. When he sat, he raised his hands and began supplicating. After finishing his prayer, I said to him, ‘O messenger of Allah, I saw you do something today that I had not seen you do it before. ’

He said, ‘Gabriel came and told me that my son would be killed. I said: show me then. He brought me some red earth. ’[49]

6. Ibn Abbas said, “Once, al-Husayn was in the Prophet’s lap. Gabriel asked him, ‘Do you love him? ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) said, ‘How could I not love him? He is the fruit of my heart. ’

Gabriel said, ‘Your nation will kill him. Shall I show you the place of his tomb? ’ He grasped something and it was a handful of red earth. ’[50]

p: 130

- Page130 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

7. Abu Umamah narrated, “The messenger of Allah (a. s. ) said to his wives: ‘Do not make this boy (al-Husayn) cry. ’ It was the day of Umm Salamah. [51] Gabriel came down, and the Prophet (a. s. ) went into his room and said to Umm Salamah, ‘Do not let anyone come in to me. ’

Then, al-Husayn came. When he knew that the Prophet (a. s. ) was in the house, he wanted to come in to him, but Umm Salama embraced him and began playing with him in order to calm him down. When he cried loudly, she let him alone and he entered and sat in the Prophet’s lap. Gabriel said to the Prophet (a. s. ) , ‘Your nation will kill your this son. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) asked, ‘Do they kill him while they believe in me? ’

Gabriel said, ‘Yes, they kill him. ’ He took some earth and told the Prophet (a. s. ) that al-Husayn would be killed in the so-and-so place.

The Prophet (a. s. ) came out embracing al-Husayn but he was distressed and sad. Umm Salamah thought that the Prophet (a. s. ) was distressed because she had let the boy come in to him. She said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, may I die for you! You have said not to make this boy cry and ordered me not to let anyone come in to you. Al-Husayn came and cried, and I let him alone. ’

The Prophet (a. s. ) did not answer her and he went out to his companions while being too sad. He said to them, ‘My nation will kill this one. ’ He pointed to al- Husayn.

p: 131

- Page131 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Abu Bakr and Umar said, ‘O messenger of Allah, even though they are believers?! ’

He said, ‘Yes, and this is his earth. ’[52]

8. Anas bin al-Harith narrated that the Prophet (a. s. ) had said, ‘My this son- he pointed to al-Husayn- will be killed in a land called Kerbala’. Let whoever witness that support him! ’

When Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) marched to Kerbala, Anas went with him and was martyred before him. [53]

9. Umm Salamah related, “One day, al-Hasan and al-Husayn were playing before the Prophet (a. s. ) in my house. Gabriel came down and said, ‘O Muhammad, your nation will kill your this son after you. ’ He pointed to al-Husayn.

The Prophet (a. s. ) began crying and he joined al-Husayn to his chest. There was some earth in his hand. He smelt it and said, ‘Woe unto “kerb” and “bala”. ’[54]

He gave this earth to me and said, ‘When this earth changes into blood, know that my son will have been killed. ’

Umm Salama put this earth into a flask, took care of and noticed it everyday while saying: the day when you will change into blood will be a great day. ”[55]

10. Once, the Prophet (a. s. ) saw in sleep that a spotted dog was licking his blood. He interpreted the dream that some man would kill his son al-Husayn (a. s. ). It came true and Shimr bin Thil Jawshan, who was leprous, killed Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ). [56]

11. Ibn Abbas narrated, “When al-Husayn was two years old, the Prophet (a. s. ) went on a journey. After passing some of the way, he stopped, sighed, and his eyes shed tears. He was asked what for and he said, ‘Gabriel has just told me about a land near the Euphrates called Kerbala’ in which my son al-Husayn bin Fatima will be killed. ’ Some of his companions asked who would kill him and he replied sadly, ‘A man called Yazid (will kill him) , may Allah not bless his soul. As if I see his murder and tomb, and his head will be carried as a present. By Allah, whoever looks at the head of my son al-Husayn and become pleased Allah will contradict between his heart and tongue. ’

p: 132

- Page132 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When the Prophet (a. s. ) came back from his travel, he was distressed. He ascended the minbar and took with him his two grandsons al-Hasan and al-Husayn, peace be on them. He preached to Muslims and then he raised his head towards the heaven and said, ‘O Allah, I am Muhammad; Your servant and prophet and these two (boys) are the best of my family, the best of my progeny and root, and it is they whom I will leave among my nation. O Allah, Gabriel has told me that my this son-he pointed to al-Husayn-will be betrayed and killed.

O Allah, bless his killing and make him from the masters of martyrs, You are powerful over every thing, and do not bless his killer and betrayer. ’

The attendants burst into crying. The Prophet (a. s. ) said to them, ‘You cry but you will not support him. O Allah, be a guardian and supporter to him. ’

Ibn Abbas said, ‘The Prophet (a. s. ) was still unhappy. He ascended the minbar and made an eloquent speech while his eyes were shedding tears. He said, ‘O people, I will leave among you the two weighty things; the Book of Allah and my family and posterity, the mixture of my water[57] and my fruit (production). They (the Book of Allah and the progeny) will not separate until they will come to me at the pond (in Paradise). Surely I will not ask you for anything except for that which my Lord has ordered me of. I ask you for love to my relatives. Be careful that you shall not meet me at the pond while you have hated my progeny. ’

In another tradition it has been mentioned, ‘Gabriel has told me that my nation will kill my son al-Husayn in the land of Kerb and Bala’ (kerbala). The curse of Allah may be on his killer and betrayer until the end of time. ’

Then the Prophet (a. s. ) descended from the minbar, and there was no one from the Muhajireen and the Ansar except that he was certain that al-Husayn will be killed. ”[58]

Imam Ali foretells Imam Husayn’s martyrdom

Some traditions were transmitted from Imam Ali (a. s. ) in which he predicted the martyrdom of his son Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ). The following are some of them:

1. Abdullah bin Yahya narrated that his father had accompanied Imam Ali (a. s. ) to Siffin, and when they reached Nineveh, Imam Ali (a. s. ) said sadly and sorrowfully, ‘O Abu Abdullah,[59] be patient, be patient…at the river of the Euphrates! ’

Yahya said to him, ‘Who is Abu Abdullah? ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) replied to him painfully, “One day, I went to the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) and found his eyes full of tears. I said, ‘O prophet of Allah, has anyone made you angry? Why are your eyes full of tears? ’ He said, ‘Gabriel has just left me now. He told me that al-Husayn will be killed at the river of the Euphrates. He said to me: shall I make you smell his earth? I said: Yes. He gave me a handful (of that earth). I could not help myself, and so my eyes began shedding tears. ’”[60]

p: 134

- Page134 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

2. Harthamah bin Sulaym said, ‘We went with Ali bin Abi Talib to the battle of Siffeen, and when we arrived in Kerbala, he led us in offering the prayer congregationally. When he finished the prayer, he took some of its (Kerbala) earth, smelt it, and said, ‘O earth, some people will be resurrected from you and will enter into the Paradise without reckoning. ’

Harthama was astonished at Imam Ali’s saying. When he came back to his family, he told his wife Jarda’ bint Sameer, who was an adherent to Imam Ali, of what Imam Ali (a. s. ) had said, and she said to him, ‘What Ameerul Mo'minin says is the truth. ’

Time passed and a day came when Ubaydillah bin Ziyad sent his armies, among which was Harthamah, to fight Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ). When they arrived in Kerbala, Harthamah remembered the saying of Imam Ali (a. s. ) about the martyrdom of his son Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ). Harthamah came to Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) and told him of Imam Ali’s saying. Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) asked Harthama, ‘Are you with or against us? ’

He said, ‘Neither with nor against you. I have left my family and children and I fear for them from ibn Ziyad. ’

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) said to him, ‘Run away so that you do not see our murders. By Allah, any man who sees our murder today and does not support us Allah will throw him into Fire. ’

Harthamah followed Imam Husayn’s advice and he escaped from Kerbala. [61]

3. Thabit narrated from Suwayd bin Ghaflah that one day Imam Ali (a. s. ) made a speech, and then some man came and said to him, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, I passed by Wadi al-Qura and found Khalid bin Arfatah dead. Ask Allah to forgive him. ’

p: 135

- Page135 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Imam Ali (a. s. ) denied that and said, ‘By Allah, he has not died. And he shall not die until he will lead an army of deviants whose bannerman shall be Habeeb bin Hammar…’

Some man got up and said, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, I am Habeeb bin Hammar, and I am from your followers and adherents. ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) asked the man several times if he was Habeeb bin Hammar (just to make it certain before people) and the man answered that he was himself.

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said to him, ‘Yes, by Allah! You will carry it (the banner) and will enter through this gate-he pointed to Bab al-Feel (the gate of elephant) in the mosque of Kufa. ’

Thabit said, ‘By Allah, I remained alive until I saw ibn Ziyad sending Umar bin Sa’d to fight Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) and appointing Khalid bin Arfatah the leader of the front of his army and Habeeb bin Hammar as the bannerman who entered with the banner through Bab al-Feel. ’[62]

4. Imam Ali (a. s. ) said to al-Bara’ bin Aazib, ‘Will al-Husayn be killed while you will be alive but will not support him? ’

Al-Bara’ said, ‘Let that not be, O Ameerul Mo'minin! ’

After the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) , al-Bara’ often remembered that and said, ‘How great regret it is! I neither witnessed him nor was I killed before him. ’[63]

5. Abu Juhayfah narrated, “One day, Urwah al-Bariqi came to Sa’eed bin Wahab and asked him while I was listening, ‘There is a tradition you have narrated to me from Ali bin Abi Talib (a. s. ). He said, ‘Yes! Once, Mikhnaf bin Sulaym sent me to Ali. I went to him while he was in Kerbala. I found him pointing with his hand and saying, ‘It is here, it is here! ’

p: 136

- Page136 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Some man asked him, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, what is it?

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘A weightiness from the progeny of Muhammad (Imam Husayn and his family) will stop here. Alas for them from you, and woe unto you from them. ’

The man did not understand and asked, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, what do you mean? ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘Alas for them from you is that you will kill them, and woe unto you from them is that Allah will throw you into Fire because of killing them. ’”[64]

6. Al-Hasan bin Katheer narrated from his father that one day Imam Ali (a. s. ) stopped at Kerbala, and it was said to him, ‘O Ameerul Mo'minin, this is Kerbala. ’

He said sadly and painfully, ‘It is of “kerb” and “bala’ ”’. [65]

Then he pointed with his hand to some place and said, ‘Here is the place of their baggage and camels’, and pointed again to another place and said, ‘Here their bloods will be shed. ’[66]

7. Abu Khayrah said, ‘Once, I accompanied Ali until he arrived in Kufa. He ascended the minbar, praised Allah, and then said, ‘What will you do if the progeny of your prophet will come to be among you? ’

They (the attendants) all said, ‘We will do for them all that which pleases Allah. ’

Imam Ali (a. s. ) said, ‘I swear by Him in Whose hand my soul is, they will come to you, and you will rise against and kill them. ’[67]

There are many other traditions like these ones transmitted from Imam Ali (a. s. ) about the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) in the land of Kerbala.

p: 137

- Page137 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) and Umar

When Umar bin al-Khattab assumed the Islamic caliphate, Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) was in his early years. However, his heart was full of sorrow and pain because he believed that Umar had occupied the position of his father who was the pioneer of the social justice in Islam.

One day, Umar was making a speech from on the minbar and he was surprised by al-Husayn (a. s. ) who shouted at him,

“Get down! Get down of my father’s minbar and go to your father’s minbar! ”

Umar was astonished and confused. He said to al-Husayn (a. s. ) , ‘You are right. My father had no minbar. ’

Umar seated al-Husayn (a. s. ) beside him and asked him who had instructed him with this speech. Al-Husayn (a. s. ) said, ‘By Allah, no one has instructed me. ’[68]

Though he was in his early childhood yet, al-Husayn (a. s. ) saw that no one would deserve to ascend the minbar of his grandfather except his father (Imam Ali).

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) with Mo’awiya

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) felt great hatred and rage towards Mo’awiya, the man of evils and vices in Islam. It was Mo’awiya who spared no effort to remove all the political, educational, and moral values that Islam had achieved. Mo’awiya’s destructive decisions brought the nation many misfortunes and calamities. First, he did away with the famous learned and aware personalities like Hijr bin Adiy, who was one of the close companions of the Prophet (a. s. ) , Maytham at-Tammar, who was Imam Ali’s disciple, Rasheed al-Hijri, Amr bin al-Hamq al-Khuza’iy, and the like from the great Muslims who were openly killed by Mo’awiya.

p: 138

- Page138 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Second, he tried his best to degrade and defame the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) who were the essence of faith and the center of the religious and social awareness in Islam, and the sensitive nerve in the body of the nation. He employed all means of education and preaching to defame the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) in any possible way, and he imposed on the speechers to abuse them (the Ahlul Bayt) on the minbars in the Friday Prayer, congregational prayers, Eid Prayer, and on other occasions.

Third, he assigned committees to fabricate traditions and change the system of rule in Islam. Unfortunately and regretfully, those fabricated traditions had been recorded in the Sihah and Sunan (books of Hadith). This plan, as I think, was the most terrible plot that Muslims had ever been afflicted with. A great number of Muslims have believed in these fabricated traditions and thought they are a part from their religion whereas the pure religion is free from them all.

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) sent Mo’awiyah an indictment in which he had criticized, in a very sharp language, all disgraceful policies of Mo’awiya that contradicted the Book of Allah and the Sunna of His prophet, his killing of the great, eminent Muslims, and other vices and sins. This indictment is the most important political document that discloses the crimes and vices of Mo’awiya.

The political conference in Mecca

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) held a political conference in Mecca attended by great masses of Muslims of the Muhajireen and the Ansar who had attended the season of hajj. In this conference, Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) talked about the calamities that afflicted Islam and the Muslims and the misfortunes that the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) suffered because of the rule of Mo’awiya. This is a passage from the speech that Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) had made in this conference;

p: 139

- Page139 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

“This tyrant (Mo’awiya) had committed against us and against our adherents what you have seen, known, and witnessed. I want to ask you about something, and if I say the truth, you say that I am truthful and if I tell lies, you say that I am a liar. Listen to my speech and write down my saying, and then go back to your countries and tribes. Whoever you trust in and feel safe with, invite him to our right that you know, for I fear that this matter (Islam) may be removed and defeated (and Allah will perfect His light, though the unbelievers may be averse. 61: 8). ”

Then Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) mentioned Mo’awiya’s plots that aimed at doing away with Islam. At the end of the conference, Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) mentioned the virtues of the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ) that Mo’awiya tried to hide. This was the first political conference held in the history of Islam.

Mo’awiya’s perishment

Mo’awiya received his death while he was not certain and safe from the torment of Allah for the crimes and the bloodsheds he had committed against the faithful of Muslims. He died but he left after him terrible sedition and disagreement that threw great evils among Muslims.

Before his death, Mo’awiya entrusted his son Yazid with the rule after him. Yazid was corrupted, dissolute, and mutinous against the Islamic values. He believed neither in Allah nor in the afterlife. Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) described him as: “a man of drinking and hunting. He obeyed Satan and disobeyed the Beneficent One. He spread corruption, cancelled the laws (of Allah) , extorted the revenue for himself, made unlawful things of Allah as lawful, and prohibited His lawful things. ”[69]

p: 140

- Page140 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

When Mo’awiya died, his son Yazid assumed the rule and committed all kinds of crimes, sins, corruption, and oppression.

Imam al-Husayn’s revolt

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) rose against the tyrant Yazid and announced publicly his refusing to Yazid’s homage. He announced before people the goals of his eternal revolution saying,

“I have not risen rashly, ungratefully, oppressively, or corruptively, but I have risen to seek reform for the nation of my grandfather. I want to enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and do as my grandfather and father did. ”

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) revolted to establish the pillars of reform in the nation, achieve justice among people, and to do away with all the bad and false practices that the Umayyad rule had established on the stage of the Islamic life.

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) made a speech in Mecca saying,

“Praise be to Allah, what Allah wills (shall come true) , there is no power save in Allah, and blessing and peace of Allah be on His messenger.

Death has been written on man as a necklace (is hung) on a girl’s neck. I have longed to my ancestors as Jacob’s longing to Joseph. A death that I shall meet is better to me. As if I see my parts being cut by the wolves of deserts between an-Nawawees and Kerbala. They will fill, from me, empty rumens and hungry pouches. There is no escape from a day that has been written by the Pen (determined by the Heaven).

p: 141

- Page141 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

The consent of Allah is our consent the Ahlul Bayt (a. s. ). We are patient with His trials, and He will give us the reward of the patient.

The family of the messenger of Allah (a. s. ) will not deviate from him. They will be gathered in the court of holiness. His (the Prophet) eye will be delighted with them, and his promise will be fulfilled by them. Whoever sacrifices his life for us, and has prepared himself to meet Allah, let him set out with us, for I will set out in the morning if Allah the Almighty wills. ”[70]

I think I do not know a political address more eloquent and more wonderful than this address, in which Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) had announced his determination on martyrdom and the making little of life for the sake of Allah the Almighty. He welcomed death and considered it as an order of honor and a decoration like a necklace that a girl adorns herself with. He announced the pure place where his pure blood would be shed on its earth that was between an-Nawawees and Kerbala. There, swords and spears would loot his pure body. We have analyzed this address and mentioned its important points in our book “The Life of Imam al- Hasan bin Ali”.

Martyrdom

When the many letters of the people of Kufa came to Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) begging him to save them from the bad life they led under the oppression of the Umayyad rule, and charging him with the responsibility before Allah and the nation if he would delay to respond to them, he, peace be on him, went determinedly to them but surrounded along the way by a battalion (of the Umayyads) under the leadership of al-Hurr ar-Riyahi who forced Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) to go to Kerbala. He resided there and felt that the inevitable end was near to him, to his family, and to his companions. However, he did not care for the danger that would attack him. Armies from Kufa began arriving one after the other until they surrounded him from every side, controlled the banks of the Euphrates, and prevented the imam and his fellows from reaching water. On the tenth of Muharram (Ashura) , the eternal day in the world of sorrows, the armies of deviation and oppression attacked the imam and his followers and exterminated them all, and a good group of shining stars from the Prophet’s progeny were extinguished.

p: 142

- Page142 - THE LIFE OF FATIMA AZ-ZAHRA

Imam al-Husayn (a. s. ) announced his firm determination by saying, “I do not see death but happiness, and life with the unjust but boredom. ”

He also said, “By Allah, I do not surrender to you like the low, nor do I submit to you like slaves. ”

The beasts attacked him with their swords and spears until he was martyred. He offered his soul as a sacrifice to the Qur'an and all human values and ideals.

The banners of the Umayyads were folded, their castles, palaces, and great armies were destroyed, but the banner of Imam al-Husayn, the example of the free in the world, waved everywhere carrying with it honor, dignity, and jihad. There is no conqueror, neither in the world of Islam nor in other than the world of Islam, greater than Imam al-Husayn, the master of martyrs who has occupied the hearts and feelings of people through his revolution by which Allah has honored Islam and made (the revolution) a lesson for the people of understanding.