A Miracle of Creation

By Sayyid Alaedin Shahrokhi, Ph.D, Khorramabad University

          How can it be possible to discuss the life of a person who has attained perfection in all dimensions and who is a role-model in every way, for one and all?

          Being the daughter of Hazrat Khadija (SA) and the last Messenger of Allah (SAW), the wife of Imam Ali (AS), the mother of the two leaders of the `Youths of Paradise' - Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS) as well as being mother to the courageous Zainab (SA) and the humble Umm-e Kulthum (SA), each may be referred to reflect one perfect dimension of her excellent flawless personality.

          Oh Allah, what is the wisdom behind the fact that the most perfect guides for the salvation of mankind and their prosperity in both worlds have emerged from the pious womb of this great lady; and that too at a time when the world was steeped in darkness and ignorance - an age when women were considered as lower than cattle!

          Fatima Zahra (SA) bloomed in the pious and sturdy lap of Khadija (SA) who was the first wife of the Prophet of Islam (SAW) and who was the best and most pious of Arab women in the pre-Islamic times. She was also the first lady to embrace Islam and was one of the best and most loyal patrons of Islam and the noble Prophet (SAW), who sacrificed all her wealth and comfort for the cause of the Religion of Allah. The Prophet (SAW) held her in very high esteem and even years after her death, he always referred to her with great love and respect. (Bukhari, vol. 15, p. 47)

          Hazrat Fatima (SA) was the 7th child of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and historians have recorded that she was born five years before the declaration of the Prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) and in the same year in which the Ka'ba was renovated. However, there is a difference of opinion among the historians and exegetes regarding the exact year of her birth; her life-span as well as the year of her demise.

          According to scholar al-Kulayni:

          "The birth of Hazrat Fatima (SA), the daughter of the Prophet (SAW) was five years after the declaration of the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)." (Usool-e Kafi, vol. 1, p. 457)

          According to another scholar Yaqubi:

          "The age of Hazrat Fatima (SA), at the time of her demise was 25 years. Thus, she must have been born in the year of the declaration of the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)." (Tareekh-e Yaqubi, vol. 1, p. 512)

          This statement of Yaqubi, falls in line with the belief of Sheikh Tusi who had stated that her age at the time of her marriage with Imam Ali (AS) was 13 years. (Misbahol Mujtahid, p. 561)

          Another historian Masoudi, writes:

          "There is a dispute regarding the life-span of Hazrat Fatima (SA). Some say that she died at the age of 33 years, while others believed that she died at 30 years of age; yet others have placed her age of demise at lower than these." (Masoudi, Al-Tinbih wal-Ashraf, p. 250)

   Islamic narrators have mentioned Hazrat Fatima (SA) as having a number of names like Zahra (the Radiant), Raziya (the Content), Tahira (the Virtuous), Marziyeh (she who well-pleases Allah), Siddiqe (the Truthful) and yet others. However, her famous title `az-Zahra' is the most popular and is often used alongside her name Fatima (SA).

          "Zahra" means radiant and illumined and she was called by that name because she possessed a bright and glowing personality of a perfect Muslim woman, shining with the light of piety and worship. Her basic name is Fatima (SA), which in the Arabic language means "separated" or "detached".

   Many Shi'a and Sunni texts have quoted the Prophet (SAW) as having said:

          "Fatima (SA) was named so because she as well as her followers have been cut off and separated from the fire of Hell." (Ibn-e Hajar Hatimi, "Al-Sawaiq al-Mohraqeh", p. 160)

          However, all her various titles highlighted each of her divine qualities.

          Fatima (SA) was born and brought up in a home that was the landing ground of the highest angels as well the sacred ground for divine Prophetic inspiration (wahy). She grew up in the loving care of her father, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and her mother, Hazrat Khadija (SA). She was one of the closest witnesses of the deep pain and struggle that her beloved father underwent prior to his migration to Medina. In her growing days, she had often grieved over the disrespect and the hardships inflicted upon the Prophet (SAW), while he prayed or recited the verses of the Glorious Qur'an in the Masjidul-Haraam in Mecca.

          Fatima (SA) had sincerely and faithfully accompanied and helped the Prophet (SAW), Hazrat Khadija (SA) and their other supporters during their most trying and difficult years in their forced confinement in the `Valley of Abi Talib'. They lived there in an atmosphere overtaken by the fear and anxiety due to the constant attacks by the infidels at night. During all these years, she went through great hardships and deprivation while she was still at a very tender age.

          Very shortly following these excruciating years, yet another major tragedy fell upon the Prophet (SAW) and his family as well as the Islamic Ummah with the passing away in close succession of two of the most loyal and powerful supporters of Islam, i.e., Bibi Khadija (SA) and Hazrat Abi Talib (AS). Through this most severe year in the life of the Prophet of Islam (SAW), Fatima (SA) stood firmly by his side, wiping his tears and dusting his face and clothes, trying to give him solace and hope in the absence of his beloved wife and patron. The love and care that she showered onto her father through those dark days, earned her the title, "Umm-e Abeeha" (Mother of her Father).

          Soon after Prophet's (SAW) migration to Medina, a new phase began in Fatima's (SA) life. She got married and went to her husband's house. Although many of the Prophet's (SAW) close companions had proposed for her hand, looking forward to marrying her, she chose to be wife to Imam Ali (AS). It is narrated that once the Prophet (SAW) told Imam Ali (AS), thus:

          "A number of Quraish nobles were upset at the rejection of their proposals to marry my daughter. My answer to them was that it was Allah's will. No one but Ali deserved to be Fatima's husband." (Bihar ul-Anwar, volume concerning the `Life of Fatima' p. 92)

          The life of Fatima (SA) and Ali (AS) together was unique. In spite of the difficulties of their divine mission in life, their mutual understanding and sacrifice had made their life sweet, excellent and productive. Their first son Imam Hassan (AS) was born in the year 3 A.H. and Imam Hussein (AS) in the year 4 A.H., making the couple's life more joyous than ever before. Despite their economic problems and hardships, Fatima (SA) remained a content and sacrificing wife who never complained to her husband.

          The Prophet of Islam (SAW) showed great love and respect towards Fatima (SA), which is indicative of her status and position before Allah. Many Muslim historians have recorded that whenever the Prophet (SAW) met Fatima (SA), he would rise and welcome her and kiss her face, chest and hands and would make her sit next to himself. (Al-Imamate wal al-Siasat, vol. 1, p. 14)

          During the last days of Prophet's (SAW) life, his beloved daughter was deeply sad and wept very often. On seeing her so restless and tearful, the Prophet (SAW) revealed to her: "My dear daughter! You will be the first one from my household to join your father." On hearing this, Hazrat Fatima (SA) was consoled and there was a content smile on her face. Those present enquired about the cause of her smile, but Zahra (SA) refused to answer their enquiry until much later." (Ibn-e Sa'd, Al-Tabaqat Al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 17)

          After the Prophet's (SAW) demise, while Imam Ali (AS) and the Bani Hashimites were engaged in his funeral preparations, a group of Quraishi's gathered in the Saqifah of Bani Nazir to appoint a successor. The Prophet's (SAW) family were still mourning his demise when a group of his companions gathered in Ali (AS) and Fatima's (SA) house, threatening to set the house on fire if they refused to swear allegiance to the appointed caliph. (Al-Aqid al-Farid, vol. 5, p. 12)

          From then on, Fatima (SA) delivered her political responsibilities in such a manner that makes her the indisputable role-model for all the truth-seeking and freedom-loving women throughout history. In the suffocating conditions of those days when every voice was silenced with terror, she addressed groups of men and women in and outside of Prophet's (SAW) Mosque (in Medina) and talked about justice and the rights of Prophet's Household (AS). The most important points raised by her were as follows:

          -- The Qur'an and Itrat.

          -- People's need for the Qur'an and Itrat.

          -- Supporting Imam Ali's Velayat.

          -- Recognizing the true Prophetic Traditions from the false ones.

          -- Propagating pure Islam as brought by the Prophet (SAW).

          -- Warning against the evils of abandoning the Qur'an and Itrat.

          (Dashti, Life History of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA), p. 56)

          How is it possible to overlook her eloquent sermon delivered in the Prophet's (SAW) Mosque. It would be quite appropriate to quote a few sentences from this sermon in order to highlight the depth of her knowledge and understanding about the prevailing conditions of her times and the political affairs her society as well her courage in confronting the tyrants of her days. Fatima (SA) said:

   "Praise be to Allah for that which He bestowed (upon us); And thanks be to Him for all that which He inspired; and commended in His Name for that which He provided... Thus, (why have you) become confused after clarity? Concealing matters after announcing them? Turned on your heels after daring? Associated (others with Allah) after believing? Will you not fight people who violated their oaths? Plotted to expel the Apostle and became aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do you fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom you should more justly fear, if you believe!..."

   Hazrat Fatima (SA) concluded her sermon stating:

   "Surely I have said all that I have said with full knowledge that you intent to forsake me, and knowing the betrayal which your hearts sensed. But, it is the state of soul, the effusion of fury, the dissemination of (what is), the chest and the presentation of the proof. Hence, Here it is! Bag it (leadership and) put it on the back of an ill she-camel, which has a thin hump, with everlasting grace, marked with the wrath of Allah, and the blame of ever (which leads to) the Fire of (the wrath of) Allah kindled (to a blaze), that which does mount (right) to the hearts;

For, Allah witnesses what you do, and soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!! And I am the daughter of a warner [the Prophet (SAW)] to you against a severe punishment. So, act and so will we, and wait, and we shall wait."

The Fadak Orchard

          Fadak was a piece of orchard land about 140 km from Medina that had been presented to the Prophet of Islam (SAW) after the Battle of Kheibar. At first the income from Fadak was distributed among the destitutes from Bani Hashim, but later the Prophet (SAW) had gifted it to his daughter Fatima (SA). (Tafsir-e Ibn-e Kathir, vol. 3, p. 36)

          After the Prophet's (SAW) demise, Fadak was confiscated in order to strike another blow to the Household of the Prophet. However, Fatima (SA) never kept quiet over this oppression. Immediately after coming to know about the confiscation of the Fadak lands, she addressed both the Mohajers as well as Ansars and complained about all the oppression on her and her family after the demise of the Prophet (SAW). Her speech made most of those present shed tears.

          Her father's demise was unbearable for her. And the ensuing deviations that had prevailed in the society along with usurpers of Imam Ali's (AS) rights, upset her to such an extent that as predicted by the Prophet (SAW), she joined her father after a very short span of time.

          The words which she said to some people who had come to visit her during her illness, were indicative of her profound perception about the existing political situation. She told a visitor who had enquired about her health, thus:

          "By Allah! I do not care for your world and I detest your men. I tested them inwards and outwards and I am unhappy with what they did. They are rusted swords that have turned blunt.... They brought Allah's wrath upon themselves and shall reside in hell for ever.... Woe onto them, what made them prevent the truth and prevent the structure of Caliphate from being raised on the foundation of the Prophethood.... Certainly what they did gained them nothing but obvious loss. By Allah! They were unhappy with Ali (AS), because they had tested the power of his sword and had witnessed his steadfastness." (Shahidi, Fatima's (SA) Life, p. 151)

Fatima's (SA) Demise:

          According to some Traditions, Fatima (SA) left for her heavenly abode on the 3rd of Jamadi at Thani, 11 A.H.

   In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were asleep and voices were silent, a heavenly procession left Ali's (AS) house while carrying the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) to her final abode. (Fatima, the Gracious, compiled by Abu Muhammad Ordoni, p.264).

   Imam Ali (AS) buried her in the darkness of the night, according to her will and until date, her grave has remained unknown to the common people. (Al-Tabaqat al-Kobra, vol. 8, p. 19)