The Lady of the World... Fatimah
Al-Zahraa (a.s.)
From the
time of the Holy Prophet's (s.a.w.) death, Fatimah (a.s.) would be
continually found with crying eyes and a burning heart. Her sweet times
in her life quickly came to an end; even though throughout her lifetime
there were no real sweet periods, because there were the constant
pressures, wars, and plots of the enemies against Islam and the Holy
Prophet (s.a.w.).
The hatred and grudges of Badr,
Khaibar, Honain, that were hidden during the Prophet's (s.a.w.) time,
now became visible. Fatimah (a.s.) was then made the center of
poisonous arrows of the enemies that came at them at every direction.
Her separation of her father; the sad tormenting innocence of her
husband Imam Ali (a.s.); the plots of the enemy against Islam, the worry
of Fatimah for the future of the Muslims and the Qur'anic heritage, all
came together severely straining her pure heart.
Fatimah (a.s.) doesn't wish to
cause Imam Ali (a.s.) greater grief by relating to him her sadness,
because he already received a severe blow by these unpleasant
circumstances, and misdeeds created by the people.
For this very reason, she would go
to the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.) and tell him of her grief.
And she would speak heart rendering words that would burn our inner
souls: "Father dear, after you, I feel lonely. I have remained
perplexed and deprived, my mouth is inclined to silence, and my back is
broken, and the wholesome water of life has become bitter to my taste."
And, sometimes she would say: "The person who smells the pure soil of
the grave of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.), it is only fair that until the
end of his life he should smell no other perfume. After you, O' father,
so much suffering has fallen upon me that, if they were to fall upon
bright days, they would turn into dark, gloomy nights." Why does
Fatimah (a.s.) shed tears in this way?
Why is she so restless?
Why is she as wild rue on fire, with no stability?
Why?!
The answer: They must be heard from her own words.
Umm Salamah says: "When I went to
see the lady of Islam Fatimah (a.s.) after the death of the Prophet
(s.a.w.), and asked her how she was, in reply, these meaningful
sentences were spoken by her: 'Why are you asking me how I am Umm
Salamah, when I am caught in the middle of much sadness and sufferings?
On the one hand I have lost my father, the Prophet (s.a.w.), and on the
other hand (I see with my own eyes that) there has been injustice done
to his successor, (Ali ibn Abi Talib). I swear to God that they have
torn the curtain of his inviolability (reverence). But I know that
these are the grudges of Badr and the revenges of Uhud, that were hidden
in the hearts of the hypocrites (nonbelievers).' " Fatimah's
(a.s.) life never got to completely blossom. Her life was short just
like a rose that withers away. What kept going through Fatimah's (a.s.)
mind in her deathbed:
1- She remembered her rights that were taken away.
2- She remembered her oppressed husband and his stolen position.
3- She remembered him being led by his turban to the Mosque
while she followed him. . .
4- She remembered all this and a gloomy picture appeared before
her tired eyes. . . then a sigh becomes imprisoned deep in her heart.
. .
The heart which longs for the great Messenger who gave her the
good news of her speedy departure after him (s.a.w.). Oh! How forsaken
she was?! But she was the Prophet's (s.a.w.) daughter! She was his
favorite child! She whom the Prophet (s.a.w.) repeatedly expressed the
importance of observing her rights!
And as the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.)
said: "Man is observed by respecting his children!!"
Yet, this did not stop the arrogant ones from encroaching on
her rights, nor did it stop the sinful hands from reaching out to
strangle the beautiful rose before it completely blossomed!!
Fatimah (a.s.) had now appeared
pale and faint. . . only 90 days were left for her departure to Allah
(SWT) and her father (s.a.w.). On her death bed, Fatimah (a.s.) laid in
calmness and tranquility; while if it was someone else in her case: they
would mourn and break apart instead.
At the time of her death she came
out clear of the faults of the people towards the injustice and
oppression they received. She blamed the people for accepting Abu
Bakr's and Umar's leadership over Imam Ali (a.s.). She foretold
calamities which would take place as a result of this misdeed.
There is a story reported that when
Fatimah (a.s.) was suffering from her fatal illness, Abu Bakr and Umar
came to visit her. They asked for permission to enter, but she refused
to see them. Upon this, Abu Bakr vowed not to enter any house until he
saw Fatimah (a.s.) and asked her to forgive him. Abu Bakr, because of
his oath, was forced to spend that night in the cold with no cover.
Eventually, after Umar went and
asked Imam Ali (a.s.) to enter the house and Fatimah then allowed them
to enter the house keeping in mind that she obeys the commands of her
husband (a.s.). Fatimah (a.s.) shunned them, showing them her wrath
towards what they have done, and waiting to reply to them on the Day of
Judgment when she (a.s.) meets with Allah (SWT).
Source of References:
Ayatullah Makarem Shirazi. The World's most outstanding lady.
Pages 41-43. Tehran, Iran.
Abu-Muhammad Ordoni. Fatima the Gracious. Pages 245-253.
Islamic Republic of Iran. |