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Hazrat Fatima
Zahra (A.S.)
Leader of the
Women of Paradise
The Only
Daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S.A.W.)
The Mother of the Leaders of Youth of Paradise: (Imam Hasan (A.S.) and
Imam Husain (A.S.)
Name :
Fatima
Title
: Az-Zahra
Kunyat
: Umm-ul-Aimma
Born :
Friday 20th of Jamadi-ul-Akhar in Mecca
Father's Name :
Holy Prophet Muhammad Ibn-e-Abdulla (S.A.W.)
Mother's Name :
Khadija bint-e-Khuwailid
Martyred :
13th
Jamadi-ul-Awwal or 3rd Jamadi-ul-Akhir 11Hijrah at Medina at the age
of18 years (due to injury inflicted upon her through force of a falling
door by a hypocrite).
Buried
: The
cemetery of Jannatul Baqi or in the Masjid-un-Nabi at Medina
Hadrat Fatima Zahra's(A.S.) other name:
Az-Zahra: She was named by Allah, as
Az-Zahra because her Holy Light used to shine among those brighter in
all The Heavens.
Batool: Because of her absolute
Purity attained from Paradise from The Heavens. And also because, The
Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra, not like all the other women in the world, she
had been blessed of not having the monthly menstrual period. This purity
of hers was created by Allah The Almighty with the Purity of the
Heavenly food and water her Holy Father had received, when he was alone
on the mountain top indulging himself in prayer in the worship of God,
for forty days and nights.
Siddiqah The Honest, The Righteous
Al-Mubarakah The Blessed One
Al-Tahirah The Virtuous, The Pure
Al-Zakiyah The Chaste, The
Unblemished
Al-Radhiatul Mardhiah She who is
gratified and who shall be satisfied
Al-Muhaddathah A person other than a
Prophet, that the angel's speak too
Al-Zahirah The Luminous
Hazrat Fatima (A.S.) in the Holy
Quran
Allah is the light of the
heavens and the earth; a likeness of His light is as a niche in which is
a lamp, the lamp is in a glass .... [ 25 : 35 ]
Ibn al Maghazli al Shafi'i
has related that the niche means Hazrat Fatima ( A.S. ), the lamp means
Hasan ( A.S.) and Husain ( A.S.) .....
Give the kinsman his due
.... [ 17 : 26 ]
The Marriage
One day when the Prophet (
S.A.W. ) came out and joined his companions his face was beaming with
joy. Abd al Rahman ibn Awf inquired as to the cause of his joy and the
Prophet ( S.A.W ) said :
I have received good
tidings from my Lord about my brother and the son of my uncle, that
Allah has given my daughter Fatima, Peace be Upon Her and her progeny,
in marriage to Ali.
Sawaiq Al Muhriqah page
103
The Prophet ( saw ) said :
O Fatima ! Are you not
pleased with this, that Allah, the Mighty and Glorious, cast a glance on
the dwellers of the earth and selected from them two men, one of them
your father and the other your husband ?
Mustadrak Al Hakim Volume
3 page 129 ( admits it to be genuine )
Kanz al Ummal Volume 6
page 153
Ibn Abu Hatam has recorded
a report from Anas, who says that Umar and Abu Bakr came to the Prophet
(S.A.W. ) and each of them requested to give him the hand of Fatima
(A.S.). But the Prophet (S.A.W.) kept silent and gave no answer. Then
both of them went to Ali (A.S.) and told him that they had asked for the
hand of Fatima (A.S. ), but the Prophet (S.A.W.) gave no answer. They
requested Ali (A.S.) to ask for the hand of Fatima ( A.S.).
Many eminent traditionists
have copied this report from Ibn Hatam. Ibn Hajar Asqalani ( Hadith
Scientist ) has recorded in the opening part of Chapter 11 of Sawaiq al
Muhriqah.
Kanz al Ummal Volume 6
page 153
The Prophet (S.A.W.) gave
Abu Bakr some money and asked him to accompany Salman and Bilal to buy
some house hold necessities for Fatimas house. The Prophet said to Abu
Bakr :
Buy some appropriate
household necessities for my daughter with this money.
Abu Bakr said :
He ( saw ) gave me sixty
three ( 63 ) dirhams, so we went to the market and bought the following
a
leather mat
a
Khaibairion cloak
jugs
and jars for water
a
thin curtain made of wool
a
veil costing 4 ( foour ) dirhams
a bed
embellished with ribbon
a mat
from Hajar
a
special copper container used for dye stuff
a
water skin
The Leader of
all Women in Paradise
Like her
Holy Infallible Father(S.A.W.), she possessed all the intellectual
abilities and achievements. Many verses of The Holy Koran were revealed
in her praise and about her spiritual credits. The Holy Prophet of
Islam(S.A.W.) had given her several honorable titles among which one is:
The Holy
Prophet her Father(S.A.W.) loved her very much
Whenever she would
go to the house of her father The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) would stand up
out of respect to her. Whenever he greeted her, and he would honour her
by giving her a special place to seat herself in his house. Very often
Her Father(S.A.W.) would softly kiss her hands and say, "Allah, The Most
High; is pleased when Fatimah(A.S.) is pleased. He is angered; whenever
Fatimah is angered!"
The Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) Pleads Her Case
After all
else failing, the holy Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.), in her desperation
and frustration, causes a great controversy among all the Muslims. By
personally going to her Father's Mosque of Al-Madinah, after prayers
had ended, to publicly expose and demand the immeadiate return of her
rightful inheritance from Abu Bakr and his supporters, who had ordered
it confiscated.
The Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) had now
exhaused all possible avenues in her pursuit to reclaim her rightful
inheritance to the Fadak, given to her by her Father
The Holy Prophet Mohammad Al-Mustafa(S.A.W.).
But sadly her pleas fell on deaf ears. For this reason, and on the
grounds of proving that she has been oppressed by those who professed
righteousness under false pretences of faith and piety. At a very last
resort the holy Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.), daringly went to her
Father's Mosque, to face her adversaries and delivered to them the
most eloquent of words in her defense, which left the assembly
speechless. She chose to proceed to the Mosque at a time when it was
crammed with people, in order that her words reached the ears of all
the people, who were somewhat accessories after the fact due to their
silent approval of the events that occurred after the Holy Prophet's
demise. She addressed the assembly in a speech that was both
harmonious and systematic. It was an impeccable speech in that it
contained no minced words, and was free of equivocation, distortion
and slander. Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) used the occasion to firstly
acquaint the people with Allah, The Most Exalted,
and to disclose the merits of the Islamic religion and to clarify the
cause and effect of the Islamic Laws. With this introduction she
succeeded in securing the full attention of the assembly and created
an appropriate atmosphere in which she could deliver her final
statement which contained the underlying intentions and reasons that
forced her to leave her house and proceed to the Mosque. And the
reasons which warranted her leaving her house were, of course, the
misappropriation by the so-called then self appointed caliph
Abu Bakr of: The
Fadak which was legally hers.
Hadrat Fatima (A.S.) felt grieved by Abu Bakr's actions,
and was so displeased with him that when she knew of his attempt
to seize Fadak, she accompanied a group of women to the Masjid-un-Nabi
in the holy city of Madina. There she sat down and delivered the
following speech:
Hadrat Fatima's Historical Speech
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: Form prevalent favors
which He created, And abundant benefactions which He offered and
perfect grants which He presented; (such benefactions) that their
number is much too plentiful to compute; Bounties too vast to
measure; Their limit was too distant to realize; He recommended to
them (His creatures) to gain more (of His benefaction) by being
grateful for their continuity; He ordained Himself praiseworthy by
giving generously to His creatures; I bear witness that there is
no God but Allah Who is One without partner, a statement which
sincere devotion is made to be its interpretation; hearts
guarantee its continuation, and illuminated in the minds is its
sensibility.
He Who can not be perceived with vision; neither be
described with tongues; nor can imagination surround His state. He
originated things but not from anything that existed before them,
and created them without examples to follow. Rather, He created
them with His might and dispersed them according to His will; not
for a need did He create them; nor for a benefit (for Him) did He
shape them, But to establish His wisdom, Bring attention to His
obedience, manifest His might, lead His creatures to humbly
venerate Him, and to exalt His decrees. He then made the reward
for His obedience, And punishment for his disobedience, so as to
protect His creatures from His Wrath and amass them into His
Paradise.
I too bear witness that my Father, Muhammad(S.A.W.), is
His Slave and Messenger, Whom He chose prior to sending him, named
him before sending him; when creatures were still concealed in
that which was transcendental, guarded from that which was
appalling and associated with the termination and nonexistence.
For Allah the Exalted knew that which was to follow, comprehended
that which will come to pass, And realized the place of every
event. Allah has sent him (Muhammad) (S.A.W.) as perfection for
His commands, a resolution to accomplish His rule, and an
implementation of the decrees of His Mercy. So he found the
nations to vary in their faiths; Obsessed by their fires,
Worshipping their idols, And denying Allah despite their knowledge
of Him. Therefore, Allah illuminated their darkness with my
Father, Muhammad, (S.A.W.) uncovered obscurity from their hearts,
and cleared the clouds from their insights. He revealed guidance
among the people; So he delivered them from being led astray, led
them away from misguidance, guided them to the proper religion,
and called them to the straight path
Allah then chose to recall him back in mercy, love and
preference. So, Muhammad (S.A.W.) is in comfort from the burden of
this world, he is surrounded with devoted angels, the satisfaction
of the Merciful Lord, and the nearness of the powerful King. So
may the praise of Allah be upon my Father, His Prophet, Trusted
one, the chosen one from among His creatures, and His sincere
friend, and may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) then turned to the crowd and said:
Surely you are Allah's slaves at His command Prohibition;
You are the bearers of His religion and revelation; You are
Allah's trusted ones with yourselves; and His messengers to the
nations. Amongst you does He have righteous authority; A covenant
He brought unto you, and an heir He left to guard you; That is The
eloquent book of Allah; The truthful Quran; The brilliant light;
The shining beam; Its insights are indisputable; Its secrets are
revealed; Its indications are manifest; and its followers are
blessed by it. (The Quran) leads its adherents to goodwill; and
Hearing it leads to salvation; with it are the bright divine
authorities achieved, His manifest determination acquired, His
prohibited decrees avoided; His manifest evidence recognized, His
satisfying proofs made apparent, His permissions granted, and His
laws written.
So Allah made belief to be purification for you from
polytheism. He made: Prayer - An exaltation for you from conceit.
Alms - A purification for the soul and a (cause of) growth in
subsistence. Fasting - An implantation of devotion. Pilgrimage - A
construction of religion. Justice - A harmony of the hearts;
Obeying us (Ahlul-Bayt) Management of the nation. Our leadership (Ahlul-Bayt).
Safeguard from disunity. Jihad (struggle) - A strengthening of
Islam. Patience - A helping course for deserving (divine) reward.
Ordering goodness (Amr Bi Maruf) Public welfare. Kindness to the
parents - A safeguard from wrath. Maintaining close relations with
one's kin-A cause for a longer life and multiplying the number of
descendants. Retaliation (Qesas) -For sparing blood (souls).
Fulfillment of vows - subjecting oneself to mercy. Completion of
weights and measures - A cause for preventing the neglect of
others' rights. Forbiddance of drinking wine - An exaltation from
atrocity. Avoiding slander - A veil from curse. Abandoning theft-a
reason for deserveing chastity. Allah has also prohibited
polytheism so that one can devote himself to His Lordship.
Therefore; Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not
except in a state of Islam; Obey Allah in that which He has
commanded you to do and that which He has forbidden, for surely
those truly fear among His servants, who have knowledge.
'Her Prayer'
One day the Holy Lady
Fatimah Al-Zahra(A.S.) was shown by her
Father The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) a very special kind of
Prayer. That he himself was shown earlier by The Trusted
Archangel Jibrael(A.S.).
This special
After-Prayer is to be said after each time, any
Prayer of Worship is concluded.
The
Holy Lady(A.S) in turn began to teach the short Prayer to so many
others. That in the very short time, it became to be known as the
'Prayer of Fatimah Al-Zahra(as)'.
It is reported
that Fatimah died on the 13th Jamadi-al-Awwal orthird of Jumada
'l-Akhir in the eleventh year of the hijrah. She survived the Holy
Prophet(S.A.W.) by only ninety-five days.
The Commander
of the Faithful Imam Ali(A.S.) himself took charge of her washing.
It is reported that Asma' daughter of `Umays assisted him in
washing her. Asma' related: "Fatimah(A.S.) had stated in her will
that no one should wash her corpse except 'Ali(A.S.) and I. Thus
we washed her together, and the Commander of the Faithful prayed
over her along with Hasan(A.S.) and Husayn(A.S.), `Amman ibn Yasir,
Miqdad, `Aqil, az-Zubayr, Abu Dharr, Salman, Buraydah and a few
men of Banu Hashim. They prayed over her in the night, and in
accordance with her own will 'Ali the Commander of the Faithful
buried her in secret."
There is much
disagreement among traditionists as to the exact spot of her
grave. Our own traditionists have asserted that she was buried in
the Baqi `. Others said that she was buried in her own chamber,
and that when the Umayyad rulers enlarged the Mosque of Medina,
her grave came to be in the sanctuary. Still others argued that
she was buried between the grave and pulpit of the Prophet. It is
to this that the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) alluded in his saying:
"There is between my grave and pulpit a garden of the gardens of
Paradise." The first view is unlikely, while the two other views
are nearer to the truth. Thus, those who wish to apply the
principle of caution (ihtiyat) when performing ziyarah, or
pilgrimage, to her grave, should do so in all three places.
In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were
asleep and voices were silent, a Heavenly procession left Imam
Ali's house while carrying the Messenger of Allah's daughter to
her final abode. This was on the night of the third of Jamadi Al-Thani
(the second), 11 A.H
The heartbreaking procession moved towards an unknown
location followed by a small number of devoted ones... They were
Ali(A.S.), Hasan(A.S.), Hussain(A.S.), Zainab(A.S.) and Umm
Kulthum(A.S.)... Abu Dhar, Ammar, Miqdad, and Salman were
following them.
Where are the thousands who inhabited Medina?! One asks,
and the answer came: Fatima (A.S.) requested that they may not be
present at her funeral! The family and their friends hurry to bury
Fatima... then they rush back to their own homes so that no one
would know where Fatima was buried!
In such a matter, the first start from Ahlul-Bayt set
after the sun (the Prophet) and left everyone with the only light
of Imamate! Here I was asked: "What do you think about the end of
the life of Fatima(A.S.)? What will be the position of those who
oppresses her in the hereafter!?" I waved my hand to him... So
long... with no word...dead silence...So long! But wait..can't you
hear the Commander of the faithful...the known hero...Ali...Don't
you realize that he is crying? Yet, who would not cry for being
separated from the Mistress of women? Listen to him, he is
speaking to the Prophet(S.A.W.):
"O Prophet of Allah, peace be upon you from me and from
your daughter who has come to you and who has hastened to meet
you. O Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.)! My patience about your chosen
(daughter) has been exhauted and my power of endurance has
weakened, except that I have ground for consolation in having
endured the great hardship and heart-rending event of your
seperation. I laid you down in your grave while your last breath
had passed (when your head) between my neck and chest. 'Verily we
are Allah's and verily unto Him shall we return.' (2:56)
Now the trust has been returned and what had been given
has been taken back. My grief knows no bounds, and my nights will
remain sleepless till Allah chooses for me the house in which you
are now residing. Certainly your daughter would apprise you of the
joining together of your Ummah (people) for oppressing her. You
ask her in detail and get all the news about the position. This
happened when a long time had not elapsed and your remembrance had
not disappeared. My salam be on you both, the salam of a grief
stricken not of a disgusted or a hateful person; for if I go away,
it is not because I am weary (of you); and if I stay, it is not
due to lack of belief in what Allah has promised the endurers."
Failing Attempts
At sunrise people gathered to
participate in Hadrat Fatima's funeral, but they were informed
that the darling of Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) had been secretly
buried during the night. Meanwhile, Ali (A.S.) made the shapes
of four fresh graves in Baqi' so as to conceal the location
where Fatima was buried.
When the people entered the
graveyard, they were confused as to which spot was actually Lady
Fatima Zahra's grave; the people turned towards each other and
with feeling of guilt said:
"Our Prophet (S.A.W.) has not left
behind but one daughter, yet she has died and was buried without
our participation in the funeral or the prayer rituals. We do
not even realize the place where she has been buried!"
Noticing that a revolt might be
ignited because of the emotional atmosphere that event created,
the governing party announced:
"Select a group of Muslim women and
ask them to dig these graves so that we may find Fatima(A.S.)
and perform prayers on her.
" Yes! They attempted to execute the
plan, violating Hadrat Fatima's will and causing Imam
Ali's (A.S.) attempts to hide the grave to lay veinly. Have they
forgotten Ali's sharp sword and his well-known courage! Did they
really think that Imam Ali(A.S.) would remain indifferent to
their outrageous actions up to the point of letting them dig
Fatima's grave?!
Imam Ali (A.S.) did not fight back
after the Holy Prophet's (S.A.W.) demise because he considered
the Muslim's unity and overall interests. Yet, this did not mean
that he would ignore their villainous crimes against Hadrat
Fatima(A.S.) even after her death.
In other words,Imam Ali(A.S.) was
asked by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) to have patience, but only to
a certain extent; when Imam Ali(A.S.) recieved the news of the
about to be executed plot, he put on his fighting gear and
rushed towards Baqi'.
A man from among the people called
out:
"This is Ali Ibn Abu Talib(A.S.)
leveling his sword and saying:
'If anyone moves even a more stone
from these graves, I shall strike even the "back of the last
follower of the unjust.'
People who realized Imam Ali's
seriousness, took his threats with complete belief that he would
do just as he said if anyone were to appose him. Yet, a man from
the governing ones addressed Imam Ali (A.S.) by saying:
"What is the matter, Abu Al-Hasan?!
By Allah, we shall dig her grave out and perform prayers on
her."Imam Ali (A.S.) then grabbed the man by his clothes,
shook him and threw him to the ground and said:
"Son of the Sawada! I have abandoned
my right to prevent people from forsaking their faith, but as
regards Fatima's grave, by Him in whose hand is my soul, if you
and your followers attempt to do anything to it, I will irrigate
the ground with your blood!"
At this, Abu Bakr said:
"Abu Al-Hassan, I ask you by the
right of Allah's Messenger, and by Him Who is above the Throne:
leave him alone and we will not do anything which you would not
approve of..." Thus, until this day, the location of Hadrat
Fatima Zahra's grave remains a secret
Sayings of Hadrat Fatima Zahra(A.S.)
1.Praise and Eulogy is for
Allah for the blessing and bounties which He has bestowed. And
thanks to HIM upon what He revelated (to His servants) And
Praise is for HIM upon the common boons and blessings which He
bestowed upon His servants without their request And upon the
comprehensive and complete blessings which He granted to all and
sundry and gave it to us, consequetively. Those graces and
favours which are uncountable.
And are irredeemable and uncompensatable due to their
plentifulness of number. And the imagination of their end is
out of the reach of human mind.
He invited the servant to thankfuness for the sake of
the consequetive and continous enhanecment of blessings. And
opened the door of euloqy and Praise (of Allah) upon them so
that He may make his favours and beneficiences great and
plentiful for them.
2.I testify that there is
no Diety (Lord) except the sole and matchless Allah. And the
testification of the singleness of Allah is a word that Allah
has declared sincerity (as) it's reality, and made the hearts
the centre of it's contact and union. And has made the
specifications and research of the oneness of Allah's station
obvious and evident in the light of meditation. The Allah Who
can not be seen by the eyes and tongues are unable and baffled
to describe His virtues and attributes. And the intelligence
and apprehension of man is helpless and destitude from the
imagination of his howness.
3.Allah made all the
beings without previous matter and sample and shape and
pattern. And made them wear the dress of life by His main and
mights and created them according to His Devine will and
Intention short of it that He might have neeeded their
creatlon or have wished any benefit for Himself from their
shaping and sketching except this that he wanted to give a
proof of Hls wisdom and make the people (creations) aware
about His obedience and submisslon and invited them to his
servitude and worship and make His Invitation grand and
ostentatlous.
4.Allah fixed the reward
for His obedience and torment for His insubordination and
disobedience so that He may restraln His servants from His
wrath and fury and lead them to His paradise.
5.And I testify that my
father Mohammad (S.A.W.) is the apostle and the servant of
Allah. And Allah selected and chose him before appolnting him
at the post of Prophethood. And He named him before choosing
and selecting him. And chose him before envoying and
delegating him. Then all the creations were hidden and covered
in the covers of unseen and were hidden amid the screen and
curtain of fear and fright and stayed near the last and final
border of non entity (nothingness) for Allah was aware of and
knew the end of matters and because of Hls encompassing the
incidents of times and ages and His knowledge of the
predestinates.
Allah appolnted him (as apostle) so that he may
complete and finalise His matter and Implement His order and
materialise His decreeds and predestinates.
6.Allah saw nations and
groups had various different sects in their religion and
scattered and staying on the verge of the fires of
differences, busy with the their idol worshipping. They denied
God with all the signs and symbols of HIM. (IRFAN) So Allah
illuminated the darknesses through my father Mohammad (S.A.W.)
and removed the darknesses from their hearts, removed (cured)
the blindness of the eyes.
7.My father (Mohammad
(S.A.W.) ) stood up with (his) guidance among the people. And
saved them from perversion and aberration, and turned their
blindness into enlightenment and guided them towards the firm
religion. And called (invited) them to the straight way.
8.You the servants of
Allah, are the ones to maintain His injunctions and
prohibitions, and the carriers of His religion, and His
relevation, and the trustees of Allah upon your souls, and the
propagators of His religion among the other nations.
9.Oh the servants of
Allah! (beware) the real leader from Allah, is present among
you and the commitment has previously been made to you and the
remaining and left over of the prophet hood has been appointed
for your guidance.
That is the speaking book of Allah the truthful Quran,
and a beaming and gleaming light, in which all the secrets and
facts about the completion of man and his prosperity have been
exhibited and illuminated. It guides from darkness towards
light of guidance. It s followers are the subject of envoy of
others.
10.The book of Allah is
the guide of it's followers towards the pleasure of Allah.
Listening (carefully) to it leads to the salvation. The
enlightened and conspicous evidences and proofs of Allah can
be obtained through it. And (also the knowledge) of His
interpreted intentions and fear invoking constraining
prohibitions. His sufficing testimonies and conspicous
arguments, and desired virtues and allowed endowments and
gifts and obligatory devine laws. (can be obtained from it)
11.Allah made the faith
for you as a purity from polytheism (and infedility).
12.And (made) service the
cause of your getting distant (purification) from pride
(egoism).
Salutations to Hazrat Fatima (A.S.)
Peace be
upon you, Oh daughter of the Messenger of Allah !
Peace be
upon you, Oh daughter of the possessor of outstanding merit
above all
Prophets and messengers and angels !
Peace be
upon you, Oh Leader of the Women of the Worlds.
Peace be
upon you, Oh Wife of the Vicegrent of Allah !
Peace be
upon you, Oh mother of Hassan and Hussein, the Leaders of the
Youth of Paradise !
Peace be
upon you, Oh most truthful and martyr.
Peace be
upon you, who was pleased to resign to the will of Allah and
Allah was pleased with you.
Peace be
upon you, Oh possessor of outstanding merit of above others,
and the pure.
Peace be
upon you, who is holy and guarded herself against sins !
Peace be
upon you, who is knowledgeable and an authority on traditions
of the Prophet.
Peace be
upon you, who was subjected to anger and oppression.
Peace be
upon you, Oh Fatima, daughter of the Messenger of Allah, and
May Allah have mercy on you and bless you.
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