The previous paragraphs spoke of Lady Khadija’s excellent and noble
characteristics, which should be a fantastic example for mankind to
follow. She is the lady who gave birth to Fatima Zahra and brought her
up with talents and virtues.
Fatima Zahra was a descendant of two great people; we have briefly
spoken about her parents, lives and virtues and have drawn a picture
through which we can look at Fatima’s genius and a corner of her life in
light of genetic inheritance becomes clear to us.
Furthermore, there are undisputed facts that have been declared by
the Sacred Messenger and Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.) that neither science
nor contemporary discoveries have been able to conquer the deep meanings
of, despite what science has achieved in these fields. Because these
facts are beyond the reach of machines and telescopes, photographers’
advanced lenses can not capture their rays, nor can natural or logical
senses realize them.
Actually, the truth goes beyond material and logical realization, for
the five senses are unable to define it. So you may, if you wish, call
these facts "Transcendental Facts."
Before elaborating on these facts, it is incumbent upon us to make a
brief introduction, thus we say:
The sperm, which is formed in the womb to become an embryo, develops
from the blood, which is produced from digesting the food by various
organs of the body. Hence, there is no doubt that sperm which is a
product of eating pork or drinking liquor differs from that which is
produced from lamb meat; because of the difference in composition
between various types of foods. In addition, food has peculiar effects
on the human psyche and spirit; there are some foods that bring
happiness to the heart and calm the nerves, while others do exactly the
opposite.
Permissible and pure food have beneficial effects on man; contrary to
this, impure food such as liquor or impermissible food like stolen or
usurped meat harm men. The influence of the food we eat becomes apparent
in the sperm. Elaboration on this subject by procuring proof and
evidence takes special effort that would lead us away from our original
subject.
In conclusion, food that is eaten by the parents has an enormous
effect of the future of the child, because it is from this food that the
sperm is formed and carried on to the womb to grow and become a human
being.
Furthermore, the psychological state of the parents during sexual
intercourse has a great effect on the child’s state of mind and his
psychological behavior in the future. Besides this, persistent want and
earnest desire to have sexual intercourse are influential on the
appearance and intelligence of the child.
In light of these two points (the nutritional and psychological
effects upon children), we move on to elaborate on the subject by
verifying it through a selection of narration mentioned in Volume 6 of
Bihar Al-Anwar.
Gabriel descended to the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) and
told him: 0 Muhammad! The Most Exalted sends His peace upon you and
commands you to refrain from (coming close to) Khadija for forty days.
It was difficult for the Prophet, who loved and adored Khadija to do
so; nevertheless (in obedience to Allah’s command) he spent forty days
fasting and praying nights. When it was close to the end of the forty
days, he (P.B.U.H.) summoned Ammar Ibn Yasser and
asked him to go to Khadija and tell her: "0 Khadija! do not assume that
my separation from you means abandoning or forsaking you, rather my Lord
commanded me to do so, so expect nothing save benevolence, for surely
Allah (exalted is His Name) praises you to His most honorable angels
several times a day. Therefore, with food nightfall, close the door and
lay down to sleep; for I will be staying food at Fatima Bint Assad’s
house." This brought sad tidings to Khadija who missed having the
Prophet by her side.
At the end of the forty days, Gabriel once again descended to Allah’s
Messenger and said: "0 Muhammad! The Most Exalted sends His peace upon
you and commands you to be prepared for His salutation and gift."
The Prophet said:
"Gabriel! What is the Lord of the world’s gift and what is His
salutation?"
Gabriel said: "I have no knowledge of it."
At that moment, Michael descended with a plate covered with a
kerchief made of brocade or sarcenet and presented it to the Prophet!
Gabriel said to him (P.B.U.H.)
"0 Muhammad, your Lord commands you to break your fasting with this
food tonight."
Imam Ali Ibn Abu Talib (A.S.) said in this regard:
"The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) used to order me to open the door to
whoever wanted to join him when he came to break his fast, but that
night he ordered me to guard the door of the house and said to me: ‘0
son of Abu Talib! this food is forbidden to everyone save me.
The he (P.B.U.H.) said:
"I sat at the door, and the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) uncovered the
plate, in privacy, tofind a cluster of dates and a bunch of grapes. He
ate until satisfied and drank his need of water, He then extended his
hands to he washed, so Gabriel poured the water, Michael washed his
hands, and Israfil dried them. Thereafter, the remaining food with the
plate ascended to heaven. Then he (P.B.U.H.) started to prepare
him for prayers when Gabriel said to hint:
Prayer is forbidden to you until you go to Khadija’s house and
perform coition with he;; for Allah (Glory be to Him) ordained upon
Himself to create noble progeny from you tonight. So he rushed to
Khadija’s house.’
Khadija said: "I had gotten used to seclusion by that time, so when
night arrived I covered my head put down the curtains, locked the doors,
performed my prayers, put out the lantern, and retired to my bed. That
night while I was between the states of sleeping and being awake, the
Prophet knocked on the door so I exclaimed that who is knocking on the
door that only Muhammad knocks on?
The Prophet gently and politely replied:
Open the door Khadija, I any Muhammad.
Khadija said:
"I cheerfully got up and opened the door for the Prophet to come in.
He (P.B.U.H.) usually requested the water jug to perform ablution
and two short prayer prostration before he retired? On the contrary’,
that night he (P.B.U.H.) did not request the jug nor did he
perform prayers instead, what occurs between a woman and he (P.B.U.H.)
occurred between us. And by Allah, who created the heavens and caused
water to come out springs before the Prophet left me, I felt Fatima’s
weight in my womb.
It can he concluded from the above mentioned narration that:
Allah Almighty commanded His Messenger to abandon Khadija a period of
time so that his longing and wanting her increased.
He (P.B.U.H.) performed more worship so as to achieve a higher
level of spirituality and sacredness, as a result of being in constant
contact with the heavenly world.
He (P.B.U.H.) broke his fast on the pure heavenly gift, which
was quickly transformed into sperm because of its delicateness.
The sperm was produced from eating a delicate heavenly food that
differs from material nutrition.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) immediately proceeded to Khadija’s
house in order to transfer the sperm to her womb after the previously
mentioned preparations.
The following Sunni scholars mentioned this narration with minor
variations between some of their accounts of it:
Kharazmi in his book Maqtal Al- Hussain P. 63 , 68.
Dhahabi in Al-Etedal v.2, p. 26.
Talkhees AI-Mustadrak V.3, p. 156.
Asqalani in Lisan Al-Mizan V. 4, p. 36.
In addition, there are various traditions with minor verbal
differences and the same fundamental meaning that Fatima Zahra (A.S.)
was created from a sperm produced from heavenly food. We mention
herein some of these narration and restrict ourselves to the part which
are related to our subject in observance of briefness and omit the rest:
Imam Reza (A.S.) said: "The Prophet said (P.B.U.H.)
‘On the night of my ascension to Heaven, Gabriel took my hand and led
me into Paradise, then he handed me dates from which I ate; those dates
were formed into sperm. When I descended to Earth, I came unto Khadija
who became pregnant with Fatima; thus, Fatima is a human huri, whom
whenever I long for Paradise I smell’
Imam Baqir (A.S.) on the account of Jabir Ibn Abdullah, said:
"It was said to the Messenger of Allah: Surely you kiss, embrace and
bring Fatima close to you... and treat her better than your other
daughters!"
He (P.B.U.H.) commented:
"Indeed, for Gabriel brought me an apple from heaven, which I ate and
it was transformed into sperm that I placed in Khadija who later bore
Fatima. Hence, I smell paradise’s fragrance in her."
Ibn Abbas said:
‘Aisha entered the house while the Messenger of Allah was kissing
Fatima, so she said: ‘Do you love her, 0 Messenger of Allah?’
He replied: ‘Indeed, by Allah if you knew the extent of my love for
her, your love would increase for her. When I was in the forth heaven...
(until he said) that I found these dates softer than butter, more
pleasant than musk and sweeter than honey. So when I descended to earth,
I came unto Khadija and she bore Fatima. Thus, Fatima is a human huri,
when ever l long for paradise I smell her.’
This last narration was also mentioned with variations by:
1. Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi in his history book V. 5, P. 87.
2. Kharazmi in Maqtal Al-Hussain P. 63.
3. Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Al-Demashqiin Mizan A1-Etedal V. 1, p. 38.
4. Az Zarandi in Nazm Durar As Simtain.
5. Asqalani in Lisan Al Mizan v.5, p. 160.
6. Qanduzi in Yanabi’ Al-Mawaddah.
7. Muhib-Ad-Din At-Tabari in Dhakhaer Al-Uqbi p. 43.
These narration are mentioned on the accounts of Aisha, Ibn Abbas.
Saed Ibn Malik, and Umar Ibn Al-Khattab.
8. Sheik Shua’b Al-Misri in Ar-Rawd Al-Faeq p. 214, writes
Some noble narrators mentioned that one day Lady Khadija (may Allah
be pleased with her) asked the Master of creatures (the Prophet (P.B.U.H.))
to show her a fruit from the Dwell of Peace (Paradise). Thus, Gabriel
brought him who was chosen above all (P.B.U.H.) two apples from
Paradise and said:
‘0 Muhammad, He who appointed a due proportion for all things says to
you:
"Eat one apple and give the other to Lady Khadija, then come unto
her, for I will create from you (both) Fatima Zahra."’ The Chosen One (P.B.U.H.)
did what The Guardian (Gabriel) told him to do, and...(until he
said). Thus, whenever the Chosen One (P.B.U.H.) longed for Paradise and
its greatness, he would kiss Fatima and smell her beautiful fragrance
and say: ‘Fatima is a human huri.
There are successive narrations in this regard, but we satisfy
ourselves with what has been mentioned.
There remains a point here on which elaboration is rather important;
it is noticeable that the narrations clearly state that Khadija bore
Fatima immediately after the Prophet’s Ascension to heaven, which took
place in the second or third year after revelation.
Nevertheless, there is a collection of narrations from the Holy Imams
of Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.) which state that Fatima was born five years
after the first revelation to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) This
indicates that she stayed in her mother’s womb for more than two years,
which is definitely incorrect. How can the contradictions between the
narrations be explained?
There are several probabilities that can be given as answers to this
question; they are:
The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) ascended to heaven more than
once, as was stated in the Book of Kafi. This, in my opinion, is the
most accurate account of this affair.
Taking into account some narrations that state that Fatima (A.S.) was
born in the second or third year after the first revelation (as will be
mentioned together with the historians’ opinions who claim that
Ascension took place in the third year of revelation). This
contradiction can be explained especially in light of the various
sayings regarding the month during which Ascension occurred.
Among the unique merits of Fatima Zahra was that she spoke to her
mother while she was still in her mother’s womb. Shiite scholars are not
alone in reporting this merit of Fatima; several Sunni scholars and
narrators also support this fact. For instance, Abdurrahman Shafe’i
narrated in his book Nuzhat Al-Majalis V. 2, P. 227, that Khadija (May
Allah be pleased with her) said:
"When I was pregnant with Fatima, which was an easy pregnancy, she
would speak to me from inside my womb."
Also, Dahlawi in Tajhiz Al-Jaish quoted the author of Madh Al-Khulafa
Ar-Rashidin as saying:
"When Khadija was pregnant with Fatima, she (Fatima) used to speak to
her from her womb, but Khadija kept this from the Prophet.
One day, the Prophet entered the house and found Khadija speaking to
someone while no one was in the room with her. He (P.B.U.H.)
inquired as to whom she was speaking; she replied:
‘That which in my womb, surely it speaks to me.’
Then the Prophet said:
‘Rejoice Khadija, for this is the girl whom Allah has made to be the
mother of eleven of my successors who will come after me and after their
father.
Shuab Ibn Saad Al-Misri mentioned the following in Ar Rawd Al-Faeq p.
214:
"At the time when Khadija’s pregnancy had become apparent, the
infidels asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) to show them the splitting
of the moon; upon hearing this Khadija declared:
"0 what a disappointment it would he! Had Muhammad lied while he is
the best Messenger of my Lord?"
It was then that Fatima called Khadija from her womb and said:
"0 Mother, do not be grieved nor sorrowful, for surely Allah is
with my father." When Fatima was born, the skies became illuminated
from the brightness of her face.
Likewise, the narration which states that Khadija spoke of Fatima
Zahra’s talking while still in her womb, has already been mentioned at
the beginning of this chapter.