Is the Grave of AL-ZAHRA’ (A.S.) Known to Anyone?

 

It is noteworthy that the Imams, peace be upon them, never acquainted their Shi`as with the site of her grave (A.S.), as was the case with that of the Commander of the Faithful whose grave site was identified by Imam al-Sadiq (A.S.), as is well known, and so is the case with all other Imams who identified their grave sites to their Shi`as with the exception of al-Zahra’ (A.S.). The Shi`as of Ahl al-Bayt, too, those who attended the funeral and the burial, such as `Ammar, Aba Tharr, Salman, al-`Abbas, `Aqal and others never acquainted anyone at all with her grave site in compliance with her own will and in loving her. Ibn Abi Qara`ah, who died in 367 A.H., says the following verses of poetry:

 

For what was Fatima, the Honorable One, buried at night?

And she didn’t allow your Shaikhs[1] to set foot in her chamber.

 

Alas! Muhammed’s daughter died chocked with sorrow and grief.[2]

 

Sayyid Muhsin al-Aman, may Allah have mercy on him, has said these poetry lines:

 

For what was she in the depth of the dark buried?

For what was she in secrecy placed in her grave?

Buried and none attended her funeral,

Nor do they know where her grave is.[3]

 

From the above you can come to know the fallacy of someone’s claim alleging that the grave of al-Zahra’ (A.S.) is now well known, and we wish he would lead us to it and explain for us the decisive proofs which refute any excuse and dispel any doubt, and we will surely appreciate his effort!

Yet we are sure that he just cannot do so.

 

[1]Aba Bakr and `Omer are always referred to in history and theology books as “the two Shaikhs,” senior sahabis. The word “shaikh” has many meanings. One of them is “scholar” or “mentor” as exists in many places throughout this book. The “two shaikhs,” scholars, are also al-Bukhari and Muslim. Generally speaking, “shaikh” is used to identify a man who has passed his mid-aged. It also conveys the meaning of a tribal chief or chieftain. __ Tr.

[2]Al-Irbali, Kashf al-Ghumma, Vol. 2, p. 131.

[3]Al-Majalis al-Saniyya, Vol. 5, p. 120.