By Saminu Sani
On 13th of Jimada Ula of every year is the day which the entire followers of Ahlul Baith across the globe will never forget it as the day of commemorating the Passing away of Sayyida Fatima Zahra S.A
the daughter of our great Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H due to injury inflicted upon her, through force of falling door by a hypocrite 11 years, after Hijra.
The daughter of the Prophet (s), a role model for men and women. The aim of this article is to create admiration for her uncompromising protest and stance, and sympathy for the injustice she suffered.
When Hazrat Fatima’s (S.A.) birth was to take place, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) told Khatija (S.A.) "Jabriel has given me the good news that this child which is going to be born is a daughter and all the infallible Imams will be from her generation"
She was named by Allah (SWT), 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
Fatima (S.A.) was brought up and trained in the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H) and took advantage and share of the knowledge and wisdom of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) She heard the recitation of Quran from the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and leant it by heart, and got busy with the idea and concept of self training and becoming a complete and real human.
She extremely loved her honorable father and the Holy Quran. She took advantage and portion from the blessings of her father’s existence. These were the perfections due to which the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) loved her to the extreme.
The love between the father and daughter was not a one-way process; instead, Fatima (S.A.) too immensely loved her father (Prophet) like he loved her. When Hazrat Khadija (S.A.) died, she was not more than six years of age. After the death of her mother, She always looked after the comfort of her father at home. Fatima (S.A.) was such a daughter who constantly and stably followed the footsteps of her father. The streets and Masjid-e-Haram of Mecca were full of those who teased, insulted and tortured the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Whenever her respect worthy father returned home in the injured condition, she would wash the blood off his sacred face and dress his wounds and encouraged him with her sweet conversation.
At such times, when her father was a stranger in his own land and among his own people and he was all alone with all the relatives present, and secluded and lonely among all those who spoke the same language he spoke. Moreover, he was all-alone during his struggle and combat against ignorance, idol worshipping and he was carrying the heavy responsibility of preaching on his own.
When she attained the age of puberty, it became necessary for her to marry. But she needed a person who must be her match. So that he would appreciate her status and perfection and maturity of virtues and he would know what was the real value and virtue of a human being. This is the very aim of Islam, which as a result strengthens the marital relations.
When she became marriage bound many men including Abu Bakar and Umar sent their messages for asking her hand in marriage. But the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "I am waiting for the revelation in this connection."
The revelation came and Fatima’s husband was also nominated. God ordered the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), "Oh my prophet get the light (Noor) married to the light i.e., get Fatima (S.A.) married with Ali (A.S.)."
When Ali (A.S.) approached the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) to request the hand of Fatima (S.A.) in marriage, although he had nothing with him from the wealth of the world, yet he possessed a gem, which was the reflection of every thing including piety and human nobility.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) having acceded to his request entered the house to ask Fatima (S.A.) her opinion about it. He said to her "Oh daughter you know fully well that Ali (A.S.) is the one who was the first ever faithful out of the lot. I had prayed to God, to give the best husband for you. Therefore, God has selected Ali (A.S.) for your husband, so what is your opinion?" Fatima (S.A.) remained silent. The father took her silence as the token of her being agreed and got her married with him.
Fatima Zahra (S.A.) had grown up along with Ali (A.S.) and considered Ali (A.S.) as best husband and the lover and devotee of his father. The fate’s hand had joined these two blessed persons in such a special way, which did not have any example in that period of darkness and ignorance.
Fatima (S.A.) knew that although Ali (A.S.) does not possess any thing from the wealth of the world but he has the great treasure of self sacrifice and devotedness of which he had given proof to fulfill the aspirations of her father (P.B.U.H.). She was aware that all the youth period of her husband was spent defending Islam and in Jehad. He did not think anything except the service to Islam and it’s welfare.
Fatima (S.A.) never thought that since she was the daughter of a Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and leader therefore, she must have maidservants at her home. Nay, instead she performed all the domestic works with her own hands for instance grinding the wheat with millstone, baking bread, looking after the children etc. But, she, leaving aside everything would only think about God. She was always in search of a life giving and radiant education.
Fatima (S.A.) was such a tree, which must only breed and grow in the shade of revelation and bring the fruits of freedom and justice in its deep shadow. This is the very root and origin of the tree of purity.
In the 3rd year of Hijrah the first son was born to Fatima (S.A.), who was named "Hasan (A.S.)." The birth of this child saved the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) from the torture of the enemies and the sorrow of the separation of friends. He (P.B.U.H.) happily and joyfully visited Fatima’s (S.A.) house and took Imam Hassan (A.S.) into his lap and recited Azan and Aqamat in his ears. Then he gave some silver, which was equal in weight of the hair of the child, as alms.
One year after the birth of Imam Hassan (A.S.), Imam Hussain (A.S.) was born. Now the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) got the substitutes for his sons Qasim and Tahir who had died in the childhood, so that God had decided that the race of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), persists and survives through her daughter.
The dawn of these two stars brought a new horizon in existence wherein the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) saw themselves. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) thanking God and considering those two children as the substitute of his sons, loved them very much that the world was astonished.
One day, when he (P.B.U.H.) visited Fatima’s (S.A.) house he (P.B.U.H.) saw that Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) were sleeping and Imam Hassan (A.S.) was weeping due to hunger. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) slowly picked up the pot, milked the goat, and fed the child who then became silent.
Once, he (P.B.U.H.) was passing by the house of Fatima (S.A.) when suddenly he (P.B.U.H.) heard Imam Hussain (A.S.) crying. He came back to her home and said, "Oh Fatima! Don’t you know that I get upset by the weeping of this child?"
One year after the birth of Imam Hussain (A.S.), a female baby was born, who was named "Zainub" and even after another year another female baby, who was named "Ome Kulsum."
"Zainub" and "Kulsum" were the names of the daughter’s of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who died before 8th Hijra. In the 8th year of Hijra a son named Ibrahim was born to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), who died after one year of his birth.
Now, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was only left over with Fatima (S.A.) and her children. He (P.B.U.H.) loved his grandchildren to such an extent that he (P.B.U.H.) never tolerated to get separated from them. Whenever he (P.B.U.H.) went out of the house, he (P.B.U.H.) would always carry one of them on his shoulders.
The Superiority of Fatima (S.A.)
The lives of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) are a school of thought for the next generations so that the people may learn a lesson from them. They had such coordination that when Ali (A.S.) got free from the work outside the house, he used to lend a helping hand to Fatima (S.A.). On the other hand, the daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) also, always tried to keep Abul Hassan (Ali) (A.S.) happy. Both led such a life full of love and affection that they never called each other by their names, rather, whenever Ali (A.S.) called her he addressed her by "Daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)" and Fatima (S.A.) would address him as "Ameer ul Momineen" (the Chief of the Faithfuls).
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was on the bed of ailment and illness. His head was in the lap of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) was weeping holding the hand of her father. Suddenly, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) opened his eyes and when he saw her weeping. He (P.B.U.H.) said, "Oh daughter! Recite the holy Quran for me." Fatima (S.A.) recited a few verses from the holy Quran. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) by getting her dear daughter recite the verses meant to listen her voice in the last moments of his life. No sooner, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) passed away the house turned into a mourning house. The delicate heart of Fatima (S.A.) took a deep effect by her father’s death.
Only a few hours later, another big grief took shape i.e., the right of her husband was extorted and usurped. Fatima (S.A.), with the help of a few faithful companions of his father, defended the right of her husband strongly. So far so, that one day she went to the Prophet’s mosque along with the women of Bani Hashim and Ansar and by delivering a speech described her object and point of view. So that, all the audience started weeping. But there was no body to give a positive response to the voice of Fatima (S.A.).
Fatima (S.A.) was sure that none of her plans can mature in connection with Ali (A.S.). Therefore, she did every thing possible so that a wrong foundation for the caliphate is not laid. But evidently and obviously she could not succeed in her efforts and was compelled to face hopelessness and dismay.
After that, it became hard for her to live and she became fed up with the world and day by day got keen and restless for her death. Till at last, on Monday the 3rd of Jamadi ussani, 11th of Hijra, She bade fare well to her children and husband and passed away. She died in the same year as her father had died.
At the time of her sorrowful demise Imam Hassan (A.S.) was 7 years of age, Imam Hussain (A.S.) was 6 years, Zainub (S.A.) was 5 years and Ummu Kulsum (S.A.) was 3 years of age. God knows, how shocking and painful was the separation of Fatima (S.A.) for her children and husband.
When her death time came near she asked the maidservant to bring her water for taking a bath and putting on new clothes. Because, the time for her to meet her father was at hand. The maidservant brought her the water and she put on new clothes after taking a bath and laid down upon the bed facing Kaabah. After a short while, her eyes closed down and lips became silent and motionless and she proceeded towards the paradise.
"Innalil laha ina ilayha rajaoon".
Imam Ali (A.S.), as per her last will, bathed her and gave her the coffin and buried her in the darkness of the night. Her grave was kept secret and still it is not known and is hidden. So nobody could know where she was buried. Because, the political figures of that period were bent upon opening her grave apart and offer the death prayers again. A negative combat about her grave is going on from that time to the day and from now onwards for the future days to come.
The testament and will of Fatima (S.A.) made is clear and evident for the races of those days and all the races to come that the daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was subjected to oppression. Fatima (S.A.) remained unhappy and annoyed with those oppressors up to her death. Therefore, those should remain ready for vengeance and revenge.
It is reported that Bibi Fatimah(s.a.) died on the 13th Jamadi-al-Awwal or 3rd of Jumadi-al-Akhir in the 11th year of the Hijrah. She survived the Holy Prophet(pbuh&hf) 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(pbuh&hf) 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.