FATIMA ZAHRA

Fatima, the only daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam, was born in

Mecca on Friday, the 20th of Jumada al-Thaniya 18 B.H. (Before

Hijra). Or 615 A.D.

Fatima Zahra’s Parents

She is the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (saww) by his first wife, Khadija, (may the Almighty be pleased with her. )

Her mother, Khadija, narrates the following about the birth of her

revered daughter:

“At the time of Fatima’s birth, I sent for my neighboring women to assist me… …They flatly refused, saying that I had betrayed them by marrying and supporting Muhammad (saww)…… I was distressed for a while when, to my great surprise, I saw four strange tall women with halos around their faces approaching me.”

The greatest women assist in Fatima’s (as) birth

“Finding me dismayed, one of them addressed me thus,” ‘O Khadija! I am Sarah, mother of Ishaq (Isaac).”… .. The other three are: Mary mother of Christ, Asiya daughter of Muzahim and Umm Kulthum sister of Moses…. …We have all been commanded by ALLAH (swt) to put our nursing knowledge at your disposal.’ “Saying this, all of them sat around me and rendered the services of midwifery till my daughter Fatima was born.”

Her attributes

Fatima (as)was called az-Zahra' because her light used to shine among those in the heavens.

Fatima (as) is famous and acknowledged as the "Sayyidatu nisa ‘al-`alamin" (Leader of all the women of the world for all times) because the Prophet hood of Muhammad (saw) would not have been everlasting without her.

The loving family

The good and noble lady Khadija and the Apostle of Allah bestowed all their natural love, care and devotion on their lovable and only child, Fatima, who in her turn was extremely fond of her parents

Khadija Passes away

The motherly blessings and affection received by Fatima (as), were only there for five years after which Khadija left for her heavenly home. The Holy Prophet (saw)brought her up thereafter.

Fatima -a loving and caring daughter

After the death of her mother Khadija, Fatima (as) looked after her father the Prophet of Islam so devoutly that Muhammad (SAW) used to call her "Umm-e-Abiha", i.e. the mother her father.Her revered father was preaching Islam in the most hostile of atmospheres. The hostility of the Quraish after the death of Abu Talib and Khadija was the strongest. Fatima (as) would gently dress the wounds sustained by her father due to the stones thrown on him by the non-believers.

Days of sorrow and pain

She might have heard and seen that certain wretched women hurled rubbish on her noble father. She might have learnt of the plans made to put an end to her father's life. But from all these things Fatima was neither frightened nor disheartened. She comforted her father, tended to his wounds even at that tender age. The entire family was blanketed with clouds of sorrow as a result of the almost daily humiliation and mockery, to which her most revered father was subjected to.

A roll model for women

The Prophet is the perfect example for men, but could not be so for women.

For all the verses revealed in the Holy Qur'an for women, Fatima (as) is the perfect model, who translated every verse into action. In her lifetime, she was a complete woman, being Daughter, Wife and Mother at the same time.

Fatima’s wonderful character

Her generosity and compassion for the poor was such that no destitute or beggar ever returned from her door empty-handed. She worked, dressed, ate and lived very simply.

Many times she gave away all the food she had had, staying without any food at all.

A father’s respect The Holy Prophet (saw)said  "Fatima is part of me".

He would go out to receive his daughter whenever she came from her husband's house and if she entered the room , he would stand up in respect to her.

Every morning on his way to the Mosque, he would pass by Fatima's (as) house and say, "as-Salamu `alaykum ya Ahla Bay annnubuwwah wa ma`din arr-risala " (Peace be with you, O Ahl al-Bayt (Household of the Prophet) and the Substance of the Message).

The Migration

When the migration took place, Fatima was left in Mecca with the rest of the family which included her step mother Umm-e-Salama, Ali's (AS) mother Fatima binte Asad and many others.

Ali (AS) was in charge of the family. He stayed in Mecca for another 3 days to give back the deposits to the Makkans who entrusted these to the Prophet for safe keeping. After fulfilling this duty Ali (AS) brought the family to Madina.

Marriage

Fatima (as) was the model of Prophet's teaching among women just as Ali (as)

was the best embodiment of his teachings among men. They were the most suitable couple to be married. But Ali (as) was too modest to speak about it. After some persuasion from friends he finally went to see the Prophet in the mosque and proposed for marriage.

Marriage The Prophet told Fatima (as) about it and asked her whether she would approve. After receiving her consent the marriage of Fatima (as) and Ali (as) took place in the simplest possible manner. Ali (as) sold his shield of amour for 200 Dirhams, brought the money to the Holy Prophet (saw) who added a similar amount and asked his companions to buy household goods to set up home for the Holy Family. Marriage was solemnized by the Prophet himself and after marriage the couple went to live in a separate house next to the House of the Prophet around the Mosque.

A SIMPLE AND KIND LADYFatima Zahra (as) lived in a two room house made out of clay, wore the simplest garments from head to toe.Everyday she would grind wheat and barley with her bare hands to prepare meal for her family, and attended to her four children with utmost love and mercy.

The house of Fatima (as) and Ali (as)

SHE WAS NO ORDINARY WOMAN

Yet, she was no ordinary woman. Fatima Zahra (as) had high moral virtues and her life is full of spiritual behaviour. Even on her marriage day, Fatima Zahra (as) did not forget about those in need.

A girl's wedding dress is probably one of her most cherished belongings. However, in the case of the noble Lady Fatima Zahra (as) it is not.

An act of selfless compassion

Prophet Mohammed (saw) ,bought Fatima Zahra (sa) a new dress for her marriage ceremony. A poor woman came to her house and asked for a used cloth. Fatema Zahra (sa) decided to give her the old patchy dress as the woman had asked, but remembered the verse: "By no means shall you attain to righteousness until you spend (generously) out of what you love." (Noble Qur'an, 3:92)

So she gave her the new wedding dress, while she wore her old dress to her wedding.

children Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (sa) and

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), had 4 children:

Imam Hassan, (as) Imam Hussain,(as) Hazrat Zainab (as) Hazrat Umm Kulthum (as)

Fatima’s status in the holy Quran

 'And they give away food, out of love for Him, to the poor and the orphan and the captive, (saying)- We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks:! Verily, we dread from our Lord, a stern day of distress. So ALLAH will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet ease and pleasure. And shall recompense them, for what they endured with patience, with gardens and silk.' (Qur'an 76:8-12)

The Vow It is narrated by Ibn 'Abbas that Hassan (as) and Hussain (as) got ill and were visited by the Messenger of Allah The holy messenger said: “O Ali! Why not make a vow for your sons?” So Ali (as)and Fatimah(as) and Fizza - a servant - vowed that if they (the sons) became well, they would fast for three consecutive days.

 Hassan (as) and Hussain(as) became completely well, so Ali borrowed, three measures of barley

Day one

Fatima(as) ground one measure and baked five bread discs for the five of them. In the evening, when they were about to break the fast a beggar came and said: “Peace be upon you, O family of Muhammad - I am hungry, please feed me?”All five readily gave the beggar their bread him and spent their night without taking anything but water, and they fasted the next morning. 

Day two Fatima (as) ground the second measure

of barley and prepared 5 more pieces of bread.

When the evening came and they took the food in their hands, an orphan came and begged for food.

Again all 5 of them gave the orphan their share of bread and again slept the second night after having nothing but water

Day three

Fatima(as) ground the third measure of barley and prepared 5 more pieces of bread.

When the evening came and they took the food in their hands, a captive came and begged for food.

Again all 5 of them gave the orphan their share of bread and again slept the third night after having nothing but water

The event of Mubahila The Christians of Najrán sent a delegation to

the Holy Prophet (saww) in Madina to argue about their faith.

They maintained that Prophet `Ísá (A) was the son of Alláh.

The Holy Prophet (saww) tried to prove to them that Prophet `Ísá (A) was a human being, specially chosen as a Prophet by Alláh, but they remained obstinate in their belief.

At this time, the verse 3:61 was revealed:

The verse of Mubahila

But whoever disputes with you in this matter after what has come to you of knowledge, then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons and our women and your women and our near people and your near people, then let us be earnest in prayer, and pray for the curse of Allah on the liars. (Qur'an 3:61)

The power of the holy five

According to Alláh’s command, the Holy Prophet (saww)

challenged the Christians to pray and invoke Alláh’s curse on the party that insisted upon falsehood.

They accepted the challenge and on the next day (24th Zul Hijjah), the Holy Prophet (saww) came out to the meeting place carrying Imám Husain (as) in his arms and leading Imám Hasan (as) by his hand. He was followed by Bibi Fátimah (as) and at the end was Imám `Alí (as) carrying the banner of Islám.

He had brought his grandsons as his "sons, Bibi Fátimah (as) as his "women“ and Imám `Alí (as) as his "soul" or "self“ The Holy Prophet (saww) said to his family, "when I pray you should say Ameen."

The holy faces The Christian Fathers, on seeing the beautiful and shining faces

in front of them became captivated. Their hearts trembled and they began to shake on seeing the power radiating from the holy personalities

. Their leader asked someone, "who are these persons, who have come with Mohammad?" The man told him the names and their relationship with the Holy Prophet (saww).

  He could hold his patience no longer and he cried out, "by God, I

am seeing such faces that if they were to pray to God to move the mountain, God Almighty would move the mountain for them.

  Oh you people of Najran, if you contest with Muhammad in this

prayer of invoking curses on the liars, then I warn you that all of you will be destroyed and not a single soul will remain on this earth. I feel that it would be better to surrender to them and obey them."

 

The verse of Mawaddah

ALLAH (swt) has said,

 Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives; and whoever earns good, We give him more of good therein; surely Allah is Forgiving, Grateful.

Quran 42:23.

The verse of Tat’hir

Allah has said, Allah only desires to keep away the

uncleanness from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a (thorough) purifying.

Quran33:33.

Umm Salama, the Prophet’s wife, said, “This verse was revealed in my house when Fatima(as) Ali (as), al-Hasan(as) and al-Husayn(as) were present.

The messenger of Allah (a.s.) covered them with a garment that was on him and said, ‘O Allah, these are the people of my house. Keep uncleanness away from them and purify them a thorough purification!’

The chapter of Al-Kawthar

“Surely We have given you (Muhammad) abundance of good (al-Kawthar). ~ Therefore turn to your Lord in prayer and sacrifice. ~ Indeed your enemy is the one who will be without offspring.” Quran: chapter 108

Prophet Muhammad(saww) was mocked after his son passed away. The enemies made fun of him that he would have no descendants.But ALLAH (swt) promised the prophet (saww) that he would have not only have descendants, but an abundance of them-through Fatima (as).

The Oppresion begins

After the demise of Holy Prophet (saw), people disobeyed the will and advices of Holy Prophet (saww). They elected a caliph (Abu Bakr) from amongst them in spite of explicit announcement of Imam Ali's (as) vicegrency by Holy Prophet (saw) during his last Hajj and on may other occasions

Source of Income snatched away

The gardens of Khaybar and Fadak were snatched away from Fatima Zahra (as), citing a false reason that he (Abu bakr) had heard from Prophet Mohammed (saww) that prophets don’t leave legacy, all they leave is charity. 

Despite protests form Ali(as) and Fatima (as) and explanations that both Prophet Zakaria and Prophet Dawood (David) had left legacy after them for their heirs, AbuBakr refused to back down.

The displeasure of Fatima

Fatima Zahra(as) openly declared her anger and displeasure for Abu Bakr due to his snatching away of her legal property. Fatima Zahra also reminded the famous declaration of Prophet Mohammed,(saww)

“He who angers Fatima angers me”.

The Attack on Fatima (as)

People under the command of Umar Ibn Khattab came to Fatima's (as) house to forcefully take oath from Imam Ali (as).

When she refused them entry from behind the door, These people set fire to the door and pushed it such that it fell on the Holy Lady Fatima (as).

They then crossed over the door, while the Holy Lady was below the door. The door also had a nail which pierced the Holy lady's body. The child in her womb died because of this atrocious incident.

The final request Before her demise she bequeathed the following

as her will to Imam Ali (as)1. O Ali, you will personally perform my funeral rites.2. Those who have displeased me should not be allowedto attend my funeral.3. My corpse should be carried to the graveyard atnight.

Thus Imam `Ali(as) in compliance with her will, performed all the funeral rites and accompanied exclusively by her relatives and sons carried her at night to Jannatu'l-Baqi `, where she was laid to rest and her wishes fulfilled.

Fatima (as) passes away

Fatima (as) did not survive more than seventy-five days after the demise of her father. She breathed her last on the 14th Jumdi'1-ula 11 AH.