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Biography of Fatima Zahra (A.S.)
Name: Fatima
Designation: One of the Fourteen infallibles
Title:
az- Zahra (The Splendid One)
Al- Mardhiah (Sh Who Well-Pleases ALLAH)
Al- Mubarakah (The Blessed One)
At- Taherah (The Virtuous)
Az- Zakiyah (The Chaste)
Ar- Radhiah (The Satisfied or Gratified One)
Al- Batoul (The Chaste and Pure One)
Al- Adhra (The Virgin or the Chaste)
Agnomen: Ummu 'l-A'immah
Father's Name: Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah
(P.B.U.H.)
Mother's Name: Khadijah bint Khuwaylid
Birth: Born in Mecca on Friday, 20 Jumada '
th-Thaniyah in the fifth year after the
declaration of the Prophethood (615 AD).
Death: Died at the age of 18 in Medine on
14th Jumada ' l-ula 11 AH (632 AD); buried
in the graveyard called Jannatu 'l-Baqi' in
Medina
Children of Fatima Zahra (A.S.)
Imam Hassan (A.S.)
Imam Hussain (A.S.)
Hazrat Zainab (A.S.)
Hazrat Um Kulthum (A.S)
Hazrat Mohsin (A.S)
Traditions Of Holy Prophet(P.B.H.U)Regarding BibiFatima (A.S)
Holy Prophet ( P.B.H.U .) use to say "Fatima is a human Huri, whenever
I long for paradise I kiss her."(1)
or:
"My daughter Fatima is a human huri."(2)
or:
"Fatima is the true splendor."(3)
Anas Ibn Malik's mother said: "Fatima was like a moon on it's full
night, or the sun covered with no clouds. She was white with a touch of
rose colour on her face, her hair was black, and she has the beautiful
features of the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) "(4)
Bibi Aisha said; "I have not seen a person more familiar to the
Prophet's appearance, conduct, guidance, and speech whether sitting or
standing than Fatima. When she enters, the Messenger of Allah stands up,
kisses and welcomes her then takes her hand and asks her to sit in his
place."(5)
The Holy Prophet said; "He who knows this' knows her, and he who does
not know her; she is part of me, she is my heart and my spirit which is in
my side, thus he who harms her harms me."(6)
He also said; "Fatima is part of me, that which annoys her annoys me,
and harms me that which harms"(7).
He also said : Fatima is part of me, he who angers her angers me."(8)
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said "I gave you in marriage to the first
one to adhere to Islam from my nation, he is also the most knowledgeable
and most patient among them."(9)
Bibi Aisha said: "( I declare ) by Allah that I have not seen anyone
more beloved to Allah's Messenger than Ali , or a woman on earth more
beloved to him Than his wife (Ali's wife Fatima )."(10)
Mohammad (P.B.U.H) said: "Surely Allah has examined the dwellers of
earth and has chosen your Father to be a Prophet, He then examined ( them
) and chose your husband, then He revealed to me that I give you to him in
marriage and appointed him as my successor".(11)
He also said to Fatima : "surely Allah chose two men from the dwellers
of Earth, one being your Father and the other your husband."(12)
The Prophet said to Bibi Khadija : "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 their father."(13)
WOMANHOOD
Greatest Woman of Islam
Islam presented a model character of womanhood in the great
personalities of Lady Khadijah, the Mother of the Believers, and her
daughter Fatima, the truthful. The former sacrificed the power and glory
of abundant wealth for the sake of Islam, and adopted a life of poverty.
The latter followed the footsteps of her mother and left an immortal
legacy of human greatness, expressed in her attributes of purity,
sincerity, unshakeable faith and contentment with the pleasure of Allah,
in happiness and
afflictions.
Lady Fatima was born on 20th Jamadi-ul-Thani, five years after the
declaration of Prophethood. Ibn 'Abdul Birr quotes 'Aisha, the wife of the
Prophet as saying, "I have seen no one whose words and speech were as
similar to that of the Prophet as Fatima's " (Al-Isti'ab). The
overwhelming love and respect which existed between the Prophet and his
daughter, were based at the apex of human compassion. When 'Aisha was
asked : "Who was the most beloved to the Prophet among men?" She replied :
"Ali". When she was asked : "Who was the most beloved to him among women?"
She replied : "Fatima". The Prophet normally welcomed his daughter by
rising, taking her hand, kissing her and
seating her in his place. She was the last person the Prophet used to
see when leaving Madina; and was
the first person the Prophet used to visit on returning back to Madina.
When the companions of the holy Prophet, Abu Bakr, Umar and Abdul
Rahman bin Awf, in turn, asked her hand in marriage, the Prophet replied
that he was awaiting Divine Order in this respect. This reply shows that
all the actions of the Prophet were dictated by the Divine Will. When Ali
proposed, the Prophet gladly accepted after consulting her. The Prophet
said that had it not been for Ali, Fatima would
not have had a suitable match. It was only through the family of Ali
and Fatima that the Almighty gave an ever present existence to the progeny
of Prophet Muhammad (saww). The result of this wedlock was revealed across
centuries when, the world of Islam witnessed constructive contribution
made by the lineage of Ali and Fatima, in the field of science, exegesis
of the Quran, ahadith traditions) of the Prophet, Fiqh (Islamic
jurisprudence), adab (literature) and other branches of knowledge. They
broke the record of bravery in Jihad - the struggle for the sake of Allah
and His religion. They sacrificed their life
but never abandoned the battlefield.
The
Most Blessed Wedding on Earth
The words uttered by the Prophet on the occasion of the marriage of Amirul
Moamineen Ali and Lady
Fatima in the Mosque, in the assembly of Sahaba (the companions),
reflected his insight and wishes,
which were translated into actions and achievements that followed. The
Prophet prayed in his sermon: "O Allah! Bless both of them, sanctify their
progeny and grant them the keys of Your Beneficence, Your treasures of
wisdom... and let both of them be a source of blessing and peace to my
ummah
(community)." It was a perfect harmony and greatness in the character of
Imam Ali and Lady Fatima, which never allowed them to lose patience and
perseverance. They were indeed, a great blessing to the ummah as the
Prophet had foreseen. Numerous narrations related from the Prophet and
recorded in the ancient books of ahadith, describe their proximity with
the Prophet in his mission. Imam Ali and Lady
Fatima and the children from their lineage are at the apex of the taharat
(purity) of the Prophet's household. The verse of purification revealed in
the holy Quran is a living testimony to this fact. Their foremost and
pioneering spirit of sacrifice for Islam, could never be obliterated from
the hearts and memory of generations of mankind. Their prayers and
sacrifice, their living and dying was for Allah, the Lord of the Universe.
Their faith and devotion was for their Creator and for His cause, which
they served selflessly.
No household was as successful as that of Imam Ali and Lady Fatima because
it was built on the foundation laid down by the Prophet and Lady Khadijah,
whose greatness surpasses human imagination. The graduates of this
purified family were given honours, hitherto unheard of. The Prophet named
his daughter Fatima : "Leader of the women of the worlds." He described
her husband Ali, the valiant in Jihad, as : "I am the city of knowledge
and Ali is its gate." He called her two sons Hassan and Hussain : "the
Leaders of the youths of Paradise." No family unit, since the creation
began, has ever produced so many qualities, whose radiance glitters the
soul and spirit of the obedient devotees of the Almighty.
The
Knowledge and Wisdom of the Leader of the Ladies of Paradise
The outstanding wisdom of the members of the household of the Prophet is
expressed through their
deeds and words, which were always coherent with each other. They were the
role models of all the
ethical behaviour which they taught. They preached what they practised in
public and private life. The
purity of their faith in Allah was manifest in their love, devotion and
obedience to Allah.
Fatima, the truthful lady of the house of the Prophet, derived her
knowledge and wisdom directly from
the Prophet, who derived his through the Revelation. Lady Fatima (a.s.)
watched closely all the actions
of her father, who was commissioned by the Almighty to guide humanity
towards the Right Path. She
was brought up by the Prophet and taught how to be a perfect example for
womanhood, as he was for
man. The Prophet said, "Fatima is my part. Whoever pleases her, pleases
me, and whoever displeases
her, displeases me." There are many ahadith (traditions) of the Prophet
narrated in the authentic books
of Muslims, which emphasise clearly the special position enjoyed by her in
the Islamic upbringing
(tarbiyah) of the Muslim community (ummah). Indeed, Lady Fatima was an
integral part of the mission
of Prophet Muhammad (saww) and she remained totally committed to that
status as long as she lived.
In the short period that Fatima Az-Zahra (Fatima the radiant) lived after
her father, and until the time
she died at the age of 18, she devoted her life to fight for justice. She
was absolutely sure that Muslim
community can only be saved from misguidance by following the leadership
of the House of the Prophet,
in accordance to his will. But the majority of Muslims opted to follow
whoever came to power. What
was the result? The innumerable divisions among Muslims speak for
themselves. Muslims have agreed
not to agree with each other despite the fact that the Quran invites them
towards tolerance, respect, unity,
and brotherhood.
The
Opposition resorts to Distortions
Let us take only one of many examples that could easily fill volumes. A
majority-sect of Muslims
consider 'Al Bukhari', the work of Muhammad bin Ismail Al Bukhari, of the
collection of the narrations of
Prophet Muhammad (saww), as the most authentic. That is why, they call it
'Al Sahih Al Bukhari'. The
description 'Sahih' is attached to the compilation made by imam Bukhari
himself. But the latest editions
of Al Bukhari are being censored. The censors have taken out the Prophet's
traditions (ahadith) that do
not comply with, or contradict their own pre-conceived beliefs. This
matter has to be viewed from a
simple point of logic. If it is possible for them to distort the book of
traditions of the holy Prophet, which
a majority-sect of Muslims consider 'Sahih' (authentic), how much more
distortions they would have
introduced since the early eighteenth century, when, with the support of
the British, they became
dominant in the holy lands? This particular class considers all Muslims,
except their own sect, as nothing
but heretics. It is a tragedy for all Muslims that many of the mosques and
their imams, are coming under
the direct influence of this sect, simply because they are very good
spenders of petro dollars. But Muslim
masses are not deaf, dumb and blind. They are aware that in the name of
enforcing the laws of Islam
(Shari'a), the people who are introducing innovations in religion, have
two different faces. When a poor
person, who is a victim of the injustices of their society, turns to
stealing, his hand is cut off. But when
men in power resort to bribery and misappropriations involving millions of
dollars, nobody could point a
finger at them. When a poor man or woman is accused of adultery, they have
to face capital
punishment. But when men in power inhabit the night clubs and casinos and
openly flout Islamic
injunctions, the law of Shari'a suddenly becomes unenforceable!
Jealousy and Resentment towards the Progeny of the Holy Prophet
Despite the great status, the pure and purified Lady enjoys in the sight
of Allah and His Prophet, there
is a deliberate attempt in the holy lands of Muslims to remove
categorically the traces of any historical site
associated with the name of Lady Fatima and Imam Ali. In 1926, the heinous
crime was committed by
the authorities to demolish the burial places of the daughter of the
Prophet and the Imams of the House of
the Prophet at Jannatul Baqi' in the holy city of Al Madina. This was
followed by destruction of the
house in which the Prophet lived happily with Mother of the Believers
Khadijah for 28 years of his life.
This was the house in which Lady Fatima was born and from which the
Prophet had migrated from
Makkah to Madina on the night of Hijrah. Gradually the quarters of Banu
Hashim (the clan of the
Prophet) in Makkah, as well as, in Madina were also annihilated. This was
followed by a total destruction
of the house of Abu Ayyub Al Ansari in Madina, which was the first
residence of the Prophet after
migration. Then came the turn of destroying the houses of Imam Hassan and
Imam Ja'ffer Al Sadiq
under the pretext of the expansion of Masjid Al Nabavi.
Now the crime of destruction has extended to the mosque of Fatima-az-Zahra
at the historic site of the
battle of Khandaq (Trenches) under the pretext of expansion of road. The
historical mosques of
Radd-us-Shams and the house of Maria Qibtiya, where she was buried, have
also been bulldozed. This
wife of the Prophet was blessed by Allah to be the mother of the Prophet's
son, Ibrahim who died in
infancy. The Prophet himself arranged for a house to be constructed for
her on the outskirts of Madina.
Recently there have been demonstrations in Pakistan against the onslaught
of these deviants to destroy the
traces of the grave of Janabe Amena bint Wahab, the respectable mother of
Prophet Muhammad
(saww). This is an insult at the honour and dignity of the Prophet
himself. According to their pervert
beliefs, the father and mother of the holy Prophet were not Muslims!!! But
they cannot possibly refute
the judgement of Allah regarding the faith of Prophet Ibrahim. The Quran
says: "Ibrahim was not a Jew
or a Christian, but he was an upright in faith a Muslim (one who
surrendered to the Will of Allah)." Are
they trying to tell us that Prophet Ibrahim failed to pass his faith in
Tawheed to his progeny? If not, then
it follows that the ancestors of Prophet Muhammad were also adherents of
the faith of Ibrahim, which is
amply demonstrated by historical evidence. So how can the father and the
mother of Sayyad-ul-Ambiya
(the leader of all the Prophets), Muhammad (saww), be non-Muslims, when
they were direct descendants
of Prophet Ibrahim?
They are successful in destroying Islamic historical sites, in flagrant
violation of the UN Charter of
Human Rights because of the conspiracy of silence on the part of the
majority of Muslims. The
distinctive feature of Islam as compared to other systems of the world is
based on supporting the truth at
all cost. But the morale of the Muslim community, at present, is to remain
apathetic no matter what
injustices prevail around them. They are not realizing that their silence
is going to cost the future
generations of Muslims a complete segregation from their roots. This is
precisely what is intended by the
dominant sect in the holy lands, who has shown its contempt against
Islamic history and Islamic
archaeology at the detriment of the interest of Muslim ummah.
Fatima Zahra (A.S.) on the Way to Marriage When Fatima Zahra (A.S.)
reached the age nine
Fatima Zahra (A.S.) on the Way to Marriage When Fatima zahra (A.S.)
reached the age nine years , she was a fully grown woman who enjoyed
intellectual maturity and integrity of conduct. ALLAH gifted her with a
brilliantmentality and cleverness, together with beauty,grace and
elegance. Her talents were many and her inherited and acquired noble
traits, excel those of many female or male.Fatima's religious feelings and
literary knowledge were limited. You will come to know that she was the
most knowledgeable and most honorable woman in the world. In fact history
has not witnessed any other woman who achieved such a high level of
education, knowledge, and social graces that Fatima reached; regardless of
the fact that she did not graduate from any educational establishment save
the school of Revelation and membership. In light of this, it is not
strange that prominent compasions of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) asked to marry
her, but he (P.B.U.H.) rejected them by saying: "Her affair is left to her
Lord; whenever He wills, she will marry." Abu Bakr and Umar were among
those who asked to marry Fatima, but the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) rejected them
too, and said the she was still too young for marriage. Abdurrahman Ibn
Awf also asked for her hand, but the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) ignored him. Abu
Bakr came to see the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). After sitting down he said: "O
Messenger of ALLAH, you surely know of my devotion and long standing
service to Islam..."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) then said: "What is it that you want?" Abu Bakr
then said: "I want you to give me Fatima in marriage." When the Prophet
heard this, he did not say anything, so Abu bakr returnd to Umar and said:
"I have
ruinedmyself and others!!" Umar said: "What happned?" Abu Bakr replied: "I
asked for Fatima's hand from the Prophet, but he ignored me." Umar said:
"You stay here, and I will go ask the Prophet for the same thing that you
asked
him for." Umar went to the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and after sitting down
started to saying: "O Messenger of ALLAH, you surely know my devotion and
long lasting service to Islam..." said: "What is it that you want"? Umar
replied: "I want you to give me Fatima in marriage." But the Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
ignored him too. Umar returned to Abu Bakr and said: "He is waiting for
ALLAH's command in this regard." Perhaps the Messenger avoived telling Abu
Bakr and Umar openly that he is keeping Fatima for the qualified man,
because he did not want to declare to them that they were unqualified to
marry her, and that his
daughter was above their level. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) also wanted
everythng to occur in it's natural order. Imam Ali (A.S.) was staying in
the house of Saad Ibn Ma'adh since he immigrated to Medina. One day while
Imam Ali (A.S.) was in one of the gardens of the Medina, Saad came to him
and said: "What prevents you from asking to marry Fatima from your
cousin?" It has also been mentioned in Kanz Al-Umal that Umar came to Ali
(A.S.) and said: "What prevents you from give her to me in marriage!" Umar
said: "If he does not give her to you in marriage, then who will she
marry? Besides, you are the nearest of ALLAH's creatures to him..."
Actually, Ali (A.S.) had never mentioned his deisre to marry Fatima to two
reasons, first his shyness to do in front of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), and
seconldy because of his very difficlut economic conditions. Imam Ali (A.S.)
owned nothig of empherial belongings of this world-not even a house or a
peace of land!! So how could he get married? And where would he live with
his wife? Besides, Fatima (A.S.) is not the type of woman who can be
neglected or looked down upon!! Imam Ali (A.S.) finally approached the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and asked for Fatima's hand in marriage. The Messenger,
who has absolute gaurdianship over all Muslim men and women, including his
daughter, would not announce his agreement to the marriage without
Fatima's consent.The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) in reply to Ali said: "Ali, many
men have asked before you and she has rejected them-her resentment to
marry them was clear on her face. Yet, wait until I bring you the answer."
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) left Ali waiting for the answer. the Prophet
informed his daughter that Ali wished to marry her. Fatima did not need to
ask
about Ali's occupation, manners, age and other traits; because she knew
all about his talents, excellent traits and long standing sevice to Islam.
It is for this reason that the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) only said to her:
"Fatima, you know Ali Ibn Abi Talib's relationship to us, his devotion and
faithfulness to Islam. I asked ALLAH to give you in marriage to the best
of His creatures, and the most beloved to Him; and Ali has declared his
wish to marry you; what do you say?" Faima did not reply, nor did she show
a sign of rejection or resentment, so he (P.B.U.H.) stood an said: "ALLAH
is the Greatest! Her silence is her approval." The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) went
back to the waiting Ali and informed him of Fatima's approval of the
marriage.
He also inquired about the extent of his preparedness to fulfill the
requirements needed for the wedding (dowry). The Prophet said to Ali: "Do
you posses anything which you can pay for the dowry to marry Fatima?" Imam
Ali answerd: "May my parents be your sacrifice! By ALLAH, there is not a
thing of my affiars hidden from you; I own my sword, shield and the camel
which I use for irrigation!!" The Messenger listened to Ali and said:
"Ali, you cannot do without your sword, for you have to struggle with it
and defend yourself against the enemies of ALLAH. As for your camel, you
need it to irrigate palm trees and support your family, and you need it as
a means of travel. But I accept the shield as a dowry from you; thus, sell
it and bring me the money!!" TheCommander of the Faithful (A.S.) sold the
shield for 480 or 500 dirhams and brought the (P.B.U.H.). They both agreed
that this money would be the dwory of the most honorable girl and the most
exalted female of the universe. Yes, Fatima was the Mistress of the women
of the world, and the daughter of the master of Prophets and Messengers,
who was the best of ALLAH's creatures.Despite Fatima's modest marriage on
Earth, Allah.The Exalted, bestowed her with an honourable gift. He (Golry
be to Him ) gave her in marriage to Ali Ibn Abu Talib,before the Messanger
himsef did so. The celebration took place in the fourth Heaven near Al-Baith
Al-Ma'mour(the constantly attended house of Allah).It is reported in
Nuzhat Al- Majalis tha Anas Ibn Malik said: The Prophet was in the mosque
when he said to Ali: "Here is Gabriel informing me that Allah gave Fatima
to you in marriage, and made forty thousand angels testify to to her
marriage. He also revealed to the tree of Tuba to sprinkle them with gems,
rubies, jewelry and embellishments. When it had done this, the Huris
rushed to collect these gems, rubies, jewelry and embellishments to
exchangethem for gifts until the day of Resurrection" (Sayuti reported
this narration in Tahdheer Al-Khawas.) The Prophet gave AbuBakr some money
and asked him to accompany Bilal and Salman (or Ammar Ibn Yasir) to buy
some household necessities for Fatima's house. The Prophet said to Abu
Bakr: "Buy some appropriate household necessities for my daughter with
this money." Abu Bakr said: "He gave sixty-three Dirhams, so we went to
the market and bought the following
-
Two mattresses made of Egyptian canvas.(One stuffed with fiber and the
other with sheep wool)
-
A pillow made of skin, filled with palm tree fiber.
-
An animal skin for water.
-
Some jugs and jars also for warer.
-
A pitcher painted with tar.
-
A thin curtain made of wool.
-
A shirt costing seven Dirhams
-
A veil costing four Dirhams.
-
A bed embellished with ribbon.
-
Four cushions made of skin imported from Ta'ef, stuffed with a good
smelling plant.
-
A special copper container used for dyestuff.
-
A pestle for grinding coffee.
When Abu Bakr and the other companions had bought the above mentioned
articles, they carried them to Um Salama's house. When the Prophet(P.B.U.H)
saw them, he started kissing every article and supplicated to Allah,
saying:" O Allah, bless them! for they are people who the majority of
their belongings are made of natural materials." These were all
furnishings they purchased for the daughter of the best of all Prophets
and Messengers. But indeed, marital happiness is not achieved by wealth
and overspending, nor can expensive wardrobes, gems, golden ware,
luxurious furniture, splendid palaces or comfortable automobiles provide a
person with marrital happiness, contrary to the beliefs of most people.
Although Fatima's(A.S) dowry was modest, because of the Messenger's wish
to set an example for the muslims and for other implicit reasons, Fatima
Zahra(A.S) did not ignore her greatness and exalted identity to obtain a
fantastic gift for her wedding.Fatima's drive for excellence and
perfection motivated her to ask for the right of intercedence-if Allah
willed-for the sinners among the muslims.
Nasfi said: "Fatima (A.s) asked the Prophet (P.B.U.H) that her dowry would
be intercedence for his nation on the Day of Resurrection. So when she
passes the path, she will ask for her dowry.
A
QUIET FUNERAL
In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were asleep and voices
were silent, a Heavenly procession left 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, Hassan, Hussain, Zainab and Um Kulthum... Abu Dhar,
Ammar, Miqdad, and Salman were
following them.
Where are the thousands who inhabited Medina?! One asks, and the answer
came: Fatima (S.A.)
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? 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 areAllah'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 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. WhWhen 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 and
perform prayers on her."
Yes! They attempted to execute the plan, violating Fatima's will and
causing 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 Ali 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 Prophet's (S.A.W.) death
because he considered the Muslim's
unity and overall interests. Yet, this did not mean that he would ignore
their villainous crimes against
Fatima even after her death. In other words, Ali(A.S.) was asked by the
Prophet (S.A.W.) to have
patience, but only to a certain extent; when 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 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 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 Ali (A.S.) by saying:
"What is the matter, Abu Al-Hassan?! By Allah, we shall dig her grave out
and perform prayers on her."
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 Fatima Zahra's grave remains a secret.
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