Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' (a): Difference between revisions

Fatima lived in Mecca from her birth to Hijra (immigration to Medina 13 year after Bi’tha).

It has been narrated in Shi’a and Sunni sources that before her mother was conceived with her, God ordered the Prophet (s) to avoid Khadija for 40 days. After 40 days of prayer, fasting and worship, he was taken to Mi’raj, where he ate heavenly foods, then he went to Khadija and she became pregnant of Fatima.

Fatima (s) was born in Mecca in the Prophet’s (s) house. There are different reports about her birthday in Shi’a and Sunni sources. Sunnis believe that she was born 5 years before Bi’tha, in the year that Ka’ba was rebuilt. Kulayni, however, says in al-Kafi that she was born 5 year after Bi’tha. Ya’qubi writes that she was 23 at her demise (martyrdom). According to this report she must have been born on the year of Bi’tha. This also matches Shaykh al-Tusi’s opinion that Fatima (s) was 13 when she married Ali (a) 5 months after Hijra.

Fatima (s) spent her early youth under the care of her parents and specially her father; contrary to the local customs, in which the newborn were sent to "wet nurses" in surrounding villages. Her childhood was synchronized with the time of formation of Islam, when Muslims were suffering the tribulations caused by polytheists in Mecca. The Muslims were tested during this period by tough sanctions and tortures. Muslim were  put in economic blockade and exiled to a dry and scorching hot valley called Sh’ib Abi Talib. They barely have enough food to eat and water to drink. Khadija and Abu Talib, the main supporters of the Prophet (s) passed away during this period (in 10 which is also called ‘Am al-Huzn (the year of sorrow)) it was then that the Prophet (s) gave Fatima (s) the title of Umm Abiha (the mother of her father) due to the supports and cares she provided for her father.