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

Fatima lived in [[Mecca]] from her birth to [[Hijra]] (immigration of the Muslims 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 back to Khadija and she got pregnant with Fatima (a).

Fatima (a) 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. [[Al-Kulayni]], however, says in ''[[al-Kafi]]'' that she was born 5 year after Bi'tha. Al-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 [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]]'s opinion that Fatima (a) 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. Muslims were put in economic blockade and exiled to a dry and scorching hot valley called [[Shi'b Abi Talib]]. They barely have enough food to eat and water to drink. Khadija and Abu Talib, the main supporters of the Prophet (s) both passed away during this period (in 10 AH 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.