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

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'''Fāṭīma bt. Muḥammad (a)''' (Arabic: فاطمة بنت محمد) was the daughter of the [[Prophet (s)]] and [[Lady Khadija (a)]]. She was [[Imam 'Ali]]'s (a) wife, and [[Imam al-Hasan (a)]] and [[Imam al-Husayn (a)]] were her sons. Fatima is one of  the Five [[Ashab al-Kisa']]. She is one of the 14 Infallibles based on [[Twelver Shi'a]] beliefs. She was the only woman who accompanied the Prophet (s) in the event of [[Mubahala]] with the Christians of [[Najran]].

She did not pledge allegiance to [[Abu Bakr]] and opposed him firmly. After the confiscation of [[Fadak]] and usurpation of Imam Ali's right in being the [[Caliph]], she delivered a sermon in [[Masjid al-Nabi]], which is known as [[al-Khutbat al-Fadakiyya]]. Soon after the Prophet's (s) demise, she passed away in [[Jumada l-Thania 3]], 11 ([[August 29]], 632) in [[Medina]]. Then she was buried secretly at night. Fatima (a) was one of the eloquent [[Arab]] women. Ibn Tayfur (d. 280) has compiled her sermons in a book titled as [[Balaghat al-Nisa']]. [[Al Abi Talib]] taught their children her sermon on Fadak.<ref>Shahidi, ''[[Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra]]'', p.123</ref>

The [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] was her father, and her mother was [[Khadija bt. Khuwalid b. Asad b. 'Adb al-'Uzza b. Qusay b. Kilab]].<ref>Shahidi, ''[[Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra]]'', p.21</ref>

She also had several [[Kunya]]s the most famous of which are [[Umm Abiha]], [[Umm al-A'imma]], Umm al-Hasan, Umm al-Husayn and [[Umm al-Mushin]].<ref>[[Al-Majlisi]], ''[[Bihar]]'', vol.43, p.16; Ibn Shahr Ashub, ''[[Manaqib]]'', vol.3, p.132; [[Al-Qummi]], ''[[Bayt al-Ahzan]]'', p.12</ref>

==Her Early Life==

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 five years before [[Bi'tha]], in the year that [[Ka'ba]] was rebuilt.<ref>Ayati, ''Chikidi-yi tarikh-i payambar-i Islam'', p.35</ref> [[Al-Kulayni]], however, says in ''[[al-Kafi]]'' that she was born five year after Bi'tha.<ref>[[Al-Kulayni]], ''[[Al-Kafi]]'', vol.1, p.530</ref> Al-Ya'qubi writes that she was 23 at her demise ([[martyrdom]]).<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''[[Tarikh-i Ya'qubi]]'', trans. Ayati, vol.1, p.512</ref> 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)]] five months after Hijra.<ref>Ayati, ''Chikidi-yi tarikh-i payambar-i Islam'', pp.35-36; (cited from ''Misbah al-Mutahajjid'', p.561)</ref>

Fatima (a) spent her early youth under the care of her parents and specially her father.<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.35</ref> 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 [[polytheist]]s in [[Mecca]].<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp.36-39</ref> The Muslims were tested during this period by tough sanctions and tortures and 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 enough 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).<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp.39-45</ref> It was then that the Prophet (s) gave Fatima (a) the title of "[[Umm Abiha]]" (the mother of her father) due to the supports and cares she provided for her father.<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp.36-45</ref>

Later in this period, Muslims immigrated to [[Yathrib]] ([[Medina]]). Afterward, the [[immigration]] of the Prophet (s) to Medina was designated the first year of [[Islamic calendar]].<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.42</ref> After that the Prophet (s) moved to Medina, his family relocated as well. Baladhuri writes, "[[Zayd b. Haritha]] and [[Abu Rafi']] were responsible for accompanying Fatima and [[Umm Kulthum]] on the way toward Medina."<ref>''Ansab al-ashraf'', p.414, 269 as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.42</ref> However, [[Ibn Hisham]] says that it was [[Ibn 'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Mutallib]] who accompanied them.<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''Sirat al-nabi'', vol.4, p.29 as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.43</ref>

In another report, al-Ya'qubi, who lived in the 1st century, writes, "Ali took her (Fatima) to Medina."<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', vol.2, p.31 as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.43</ref> [[Hadiths]] narrated by Shi'a support al-Ya'qubi's report.<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p.43</ref> For instance, [[al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] has quoted in his book ''[[al-Amali]]'' that the Prophet (s) had not entered Medina and had stayed in [[Quba]], and said that he would not enter the city until his cousin ('Ali) and his daughter come. According to this report, in addition to Fatima (a), [[Fatima bt. Asad]] -Imam Ali's mother- and [[Fatima bt. Zubayr b. 'Abd al-Mutallib]] immigrated with Imam 'Ali (a).<ref>[[Al-Tusi]], ''[[Al-Amali]]'', pp. 694-695</ref> Anyway, when Fatima (a) and Umm Kulthum mounted the camel and the caravan was ready to depart, [[Huwayrith b. Nuqayd]] -one of the Prophet's enemies who insulted him frequently- frightened their camel so it bolted and threw them.<ref>Ibn Hisham, ''Sirat al-Nabi'', vol. 4, p. 30, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp. 42-43</ref>

Fatima had many suitors including many famous [[Companions of the Prophet (s)]] such as [[Abu Bakr]], [['Umar]], [['Abd al-Rahman b. 'Awf]], etc. But the Prophet rejected them<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 8, p. 11</ref> giving an excuse that Fatima is very young. Furthermore, some of [[Muhajirun]] asked the Prophet (s) for her hand in marriage,<ref>Al-Ya'qubi, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', vol. 2, p. 310</ref> but he told them, "God is responsible for her marriage and no one else. I am waiting for God's decision for her [Marriage]."<ref>Qazwini, ''Fatimi-yi Zahra; az wiladat ta shahadat'', p. 191</ref>

When [[Imam Ali (a)]] asked the Prophet (s) for Fatima's hand, he (s) said, "O 'Ali! Various men has mentioned her but whenever I told her I saw expressions of dislike on her face; but let me go to her [and ask her]." When the Prophet (s) entered the house Fatima (a) took his clack and sandals and brought him water to wash his face and hand, then the Prophet said, "O, Fatima! you know the kinship, the merits and the antecedence in Islam of 'Ali. Besides, I asked [[God]] to marry you to the best person and the most favorite one to Him. Ali has just mentioned your name [for marriage], so what do you say?" She remained silent and did not move her head. When the Prophet (s) did not see expression of dislike on her face, stood up saying "[[Allah Akbar]]! Her silence is her acceptance." Then [[Gabriel]] came to the Prophet and said, "Marry her to [['Ali b. Abi Talib]]. God has chosen her for him and him for her."

Fatima (a) married [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] in 2 AH/623-624 in [[Medina]].<ref>Ayati, ''Chikidi-yi tarikh-i payambar-i Islam'', p.35</ref> Imam Ali (a) sold his armor and gave about 400 [[Dirham]] to the Prophet (s) as her [[Mahr]]. Without counting them, the Prophet (s) gave a little portion of it to [[Bilal]] and asked him to buy perfume for Fatima; and gave the rest of it to [[Abu Bakar]] and asked him to prepare whatever she was going to need. The Prophet (s) asked a few other companions such as [['Ammar]] to help Abu Bakr in this regard. [[Al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] has mentioned the stuff that they bought and prepared for the lady Fatima (s) in a detailed list.<ref>Al-Tusi, ''Al-Amali'', vol. 1, p. 39, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp. 58-59</ref>

Being away from Fatima, his beloved daughter who had kept the memory of [[Khadija]] alive was very difficult for the Prophet (s). So, few days after the marriage, he (s) thought of accommodating them in a house. Since preparing a separated house for them was hard, he (s) decided to accommodate them in his own house. However, it was not possible either; as his house was small and [['A'isha]] and [[Suda]] (his wives) lived with him in the house. When [[Haritha b. Nu'man]], one of his companions, knew that; he gave one of his houses that was near to the Prophet's house to Imam Ali (a) and Fatima (a).<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp. 72-73; Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 8, pp. 22-23</ref>

She had 4 children by Ali (a); two sons, [[al-Hasan]] and [[al-Husayn]], and two daughters, [[Zaynab]] and [[Umm Kulthum]]. There is no doubt among historians about the existence of these 4 children. Imam al-Hasan (a) was born on [[Ramadan 15]], 3 ([[February 22]], 625) and Imam al-Husayn (a) was born in [[Sha'ban 3]], 4 ([[January 11]], 626).<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 242</ref>

Some Shi'a biographers and Sunni scholars have named another son for her, named [[al-Muhassan]]. Baladhuri (d. 279/892) writes, "Fatima gave birth to al-Hasan, al-Husayn and al-Muhassan. Al-Muhassan died in his childhood."<ref>Baladhuri, ''Ansab al-ashraf'', p. 402, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 242</ref> He also reports, "When al-Muhassan was born, the Prophet (s) asked Fatima, what did you name him? She siad, Harb. He said, his name in Muhassan."<ref>Baladhuri, ''Ansab al-ashraf'', p. 404, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 242</ref> Also 'Ali b. Ahmad b. Sa'id al-Andalusi (b. 384/994 d. 456/1064) the author of ''Jamharat ansab al-'Arab'', writes: "Al-Muhassan died in childhood."<ref>Al-Andalusi, ''Jamharat ansab al-'Arab'', p. 16, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 243</ref> However,  Mus'ab al-Zubayri (d. 236/851), who lived before Baladhuri and al-Andalusi, and authored ''Nasab al-Quraysh'', did not mention anything about al-Muhassan.

===Muhsin b. Ali===

{{Main|Mushin b. 'Ali}}

===Contentment and Simplicity of Her Life===