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

Ibn Sa'd has narrated that Imam Ali (a) said, "The day I married Fatima we had a sheepskin, on which we sleep at night and feed our camel on day, and we did not have any servant except than this camel by which we hoist water from well."<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Tabaqat'', vol. 8, p. 14, as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 84</ref>

Once Ali (a) told a man from Banu Sa'd, "Do you want me to tell you a story of Fatima and me?, Fatima was the most beloved person by her father. She carried water in my house many times that its band had marked her chest skin, and moved the quern very much that there was calluses on her hand, and swept the house many times that the color of her clothes had changed to the one of the dust."<ref>Ahmad b. Hanbal, ''Musnad'', vol. 2, p. 329; as cited in Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 85</ref>

In the married life, Fatima was responsible for indoor chores, such as cooking and taking care of children; while Ali was responsible for outdoor chores, such as buying and provision of firewood.<ref>Qazwini, ''Fatimi-yi Zahra; az wiladat ta shahadat'', p. 236; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar'', vol. 43, p. 31, as cited in ''[[Tafsir al-'Ayyashi]]''</ref>

===With Her Husband===

It has been narrated that when the Prophet (s) came to Fatima (a) and Ali's (a) house [for the first time after their marriage,] he asked Fatima (a), "How did you find your husband?" She replied, "The best husband…" Then he advised 'Ali (a) to take care of Fatima (a) and her to take care of him.

In this battle [[Hamza]], the Prophet's paternal uncle, and more than 70 [[Muslim]]s were [[martyred]]. According to al-Waqidi, after the battle, every two or three days, Fatima (a) went to their graves at Uhud, mourned at their graves and prayed for them.<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 79</ref>

[[Tasbih of Lady Fatima]], is one of the most famous tasbihs which has been narrated in authentic book of both Shi'a and Sunni. This tasbih is one of the most important and common rites after the [[daily prayers]]. It consists of 34 times "[[Allah akbar]]" (Allah is greater), 33 times "Al-hamd li-Allah" (all praise belongs to Allah), and 33 times "Subhan Allah" (Exalted be Allah).<ref>This is the most famous form of performing this Tasbih, but there are also other forms mentioned in some narrations. See Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 94</ref>

Despite of the well-known love of the [[Prophet (s)]] for Fatima (a) and his sayings about her merits, she went through very rough days after the demise of the Prophet (s) which finally led to her [[Martyrdom]].

===Fatima's Anger at Abu Bakr and 'Umar===

According to Bukhari's report, when Abu Bakr narrated from the Prophet (s) that prophets do not leave inheritance and what they leave is charity, Fatima (a) got angry at him and did not talk to him to the end of her life.<ref>Al-Bukhari, ''[[Sahih]]'', vol. 4, p. 142</ref>

Ibn Qutayba writes, "After that Fatima became angry at them, Abu Bakar and 'Umar came to her house for propitiating her; but when they asked for permission to enter the house, Fatima did not let them in. So they went to 'Ali and asked him for help. 'Ali took them to the house to Fatima; but Fatima turned his face away from them and did not reply their [[Salam]]. After that Abu Bakr talked, Fatima asked them, "If I narrate for you a [[hadith]] from the Prophet, will you acknowledge that and act according to?" They said, "Yes." Fatima said, "I implore you to [[God]], did you hear the Prophet saying "Fatima's happiness is my happiness and Fatima's anger is my anger; so, whoever like Fatima, my daughter, had liked me and whoever make Fatima happy had made me happy and whoever make Fatima angry had made me angry?"" They replied, "Yes, we heard this from the Apostle of God." Fatima said, "I call God and his angles as witnesses that you two have made me angry and did not made me happy and if I see the Prophet I will complain about you to him." Abu Bakr started talking, but Fatima continued her words addressing him, "By God, I will curse you after each prayer I perform.""<ref>Ibn Qutayba, ''Al-Imama wa l-siyasa'', vol. 1, p. 31; Kahhala, ''A'lam al-nisa''', vol. 4, pp. 123-124</ref>

Her anger and annoyance is important because not only Shi'a but also Sunni narrators have quoted the Prophet (s), "Fatima is a part of my body, whoever make her angry has made me angry."<ref>Al-Bukhari, ''Sahih'', vol. 4, p. 210</ref> In addition, in this event the confiscators of Fadak denied her right publicly which implies that she had lied in her true claim that his father has given it to her in his life, although she was repelled from all impurities by God as Qur'an explicitly mentions in [[Sura al-Ahzab]]:33.

[[Al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr]] in his book ''[[Fadak fi l-tarikh]]'' (Fadak in history) counts the raising of the topic of Fadak by Fatima (a) as a political move.<ref>See Al-Sadr, ''Fadak fi l-tarikh'', p. 49, as cited in Muntaziri, ''Khutbi-yi hazrat-i Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 395</ref> He believes that Fadak is a symbol of a great goal and a full-scale revolution against the government of that time, which was founded in [[al-Saqifa]] by three people: [[Abu Bakr]], [['Umar]] and [[Abu 'Ubayda al-Jarrah]].<ref>See Al-Sadr, ''Fadak fi l-tarikh'', pp. 48, 63, as cited in Muntaziri, ''Khutbi-yi hazrat-i Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 395</ref> According to his analysis,<ref>See Al-Sadr, ''Fadak fi l-tarikh'', p. 87, as cited in Muntaziri, ''Khutbi-yi hazrat-i Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 395</ref> the lady Fatima manifested her opposition to the government in 6 stages:<ref>See Al-Sadr, ''Fadak fi l-tarikh'', p. 87, as cited in Muntaziri, ''Khutbi-yi hazrat-i Fatimi-yi Zahra'', pp. 395-396</ref>

Analyzing the [[Sermon of Fadakiyya]], Dr. Shahidi writes, "It is clear that they ignored the core of her words and dealt with it as a speech that was only delivered for getting her inheritance. Obviously, she did delivered her sermon for taking some date trees and sheaves of wheat. A household that give away the only food they have to feed the hungry, would not cry for their stomach. She wanted to keep the [[tradition]] (sunna) and the [[justice]] alive. She feared that the thoughts of the [[Ignorance Era]], which was hidden under the cover of [[Islam]], comes to light again; and tribal prides comes to existence. Today is Banu Tamim's turn and tomorrow is Banu 'Uday's and then [[Banu Umayya]]'s, who fought Islam with all they got and embraced Islam not by heart, but only by tongue as they did not have any other option."<ref>Shahidi, ''Ali az zaban-i 'Ali'', p. 37</ref>

Moreover, Imam Ali's neutrality about giving Fadak to its legal owners, after he took over the caliphate, supports the analysis that it was only a symbol for protesting and giving the power to its rightful owner.

===Her Words in Sickbed===

::Surely; [their action] is clear loss. Why were they hostile to [[Abu l-Hasan (a)]]? They took vengeance, by Allah, from him for his unbiased [[sword]], his carelessness about his [[death]] (i.e., his unprecedented courage), his deadly assaults his severe encounters, and his anger for the sole sake of Allah, Exalted is His Name.

::By Allah,  had they prevented each other from assuming the reigns of power, which [[Allah's Messenger (s)]] entrusted to him, he would have held it and led them smoothly, he would not have harmed them the size of a thread, nor, would his followers stammer, (meaning they would have lived in harmony under his rule).

===Date of Her Martyrdom===

There is a [[consensus]] among Shi'a and Sunni historical sources that she was martyred in the year 11 AH/632; but there are various reports about the month and the day. The reports varies between 24 days to 8 months after the Prophet's demise. Majority of Shi'a believe that she lived 95 days after the Prophet (s).<ref>Muqaddasi, ''Bazpajuhi-yi tarikh-i wiladat wa shahadat-i ma'suman'', pp. 156-157</ref> According to this she was martyred on [[Jumada l-Thania 3rd]] ([[August 29]]) -95 days after [[Safar 28]] ([[May 28]]), the day of the Prophet's demise.<ref>Muqaddasi, ''Bazpajuhi-yi tarikh-i wiladat wa shahadat-i ma'suman'', p. 170</ref>

Shi'a scholars unanimously believe that Fatima's body was buried at night.<ref>Shahidi, ''Zindigani-yi Fatimi-yi Zahra'', p. 158</ref> Al-Ya'qubi says in his history book that Fatima (a) was buried at night and no one except [[Salman]], [[Abu Dhar]] and -according to a report- [['Ammar]] participated in her [[funeral]] and [[burial]].<ref>Al-Ya'qubu, ''Tarikh al-Ya'qubi'', vol. 1, p. 512</ref> [[Al-Shaykh al-Tusi]] has narrated a [[hadith]] that when [['Abbas b. 'Abd al-Mutallib]] suggested a respectful funeral for Fatima (a), [[Imam 'Ali (a)]] told him that Fatima had made a will to be buried privately and secretly.<ref>Al-Tusi, ''Al-Amali'', p. 245</ref>

After her burial, Imam Ali (a) flattened her [[grave]] to hide it, then he turned his face to the Prophet's tomb and said,

::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 [[Umma]] (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 endures.<ref>[[Al-Kulayni]], ''[[Al-Kafi]]'', vol. 1, pp. 381-382; This sermon is also narrated in ''Nahj al-balagha'', Sayyid Ja'far Shihidi (trans.) which is shorter from al-Kafi's report. The text here is translated to English from the Farsi translation of Shahidi of the Arabic text.</ref>

===Her Burial Place===

* Between the [[Prophet's pulpit]] and grave;<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib al Abitalib'', vol. 3, p. 365</ref>

* An unknown place in Baqi' cemetery.<ref>Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar'', vol. 42, p. 212, as cited in 'Uyun al-mu'jizat</ref>

==Her Merits==

{{Main|Ahl al-Bayt|Ashab al-Kisa'|Verse of Tathir|Verse of Mawaddat|Hadith al-Thaqalayn}}

In various Sunni sources, the Prophet (s) has been quoted addressing Fatima, "Indeed [[God]] becomes angry for your anger and becomes happy for your happiness."<ref>Hakim Nayshaburi, ''Al-Mustadrak 'ala l-sahihayn'', vol. 3, p. 167; Ibn Athir, ''Asad al-ghaba'', vol. 7, p. 224; Al-'Asqalani, ''Al-'Isaba'', vol. 4, p. 378; Al-'Asqalani, ''Tahdhib al-tahdhib'', vol. 12, p. 469; Al-Haythami, ''Majma' al-zawa'id'', vol. 9, p. 203; Al-Tabari, ''Dhakha'ir al-'uqba'', p. 39; Al-Khwarazmi, ''Maqtal al-Husayn'', vol. 1, p. 52; Ibn al-Jawzi, ''Tadhkirat al-Khawas'', p. 310; Al-Ganji al-Shafi'i, ''Kifayat al-talib'', p. 364; Al-Nabhani, ''Al-Sharaf al-mu'abbad'', p. 125; as cited in ''Muntakhab fada'il al-Nabi wa ahl-i baytih'', p. 263</ref>

Also, they have narrated that the Prophet (s) said, "O, Fatima! Are not you happy to be the mistress of all the women of all the worlds and the mistress of all the women in this nation and the mistress of all the faithful women?"<ref>Hakim Nayshaburi, ''Al-Mustadrak 'ala l-sahihayn'', vol. 3, p. 170; Al-Nayshaburi, ''Sahih Muslim'', vol. 5, p. 57; Ibn Athir, ''Asad al-ghaba'', vol. 7, p. 223; as cited in ''Muntakhab fada'il al-Nabi wa ahl-i baytih'', p. 265</ref> The title "[[mistress of all women of all the worlds]]" ([[Sayyidat Nisa' al-'Alamin]]) was given to her by the Prophet (s). [[Imam Ali (a)]] also, addressed her by this title while mourning at her grave.<ref>Al-Kulayni, ''Al-Kafi'', vol. 1, pp. 381-382</ref>

In his [[Musnad]], [[Ahmad b. Hanbal]] quoted the Prophet (s) that the word "[[Ahl al-Bayt]]" (People of Household) in the [[Verse of Tathir]] ("Indeed, Allah desires to repel all impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough purification" ([[Sura al-Ahzab]]:33)) refers to Fatima and her two sons.<ref>Ibn Hanbal, ''Musnad Ahmad'', vol. 1, p. 331; vol. 4, p.107; vol. 6, p. 292</ref>

There are several [[hadith]]s stating that Fatima (a) was spoken to by [[angle]]s. She was titled as Muhaddatha (means spoken to by angles) because angles spoke to her after the Prophet's demise. These inspirations were compiled by Imam Ali (a) under the title "Mushaf of Fatima".<ref>Rahman Sitayish, ''Muhaddathi budan'i Fatima'', p. 60</ref> However, it has been narrated that the archangel [['Izra'il]] talked to her, when he asked for permission to enter the Prophet's house on the last day of the Prophet's life.<ref>Ibn Shahrashub, ''Manaqib al Abi Talib'', vol. 3, p. 116; Al-Majlisi, ''Bihar'', vol. 22, pp. 527-528, as cited in Rahman Sitayish, ''Muhaddathi budan-i Fatima'', p. 60</ref>

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