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

She opposed the decisions made during the [[event of Saqifa]], and regarded the [[caliphate]] of the [[first caliph]] as illegitimate, therefore, she never paid [[allegiance]] to him. In defense of Imam Ali's right (a) to caliphate and objecting to the [[Usurpation of Fadak]], she delivered a speech that became famous as the [[al-Fadakiyya sermon]]. After the demise of the Prophet (s), Fatima (a) was injured when an armed group of zealots, at the order of the first caliph, [[Abu Bakr]], stormed her house. As a result of suffering from both emotional and physical wounds that had debilitated her body, she was advised to rest at home. However, after a short time, she passed away on the [[Jumada II 3]], [[11]]/[[August 26]], [[632 CE|632]] in [[Medina]]. The body of the Prophet's (s) daughter was, as she had requested, buried at night and in private. Since then, the location of her grave has not been revealed.  

During the days that precede the anniversary of Fatima's (a) martyrdom, -known as the [[Fatimiyya]] Days- the Shi'a hold mourning ceremonies. Also her birthday, which is on the [[Jumada II 20|20th of Jumada II]], is celebrated as Women's and Mother's Day in the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]].  

{{Template:Early Islam}}

In many Shia resources, [[Jumada II 20]] is mentioned as lady fatima's (a) birthday.<ref>Mufīd, Masār al-sharīʿa, p. 54; Ṭūsī, Miṣbāḥ al-mutahajjid, p. 793.</ref>

Lady Fatima (a) received several marriage proposals, however she chose to marry [[Imam Ali (a)]]. According to some researchers, after the Prophet (s) [[hijra|migrated to Medina]] and became the leader of the Islamic community, Fatima (a), because of her being the daughter of the Prophet (s) was held in very high regard by the [[Muslims]].<ref>Ṭabāṭabāʾī, "Izdiwāj-i Fāṭima", vol. 1, p. 128.</ref> In addition to this, because of her superior qualities over the other women of her era<ref>Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 8, p. 165; Qāḍī Nuʿmān al-Maghribī, ''Sharḥ al-akhbār'', vol. 3, p. 29.</ref> and the clear love that the Prophet (s) showed to her<ref>Muttaqī al-Hindī, ''Kanz al-ummāl'', vol. 7, p. 129.</ref> caused some Muslims to pursue her hand in [[marriage]].<ref>Ṭabāṭabāʾī, "Izdiwāj-i Fāṭima", vol. 1, p. 128.</ref>

During the last few months of her life some very unpleasant and painful incidents occurred. It has been mentioned that during this period no one saw Fatima al-Zahra (a) smiling.<ref>Ibn Saʿd, ''al-Ṭabaqāt al-kubrā'', vol. 2, p. 238; Kulaynī, ''al-Kāfī'', vol. 3, p. 228.</ref> The passing of her father, the [[event of Saqifa]], the usurpation of the [[caliphate]], the [[confiscation of Fadak]] by [[Abu Bakr]] and the delivery of the [[al-Fadakiyyah sermon]] in the presence of many important [[companions]] of her father<ref>Irbilī, ''Kashf al-ghumma'', vol. 1, p. 353-364; Mufīd, ''al-Muqniʿa'', p. 289-290.</ref> are some of the most important events that took place during this period.

Amongst her most important political stances the following can be mentioned: opposing the [[Incident of Saqifa|Saqifa council]] and the selection of [[Abu Bakr]] as the [[caliph]] after the Prophet (s), going to the houses of the heads of the [[Emigrants]] and the [[Helpers]] in order to get a confession from them on the superiority and worthiness of [[Imam Ali (a)]] for the position of [[caliphate]], attempting to reclaim her property of [[Fadak]], deliverance of the al-Fadakiyya sermon in the presence of the Emigrants and Helpers and defending Imam Ali (a) during the attack on her house. Some researchers are of the belief that a large amount of Fatima's (a) speeches and actions after the [[demise of the Prophet (s)]] were political reactions and her protests towards the usurpation of the caliphate by Abu Bakr and his supporters in the government.<ref>Farahmandpūr, "Sīra-yi sīyāsī-yi Fāṭima", vol. 2, p. 309-316.</ref>

After the way that she and her husband were treated by Abu Bakr and Umar concerning [[Fadak]] and the events related to the forceful acquiring of the oaths of allegiance for the caliph, Fatima (a) became extremely angry with Abu Bakr and Umar. According to reports, after the attack by Umar and the other government supporters on the house of Fatima (a), Abu Bakr and Umar decided to apologize and seek forgiveness from Fatima (a), however she refused their request to enter into her house. Eventually they gained entrance by seeking the assistance of Imam Ali (a). When they entered the room, she turned her face away from them and did not return their [[Salam]] (greeting). After she reminded them of the narration of the Prophet (s) that her anger is equated to the anger of the Prophet (s), she then informed them that they have earned her anger. It has also been reported in some accounts that she promised to curse them after every [[prayer]].<ref>Kaḥḥāla, ''Iʿlām al-nisāʾ'', vol. 4, p. 123-124.</ref>

In the hadith, historical and exegetical literature of both the Shia and Sunni schools of thought, numerous virtues have been recorded for Lady Fatima (a). Some of these virtues are based on the [[Holy Qur'an]], for example the verses of [[al-Tathir Verse|Purification]] and [[Al-Mubahala Verse|Mubahala]]. In these types of virtues, the [[occasion of revelation]] is about [[Ahl al-Bayt (a)]] of which Fatima (a) is a member. A number of other virtues have been reported in traditions such as the tradition of "Fatima is a part of me" and her being called Muhaddatha (being talked by angels).

Shia and Sunni scholars concur that the love for Lady Fatima (a) is a Quranic command of God. Based upon the 23rd verse of [[Qur'an 42]], which is known as the [[Al-Mawadda Verse]] (Verse of Love), the necessity of loving Fatima (a) is established. In this verse the recompense for the [[prophetic mission]] has been explained as the love and affection towards his Ahl al-Bayt (a). According to traditions, those who are considered as the Ahl al-Bayt in this verse are [[Ali (a)|Ali]], Fatima, al-Hasan and al-Husayn (a).<ref>Abū l-Futūḥ al-Rāzī, ''Rawḍ al-jinān'', vol. 17, p. 122; Baḥrānī, ''al-Burhān'', vol. 4, p. 815. Ṣuyūṭī, ''al-Durr al-manthūr'', vol. 6, p. 30.</ref> In addition to this verse, traditions have been narrated from the Prophet (s) that equates the pleasure and anger of Allah (swt) with the pleasure and anger of Fatima (a).<ref>Ḥākim al-Nīyshābūrī, ''al-Mustadrak ʿalā l-ṣaḥīḥayn'', vol. 3, p. 154.</ref> In some traditions, the creation of Fatima (a) is known as the cause for the creation of all other creation. As an example, in a divine narration ([[al-hadith al-qudsi]]) known as the [[Lawlak Hadith]], it has been narrated from the Prophet (s) that the creation of the heavens and the earth were dependent on his creation; whereas his creation connected to the creation of Ali (a) and their creation was connected to the creation of Lady Fatima (a).<ref>Mīrjahānī, ''Jannat al-ʿāṣima'', p. 148.</ref> Even though some may find fault with the chain of narration of this tradition; its contents can be defended.