Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam`Ala Rasulillah.

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'As-Salaam Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu'.

*Fatima bint Muhammad (RadiyAllahu ‘Anhaa)*

Fatima was the youngest daughter of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) and his favorite. 

She married his cousin ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (RadhiyAllahu ‘anhu) and was the mother of the great martyrs of Islam, al-Hasan and Hussein. 

She was born in Makkah a few years before her father was granted Prophethood. 

Though both Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) and Khadeejah (RadiyAllahuanhaa) already had three daughters before her they expressed great happiness at her birth. Going against the accepted custom, her mother did not send her beloved youngest daughter away to be breast fed in any of the surrounding villages, but kept her with her and nursed her herself. 

She loved her too much to entrust her to anyone else’s care. Some years later her father was declared by Allah to be His Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) and last Messenger.

Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) and her mother and sisters Zaynab, Ruqayya, and Umm Kulthum (RadiyAllahu ‘anhunna) accepted Islam. She spent her early years under the loving and tender care of her parents. Zeal for the defense of what is sacred and love of the righteous was ingrained in her.

Before Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) proclaimed himself the Last Prophet of Allah Almighty, he was the most popular, loved and respected man among the Quraish. 

But once he announced himself to be the Allah’s Prophet and Messenger, his whole life seemed to turn around. The streets he previously frequented were strewn with thorns and filth and garbage was thrown on him from balconies and rooftops. An elaborate plan was made to murder him. Naturally, all these trials and tribulations could not but leave a mark on his home life. Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) was passing the impressionable years of her childhood in the shadow of these events. Yet, her maturity was such that she faced all this with remarkable patience and determination.

Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) fought like a courageous little tigress to defend her father and protect him. She would stand in front of him to shield him from the attacks of devilish men like Abu Jahl, ‘Utbah and Shaybah.

On one occasion, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) went into the sanctuary of Makkah with some of his companions and started to pray, the disbelievers had just then sacrificed a camel. The filth and bowels of the camel were lying there, when a horrible idea came to Abu Jahl, he asked who among his friends would like to lift all that filth and pile it on the back of Muhammad, (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam). 

‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu’it, the lowest of the low among his friends, got up shrugged his shoulders with satanic glee, and said he would perform the task, he then lifted up the bloody filthy mess and piled it on the Prophet’s (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) back while he was in the act of prostrating before Allah. All of them then broke into peals of uncontrollable devilish laughter. When news of this dastardly act reached Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa), she rushed to the 'Haram'. Removing with her little hands the impurity, & furious at the brutal treatment given to her beloved father, she scolded the disbelievers. 

When the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) finished his prayers, he lifted his hands in supplication and appealed to Allah to hold these men, Abu Jahl bin Hisham, Shaybah bin Rabi’ah, ‘Uqbah bin Abi Mu’it and Umayyah bin Khalaf, in His relentless grip. These devils became very nervous because they knew that any supplication made at the sanctuary in Makkah is never rejected by Allah Almighty. 

And the Prophet’s prayers were answered.

Once Abu Jahl was sitting with the disbelievers in front of the Ka’bah, they were planning how to eliminate this man for the ‘crime’ of rejecting the idols. They hated him for propagating the Oneness of Allah and for proclaiming himself as His Last Prophet and Messenger. Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) happened to pass by and heard him. She was so terrified of what these barbarians could do to her father that she went running to tell him of their dastardly plot. As she wept she told him they had sworn in the names of their most famous idols to kill him. All of them would attack him the moment he stepped out of his house. Innocently she asked him what would happen now. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) told her to have faith in Allah, as He was her father’s Protector.

Once Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) passed by Abu Jahl bin Hisham on the street and he, for no reason, gave her a slap across the face. She went to Abu Sufyaan, the leader of the Quraish, and complained to him about Abu Jahl’s uncivilized behavior. Abu Sufyaan took her with him to the place where the barbarian was still sitting, and told her to slap him in exactly the same way as he had done. When she went home and narrated this incident to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) he was very pleased at Abu Sufyaan’s sense of justice and fair play. He then prayed that he should accept Islam as the true religion. His supplications for Abu Sufyaan were accepted and he finally swore allegiance to Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam).

Seven years had passed since Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) declared himself to be Allah’s chosen Prophet. The whole might of the Quraish had not been able to silence him and his Message; the people who answered the call of Allah were persecuted and tortured in every way possible. When Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib and ‘Umar bin Khattab (RadiyAllahu anhumaa) accepted Islam the whole of Makkah was shaken. The people started pushing the leaders to take some action. They decided to boycott the Muslims, socially and economically, even food and water was withheld. The Muslims went into a state of siege in Shi’b Abi Talib which lasted for three years.

The richest woman of Makkah, Khadeejah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa), and her daughters the youngest stood like rocks by their father. They would give their lives for him. And in a sense little Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) did, because this mental and physical ordeal affected her health and physique for the rest of her life.

Soon after the siege of was lifted, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) and Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) and her sisters went through the trauma of losing their beloved Khadeejah (RadiyAllahu anhaa), and his greatest supporter and defender, his uncle Abi Talib.

 Fatima (RadiyAllahu anhaa) was facing all these troubles and experiencing them first hand side by side with her father. It was also at this time that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) went to Ta’if with the Message of Islam. They welcomed him with stones and he left injured and bleeding, he prayed to Allah to guide them to the right path.

Umm Kulthum and Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhumaa) started weeping when they saw his condition. He affectionately wiped away their tears and consoled them. He said it was inevitable that Allah would help to spread His religion and make it triumph against all odds. Easier times were bound to follow the hard and difficult days.

And sure enough Mus’ab bin ‘Umair (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) who was the Prophet’s (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) ambassador to Madeenah gave the good news that the people there were being drawn into the fold of Islam. They invited Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) to settle in their city, and promised to help him in any way they could. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) accepted their invitation and with the consent of Allah Almighty decided to migrate to Madeenah. He left his two daughters at home in Makkah, with his new wife Sawdah bint Zam’ah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa).

He sent for them later, and thus these three ladies also had the privilege of becoming migrants for the cause. But the disbelievers could not bear to see them all moving out either. Some mischievous elements caught hold of them on the outskirts of Makkah. One evil Quraishi youth, Huwairith bin Naqith started jabbing at the camel on which the Prophet’s daughters were riding, and the camel reared up in the air, and the two girls fell down. When he saw this he ran away.

When they reached their destination, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) received them. He was very happy to see them alive and well. Those whom Allah Almighty protects, no one can harm.

When Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) was eighteen years old prominent personalities started proposing for her, but the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) said he was waiting for a sign from Allah. One day ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) came to see the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) but he was very shy and diffident and seemed to be holding something back. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) realised what was on his mind and asked him if he came to propose marriage to Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa). ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) answered that he had. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) asked Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) what she thought of the proposal. She started to weep silently. He then told her that ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) was a learned, kind-hearted and brave young man. Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) accepted her father’s decision. He then asked ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) if he had some money for the dowry. ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) replied that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) had seen his life from the cradle and knew his financial position very well. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) asked him where his shield was, and said that would be the dowry for Fatima(RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa). ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) sent it to the market with his slave to be sold and got four hundred Dirhams for it. This he gave to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) who asked him to keep the money and buy some things for the house and perfume for the wedding. Then he asked his esteemed companions (RadiyAllahu ‘anhum) to attend the ceremony.

Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) read out a speech for the occasion: ‘All Praise is for Allah. We are grateful to Him for His Bounties and His Blessings. I bear witness that None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, vouching for Him so it will reach Him and gain His Favor. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) has married his daughter, Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) to me and the Mahr has been fixed at four hundred Dirhams. Now all those present please listen to what the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) has to say and bear witness.’

After that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) praised Allah Almighty and recited the marriage ceremony, after asking Fatima for her consent. He announced the Mahr and told all those present that Allah had commanded him to have Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) married to ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu). After that he prayed for a happy and blessed future for the bride and groom.

Some basic things were purchased for the house to which ‘Ali and Faatimah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhumaa) moved. A bed, a pillow filled with the leaves of dried date palm, a plate, a glass, a water bag and a grinding stone, these were the few things with which the daughter of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) set up her new home. The house that was available was quite a distance from the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) wished his daughter could live closer to him, so that he could see her daily. When one of the companions Harithah bin Nu’man Ansari, came to know of this he approached the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) very respectfully, saying he had a number of houses close to the Prophet’s Mosque and he was welcome to choose any one of them. This would make that particular house dearer to him. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) was very moved by this offer and chose one for Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa). So, ‘Ali and Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhumaa) moved in and started the routine of daily life. It was usual for her to grind the wheat, fetch water from the well and cook their  meals.

Since she was not very healthy, the siege having left its mark on her, Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) used to get very tired with all this hard work. On one occasion after a battle, a lot of money, precious jewelry and prisoners of war, both men and women, were taken by the Muslim army. ‘Ali suggested that she should go to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) and ask him for a maid to help her.

Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) went to see her father and request him for some help. He was not at home and she left a message with ‘Aa-ishah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa). At night, before going to sleep, her father came to visit her. He told her that he would give her something much better than a slave girl. And he taught her some phrases in praise of Almighty Allah. These, he said, were better than any maid. And he taught her to recite---

Thirty-three (33) times 'Subhaanallah'

 (Glory be to Allah), 

Thirty-three (33) times 'Alhamdulillah' 

(All praise is for Allah), 

Thirty-four (34)

 times 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the greatest).

Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) spent her entire life as a pious servant of Allah, always patient and grateful to her Maker, there was not a word of complaint from her, however difficult the circumstances. The world and its attractions held no charm for her. Her motto in life was always service for Islam. In the battles she was at the front nursing the wounded & the sick. When her father was injured in the battle of Uhud, it was she who burnt a part of a straw mat and used its ashes to stem the flow of blood. There is a narration in Sahih Al-Bukhari that when the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) was asked on one occasion whom he loved best in the world he named his youngest daughter, 

Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa).

‘Aa-ishah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) talking of her, says she bore a remarkable resemblance to her father. She not only looked like him, but her way of speaking, sitting, standing and walking, in other words all her mannerisms and gestures were exactly like his. Whenever her father visited her she would receive him and kiss his forehead with respect. They were exceptionally close to each other and whenever she visited her father, he would stand up and receive her. If he saw her troubled or sad he would also be grieved, and if he saw her happy he would also be pleased.

One day the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) heard that there was some misunderstanding between ‘Ali and Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhumaa). On the way to their house he looked very troubled and sad, and when he left their house he seemed very much at peace. Some of his companions mentioned this; He replied that he just settled some differences between his two dear children and his happiness made his face glow.

On one occasion ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) made up his mind to marry Abu Jahl’s daughter. Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) came to hear about it and told her father that ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) was planning to marry into Abu Jahl’s family; the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) was disturbed when he heard this. He went to the mosque and gave a sermon, saying that Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) was a part of his heart and anything that made her unhappy displeased him. He said that the daughter of Allah’s Messenger and the daughter of His enemy could not be married to the same man. ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) changed his mind and apologised to Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) for any pain he might have caused her.

One day ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) asked the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) who was dearer to him, himself or Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa)? The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) answered that he loved Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) more, but ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) was dearer to him. It was a masterly piece of diplomacy but it was the truth, because he really did love both of them deeply.

Their first son was born in the 3rd year after Hijrah. When the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) heard the good news he was very happy and immediately went to see the child. He named him al-Hasan and recited the Adhaan for him. Then on the seventh day his head was shaved, and an amount of silver equivalent to the weight of the hair was distributed among the poor.

In the 4th year after Hijrah, a second son was born. The Prophet ((Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) named him Hussein, and in his ears too he recited the Adhaan. It is said a third son Muhsin was born but died in his infancy. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) loved these two grandchildren dearly. He used to say that they were like blossoms and would be the leaders of the youths of Paradise. Usamah bin Zaid (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) says that one day he saw the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) carrying something wrapped in a sheet. He asked him what he was carrying. He opened the sheet and what did he see, but these two little boys all wrapped up in their grandfather’s arms.

In the 5th year after Hijrah a daughter was born to ‘Ali and Faatimah (RadiyAllahu ‘anhumaa); the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) named her Zainab. In the 7th year after Hijrah another daughter was born and he named her Umm Kulthum. When Zainab bint ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) grew up she married her cousin, ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu). And Umm Kulthum (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) married ‘Umar bin Khattab (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu). They had two children Zaid and Ruqayyah.

Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal (rahimahullah) was once asked what he thought of ‘Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) and his family members, he said their position in history is unparalleled. According to what the Noble Qur`an tells us Allah Almighty had cleaned them of every kind of sin, impurity of faith, disobedience to the Divine Will and social evils.

Ibn ‘Abdullah writes that whenever the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) came back from any journey or after taking part in a battle, he would first go to the his Mosque in Madeenah (an-Nabawi)and pray two Rak’as (units), then he would visit Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) and then visit his wives.

There is a miraculous incident related in Al-Bidaayah way An-Nihaayah, once a lady sent Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) some bread and roasted meat. She put this in a plate and covered it with cloth. Then she sent a message to her father to come and eat. When he arrived she removed the cloth and to her astonishment she found the plate full of bread and plenty of meat. She understood that this abundance and plenty had come from Allah. She praised Almighty Allah and asked Allah to mention and bless him and started to serve the meal to him, beginning with Allah Almighty’s name. When he saw such a huge amount he smiled and asked who had sent it all. She promptly said Allah gave it to her, and He provides sustenance to whom He pleased without limits. Then the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) smiled and ate the meal with his daughter and her family Yet there was so much food still left over that it was sent to the Mothers of the Believers. They also ate their fill and then it was distributed among the neighbours.

‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbaas (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) says that when Surah Nasr was revealed, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam) sent for Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) and told her that Allah had intimated to him that his life on earth was now drawing to a close. Islam was spreading and hordes of people were now turning to Allah. When Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) heard this she startd to weep at the thought of separation from her beloved father. Then he told her that she would be the first to meet up with him. At this she started smiling.When he fell ill and his condition deteriorated, she could not bear to see his suffering. He then told her that after that day he would never suffer again as he was about to leave for a better Hereafter.

In his book Asad al-Ghābah, ibn Atheer (rahimahullah) writes that after the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) passed away, no one ever saw Fatima (RadiyAllahu ‘anhaa) smile. And her grief remained visible on her face till she passed away, six months later.

“To Allah we belong and to Him we return”.

Ali (RadiyAllahu ‘anhu) and her four children were left to mourn her death at a very young age. She was given a final bath (ghusl) and shrouded by ‘Ali, Asmaa bint Umais and Salamah Umm Raaf’ (RadiyAllahu ‘annum) and buried at night in Jannat-ul Baqee. ‘Ali, al-‘Abbas and Fadhl bin ‘Abbas (RadiyAllahu ‘anhum) placed her into her final resting place. Thus the leader of the virtuous women of Paradise set out on her journey to Paradise.

“ O the one in rest and satisfaction come back to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing. 

Enter you then among My (honored) servants, 

and enter you My Paradise”.

{Source~ Qur`an Surat Fajr 89~A # 27-30}

{Alhamdullilah}

~My 'Salaams' to all~

Courtesyu: ~Y a s m i n~

 "All that is on earth will Perish. But will abide {Forever} 

 the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honor"

 {'Qur`an'- Surah Al-Rahman-55 A # 26-27 

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{Source: “Great Women of Islam” – by Dar-us-Salam Publications}

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