CHAPTER 41
THE PROPHET'S
LOVE FOR FATIMA
It is difficult to define the extent of the Prophet's love for Fatima (AS), for she occupied a special place in his heart like no other person did. The Prophet' love for Fatima was mixed with respect and exaltation; and in addition to being motivated by the special talents relationship, this love was granted to her for the special talents and noble traits Fatima enjoyed. Perhaps we can go to the extent of saying that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was commanded to love and respect Fatima (AS); a matter that led him to speak openly about her greatness and talents and her nearness to Allah -and His Messenger -on every possible occasion.
This reality is supported by the fact that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) did not pay this much attention to any of his other daughters. Thus, it can again be concluded that his love and respect for Fatima was motivated by some reason other than fatherhood. In addition to Fatima's noble traits and special talents, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) knew what was going to happen to her after his death and the great miseries and sorrows which she would be inflicted with by some so-called muslims, after his departure to the Heavens. So the prophet intended to make clear to his Ummah the greatness and excellence of Fatima so as to clarify the falsity of those who oppose Fatima in the future.
The following are various reports which illustrate the love and respect the prophet (P.B.U.H) held for Lady Fatima (AS):
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1. Bihar V. 10-Imam Sadiq (AS) reported that Fatima (AS) said:
"When the following verse was revealed:
'Deem not summons of the Apostle among yourselves like the summons of one of you to another,'
I feared to call the Messenger of Allah, 'Father'; so I began calling him Messenger of Allah. He ignored me two or three times and finally said:
'Fatima, this verse was not revealed about you or your family, nor does it include your progeny; for you are from me and I am from you. Rather, this verse was revealed regarding the vain and crude Quraishans who are arrogant and spendthrifts. Call me Father; it surely is better for the heart and more satisfying to the Lord."
2. Aisha Bint Talha quoted Aisha saying:
"I have not seen anyone more similar to the Messenger in speech and dialogue than Fatima. Whenever she entered the house, he would greet her, kiss her hands and ask her to sit near him. Likewise, when he entered the house, she would greet him, kiss his hands and ..."
3.Bazl Al-Harawi said to Al-Hussain Ibn Roah:
"How many daughters did the Messenger of Allah have?"
Ibn Roah said:
"Four."
Bazl then asked:
"Who was the best of them?"
He said:
"Fatima."
Bazl said:
"Why was she the best while se was the youngest and least company to the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H)?"
Ibn Roah then said:
"(She was the best) because she possessed two characteristics:
1. She inherited the Messenger of Allah.
2. The Prophet's progeny are her children. Besides Allah gifted her with traits because He knew her sincere adherence and pure intention (to worship Him)."
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4. Kharazmi wrote in his book Maqtal Al-Hussain that Huthiefa said:
"The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) used to kiss Fatima all over her face before he went to sleep ... ."
5. Ibn Umar said:
"Once the Prophet kissed Fatima's head and said: 'May your father be your sacrifice; stay as you are ... ."
6. According to Dhakhaer Al-Uqbi, Aisha said:
"Once the Messenger of Allah kissed Fatima's throat so I said, 'Messenger of Allah! You have done something which you have not done before!'
The Prophet answered: 'Aisha, whenever I long for Paradise, I kiss Fatima's throat.'"
7. Qandouzi reported that Aisha said:
"Whenever the Prophet (P.B.U.H) returned from a trip, he would kiss Fatima's throat and say, 'From her, I do smell the fragrance of Paradise."
Furthermore, the following narrations have been reported by both Shiite and Sunni scholars:
1. The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said:
"The best of women of Paradise are: Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, Asia bint Muzahim (Pharaoh's wife) and Maryam Bint Imran."
2. He (P.B.U.H) also said:
"The best of the women of the world are four: Maryam Bint Imran, Asia Bint Muzahim, Khadija Bint Khuwailid, and Fatima Bint Muhammad."
(These two narrations have been reported in Musnad Ahmad V.2, P.293.
3. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) also said:
"Among the women of the world, the following are among (the best):
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Maryam Bint Imran, Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, and Asia-Pharaoh's wife."
Al-Esti'ab and Al-Isabah
These three narrations name the four best women but do not specify the best of them. However, there are many authentic narrations which clearly state that Fatima was the best of women, including these honorable ladies. In fact, this is an undisputable fact which both Shiite and Sunni scholars unanimously agree. Among the sayings of Sunni scholars who reported narrations to this effect are:
1. Masrouq reports that Aisha told him:
"We, the Prophet's wives, were gathered around him (P.B.U.H), when Fatima walked towards us; by Allah her walk is exactly the same as that of Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H), when he saw her, he greeted her by saying: 'Welcome my daughter.' He then asked her to sit to his right or left. He then whispered something to her which caused her to cry, when he saw her sadness, he whispered something else to her which caused her to laugh. (When I saw this) I said to her; 'The messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) bestowed you with a special secret, yet you cry?'
When the Prophet left I exclaimed: "What did he whisper to you?'
Fatima answered: 'I would not announce the secret of the Messenger of Allah!'
After the Prophet's death, I said to her: I insist on you-by my right over you -to tell me (what he told you)!'
She said: 'Yes, I will tell you now. The first time he whispered to me, he told me that Gabriel used to review the Quran with him once a year, but this year he reviewed it twice. So, he said, 'I think the time of my departure is near. Therefore, fear Allah and be patient, for I will be a good (person) to proceed you.' Fatima added: 'So I cried, as you saw.
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When he noticed my sadness, he once again said to me: 'Fatima,is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of believing women (or the Mistress of the women of my Ummah)?"
1. Baghawi in his book Masabeh As-Suna writes that the Prophet said to Fatima:
"Is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of the women of the world?"
2. Hakim Nishabouri reported in his book Mustadrak that he (P.B.U.H) said to Fatima:
"Is it not satisfying to you to be the Mistress of the women of the world, this Ummah and believing women?"
Although there is a large number of narrations which state that Fatima (A.S) was the Mistress of all women. Ahmad Ibn Hanbal mentions at the end the first narration that he (P.B.U.H) also informed Fatima (AS) that she was the first one to follow him after his death.
3. Bukhari reported in V.5, P.21 and 29 of his Sahih that Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H) said:
"Fatima is part of me, he who harms her harms me."
This narration has been reported with a variety of words which all have same meaning; it has been reported by more than fifty narrators. For instance, Abu Al-Faraj wrote in his Al-Aghani V.8, p.307:
When Abdullah Ibn Al-Hassan was still young, he visited Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz who sat him in an honorable place, paid much attention to him and fulfilled his wishes. Ibn Abdul Aziz then pinched the boy's stomach and said: "Remember this when it is time for intercedence."
When Abdullah Ibn Al-Hassan left, Umar's family blamed him for doing so with a young boy. But Umar said:
"A trustworthy man informed me that the Messenger of Allah
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(P.B.U.H) said: 'Surely Fatima is part of me, pleases me that which pleases her."Umar then added: "And I know that had Fatima been alive, what I did with her descendant (Abdullah), would have pleased her."
His Family then said: "But why did you pinch his stomach and say what you said to him?"
Umar Ibn Abdulaziz then said: "There is not a man from Bani Hashim who does not have the right of intercedence; and I hope to be included among those through this boy."
Samhoudi comments on this narration by saying:
"This proves that anyone who hates or harms a descendant of Fatima, makes himself subject to harming the Prophet (P.B.U.H). On the contrary, if someone pleases them, he also pleases the prophet (P.B.U.H)."
Moreover, Sahaili added:
"This narration leads us to the conclusion that he who curses her (Fatima), becomes an infidel; and he who praises her, praises her father."
4. Bihar V.10
Imam Jafar Ibn Muhammad (AS) and Jabir Ibn Abdullah Al-Ansari said:
"Once the prophet (P.B.U.H) saw Fatima wearing a cloak of camel skin while grinding (grain) with her hands; and holding her child. Tears came from the Prophet's eyes and said: 'Daughter! bear with the hardship of this world and later will enjoy the blessings of the Hereafter.'
Fatima replied: 'Messenger of Allah, praise be to Allah for His benefactions and thanks be to Him for his gifts.' (It was then that ) Allah revealed:
'And soon will the Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith )thou shall be well-pleased.
In conclusion, it can be derived from the above narrations.
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that Fatima Zahra (AS) was the nearest of all to Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H).The love, affection and harmony that they shared with unique. Thus, we realize that it was not strange that he (P.B.U.H) taught Fatima the best deeds and guided her to the noblest traits and best conduct.
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CHAPTER 42
FATIMA'S KNOWLEDGE
Fatima (AS) acquired her divine knowledge from the clear spring of Prophethood and received the excellence of truth from the house of revelation. So her attentive heart was embellished with wisdom and her brilliant reason together with her brightness realized to the fullest the real meaning of every fact.
Yet, despite the fact that Fatima heard an abundant volume of narrations from her father (P.B.U.H), what has been reported on her authority is limited to certain issues. The reason for this will be explained later.
Among the narrations reported on Fatima's account are:
1. Bihar Chapter-knowledge.
Imam Askari (AS) said: "A woman came to Fatima Zahra (AS) and said: 'I have a weak mother who has become confused about a matter related to her prayer;she sent me to inquire from you about it.'
Fatima Zahra (As) answered her; the woman repeatedly came with questions for Fatima, and she (AS) kindly answered her very time. One day the lady again approached Fatima (AS) with another question from her mother and said to Fatima:
'I shall not inconvenience you (any more), daughter of Allah's Messenger.'
Fatima replied: 'Ask me regarding anything which comes to your mind. Because if a man had been hired to transport a heavy load to the
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top of a mountain for a reward of one thousand dinars, do you think it would bother him?'
The woman said: 'NO.'
Fatima continued: 'My reward for (answering) every inquiry is more than that which fills (the space)between the ground and the Throne with pearls; thus, I should be more apt to answer your questions. Surely I heard my father say:
'When the scholars of our shiites (followers) are gathered (on the Day of Resurrection), they will be bestowed with garments of honor equal in quantity to their knowledge and struggle to guide Allah's worshippers, up to the point that anyone of them will be gifted with one million garments of lights.'Then the caller of Exalted and Glorified Lord will say:
'O you guardians of the orphans of Muhammad.(You )who inspire them when they are separated their fathers, who are their Imams, these are your pupils and the orphans whom you guarded and inspired, therefore bestow them each orphan with that which corresponds to the amount of knowledge he received from them (the scholars); up to the point that some orphans are bestowed with one million garments. Like so, the orphans bestow those who learnt from them. 'Then Allah, the Exalted said:
'Repeat upon these scholars, the guardians of the orphans,the bestowment and double and complete for them and for those who follow them.'
Fatima (AS) then added:
'Worshipper of Allah, surely a thread of those garments is better than that on which the sun rises."
2. Bihar V.10:
Yazid Ibn Abdulmalik (Nawfali?!) quoted his fathers, who quoted his grandfather as saying: "Once I entered the house of Fatima
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(AS), who was the first to greet me; she then said: 'What brings you here?
I said: I have come in search of blessing.'
Fatima then said: 'My father (who was present) said: 'He who greets him or me for three consecutive days, will be granted Paradise by Allah.'
I said: 'While you are living?'
She answered: 'yes, and after we are dead."
3. Kasf Al-Ghana:
Imam Ali (AS) quoted Fatima as saying:
"The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: 'Fatima, he who praises you, will be forgiven by Allah; Who will make him my companion where ever in Paradise I may be."
4. Da'awat Ar Rawandi:
Swaid Ibn Ghafla said:
"Once, Ali (AS) was inflicted with hardship; so Fatima (AS) knocked on the Messenger of Allah's door, who said:
'I hear the movement of my beloved one near the door, Um Ayman get up and see!'
Um Ayman opened the door and Fatima entered the house. The Prophet then said:
'You have come to us at a time that you have not previously come!'
Fatima said: 'Messenger of Allah, what is the angels food near our Lord?
The Messenger of Allah said: 'By Him Who holds my soul in His hand, fire has not been lit (in our house) for a whole month; yet, I will teach you five statements which Gabriel taught me.'
She (AS) said: 'Messenger of Allah, what are these five statements?'
The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:
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O Lord of the first and Last;
O You Possessor of Might, and strength;
O You Who are Merciful with the poor;
O YOu Most Beneficent most Merciful."
(Note: It appears as if the fifth statement has been mistakenly erased.)
Thereafter Fatima returned and Ali (AS) saw her and exclaimed:
"May my father and mother be your sacrifice, Fatima; what have you to tell me?
She said: "I went seeking worldly things, but have returned (with the goodness of) the hereafter!"
Ali (AS) then said: "Expect goodness, expect goodness!"
5. Bihar V.10: It is reported in Al-Kafi that Imam Sadiq (AS) said:
"Once, Fatima approached Allah's Messenger with a problem. The Prophet listened to her problem and gave her a wrapped piece of material and said:
'Learn that which is written in it.' (When she opened it) she found written in it:
'He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, shall not harm is neighbour.
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, shall honor his guest.
He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, shall say that which is useful or keep silent."'
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CHAPTER 43
ISLAMIC DRESS,
A SOCIAL NECESSITY
Among the islamic teachings to which Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) gave a special attention, was protecting women's honor and beauty through observing the Islamic way of dress. Fatima realized that crimes, social disasters, and humiliations were majorly due to unveiling, debasement, dissoluteness and mixture of the sexes. These social crimes are now called freedom and civilization by various publications that are scattered throughout Muslim and non-Muslim countries.
It shouldn't be forgotten that less than one-tenth of such crimes and debasements, used to occur to Muslim women when they observed the Islamic covering and exalted themselves from exhibiting their bodies to men. That day when they used to bestow themselves in the garments of honor and modesty, when they truly believed in that which if forbidden and permitted. But as time passed, they exhibited their privacy to thousands of men from all walks of life and with many different faiths; Muslim women lost their honor and dignity ... and reached the point of disgrace where they stand today!!
The following are two reports which explicitly present the Messenger's admiration of Fatima's stands regarding women:
A. Abu Nu'aym reports in Hilyat Al-Uwlia v.2, P.40, that Anas Ibn Malik said:
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"The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) asked: What is best for women? We did not know how to answer the Prophet, so Ali (AS) asked Fatima about the Prophet's question.
Fatima answered: 'It is best for see men and not to let men see them.
Ali returned Allah's Messenger and conveyed Fatima's answer to him. When the Prophet had heard the answer, he said:
Surely she has spoken the truth, for she is part of me.
B. Ibn Al-Maghazili mentions in his book Manaqib that Ali Ibn Al-Hussain Ibn Ali (AS) said:
"Once a blind man asked for permission to enter Fatima's house, but she kept a veil between them. The Messenger of Allah noticed her actions asked:
"Why did you keep a veil between you when he can not see you?'
Fatima (AS) answered: Messenger of Allah, it is true that he can no see me, but I can see him and he can smell my fragrance.
At this, the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: 'I bear witness that you are part of me."
In addition to these narrations, many prayers and supplications have been reported on Lady Fatima's account: among them is the famous supplication for the relief of fever and headaches. This supplications si mentioned below as an example of Fatima's prayers.
Fatima (AS) taught the following supplication to Salman Al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) and said to him:
"If it pleasure you not be inflicted with fever as long as you live in this world, then read these words, which my father, Muhammad, taught me and I say every morning and evening:
In the name of Allah, the Most
Beneficent, Most Merciful
In the Name of Allah the light:
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In the Name of Allah the light of light:
In the Name of Allah, light upon light;
In the Name of Allah, the Planner of affairs;
In the Name of Allah, Who created light from light;
and
Revealed light upon the Turr;
By a decree inscribed;
In a scroll unfolded;
According to a decree fore-ordained;
Unto a Learned Prophet;
Praise be to Allah, Who is Known with Might:
Whose Glory is established;
Who is Praised during times of prosperity and infliction;
And may Allah's grace be upon our Master,
Muhammad;
And his purified progeny.
Salman later said:
By 'Allah, I have taught his supplication to more than a thousand souls in Mecca and Medina ho were inflicted with fever, and they were all relieved by the will of Allah."
Ibn Tawoos (may Allah bless his soul) wrote in his book Muhaj Ad-Da'awat, that Allah's Messenger (P.B.U.H) taught Fatima the following supplication:
O Allah, Our Lord and the Lord of Everything:
(He) who revealed Tawrat, injeel and Furqan
(Quran);
(He) Who causes the seed-grain and the date-stone to
split and sprout;
I seek refuge in You from every beast that you shall
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seize by its forelock;
Surely You are the First, Where has succeeded
(You);
And the last, where nothing shall come after (You);
You are the Evident, there is nothing more Manifest
than You;
And the Eminent, there is nothing more
You;
Send your grace upon Muhammad and his Ahlul-Bayt.
May Peace be upon them;
And settle my debts for me;
Make me free from poverty,
And decree easy for me all my Affairs.
O You! Most Merciful of all.
In conclusion, we can easily state that had Fatima Zahra (AS) been given the chance to manifest her knowledge and had she lived for fifty or sixty years, we would have been able to inherit a treasury of knowledge and information pertaining to various subjects and sciences. Unfortunately, Fatima (AS) was neither given the chance to teach us, nor did she live more than twenty years as you will come to know.
