Youth

Hazrat Fatimah's Youth

Lady Fatima Zahra (A) opened her eyes to the world to enjoy prophetic fatherly love and to suckle Khadija's milk, which was mixed with excellent morals and perfection.

Growing in the house of revelation, gave her the chance to achieve the highest degree of perfection and excellence. The Prophet (S) taught her divine knowledge and endowed her with special intelligence, so that she realized the true meaning of faith, piety, and the reality of Islam.

The virtuous upbringing of Fatima by Allah's Messenger as accompanied by her capability to perceive divine facts and her spiritual brilliance and preparedness to ascend to the highest levels of perfection.

Parallel to this, was Allah's will that Fatima Zahra should face many sorrows and live in anguish from the very beginning of her life.

She opened her eyes to see her father being fought by his relatives and strangers and treated with hostility by the infidels and polytheists.

For instance, Fatima might have entered the Sacred Mosque and seen her father reading Quran in the private chamber of Ismael (around Kaaba), while polytheists were harming him and waging a psychological war against him. One day, Fatima saw the infidels pour camel placenta on her father while he was prostrating to Allah; so she cleaned his back and while bitterly crying, cursed he unbelievers and supplicated to Allah to punish them. But the infidels were sarcastic, in the same respect as any lowly people and rubble would be.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Quraishians once held a meeting in the Sacred Mosque and vowed by their Idols that as soon as they saw Muhammad, they would all participate in killing him; upon hearing this, Fatima (A) went crying to her father and informed him of their conspiracy.

The crisis became more intense when the Messenger of Allah was forcefully confined to Abu Talib's trail (valley) along with his family and all the members of Abu Talib's family. They lived in an atmosphere overtaken by fear and anxiety of the constantly expected attack by the infidels at night. The situation grew even worse when the polytheists drew up a treaty to besiege Bani Hashim and impose economic sanctions against them; this treaty allowed no one to sell or buy anything from them, including food supplies.

Therefore, the cries of starving children reached the ears of all Meccan inhabitants. The people of Mecca were divided into two groups: One who was enjoying the misfortunes of the Bani Hashim and the other was deeply affected with their misery.

This situation continued for more than three years. Fatima was one of those who suffered from this siege, which resulted in awakening the spirit of struggle, honesty and endurance in her; it was as if she was spending a period of training and exercise for the near future.

Nevertheless, the predicament was made easier when Fatima saw the courageous hero, Abu Talib, aided by Hamza keeping steadfast and helping her father in every way against the infidels' aggression. Abu Talib declared his adherence to Islam through uttering poetry. Once, the Quraishan heads objected to Abu Talib's support of the Prophet; they said to him: "We will give you a handsome, generous, and courageous Quraishan youth (Amarh Ibn al-Walid) to become your son, if you give us your nephew -Muhammad - who disunites us and humiliates our idols, so that we may kill him!"

Abu Talib said: "This is an unfair offer! Do you mean to give me your son, so I can feed him for you and I give you my nephew to kill? (If this is your way of dealing) then each one of you should give me his son to kill if you want me to give you Muhammad to kill."

Abu Talib's honorable stands in protecting the Prophet were numerous. Had it not been for his faith and strong adherence to Islam, he would not have been steadfast in defending the Messenger and his divine faith.

Contrary to Abu Talib, another uncle of the Prophet (S), Abu Lahab-fought fiercely and opposed the Prophet. His shameful conduct was recorded in various history books and in the Holy Quran.

Mubahala

Hazrat Fatimah(pbuh) in the verse of Mubahala

Allah, the Exalted said:

"If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee, say: `Come! Let us gather together; our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us invoke the curse of God on those who lie!'"(3: 61)

This event is famous and is known to all Muslims. Islamic scholars are united on the fact that it was revealed in regard to the Christian delegation who came from Najran to dispute the issue of Isa (Jesus) bin Maryam (PBUH) with the Prophet (PBUH). In v.6 of Bihar, Imam Ali (PBUH) mentioned the event in the following manner:

A delegation of Najrani Christians led by three prominent men, Al-Aqib, Muhsen, and the Archbishop; these meet along with two prominent Jews came to the Prophet (PBUH). They intended to argue with him; the archbishop started:

"Abu Al-Qasim, who was Moses's father?"

The Prophet answered: "Imran."

The archbishop then said: "Who was Josef's father?"

The Prophet answered: "Jacob."

The archbishop continued: "May I be your sacrifice; who is your father?"

The Prophet answered: "Abdullah bin Abd al-Muttalib."

Then the archbishop asked: "Who is Isa's (Jesus) father?"

The Prophet (PBUH) waited a moment while Gabriel revealed the following to him:

"(Say) he was the Spirit of Allah and His Word."

The archbishop then asked: "Can he be a spirit without having a body?"

Again a revelation was sent to the Prophet (PBUH) the revelation is as follows:

"The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: `Be.' And he was."

When the archbishop heard this, he jumped in objection to the Prophet saying that Jesus (PBUH) was created from dust, and said:

"Muhammad, We don't find this to be in the Torah, the Bible, or in the Zabour. You are the first one to say this."

This was the moment that the verse of Mubahala was revealed.

After the delegation had heard the verse, they said:

"Assign for us a solemn meeting (in which every side supplicates to Allah to curse the other side if they are followers of falsehood)."

The Prophet's answer to this was: "Tomorrow morning, if Allah wills."

The next morning, the Prophet finished his morning prayers and ordered Ali to follow him and Fatima, in turn, holding Hasan and Hosein to follow Ali. The Prophet (PBUH) then told them: "When I supplicate you should say: Amen."

When the delegation saw the holy family and that the Prophet (PBUH) had spread a mat for himself and family, they said to each other: "By Allah, he is a true Prophet; and if he curses us, surely Allah will answer his prayer and destroy us. The only thing that can save us is to ask him to relieve us from this meeting."

Razi, in his interpretation of the Holy Qur'an states: 'The Archbishop said: "O Christians, I surely see faces of men, who if they were to ask Allah to move a mountain, He would surely do it. Do not hold this meeting, or you shall be destroyed and no Christian will remain on Earth until the Day of Resurrection."

The delegation proceeded toward the Messenger and said: "Abu Al-Qasim, relieve us (from this) solemn meeting."

The Prophet said: "Indeed I will; but the One who sent me with righteousness is my witness that had I cursed you, Allah would not have left a Christian on the face of the earth."

This has been a summary of the story. What matters to us here, is Allah's saying in the verse:

"...Our women and your women."

All Muslims have agreed that the Prophet took Ali with him to represent "ourselves", Hasan and Hosein to represent "Our Sons," and Fatima Zahra to represent "Our Women," It is also a given fact that he did not accompany any other woman including his wives, his aunts, or any other Muslim women.

This proves that there was not a woman as excellent, great, holy, and chaste as Fatima (PBUH) was. The Prophet called Fatima alone to join him, because she was the only woman capable of fulfilling the qualifications of the verse.

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Other links:

Fatimah(PBUH) in Quran (fatimah in the verse of relationship)

Glimpses Into The Family -Life Of Hazrat FatimaPart 1

where is her grave?

Al-Siddiqah (The Honest)

We have already mentioned that one of Fatima’s names was Siddiqah. This word means a woman with scrupulous honesty or sincerity.

Siddiqah differs from the word Sadooq, in that the first is scrupulous and precise in telling facts. Furthermore, several other meanings have been given to the word Siddiqah; among them are:

She who is a truth - teller.

She who never lies.

She whose deeds conform to her words.

She who never lied, because she is used to truthfulness.

A woman with scrupulous speech and beliefs, and whose deeds conform to her words

She who believes in the commands of Allah and His Prophet’s, without doubting any of them.

This last opinion is supported by the following Quranic verse:

"And those who believe in Allah and His apostles; they are the sincere (Siddiqin)." LVII:19.

Although these various meanings have been given to "Siddiqah," it is unanimously agreed upon that the various verses and traditions, counted "Siddiquon" among the apostles and martyrs, who will enjoy special treatment. This becomes apparent when looking at the following Quranic verses:

‘All who obey God and the Apostle, are in the company of those on whom is the Grace of God, - of the Prophets (who teach) the Sincere (lovers of Truth), the Witnesses (who testify), and the righteous (who do good): Ah! What a beautiful fellowship!’ IV:69

"(Also) mention in the Book (the story of) Ibrahim: He was a man of truth, a prophet." XIX:41

‘Also mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet." XIX:56

"Christ the son of Mary was no more than an apostle; many were the apostles that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth." V:78

When interpreting "His mother was a woman of truth", it was said that Madam was called "Siddiqah" because she believed in the signs of the Lord, her son’s position, and that which he preached to her. This point is supported by the verse:

‘And she believed in the words of her Lord."

Another meaning that is given to this verse is that Mariam was called "Siddiqah" for her truthfulness and the greatness of her position.

After reviewing the verse, we can easily conclude that some people say they believe in Allah, the apostles, the divine books and religious rules, but show contradictory actions. This becomes clear when some people claim they believe that Allah watches them, yet they disobey and violate His rules. While knowing of Allah’s prohibition of liquor usury adultery, and that He decreed some rules and assigned certain duties to them, which if they perform, He will grant them paradise; and those who violate them will be subjected to Hell. These people have not reached the level of applying their words and claims into actions.

On the other hand, "Siddiqun" are those who believe in truth and righteousness, and practice what they believe.

Their number is small at any given place or time; in fact, a survey might show that in some town there is not even one Siddiqah.

Finally, it is easily recognized that Lady Fatima (A.S) reached this level of "Siddiqun." She was given the title Siddiqah by Allah’s Apostle (P.B.U.H), as was mentioned in Ryadh An-Nadherah V.2, P.202. and in Sharaf An Nubuwwah; he said to Ali:

"You have been given three things which have been given to no one else, not even me, (they are).

You have been given a father-in- law like me and my father-in-law was not like me.

You have been given an honest (Siddiqah) wife like my daughter, and I have not been given the like of her us a wife.

And, you have been given Hassan and Hussain from your loin and I was not given two sons like them.

But you are from me, and I am from you."

Also, Mufadhdhal Ibn Amr said:

"I asked Imam Sadiq (A.S): Who gave major ablution to Fatima (Ghusl Mayyet)? He answered: Amir Al -Mo’mineen (A.S) (Ali).

I reacted in such a way that made it appear as if I could not believe he (AS) would do so. Thus Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said:

It appears as if you feel uncomfortable about what I told you?

I said: May I be your sacrifice, I indeed do.

He then said: Do not be annoyed by this, for Fatima was a ‘Siddiqah’ and no one save a ‘Siddiq’ can give her ablution. Don’t you know that no one gave ablution to Mariam save Isa (A.S)."

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Other Links:

Hazrat Fatimah's Youth

Condolence on the demise of Hazrat Zahra(as) (2009)