Fatima al-Zahra Daughter of the Prophet

Who is Lady Fatimah al-Zahra

She is Fatimah, the daughter of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the daughter of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid. She was born in the honored city of Mecca and was the youngest of the Prophet's daughters. She was married to Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) after the Battle of Uhud in Medina when she was eighteen years old. She gave birth to Hasan, Husayn, Umm Kulthum, and Zainab; may Allah be pleased with them all. Fatimah held a special place in her father's heart, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to the extent that he referred to her as the "leader of the women of the world". She was also the first person in Islam to have a coffin made for her burial.

Why Was Fatimah Given this Name?

Fatimah al-Zahraa (may Allah be pleased with her) was born in Mecca five years before the angelic revelation came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). This was during a time when the Quraysh tribe was rebuilding the Kaaba. The name "Fatimah" was given to her by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an inspiration from Allah, who had saved her from the Fire.

The Upbringing and Life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa

Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) was a noble lady known for her patience, excellent character, and contentment with what Allah had bestowed upon her. She endured with patience all the trials that came her way. During her lifetime, she witnessed many hardships. She saw the persecution that the Quraysh disbelievers inflicted upon her father, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), in Mecca before the migration. She also witnessed the divorces of her two sisters, who were married to the sons of Abu Lahab, one of the staunchest enemies of Islam.

The Migration of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa to Medina

When it was time for her migration to Medina, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent Zaid ibn Harithah, one of his freedmen, along with an Ansari man and one of the sons of Abdul Muttalib from Medina to escort her and her sister Um Kulthum (may Allah be pleased with them). Zaid came to them and took them, intending to bring them to Medina. However, they were followed by a polytheist man named Al-Huwayrith ibn Abdul-Qais, who was one of the Quraysh troublemakers.

He seized Fatimah's camel and stabbed it, causing her to fall to the ground and sustain some injuries and bruises. He then returned to his people. Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) later killed him on the Day of the Opening of Mecca. At the time of her migration, Fatimah was still quite young.

Titles of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa

Lady Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) was given several titles. She was called "Al-Zahraa" because she was the flower of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She was also known as "Al-Batool," which means a virgin or a woman who is dedicated solely to Allah, either because she was devoted to worship or because she showed no interest in marrying anyone other than her cousin and husband, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him). She was also called "Umm Abiha" or "The Mother of her Father," as she took excellent care of her father and showed immense kindness and devotion to him.

The Marriage of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa to Ali

It is narrated that Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) one day and asked him to marry him to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), but the Prophet declined. Then, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) came and made the same request, but the Prophet also declined. Later, Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet and asked to marry Fatimah.

The Prophet asked Ali about what he had that he could use as a dowry. Ali mentioned that he had a horse and a shield. The Prophet advised Ali to keep the horse and sell the shield, then give the proceeds as a gift to Fatimah. Ali did just that; he sold the shield for 480 dirhams and brought the money to the Prophet. The Prophet then purchased some items for Fatimah with part of the money.

Afterward, the Prophet brought Ali and Fatimah together, poured some water between their hands, and poured some water on their heads as a symbolic gesture. He prayed for their happiness and success.

The Prophet married Fatimah to Ali by the command of Allah. The wedding took place after the marriage of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), which occurred four and a half months earlier. Fatimah was fifteen years and five and a half months old at the time, and Ali married her six months after the contract was made.

Children of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa

Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa had several children with Ali ibn Abi Talib. They are:

• Hasan ibn Ali: He is known as Imam Hasan and is highly regarded in Islamic history. He was the eldest son of Fatimah and Ali.
• Husayn ibn Ali: He is known as Imam Husayn and is one of the most revered figures in Islam, particularly among Shia Muslims. He was the younger son of Fatimah and Ali.
• Muhsin ibn Ali: Muhsin was the third son of Fatimah and Ali, but he died at a young age.
• Fatimah bint Ali: She was one of the daughters of Fatimah and Ali.
• Zainab bint Ali: Zainab was another daughter of Fatimah and Ali.

These children of Fatimah and Ali are considered the grandchildren of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and hold significant importance in Islamic history and religious leadership, especially in Shia Islam.

The Status of Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa in Islamic History

Lady Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) holds a significant place in Islamic history for several reasons. Firstly, she is the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), making her the daughter of the last and final Prophet.

Secondly, she was the wife of Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him), who is considered one of the most respected figures in Arab and Muslim history. Their marriage symbolized the union of two noble families in Islam.

Furthermore, Lady Fatimah was the only one among the Prophet's children who left descendants. She is the mother of the noble line of descendants known as the "Sayyids" or "Syeds" in various Muslim communities, who are highly respected and honored.

Overall, Lady Fatimah al-Zahraa's unique status as the daughter of the Prophet, the wife of Ali, and the mother of noble descendants places her in a revered position in Islamic history and the hearts of Muslims.

The Relationship of the Prophet with Lady Fatimah al-Zahra

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had a deep and profound love for Fatimah, and this is evident in numerous Hadiths, including:

• Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he said: "I am at war with those who wage war against you, and at peace with those who make peace with you".
• Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "By the One in Whose hand my soul is, love for the people of my household is an obligation for my Ummah".
• He (peace be upon him) also said: "Fatimah is the chief of the women of Paradise, except for Maryam, the daughter of Imran".
• Once, Ali ibn Abi Talib came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) seeking to propose to the daughter of Abu Jahl. He consulted the Prophet in this matter, but the Prophet advised him otherwise, saying: "Fatimah is a part of me, and I hate to see her troubled or grieved". As a result, Ali withdrew his proposal.
• Osama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The most beloved of my family to me is Fatimah".
• Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her): "Allah will not punish you, nor will He allow the punishment to touch your children".

The Prophet's Advice to Lady Fatimah al-Zahra

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was afflicted with his final illness and approached the end of his life, he informed Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) privately about his impending demise. She wept and became saddened upon hearing this news. However, he consoled her by telling her that she would be the first among his family to join him after his passing. He also informed her that she held a special status as the Lady of the Women of the Muslims, which brought a smile to her face.

Later, Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked Fatimah about the reason for her alternating between laughter and tears upon hearing the Prophet's words. Fatimah initially declined to reveal the reason to her. However, after the Prophet's demise, she disclosed the details to Aisha.

Key Events from the Life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra

There are numerous stories and events from the life of Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), and here are some of them:

The Prophet's Special Attention

Whenever the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) returned from a journey, the first place he visited was the House of Allah, where he prayed two units of prayer. Afterward, he would go to his daughter Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her), greet her, and sit with her. On one occasion, when the Prophet visited her, Fatimah noticed that he appeared disheveled and began to cry. The Prophet consoled her, assuring her that her situation would improve.

A Disagreement Between Fatimah and Ali

Like any married couple, Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) and Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) experienced occasional disputes or moments of anger. Once, Ali left their home in anger and went to the mosque to sleep. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited their house to inquire about Ali but did not find him. Fatimah confirmed that there had been an argument, and Ali had gone to the mosque to sleep. The Prophet then went to the mosque and found Ali sleeping on the ground. He advised Ali that it was better to sleep in the chamber of the daughter of the Prophet. Ali returned home, and the issue was resolved amicably.

The Prophet's Witness to Fatimah's Place in Paradise

On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) visited Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) and noticed that she was wearing a gold necklace. He expressed his disapproval, informing her that it was like a chain of fire. Fatimah immediately removed the necklace and sold it, using the proceeds to free a slave. When news of this reached the Prophet, he praised Allah for saving Fatimah from the torment of the necklace, signifying her place in Paradise.

The Story of the Cloak (Hadith al-Kisaa)

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once gathered Fatimah, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn under a cloak and said, "O Allah! These are the members of my household. Remove all impurity and purify them completely". This event highlights the spiritual purity and significance of the Prophet's family, known as the Ahl al-Bayt.

These stories provide glimpses into the life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra and her relationship with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and her family.

The Death of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra

How old was Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) when she passed away?

Fatimah (may Allah be pleased with her) passed away at the age of approximately 18 or 28, depending on different reports. Some sources suggest that she lived for about five months after the death of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), while others indicate that she lived for 25 or 28 years.

Fatimah was the youngest of the daughters of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). All of his other daughters passed away during his lifetime, and Fatimah was the only one from whom his descendants continued.

On the night of her death, Fatimah was washed and shrouded by her husband Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Asma bint Umays (may Allah be pleased with her). Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him) led the funeral prayer. She was buried at night.

There is a narration that Fatimah expressed her wish to Asma bint Umays regarding how she wanted to be shrouded. She did not want her body to be described when she was being prepared for burial, as was the custom among the women at that time. Asma conveyed this wish to others, and when Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) came to help with the washing, she was not allowed to enter the room. Aisha was surprised by this and later learned about Fatimah's wish. This incident marked the first time in Islam that a woman's body was not described during the preparation for burial.