Dāiyah
Fatima az-Zahra
Fatima az-Zahra
(فاطمة الزهراء (رضي الله عنها
When writing about the greatness of a personality, one needs a gold standard with which to compare the strengths and weaknesses of that individual. However, if that person is herself the gold standard, then it makes it impossible to adequately describe her greatness. Hazrat Fatima az-Zahra (رضي الله عنها) was such a personality. Her merits are unmatched by any woman known in history and Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) Himself testifies in the Qur’an about her purity and piety.
It is related that Imam Jafar As-Sadiq (رضي الله عنه) said: “Fatima has nine names near (to) Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) , they are: Fatima,As-Siddiqa (the honest), Al-Mubarakah (the blessed one), At-Tahirah (virtuous), Az-Zakiyah (the chaste),Ar-Radhiyatul-Mardhiah (who is gratified and shall be satisfied), Al-Muhaddathah (the one to whom angels speak), and Az-Zahra (the splendid.)
A few passages from the introduction of the Book titled “Fatima the gracious” by Abu Muhammad Ordoni, the Jordanian scholar:
“Fatima is a female created by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to be a sign of His marvelous and unprecedented Might. For, the Almighty Lord created Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) as a sign of His among the Prophets; and created from him a daughter, Fatima Zahra, to be a Sign of His ability to create a female possessing all moral excellence and talents. In fact, Allah the Almighty bestowed Fatima with a vast share of greatness and high level of majesty, which no other woman can ever claim to have reached.
She is one of the prominent people close to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) , whose greatness was acknowledged by the Heaven before the creation of mankind; and in whose regard verses from the Qur’an that are (being read) and will be read day and night until the day of resurrection, were revealed.”
Fatima’s (رضي الله عنها) genius is considered an example of a Muslim woman’s adherence to noble traits. She is a perfect example of how a daughter, a wife, and a mother should act while keeping her decency and pure character. She also shows us the Muslim women’s role in social fields within the limits of religion and virtue. Her life confirms that Islam does not deprive women of acquiring scientific, cultural and literary knowledge;”
The merits of Hazrat Fatima (رضي الله عنها) are many. Numerous verses in the Qur’an are revealed in her praise. Some of the well known verses in the Qur’an in praise of the Ahlul Bayt, including Fatima (رضي الله عنها) are these:
1. Verse of Mubahila. Chapter 3: v.61
2. Verse of Purity. Chapter 33: v.33
3. Verse of Muwaddat. Chapter 42: v. 23
4. Verses of Surah Ad-Dahr. Chapter 76
Traditions referring to the merits of Hazrat Fatima (رضي الله عنها)
In Tareekh Baghdadi it is related to Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) that he said: “The best of your men is Ali Ibn Abu Talib, and the best of your women is Fatima Binte Muhammad.”
Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) also reported to have said: “Fatima is part of me, that which annoys her annoys me, and that which harms her harms me.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Sahih Tirmidhi...)
Fatima (رضي الله عنها), the daughter:
She loved and cared for her father and attended to him when he was ill or injured in one of the battles to defend Islam. After the death of her mother, Hazrat Khadija, she attended to the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) even more often and consoled him during times of hardship, so much so that he called her "Ummi Abiha” which means "mother of her father."
The Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) used to stand up to receive her when she visited him. It was clearly against the Arab custom for a father to stand up for his daughter. This shows the high spiritual status accorded to Fatima by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) .
It is related that Anas bin Malik’s mother said: “Fatima was like a moon on its full night, or the sun covered by no clouds. She was white (fair) with a touch of rose color on her face, her hair was black and she had the beautiful features of the Messenger of Allah (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم).” (Mustadrak Al-Hakim)
Hazrat Aisha (رضي الله عنها) said: “Whenever the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) used to say : ‘From her, I do smell the fragrance of Paradise.’”
Fatima (رضي الله عنها), the wife.
Her home environment was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty. She helped her husband in his worldly and religious affairs, and cooperated with him in achieving his exalted mission.
It has been narrated that Imam Ali (رضي الله عنه) said: “By Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), I never angered Fatima, or forced her to do something (she did not like, up to the day she died. nor did she ever anger or disobey me. In fact, when I looked at her, depression and sadness would be removed (from my heart.)
Imam Al-Baqir (رضي الله عنه) said: Fatima vouched to take care of the household work, make dough, bake bread and clean the house; Ali in return vouched to take care of the outside work (such as) gathering firewood and bringing food stuff.”
Fatima (رضي الله عنها), the mother:
It is sufficient to say that Fatima (رضي الله عنها) raised two boys, Hasan and Husain, the leaders of the youth of paradise and guides for mankind. She raised two daughters; Zainab and Umme Kulthum. The older one was Zainab (رضي الله عنها) who carried on Imam Husain’s (رضي الله عنه) mission to the court of Yezid bin Mu’awiya and ensured its success.
Fatima (رضي الله عنها), the teacher:
Being brought up by the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) (the City of knowledge) and in company of her husband (the gate to the city of knowledge) it is easy to understand why she was highly enlightened in the knowledge of the Qur’an and the Islamic Law.
It is reported that a lady came to Hazrat Fatima with questions, and then repeatedly came with more questions. Then she felt embarrassed and said she did not want to inconvenience Fatima. At this Hazrat Fatima answered:
“Ask me regarding any thing which comes to your mind ….” “My reward for (answering) every inquiry is more than that which fills (the space) between the ground and the Throne (heaven) with pearls; thus, I should be more apt to answer your questions.”
Quotes from Fatima (رضي الله عنها).
1. It is attributed to Imam Sadiq (رضي الله عنه) that he heard from his forefathers that Hazrat Fatima (رضي الله عنها) had said that: “The man who is observing a Fast would not gain any thing when his tongue, ears, and limbs are not safe from sin.”
2. “Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) fixed the reward for His obedience and torment for His disobedience so that He may restrain His servants from His Wrath and Fury and lead them to paradise.”
3. “You the servants of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) are the ones to maintain His injunctions and prohibitions, and carry His religion and His revelations, and are the trustees of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) upon your souls, and propagators of His religion among other nations.”
4. “The Book of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) is the guide to its followers toward the pleasure of Allah. Listening to it (carefully) leads to the Salvation. The enlightened and conspicuous evidences and proofs of Allah can be obtained through it. … .”
5. “Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) rendered alms for the purity of your souls and for flourishing and expansion of your sustenance.”
6. “And [Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) made] kindness to the parents as a protection (shield) to His wrath and displeasure.”
7. “And Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) made the vow performing (fulfilling of vows) as a medium for forgiveness.”
In Conclusion:
Fatima (رضي الله عنها) held a pivotal place in the family of the Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم). She had the distinction of: being the daughter of the most beloved Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) of Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) ; the wife of Amir-ul-Mu'mineen, Imam Ali, ; the mother of two leaders of the youth of paradise. She herself was purified and bestowed with wisdom, reasoning, intellect and Grace. The Tasbih formula that was a gift to her by Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) through His Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم), the recitation of which is a source of forgiveness, mercy and reward for the Ummah. No woman comes close to her exalted status.
