CHAPTER 17
AZ-ZAHRA
(THE SPLENDID ONE)
As it was reported in V.10 of Bihar Al-Anwar, Ibn Abbas narrated that Allah's Messenger said:
AZ-ZAHRA
(THE SPLENDID ONE)
- "Surely my daughter Fatima is:
The Mistress of all women from the beginning to the end.
She is part of me, and the light of my eyes,
She is the flower of my heart, and si my soul,
(Fatima) is a human huri, who whenever she stands in
prayers in the presence of Her Lord (Exalted in His Name),
her light illuminates the skies for the
angels, like stars shine to people on Earth."
Lady Fatima (AS) had other titles and everyone of them reflected a virtue of noble trait which she enjoyed. Among those titles were: Al-Batoul, Al-Adhra (The Virgin), and Al-Hania (The Affectionate one to her children).
Fatima's favorite was, 'Um Abiha" meaning her father's mother.
CHAPTER 18
AL-BATOUL
(THE CHASTE AND PURE ONE)
Generally speaking, humans are subjected to assigned universal laws and physiological, psychological and spiritual peculiarities; yet, certain people who have been chosen by Allah and on account of His far-reaching wisdom, have been excluded from these laws. In other words, Allah subjected special laws to the chosen ones.
Fire, for example, turns everything in its way to ashes; yet Allah said to it:
"O fire! Be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Ibrahim."
When Yunis was, 'cast forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness" after the whale swallowed him, Allah caused a, "spreading plant" to grow quickly and cover Yunis's sick body.
Procreation, too, can not take place without impregnation and implementation of sperm in the woman's womb, wherein
the sperm is made into a clot that grows to be a fetus covered with bones that becomes an unborn child. This process takes at least six to nine months; but his natural process which Allah implemented in mankind was invalidated in the case of Maryam (AS) who gave birth to Isa (AS) without any of these steps. It has been said that she carried his six to nine hours in her womb before giving birth to him under a palm tree in a secluded location.
Likewise, all miracles which occurred through other prophets, took place in environments that did not conform to natural laws. The examples of such events are tremendous. The Holy Qur'an narrated many stories about prophets' and Imams' challengers to the laws of nature. Among these stories are Adam's descension from Paradise to Earth, the gushing forth of the fountains of earth in the story of Noah, Sara's pregnancy with Ishaq at an old age, the turning of Musa's stick into a snake, healing the bind and the lepers and raising of the dead by Isa, and Ascension into the Heavens by Allah's last Apostle (P.B.U.H)
Now that the above is understood, the following conclusion can be derived:
Women's monthly menstruation, which starts at maturity and continues until the fifties or sixties, is nothing but the dis-charge of spoiled blood and tissues which were to hold the fetus had it been conceived.
Allah. the Almighty, says:
"They ask thee concerning women's menstruation. Say: They are a discomfort and a pollution.
This indicates that the discharged blood is a harmful substance, which would harm women if it stayed in their bodies. It is even noticeable that women's psychological and physiological states, including their facial appearance and everyday conduct change at this time of the month. By this, we conclude that the
bleeding which results from monthly menstruation, differs from the normal kind of bleeding which any human being including women might suffer.
It is unquestionable that monthly menstruation causes women to feel nervous, shy and dejected despite the fact that this occurrence is an involuntary natural course. Yet women suffer this course, which is unmentionable to anyone especially to men. For this reason, women are not obligated to perform prayers or fast during menstruation. They are also forbidden from staying in Mosque or to enter the Sacred Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. In addition, reciting the chapters of Qalam, Najm, Alif, Lam, Mim, Tanzil, and Ha Min as Sajdah are not to be read during women's monthly periods.
These laws, which have just been mentioned, are also valid during confinement in childbed.
Nevertheless, Allah, The Exalted relieved Fatima Zahra (AS) from such pollution, as He removed from her all abomination and purified her a total purification. This fact is authenticated by various traditions among which are the following:
1. Qanduzi reported in Yanabi' Al-Mawadah p.260. that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:, "She was safeguarded from menstruation and childbed (bleeding)."
2. Muhammad Salih Al-kashfi Al-Hanafi reported in Al-Manaqib that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: "Fatima was called Al-Batoul because she was safeguarded and relieved from the which woman encounter every month (menstruation)."
3. Al-Amr-Tasri narrates in Arjah Al-Matalib that the prophet (P.B.U.H) was asked about the meaning of Batoul someone said to him: "Messenger of Allah, we have heard you say that Maryam is Batoul and Fatima, too, is Batoul!!"
The Prophet replied: "Batoul is she who never sees blood,
meaning that she never discharges menstrual blood; because menstruation is resented if it in prophet's daughter."
The above mentioned narration was authenticated by Al-Hakim.
4. Al- Hafez Abu Bakr Ash-Shafe'i narrates in Tarikh Baghdad v.13, p.331, on the account of Ibn Abbass that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: "My daughter is a human huri, she never menstruates, nor does she encounter any menses"
Nisaee also narrated this tradition.
5. Ibn Asaker mentioned in At-Tarikh Al-Kabir v.1, p.391, on the account of Anas Ibn Malik that Um Salim said:
"Fatima (may Allah be pleased with her) has never menstruated nor discharged childbed blood."
6. Al-Hafez Al-Sayuti said: "Among Fatima's particularities is that she did not menstruate, and when she gave birth to a child, she would immediately becomes purified from childbed confinement so as not to miss her prayers."
7. Rafae mentioned in At-Tadween that Um Salama Said: "Fatima never discharged blood during her childbed confinement; nor does she menstruate."
8. Tabari narrates in Dhakhaer Al-Uqbi that Asma Bint Umais said: "When Fatima gave birth to Al-Hassan, she did not bleed; she also does not bleed during periods of menstruation. (When I informed the Prophet of this) he Said:, Do you know that my daughter is pure and chaste; she does not discharge blood as a result of childbirth or menstruation".
Safari narrates this tradition in Nuzhat Al-Majalis p.227.
9. It was mentioned in v.10 of Al-Bihar that Abu Basir quoted Imam Sadiq (AS) as saying: "Allah, the Exalted, forbade Ali (AS) from marrying women while Fatima was still alive."
Abu Basir exclaimed: "Why was that?"
The Imam replied: "Because she was pure and does not menstruate."
Sheik Majlisi commented on this narration by the following:
"This narration means either:
First: Because Fatima did not menstruate, Ali (AS) had no reason to marry another woman. So Allah forbade him to marry other women in observance of her sanctity. Or
Secondly: Her eminence disallowed him from marrying another woman; where as this particularities of hers is part of this eminence."
Fatima's exaltation from encountering menstrual or childbed blood, confirm to the verse of purification which has already been discussed.
CHAPTER 19
AL-ADHRA
(THE VIRGIN OR THE CHASTE)
Many traditions have already been mentioned, which attest to the fact that she was conceived of heavenly food, and that Fatima was a human huri. There is not exaggeration in this expression, rather, stating that Fatima was always virgin, is nothing but the absolute, truth. Besides the narrations that verify this fact the Holy Qur'an states:
"We have created (the huri) of special creation;
and made them virgin pure (and undefiled)." LVI:35,35
This clarifies that huries are always virgins. Majma Al-Bayan explain this verse as follows: "(What is meant by virgin-pure) is that whenever their husbands come near them (have sexual intercourse with them), they find them virgins."
Imam Sadiq was asked: "How can a huri always be a virgin (no matter how many time her husband comes near her)?"
The (AS) answered: "Because (huris) are created from pure goodness where no blight can alter them, nor does descrepitude inflict them ... menstruation does not pollute them ..."
CHAPTER 20
FATIMA'S YOUTH
Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) 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.
FATIMA'S YOUTH
Growing in the house of revelation, gave her the chance to achieve the highest degree of perfection and excellence. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) 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 see her father reading Quran in the private chamber of Ismael (around Kaaba), while polytheists were harming him and waging a psychological ware against him. One day, Fatima was 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 (AS) 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. This 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 by anything from them, including food supplies.
Therefore, the cries of starving reached the ears of all Meccan inhabitants. The people of Mecca were divided into two groups, One who was enjoying the misfortunes of 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 sieges, 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 Quraishian heads objected to Abu Talib's support of the Prophet; they said to him: "We will give you a
handsome, generous and courageous Quraishian youth (Amarh Ibn Al-Walid) to become your son, if you give us you 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 to Prophet Abu Lahab fought fiercely and opposed the Prophet. His shameful conduct was recorded in various history books and in the Holy Quran.
CHAPTER 21
LADY KHADIJA'S DEATH
Fatima's life was passing by with years full of sorrow and infliction. When she reached her seventh or eighth year, another tragedy clouded her life. The death of Fatima's mother, Lady Khadija, brought sadness and grief to her heart, for Khadija was an affectionate mother who had predicted the tough life her darling daughter would live.
LADY KHADIJA'S DEATH
During khadija's last days, she was confined to bed. One day the Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H) said to her:
"What you are encountering is because of us Khadija, when you meet your peers send my salam to them!"
Khadija questioned: "Who are they; O prophet of Allah?"
He answered: "Maryam Bint Imran, Kalthum (Musa's sister), and Assia-Pharaoh's wife."
She then said: May you live in harmony and have sons, O Prophet of Allah."
The messenger of Allah used to say: "I was commanded to give khadija the good news of a dwelling in paradise made of brocade where there is neither clamoring nor strain."54
Ibn Al-Athir said that the brocade mentioned in this tradition is palace like hallow pearls.
Lady Khadija was once crying in the presence of Asma Bint Umais, who said to her: "Why are you crying while you are the Mistress of all women, and the prophet's wife, who will enter paradise
____________
54. Musnad Ahmad.
as he has said?"
Khadija replied: "I am not crying (for fear of death), rather, I am crying because every woman needs a close friend on her wedding night to tell her secrets to and help her in certain issues, Fatima is still very young and I am afraid that she will be alone on her wedding night!"
Asma said: "O my mistress, I vow to you, by Allah, that if I am alive then, I will take your place ..."
Lady Khadija died at the age of sixty three (according to some historians). Her death brought deep sorrow to the Holy Prophet, especially since it was followed by the death of Abu Talib, the prophet's uncle, who died several days, (or months) after that. Hence, the year in which the deaths of Khadija and Abu Talib occurred, the was called "the year of sorrow" by the Prophet (P.B.U.H).
Khadija's death was a disaster for the Prophet, not only because she was his wife, but also because she was the first one to believe in his messengership. Khadija also supported her husband with abundant shares of her property for the sake of Islam. She held a unique character in Mecca and between all Arab women.
When Khadija was buried at Houjoun, the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) stepped down into her grave to bless it. Meanwhile, Fatima kept close to her father and asked him:
"Messenger of Allah, where is my Mother?"
The Prophet avoided Fatima's question, so she looked around for someone to ask where her mother was! At that point, Gabriel descended and revealed the following to the Prophet (P.B.U.H) "Your Lord commands you to inform Fatima that He sends His blessings upon her and says: 'Your mother is in a house of brocade, its corners are made of gold, and its poles are of rubies. It is located between Assia's (Pharaoh's wife) and Maryam Bint Imran's houses.'"
Fatima then said: "Surely Allah is As-salam and peace is from Him and to Him."
Another mournful event that inflicted the prophet, was his uncle's death. Abu Talib had adopted Muhammad when he was eight years old upon the death of his grandfather. Abu Talib was the prophet's guardian until he created fifty-three years of age.
Abu Talib's services and support for Islam and the prophet never ceased throughout those years. Had it not been for Abu Talib, possibly Islam could not have passed the stage of its prime days of propagation.
These two tragic events had a great effect on the Messengers life, the death of Abu Talib caused the Prophet to Immigrate to Medina, for he had lost the strongest supporter and advocate of the religion from among his uncles.
CHAPTER 22
FATIMA'S IMMIGRATION
Upon being inflicted with the deaths of lady Khadija and Abu Talib, the Prophet decided to immigrate to Medina. He ordered Ali to lay in his bed during the night which later came to be known as (night of sty). During that night,about forty (40) or fourteen (14) polytheist men sieged the prophet's house and were determined to attack him and kill him. But the Prophet had escaped to a nearby cave, and Fatima stayed at home expecting the enemies assault at any given minute. She listened to their infidel and atheistic slogans against her father. Only Allah know how sacred and disturbed she was that long night, for he knew the infidels cruelty and mercilessness.
FATIMA'S IMMIGRATION
At dawn, in infidels attacked the house while leveling their swords as if they were ferocious beasts or savage dogs. They proceeded to the prophet's bed intending to kill him, but were surprised to find Ali (AS) laying in it wearing the Prophet's clothes. they departed from the house feeling defeated and harbouring resentment, fury, and ire against the Prophet and Ali (AS).
Those hours were most aggravating, frightening, and anguish filled for Fatima. Soon relief entered her life, Imam Ali (AS) took her and his mother and Fatima Bint Zubair Ibn Abdul Muttalib out towards Medina. When the infidels learned this, they intercepted them in an attempt to prevent their
migration out of Mecca. Had it not been for the Mercy and protection of Allah and the heroism and courage of Imam Ali (AS) a catastrophe would have taken place. The infidels were driven back by Imam Ali, who continued the journey towards Medina.
Upon arriving in Medina, the Prophet met them and took Fatima to his home, which was originally Abu Ayoub Ansari's Thus, Fatima became the guest of Abu Ayyoub's mother.
Fatima lived with the prophet in Medina after suffering typhoons of painful incidents, such as the death of her mother, her immigration and the continuous agitations against he. Fatima's miseries did not stop here, rather her immigration was the beginning of an era of uninterrupted sorrows.
One year after the prophet's immigration to Medina, the infidels mobilized their men and headed towards the Muslim's stronghold, intending to destroy the new faith, but Gabriel informed the Prophet of their conspiracy, who in turn ordered the immigrants and Medinites to leave the city and meet the infidels in a place located on the way to Mecca called Badr.
Although the infidels outnumbered the Muslims three to one, the prophet and his followers defeated them and returned to Medina triumphant and victorious.
CHAPTER 23
FATIMA AT UHUD
One year and one month after the battle of Badr, the battle of Uhud took place. In this battle, seventy of the prophet's most prominent companions were martyred among them being Hamza, the Prophet's uncle and the most notable hero.
FATIMA AT UHUD
In this battle, the Prophet was injured by two rocks on his forehead and blood clotted on his beard as if it was henna. At that moment, Satan shouted in such manner that all Muslims heard him; he said: "Muhammad has been killed." This created disarray among the Muslims, and many men, save the true faithful, fled the battlefield, confusion also overtook the Muslim families regarding in Medina.
Safiah Bin Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's aunt, accompanied Fatima Zahra to Uhud. When Fatima heard of her father's injuries, she started crying and the Hashimite women rushed to help her.
Fatima's arrival at the scene of the battle, coincided with the Prophet, s inspection of his soldiers, to find out how many had been martyred and wounded. When he reached Hamza, he found him in an undescribable situation; the infidels had badly mutilated his body; they had cut off his fingers, hands, legs nose, ears and ruptured his abdomen to get his liver out. They had also cut off his sexual organ and left him in that horrible position.
The scene of Hamza's defaced body brought sadness and
pain to the prophet's heart. The infidels had not abandoned any ugly method of mutilation which they did not commit against the strong and steadfast supporter of Allah's Apostle, (Peace be upon him and Ahlul -Bayt) while the prophet was deeply saddened by this infliction, and his aunt and Fatima were rushing towards the scene. As soon as he noticed them, he covered Hamza's body with one of his garments. Safia and Fatima arrived and began crying and condemning the infidels for their crimes. They noticed that the Prophet's forehead was badly cut and that blood had become clotted on his face and beard; thus, Fatima Zahra started cleaning his face and said:
"Allah's punishment will be severe on him who caused the Messenger's face to bleed."
Ali poured water on the Prophet's face, but this did not stop the bleeding, so Fatima burnt some rope and put its ashes on the cut which stopped the bleeding.
Fatima spent these moments in sadness and great anxiety. She was faithful and devoted daughter to her father.
When Ali (AS) returned to Medina, he gave his sword to Fatima and said: "Take this sword Fatima; it surely proved itself to be most reliable today." The Prophet added:
"Take if Fatima, for surely your husband has fully performed his duty; Allah killed the heros of Arabs thorough his hands."
Fatima's help to her father does not mean that she worked as a nurse on the battlefield,despite the claim of some writers who consider this story as proof that Fatima was battlefield nurse!!!
CHAPTER 24
FATIMA'S PROBLEMS At HOME
One of the problems which disturbed Fatima, was that some of her father's wives envious and jealous of her. Certain wives of the prophet (P.B.U.H)developed psychological complications against Fatima, because of the special treatment of the Prophet bestowed upon her and great love and kindness that he favored her with.
FATIMA'S PROBLEMS At HOME
Al-Majlisi (May Allah bless upon his soul) narrated in Bihar that Imam Sadiq (A.S) said:
"The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) entered his house to find Aisha yelling at Fatima, saying:
'By Allah, O khadija's daughter, you feel that your mother was better than us; but what favour does she have above us?Is she not saved like us?'
The Prophet heard Aisha's shouting. When Fatima saw him, she began to cry; the Prophet then said:
'What makes you cry, O daughter of Muhammad?'
Fatima said: 'Aisha degraded my mother, and this has caused me to cry.'
The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) angrily said:, 'Hush, O Humaira (reddish woman)!! surely Allah (Exalted is His Name) blessed this devoted and fertile woman; and Khadija (may Allah bless her soul) gave birth to my children, Al-Tahir (Abudllah) who was purified, Al-Qasim, Ruqia, Um-Kulthum, and
Zainab; but Allah has created you with a sterile womb so you do not give birth to any children."
Many other unappreciated utterances were made by Aisha against Fatima Zahra (A.S); which reflects the deep inborn deviation from which from which Aisha suffered, was not observed in any other of the Prophet's wives.
This narration clearly states that khadija's daughters were all the Prophet's direct daughters and not step-daughters. There are also may other proofs which pertain to this fact;but we will deal with them in another book, for this is not the Place for such a study.
