Seerah

No doubt that there were normal circumstances which formed the backdrop to the spiritual and mental development of Lady Fatimah (as), such as the Prophet''s upbringing of her - the same applies to other great women such as Zakariyah''s upbringing of the Virgin Mary (as). However, in addition to this, there was the Divine favour which covered her in purity and holiness, and empowered her to perform some miracles even while she was in her mother''s womb 57 and honoured her with the visit of the angel. 58

And while we cannot infer that there were metaphysical elements in Fatimah''s personality which place her beyond being a human being, or that her life was transformed completely by metaphysical events which defy the natural laws that Allah has placed in the universe, this does not mean at all that such events are to be denied altogether. Fatimah (as) was indeed the person so endowed by the favours and graces of Allah that we can say that there was an element of the metaphysical in her personality.

It was narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sawa) used to enter her room and find food, just as when Zakariyyah used to enter Mary''s room and find food, then ask: ''O Mary! From where have you got this?'' She would reply: ''It is from God; Verily God provideth whomsoever He liketh without measure.'' (Qur''an 2:37)

Likewise, Fatimah (as) used to answer her father (sawa): she had the miraculous favour of Allah, Who prepared her to be the Doyenne of the Women of the World, and - to occupy such position - she had to have all the virtues and elements of goodness, truth, worship and purity.

In addition, she was blessed by other miraculous favours that revealed her great position in relation to Allah and her nearness to him.

____________

[57] ''Awalim al-Zahra, p. 201.

[58] Ditto, p. 583.

Adapted from the book: "Fatimah (as); a role model for men and women" by: "Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Fadlullah"