Fatimah's(s) BIRTH, NAMES AND EPITHETS
The most predominant view in the traditions transmitted by our traditionists is that Fatimah az-Zahra’ was born in Mecca, on the twentieth of Jumada ‘l-Akhirah, in the fifth year of the Prophet’s apostolic career. It is also asserted that when the Prophet died, Fatimah was eighteen years and seven months old.
It is reported on the authority of Jabir ibn Yazid that (the fifth Imam) al-Baqir was asked: “How long did Fatimah live after the Messenger of Allah¡” He answered: “Four months; she died at the age of twenty-three.” This view is close to that reported by the traditionists of the (Sunni) majority. They have asserted that she was born in the forty-first year of the. Messenger of Allah’s life. This means that she was born one year after the Prophet was sent by Allah as a messenger. The scholar Abu Sa’id al-Hafiz relates in his book Sharafu’ n-Nabiyy that all the children of the Messenger of Allah were born before Islam except Fatimah and Ibrahim, who were born in Islam.
It is reported that the sixth Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq said: “Fatimah has nine names with Allah. They are: Fatimah, as-Siddiqah ( the Righteous), al-Mubarakah ( the Blessed), at-Tahirah (the Pure), az-Zakiyyah (the Unblemished), ar-Radiyah (the one content with Allah’s pleasure), al-Mardiyyah (the one pleasing to Allah), al-Muhaddathah (the one spoken to by angels) and az-Zahirah (the Luminous).
In the Musnad ( collection of transmitted hadiths) of the eighth Imam ar-Rida, it is reported that the Prophet declared: “I named my daughter Fatimah (the Weaned One) because Allah weaned her and those who love her from the Fire.” The Prophet also called her al-Batul (pure virgin), and said to ‘A’ishah: “O Humayra’ ( a redish white, a well-known epithet of ‘A’ishah), Fatimah is not like the women of human kind, nor does she suffer the illness you ( women) suffer! ” This is explained in another prophetic tradition which asserts that she never menstruated. It is likewise reported by Sunni traditionists on the authority of Anas ibn Malik, who heard Umm Salim, the wife of Abu Talhah al-Ansari, say: ” Fatimah never experienced the blood of menstruation or parturition, for she was created from the waters of Paradise.” This is because when the Messenger of Allah was transported to heaven, he entered Paradise, where he ate of its fruits and drank its water.
A Brief History of az-Zahra's Life
Birth Fatimah, the only daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam, was born in Mecca on 20th jumada ‘th-thaniyah 18 B.H. The good and noble lady Khadijah and the Apostle Of Allah bestowed all their natural love, care and devotion on their lovable and only child Fatimah, who in her turn was extremely fond of her parents. Character The Princess of the House of the Prophet, was very intelligent, accomplished and cheerful. Her sermons, poems and sayings serve, as an index to her strength of character and nobility of mind.Her virtues gained her the title “Our Lady of Light". She was tall, slender and endowed with great beauty, which caused her to be called ” az-Zahra’ ” (the Lady of Light). She was called az-Zahra’ also because her light used to shine among those in heaven. Marriage After arriving in Medina, she was married to ‘Ali, in the first year after Hijrah, and she gave birth to three sons and two daughters.Her children, Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum are well-known for their piety, goodness and generosity. Their strength of character and actions changed the course of history. The Holy Prophet said, “Fatimah is a piece of my heart". He would go out to receive his daughter whenever she came from her husband’s house. Every morning on his way to the Mosque, he would pass by Fatimah’s house and say, “as-Salamu ‘alaykum ya ahli bayti ‘n-nubuwwah wa ma’dani ‘r-risalah” (peace be on you O the Household of Prophethood and the Source of Messengership). The Best Woman Fatimah is famous and acknowledged as the “Sayyidatu nisa’i ‘l-’alamin” (Leader of all the women of the world for all times) because the Prophethood of Muhammad would not have been everlasting without her. The Prophet is the perfect example for men, but could not be so for women. For all the verses revealed in the Holy Qur’an for women, Fatimah is the perfect model, who translated every verse into action. In her lifetime, she was a complete woman,being Daughter, Wife and Mother at the same time.As a daughter, she loved her parents so much, that she won their love and regard to such an extent that the Holy Prophet used to rise, whenever she came near him.As a wife, she was very devoted. she never asked ‘Ali for anything in her whole life.As a mother, she cared for and brought up wonderful children; they have left their marks on the face of the world, which time will not be able to eraze.
The excuse of creation
It’s difficult to talk about the identity of Fatemeh (P.B.A.H). Fatemeh (P.B.A.H) was a woman based on what Islam expects a woman. The prophet himself had depicted the picture of her features and had raised and purified her in hardness, poverty, and battle directions and his own profound and wondrous human educations. She had become a role model in all different aspects of being a woman, symbol of a daughter in front of her father, symbol of a wife in front of her husband, symbol of mother in front of her children, symbol of a fighter and responsible woman in the encounter with period and her society fate.
She is herself an imam, means one sample of example, an ideal type for woman, a pattern, a witness for every woman who wants to choose her own becoming Fatemeh. She responded how to be a woman with her wonderful childhood, with her continuous fight on both internal and external fronts in her father’s house, her husband’s house, in her society, in thought, behavior, and her life.
By: Elham Sadeqi
Marriage of Imam Ali and Fatima (P.B.U.T)
The first day of the month of Zi al-Hijah, is the anniversary of the wedding of Fatima (PBUH) and Imam Ali (PBUH) as the marriage day. The marriage of Imam Ali (PBUH) with Fatimah (PBUH) by the command of the Allah is one of the privileges that the Prophet (PBUH) was proud of.
Fatemeh Zahra (PBUH) was the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the most distinguished maid of her age.
Before Imam Ali (PBUH), people like Abu-Bakr and Omar had asked her, and both heard from the Prophet (PBUH) that they were waiting for the revelation of the Prophet’s marriage Divine.
When Imam Ali (PBUH) went to meet Fatima, the Prophet was at home in Salma. After receiving permission, he saluted and sat down in the presence of the Messenger of Allah. The shame of the Prophet (PBUH) prevented him from asking. The Prophet said to him: «Speak your request»
Imam Ali (PBUH), recounted his demand.
After the ceremony, it was time that Imam Ali (PBUH) provided the dowry for his wife. At that time, all the properties of Imam Ali (PBUH) were limited to a sword and armor, which could be used by them to fight for the sake of God and a camel that worked with them in the garden of Medina. The Prophet (PBUH) admitted that Ali (PBUH) will sell his armor and leave it to the Prophet as a property for Fatima (PBUH). Their marriage was a good model for the Muslim community.
By: Jamileh Sayad Mohammad Abadi
Three dimensions of Hazrat Fatima's (as) personality according to Ayatollah Khamenei
Presently, these days belong to the most superior woman who walked on the earth, the greatest lady throughout history: Lady Fatima (as). She was an exemplary woman, who, although lived a short life and departed earth as a young lady, is a role model for all zealous, devout Muslim men and women, and even non-Muslim people who are familiar with her prestigious position.
We should follow Fatima’s lead. During the life of Fatima (as), there is one point that we should consider. Here, we will not question the degree of her spiritual position and knowledge; we are not even capable of comprehending the spiritual greatness of Fatima (as). In fact, at the top of human spirituality and perfection, only God knows and understands the high level of such individuals–and others at their level. Thus, Fatima (as) is only known to her husband, her great father Mohammad (pbuh), and her pure children. The people of her time, of other times, and we in this era are not able to recognize the brilliance and splendour of her spirituality. The bright light of spirituality is not detectable by everybody’s eyes; our short-sighted and weak eyes are unable to see the luminosity of humanity in these great personalities.
Therefore, we do not discuss the definition of Fatima’s (as) spirituality. However, in her ordinary life, there is an important point: on the one hand, as a Muslim woman, she perfectly performs her duties at home and behaves nicely towards her husband and children; on the other hand, as a zealous, tireless person she acts for her causes. In political events, shortly after the death of her father Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), she went to the mosque, gave a speech, expressed her position and defended her cause. Hence, she represented a marvellous, fighting personality that is tireless, enduring, and tolerant.
The third aspect of her life reveals her as a devotee of Allah, who performs prayers in the dark of nights, uprises for Allah, and is humble before Allah; and, in the worshipping chamber, this young lady worships and speaks to God like the old pious people. Combining these three dimensions is the luminous point in the life of Fatima (as). She did not separate the three dimensions.
Some people think that those who worship God are only concerned with prayers and worship, and cannot be involved in politics. Or, some people think that those–women and men–who are active in politics and the arena of jihad on the path of Allah, if a woman, she cannot perform her duties at home as a mother and a wife; and as a man, he cannot be a good businessman, husband or father.
They think these qualities are contradictory. Whereas, in the view of Islam, these aspects not only reveal that there are no contradictions, but they are also helpful towards achieving the perfect human personality.
Ayatollah Khamenei, December 13, 1989