As the Holy Prophet (S) said, "Whoever harms (bodily or sentimentally) Fatima, harms me; and in that he harms Allah! Such a person practices incredulity. O, Fatima! If one earns your wrath, he then earns the wrath of Allah; and if you are happy, it makes Allah happy too."
She was like no other woman created by the Almighty.
The beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (S), Fatima (SA) was born in Mecca, Arabia at a time when her revered father had begun to spend long periods of contemplation in the solitude of Hara cave outside Mecca, meditating and reflecting on the great mysteries of creation.
She was the only daughter of the Holy Prophet (S) of Islam and Hazrat Khadija (SA). Some Shia scholars believe that she was born on the 20th of Jamadi-ul-Thani, 5 AH. But the majority of Sunni scholars declared that her birth had happened 5 years before his Be’that (prophetic mission). By God’s will, the Holy Prophet (S) named her “Fatimah”.
She was the symbol of womanhood and the embodiment of a transcendental personality, a quality making her the paradigm of virtue.
The Holy Prophet (S) always paid great respect to her upon seeing her. The celestial angels uttered songs of praise, a firmamental recitation to praise her. God the Almighty called her the blessed Fountain of Kowthar and vouchsafed her virtue in the Verse of Purity (Holy Quran 33:33).
Yes, she was truly a celestial being who appeared in human form.
Her mother, Hazrat Khadija (SA), died in 10 AH, immediately after the death of Abu Talib, the uncle, sincere friend, and supporter of Prophet Mohammad (S). This great grief made her, Hazrat Ali (AS), and the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) name that year “Om-ul-hozn”, meaning the Year of Grief.
In the 13th year of his prophetic mission, upon the Prophet’s order, his family and companions left Mecca for Medina. His emigration became known as the Hegira (Arabic hijrah) and marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar. It was there that Fatima (SA) married his cousin Ali ibn Abu Talib (AS), one of the most important figures in Medina.
The couple had three sons, Imam Hassan (AS), Imam Hussein (AS), and Mohsen (AS). Hazrat Mohammad (S) prophesied that the promised Mahdi (AS) would be a descendent of his daughter Fatima (SA).
Though the life of Hazrat Fatima (SA) was full of difficulties and suffering, the death of Hazrat Mohammad (S) was the most grievous calamity for her. Events like the beginning of the bitter troubles with the polytheists and the outrage against the decency of her family made her more motivated to be the great supporter of Hazrat Ali (AS).
Soon after the death of her father, Hazrat Fatima (SA) died in Medina at the age of 18 due to the psychological suffering and the physical pain inflicted upon her by the force of a falling door. Some Sunni scholars believe that she died on the 14th of Jamadi-ul-Awwal (75 days after her father’s death). But the majority of Shia scholars have declared that her death happened on the 4th of Jamadi-ul-Thani (95 days after the death of the Holy Prophet {S}).
According to her will, she was buried in a secret place at the Baqi Graveyard in Medina.
Hazrat Fatima (SA) had some other appellations like Zahra, Batul, Tahirah, Raziah, Marziah, Zakiah, Maryam-e Kobra, and Seddiqah.
The title "Zahra", meaning "the Resplendent One", was given to her for her radiant face that seemed to radiate light. It is said that when she stood for prayer, the mihrab (altar) would reflect the light of her tolerance. And because of her asceticism, she was also called "Batul". Instead of spending her time in the company of women, she would spend much of her time in prayer, reading the Holy Quran, and other acts of devotion.
Hazrat Fatima (SA) had a strong resemblance to her father, Mohammad (S), the last Messenger of God. Aisha, the wife of the Holy Prophet (S), said of her, "I have not seen anybody resemble more the Messenger of God (S) in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatima (SA). When the Prophet (S) saw her approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take her by the hand and offer his seat to her."
She would do the same when the Prophet (S) came to her. She would stand up, kiss him and welcome him with joy.
As a daughter, she loved her parents very much. As a wife, she was very devoted. As a mother, she was caring and brought up wonderful children, all leaving their marks of devotion on the face of world history.
Hazrat Fatima’s fine manners and gentle speech were part of her beautiful and endearing personality. She was exceptionally kind to the poor and indigent people and would often give all the food she had to those in need and remain hungry herself. She was not concerned with the material world, luxury, or the comforts of life. She led a simple life, even under circumstances that would have been intolerable for lesser mortals.
Hazrat Fatima (SA) was a woman who lived how the Holy Prophet (S) expected a person to live. She was the manifestation of divine honor and prestige in space and time, an immaculate woman walking among us according to Allah’s command.
O, women of this worldly life, let’s follow her virtuous path!
Compiled by Samaneh Nazerian