The Magnificence of Fatema Zahra (a.s.)

Words fall short in describing the greatness of Janabe Fatema Zahra (Allah’s Salutation be on her, and her parents, and her husband, and on her progeny). The following traditions from both Shia and Sunni sources can only portray glimpses of her qualities as the correct knowledge lies only with Allah, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and the Infallible Imams (a.s.).

Ayesha narrates from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that during his Accession (Meraj), he had seen a very beautiful tree, the like of which he had never seen before. He ate a fruit of that tree, from which the essence of Janabe Fatema (a.s.) was prepared, and on his return, he transferred that essence towards Khadija. Therefore, whenever, he (Prophet) wished to smell the scent of Paradise, he used to smell Janabe Fatema (a.s.).

Another tradition states that Allah, the High had ordered the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) to remain away from Janabe Khadija, for 40 days. Accordingly, Holy Prophet started staying at some other place, praying and fasting. At the end of 40 days, Allah, the High sent him a meal from Paradise. The meal was consisting of dates, grapes and water. Thereafter, the Prophet was ordered to go home. The Prophet went home and met Janabe Khadija. Hence, Janabe Fatema’s. luminous and pious birth took place.

When Janabe Fatema (a.s.), was in the womb of her mother, she used to talk to her.

Ibn Abbas relates from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that, “When Allah (s.w.t.) created Hazrat Adam (a.s.) and Angels prostrated before him, Adam (a.s.) asked Allah (s.w.t.) whether He had created any one, who was more dear to Him.”
Allah (s.w.t.) replied, “Yes! If it were not for them, I would not have created you.”
Then Hazrat Adam (a.s.) expressed his desire to see them. At that time, Allah (s.w.t.) ordered the Angels to set aside the curtain and Hazrat Adam (a.s.) saw five shadows in front of the Throne (Arsh) of Allah.
He (Adam) then asked “O’ Allah! Who are they?”
Allah (s.w.t.) replied “This is Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.a.), his cousin brother and successor, Ameerul Momeneen Ali (a.s.), Fatema the beloved daughter of my Messenger and the sons of Ali and the Prophet, Hasan and Husain. Listen O’ Adam, they are among your progeny.”

Abu Hurrira, further relates about the sentence “If it were not for them, I would not have created you.” After this, Allah had said that if it were not for them then even the Empyrean (Arsh) and the Throne (Kursi), the Sky and the Earth, Angels, genii and human beings too would not have been created.

Allah, All Praise and Honour Be to Him, presented Ali, Fatema and their sons before all of His creation. Those who took precedence in accepting were made Prophets. And those who accepted them after the Prophets, Allah has considered them Shiah (followers). And Allah will gather all of them in the Paradise.

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “(I swear) By the Almighty, who has made me a Prophet, that you O’ Fatema (a.s.) are the Leader of all Women in the both the worlds i.e. in this world, and the next”

Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed Salmaan (a.s.) that, “He who befriends Fatema (a.s.), will be with me in the Paradise and he who bears enmity towards Fatema (a.s.), will enter the fire of Hell. O’ Salmaan! Love of Fatema (a.s.) will save you at 100 places. Out of these, the few that are the least difficult are: Death (Maut), Grave (Qabr), Scales (Mizan), Day of Rising (Hashr), Bridge of Seraat and Accounting (Hisab). He with whom my daughter is pleased, I am also be pleased with him, and with whom, I am pleased, Allah is also pleased with him. And he, with whom Fatema (a.s.) is angry, I am angry with him, and when I am angry, Allah is also angry. The worst of men is the one who oppresses Fatema (a.s.) or her husband Ameerul Momeneen or any of her sons or any of her Shiah.”

Nasr Bin Ali relates from Imam Musa Kazim (a.s.) who relates from his forefathers and they relate from Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.) who narrates that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) while holding the hands of Hasan and Husain (a.s.) said, “He, who befriends these two, their father and their mother, would be in the same class as me in Paradise.”

Zaid Bin Ali relates from his forefathers, who relate from Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.), “Hazrat Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) said to Fatema (a.s.) that, Allah after viewing all the humans on earth selected your father and made him a prophet; again Allah viewed the world and selected your husband, that is my brother as my Successor. Then for the third time, when He (Allah) viewed the entire Universe, He selected you and your mother and appointed both of you the Leaders of all womenfolk. Allah, then for the fourth time, after having a view of the Universe, selected both of your sons and conferred upon them, the honor of being the Leaders of the Youths of Paradise.”

Hazrat Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) on the authority of his forefathers relates from Imam Mohammad Baqer (a.s.) and he relates from Jabir Bin Abdullah Ansari, that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “When Allah created Adam and Eve, they started taking pride in being more beautiful than others. At that time, they saw a lady, whose face was extremely beautiful and luminous and was difficult to behold her sight, due to her radiance. Adam and Eve than prayed to Allah to know “Who is this Lady?” Allah (s.w.t.) replied: “This is Fatema (a.s.), who is the most superior woman of all in your progeny…”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) addressed Ali (a.s.) wishing him by the title of “O Father of two Fresh and Blossoming Flowers”, and said shortly your two pillars (myself and Janabe Fatima(a.s.)) will leave you.

When Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) died, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said that out of the two pillars, this was one. And when shortly thereafter Janabe Fatema (a.s.) died, he said this was the second pillar.

Yazid Abdul Malik relates from his grandfather that, when he went to Fatema (a.s.), she took initiative in saluting him and said that when her father (Prophet) was alive, he used to say that whosoever sends salaams to him (Prophet) and to me continuously for three days, will earn Paradise.

Then the narrator asked, “Is it during your lifetime?”

She (Fatema) said, “Be it in my lifetime or after that, it makes no difference.”

Janabe Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari relates from Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that, “Of course, Allah has appointed Hazrat Ali (a.s.), his wife Fatema (a.s.) and her two sons as His proof over those who have been created. These persons are the “Door of Knowledge”. Whosoever, takes guidance from them would be on the right path.”

Once the Prophet, emerged holding the hands of Janabe Fatema (a.s.) in his hands and said that, “One who knows this daughter, he knows her already, and he who does not know her, should know that this is Mohammad’s daughter, Fatema. She is a part of me. She is my heart and my Spirit that lay between my two sides. Whoever harms her, he has actually harmed me, and he who harms me has harmed Allah.”

Janabe Ibn Abbas inquired from the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) as to what were those words that were gifted to Janabe Adam, on the basis of which – Allah had accepted his repentance. The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) replied that “That Janabe Adam had supplicated to Allah with the names of Mohammad, Ali, Fatema, Hasan and Husain.”

A tradition from the first Caliph says that, I saw Mohammad (s.a.w.a.) sitting in a tent using a bow as pillow, and there Ali, Fatema, Hasan and Husain, were sitting. The Prophet said, “O Muslims, those who are in good terms with the persons of the tent, I am in good term with them and those who on war terms, with them I am at war them Whoever befriends them, I am his friend. He, who was born to a pious motherhood only can love them. Of course, who is ill-fated and not born cleanly would not maintain friendship with them.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a..) has said “The first one to enter in Paradise, would be Fatema binte Mohammad (s.a.w.a.).”

In another tradition, it is stated that the Prophet had said to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) that “We i.e. I, you, Fatema, Hasan and Husain, would be first to enter into Paradise.”

Then Hazrat Ali (a.s.), asked (the Prophet), “and what about those who love us?”

The Prophet replied they would follow after him to Paradise.

Hazrat Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) says that Janabe Zahra (a.s.) was called Muhaddisa, because Angels used to come to her, and talk to her, in the same way as they used to speak with Janabe Maryam.

The talks that Angels had with Hazrat Zahra (a.s.) are written in Book titled “Mushaf-e-Fatema”, and the Book is with Present Imam. Janabe Fatema, used to verbalise her thoughts, and Hazrat Ali (a.s.) used to record them.

Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.), says in regard to Mushaf-e-Fatema, that she was so grief stricken that the intensity of which was known only to Allah. Allah, used to send Angels to her and offer solace to her. And hence, she used to talk to him. Further, he said that this book does not contain any norms about, “What is permissible and what has been prohibited”. In it is the mention of events that are to take place in future.

Umme Salma has related from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) that “If Allah would not have created Ali Bin Abi Talib, there would not have been any one equal to the rank of Fatema (a.s.).”

Imam Jafar Sadiq that “If Ali would not have been married to Fatema (a.s.) there would not have been any one in the progeny of Adam, equaling the rank of Fatema (a.s.).”

“There were many persons who had sought her hand. First and second Caliph had also sought her (Fatema) hand, through their daughters.”

Holy Prophet said no to them, and had said that for performing her (Fatema) marriage, he is awaiting Allah’s order.

Once “Sarsa’eel”, a favourite Angel of Allah came to Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and informed him that “Allah had already performed the marriage of a Light with other Light.” When Holy Prophet demanded an elaboration of this sentence. The Angel replied, that Allah had married your daughter (Fatema (a.s.)) to Ali (a.s.) the son of Abu Talib. This marriage was first performed in the heavens, and thereafter, on the earth.

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) related from the Prophet that, “Allah gave the name of Fatema to my daughter to keep her and her friends away from the Fire of Hell.”

Hazrat Ali (a.s.), had enquired from the Prophet as to why Allah gave the name of Fatema (a.s.). The Prophet replied that on the Day of Rising, Allah will keep her and her sons away from the Fire of Hell.

The Prophet has said “Of course, my daughter has kept herself away from sins, and for this reason Allah has forbidden the Fire of Hell on her and her progeny.”