Fatima Zahra

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Fatimah binte Muhammad or popularly Fatimah Zahra (Fatima the Gracious) (Arabic: فاطمة الزهراء) (Born Friday 20th of Jumada al-akhir 2 AH (614 CE) in Mecca or 14th Jumada al-awwal 606 CE - 3th Jamadi-ul-Assani 11 AH (632 CE) at Medina) was the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadijah.

Biography

She was born in Mecca around 614 (Shi'a tradition) or 606 CE (Sunni tradition). In 624, she was married to her father's cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib. She was buried privately in a secret grave at Jannat al-Baqi. She was survived by two sons, the second Shi’a Imam Hassan ibn Ali and third Shi’a Imam Hussain ibn Ali and two daughters, Umm Khultum binte Ali and Zaynab binte Ali.

Works

Book of Fatimah

Legacy

Muslims regard Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad as the greatest woman who has ever lived, the leader of all women in Paradise, and a pattern of female virtue. She was the wife of the first Shi'a Imam, the mother of the second and third, and the ancestress of all the succeeding Imams; indeed, the Fatimid dynasty is named after herEsposito, John; ed. Oxford History of Islam Oxford; 1999 ISBN 0195107993

They also call her Al-Zahra, the Lady of Light. The khamsa, an amulet popularly believed to ward off evil and widely used in the Maghreb, represents the hand of Fatima. However, charms are forbidden in some branches of Islam.

Muslim views

Muslims regard her as a loving and devoted daughter, mother, and wife, a sincere Muslim, and an exemplar for Muslim women. In Iran, her birthday was chosen as the date for National Women's Day, and annual mowludi or birthday celebrations are held in her honor by Iranian women; the themes routinely reflected in sermons at these functions are those of Fatimah's example as an obedient daughter and wife and caring mother, and her simple lifestyle. Kalinock, Sabine. "Between party and devotion: Mowludi of Tehran women." Critique: Critical Middle Eastern Studies. Fall 2003, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p173-187. It is believed that she was very close to Muhammad and her distinction from other women is mentioned in many of his Hadiths: "Fatima is a part of my flesh: whoever causes her to be upset, upsets me." Sahih Bukhari English Translation, Vol. 5, Book 57, Number 111 Her children, his grandsons the second Shi’a Imam Hassan ibn Ali and third Shi’a Imam Husayn ibn Ali were very dear to him. Shi'a and Sunni Muslims generally agree on these basic facts, but give very different detailed accounts of her life.

Both Shi'a and Sunni honour her as a part of the Ahl al-Bayt

Sunni view

According to Sunni historians, Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad was the youngest of four daughters whom Khadijah bore to Muhammad. She died of natural causes, at the age of twenty-three or twenty-four, surviving her father by only a few months. Sunni historians do not accept the accounts of her injuries and miscarriage at the hands of Umar and his men. In the Sunni view, Fatimah shares the position of primary example to all women with A'isha and Khadija. She was relegated as a lesser figure in terms of history and the hadiths, as her position aligned her with Ali and she was considered too sectarian.Kassam-Hann, Zaya. "Transcendence and the Body: Fatimah as a Paradigmatic Model." Feminist Theology: The Journal of the Britain & Ireland School of Feminist Theology May 2002 Issue 30, p77, 17p

Shi'a view

According to some Shi'a scholars, Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad was Muhammad's only daughter; this position is not universal. See Genealogy of Khadijah's Daughters for further discussions. and also see here. The Sunni belief that he had other daughters by Khadijah denies Ali ibn Abu Talib the distinction of being Muhammad's only son-in-law. She is held in highest of esteem, as being the single most ideal example for all women; in terms of her purity and the eventual martyrdom of her son, she is considered to be the Muslim counterpart to the Christian Virgin Mary; indeed, one of her names is Maryam al-Kubrá, or "Greater Mary" Kassam-Hann 2002, p 84.

A'ishah

Shi'a state that Muhammad's young wife, Aisha, disliked both Fatimah and her husband Ali Umar abu Nasr, cited in Jafri 1970 p95; that Aisha envied the relationship between Fatimah and Ali, and also Muhammad's high regard for Fatimah as deceased Khadijah binte Khuwaylid's only daughter. Shi'as state that Aisha was also jealous that Muhamamd gave Ali more attention than Abu Bakr, Aisha father.

Coup d'état — 632

When Muhammad died, Aisha and her father, Abu Bakr, intrigued to grab the leadership of the Muslim community in a Coup d'état. The Shi'a believe that Muhammad had wanted Ali to succeed him but his commands were ignored. After Abu Bakr assumed leadership, he asked Muslims to swear allegiance to him, as was the Arab custom of the time. Ali and his followers refused and were harassed and threatened by Abu Bakr's supporters.

According to the Shi'a view, Umar ibn al-Khattab was not only one of Abu Bakr's most zealous supporters, but also his co-conspirator and in some cases his superior. Umar led a party of armed men against Ali's house in Medina and called for Ali and his men to come out and swear allegiance to Abu Bakr, who they had decided would take power in the the meeting at Saqifah. Umar and Khalid ibn Walid threatened to burn the house down if they did not submit.

Umar ibn al-Khattab and his men broke down the door. According to one narration of the Peshawar Nights debate, Abi'l-Hasan Ali Bin Husain Mas'udi was cited to have written that Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad, who was pregnant at the time, was standing behind the door and she was pressed severely enough that she miscarried a son whom the Shi'a call Al MuhsinPeshawar Nights ^* on Al-Islam.org. She cried out:

"You have left the body of the Apostle of Allah with us and you have decided among yourselves without consulting us, and without respecting our rights. Before Allah, I say, either you get out of here at once, or with my hair dishevelled I will make my appeal to Allah."Jafri 1979 p 52, citing Baladhuri,1 pp585 f; Ya'qubi II, p126; al-Tabari I p1818; Abu Bakral Jawhari in his Sharh Nahj al-Balagha II p47,50,56f. Iqd IV p259f. ''al-Imama Wa's-Siyasa, I, pp 12-13

This made the situation critical and forced Abu Bakr to depart without securing Ali's homage, and he held out and did not pay homage until until Fatima's death Jafri 1979 p53 citing Yaqubi II 126 Baladhuri I 586, al-Tabari I 1825 Iqdd IV 260 and Hadith II 22; he points out that this is the most common and oldest written tradition, but that there are a few more recent variations on this. The Peshawar debate contradicts this, claiming that at this point Zubayr ibn al-Awwam went out, but was dissarmed, and Ali was arrested .

Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad wanted to defend the first Imam (Ali ibn Abu Talib) and by most accounts her words and her actions succeeded in protecting Ali from Umar and his men. When she faced Umar ibn al-Khattab and his soldiers, she set an example to all Shi'a (since she faced them as a Shi’a of Ali, not as the wife of Ali), and this action is a significant part of what has defined her role as a Shi'a and as a Muslim woman. Shariati, Ali. Fatima is Fatima. Tahrike Tarsile Quran' 1982 ISBN 0940368099 Excerpts online accessed 11 July 2006..

Fadak and inheritance

Abu Bakr successfully seized power. They proceeded by stripping Fatimah of all financial means: The land of Fadak, which Shi'a believe was a gift from Muhammad to her before the Conquest of Mecca,Jafri 1979 p 62; citing Yaqubi II p 127, Tabarsi Ihtijaj I pp 131-149 and others. was confiscated and any inheritance due to her was denied since Abu Bakr had conveniently been the only one to hear Muhammad state that "prophets do not leave an inheritance"Jafri 1979 p 62; citing Bukhari and Yaqubi..

Fatimah opposed this confiscation, and contested Abu Bakr's statements: She still had the merit of being Muhammads daughter and people where still watching, although they where in shock over how the events had turned out. However, even though Fatimah and Ali successfully contested Abu Bakr's claim, Abu Bakr refused to return her property as this would jeopardize their newly gained power. Fatimah made one last attempt: She interruped Abu Bakr's speech in the mosque of Medinah, with a long speech of her own. After this speech, Abu Bakr repented and went to return the deed to the land. However, he was stoped by Umar, who grabbed Abu Bakr's beard and demanded a explanation, forcing him to stop jeopardizing the mission. Abu Bakr yet again changed his mind.

Breach in relations

This caused a major breach in their relations, she refused to talk to Abu Bakr until her death, something Sunnis agree on Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim. The question of this inheritance is one of the most debated points in the Sunni/Shi'a conflict. In effect, Abu Bakr's hands were tied: if he acknowledged her claim to Fadak, it would lend credence to her lineage's claim to the succession of Muhhammad.Jafri 1979 p 63

Shia continue that some time later, it became evident that Fatimah whould not be recovering from her wounds. She still had the people's heart as she was Muhammad's favorite and only biological daugher and was also the mother of Muhammad's only grandchildren. Abu Bakr and Umar went to her house to seek her pardon, and asked permision to enter. Fatimah refused to answer them, but eventually the was door opened by AliTarikh al-Khulafa, vol 1 p 20 cited in Muhammad al-Tijani Then I was Guided, chapter "The Opinion of the Companions about each other".. Fatimah, still angered that Abu Bakr was refusing her inheritance, angrily rebuked them:

"God be my witness that you two have offended me. In every prayer I curse you and will continue cursing you until I see my father and complain against you.".

Death

Fatima did not survive long after the demise of her father. Sources differ from one month to six monthsJafri, S.H.M. The Origins and Early Development of Shi'a Islam. Longman, New York; 1979 ISBN 0582780802 p59. . According to numerous Shi'a sources, because of the rift between her and the Abu Bakr faction, before her death she made these requests of her husband:

O Ali, you will personally perform my funeral rites.
Those who have displeased me should not be allowed to attend my funeral.
My corpse should be carried to the graveyard at night.at-Tabari I p1825; Bukhari Sahih V p288 and others, cited in Jafri 1979 p63

Ali did as she wished: she was buried at night, and accompanied to the grave by her relatives and sons. The burial was done secretly, so that Abu Bakr and Umar could not attend.

The Shi'a believe that Fatima died at the age of eighteen in Medina. This caused great grief to her husband. Eventually, in accordance with another part of her will, Ali married the woman of Fatimah's choice, so that Fatimah's children would be well take care of. After Fatimah's death, Ali renewed the claim to the properties, but was again denied by Abu Bakr Sahih Muslim.

Shi'a gave Fatima Zahra binte Muhammad many titles of praise; the list is long. See List of Shi'a titles for Fatima Zahra