Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) the Little Supporter: Umme Abiha (mother of her father)

The tenth year after Besat-e-Rasool (The year Prophet Muhammad (saw)
began his mission) was a very hard period for Muslims. The respected
Hazrat Abu Talib (as) and Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa) had passed away
within a short span of time. Prophet Muhammad (saw) had lost two of
his best and kindest supporters both at home and in the society.
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) had a very difficult time as well. She had lost a
mother like Khadijah bintKhuwaylid (sa) while she was only six years
old. However, this was not the only difficulty she had to face; as a
matter of fact, every time she would come out of the house, she was
faced unpleasant events . She would see the enemies cursing Prophet
Muhammad (saw) or even hurting him physically. Nevertheless, she had
understood the new situation and despite her young age she had
realized that supporting her father, Prophet Muhammad (saw) was of her
new responsibilities. Hence, she became a great contributor and
supporter of Islam and Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Once she saw a number of people had gathered around in Masjid al-Haram
to plan the murder of Prophet Muhammad (saw). FatimaAl-Zahra (sa)
returned home with tearful eyes, and told her father aboutthe plan; as
a result the enemies had failed to carry out their plan. At another
time, one of the polytheists, who had apparently come to visit Prophet
Muhammad (saw), threw dirt and garbage on Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Prophet Muhammad (saw), owner of the greatest morality, acted as if
nothing had happened, forgave him, and returned home. When Fatima
Al-Zahra (sa) saw what had happened to her father, ran to him with
some water and washed his father's head and face. She began to cry at
the harsh act the enemies had done to her father, but Prophet Muhammad
(saw) told her:
"O my daughter! Do not cry. Be sure that Allah (SWT) will protect your
father from all evils and will make him successful in his mission."
At another incident, when some polytheist poured the waste of a
slaughtered Camel and sheep on Prophet Muhammad (saw) during his
prostration, again, it was Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) who went to help
Prophet Muhammad (saw) with love. She helped her father clean the
waste, and with her act caressed her father's soul.
These affectionate moralities of Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was so muchthat
Prophet Muhammad (saw) called her "Umme Abiha (mother of her father)"
implying the deepness of love and care little Fatima Al-Zahra(sa)
showed her father, Prophet Muhammad (saw).
As a wife, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was deeply devoted to her husband,
Imam Ali (as) and had neverasked him for anything in her whole life.
As a mother, she cared for and brought up the most wonderful children
who have left their marks in history that time will not be able to
erase.
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was very intelligent, accomplished and cheerful.
She had inherited the genius and wisdom, determination and willpower,
the piety and sanctity, the generosity and benevolence, the devotion
and worship of Allah (SWT) as well as other great qualities like
self-sacrifice and hospitality, forbearance and patience, and the
knowledge and nobility of disposition from her illustrious father,
ProphetMuhammad (saw), both in words and deeds. Her generosity and
compassion for the poor was such that no destitute or beggar ever
returned from her door unattended.
We, Muslims believe that Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is themost superior
woman through all the centuries and eras. This belief is inferred from
Prophetic narratives. In one of these statements (on which both
Shiites and Sunnites agree) the GreatProphet Muhammad (saw) says:
"Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen (Fatima is the master of all the women of
the worlds.)" Although it is mentioned in the Noble Qur'an that Maryam
[Mary, mother of Prophet Jesus (pbuh)] is the best woman in the worlds
and has high position and is considered to be chaste and continence
and is one of the four greatest women, she was the best woman of her
life's period, but Fatima Al-Zahra's (sa) superiorityis not restricted
to her life's period and is history time. That is why Prophet Muhammad
(saw) named her as the greatest women of all thewomen from the first
to the last in another saying. Another point that can be inferred
fromthese narratives is that because Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is the
greatest woman and no other has competence with her, knowing and
recognizing all her life and every moment of herlife is extremely
valuable,as we can reach high spiritual states by deliberating it.
Furthermore, by referring to the Noble Qur'an we find out that several
verses are descended to state her position: (33:33, known as
Ayat-e-Tatheer), (3:61, known as Ayat-e-Mubahila), (17:26), the
beginning verses of chapter 76 (al-Insan) , thewhole chapter 108
(al-Kawthar).