funeral, but they were informed that the darlingof Messenger of Allah
(saw) had been secretly buried during the night.
Meanwhile, Imam Ali (as) made the shapes of four fresh graves in
Jannat al-Baqi , so as to conceal the location where Fatima Zahra (sa)
was buried. When the people entered the graveyard, they were confused
as to which spot was actually Lady Fatima Zahra's grave; the people
turned towards each other and with feelings of guilt said: "Our
Prophet Muhammad (saw) has notleft behind but one daughter, yet she
has died and was buried without our participationin the funeral or the
prayer rituals. We do not even realize the place where she has been
buried."
Noticing that a revolt might be ignited becauseof the emotional
atmosphere this event created, the governing party announced: "Select
a group of Muslim women and ask them to dig these graves so that we
may find Fatima Zahra (sa) and perform prayers on her."
Yes! They attempted to execute the plan, violating Fatima's (sa) will
and causing Imam Ali's (as) attempts to hide the grave to lay vainly.
Have they forgotten Imam Ali's (as) sharp sword, Zulfiqar and his
well-known courage! Didthey really think that Imam Ali (as) would
remain indifferent to their outrageous actions up to the point of
letting them dig Fatima's (sa) grave?
Imam Ali (as) did not fight back after the Prophet Muhammad's (saw)
death because he considered the Muslim unity and over all interests.
Yet, this did notmean that he would ignore their villainous crimes
against Fatima Zahra (sa) even after her death. In other words, Imam
Ali (as) was asked by Prophet Muhammad (saw) to have patience, but
only to a certain extent; when Imam Ali (as) received the news of the
about-to-be-executed plot, he put on his fighting gear and rushed
towards Jannat al-Baqi. A man from among the people called out, "This
is Ali ibn Abu Talib leveling his sword and saying: If anyone moves
even a mere stonefrom these graves, I shall strike even the back of
the last follower of the unjust."
People who realized Imam Ali's (as) seriousness, took his threats with
complete belief that he would do just as he said if anyone were to
oppose him. Yet, a man from the governing ones addressed Imam Ali (as)
by saying: "What is the matter, Abu Al-Hassan? ByAllah, we shall dig
her grave out and perform prayers on her."
Imam Ali (as) then grabbed the man by his clothes, shook him and threw
him to the ground and said: "Son of the Sawada! I have abandoned my
right to prevent people from forsaking their faith, but as regards
Fatima's (sa) grave, by Him in whose hand is my soul, if you and your
followers attempt to do anything to it, I will irrigate the ground
with your blood!"
At this, Abu Bakr said;"Abu Al-Hassan, I ask you by the right of
Messengerof Allah, and by Him Who is above the Throne: leave him alone
and we will not do anything which you would not approve of."
Thus, until this day, the location of Fatima Zahra's(sa) grave remains a secret.
Fatima Zahra (sa) had asked to be buried at night. Her request for
hiding her shrine was in fact a message she wanted to send to history:
a message for theentire Muslim Ummah that would lead to hearing her
sad life story,and what her constant objections were. And thisin fact
could be a turningpoint in the history of Islamic civilization.
It was because of this that Fatima Zahra (sa) found life from death,
victory from defeat, and an epic and everlasting peace from misery.
She created a revolution in the hearts of all generations. Her heart
still beats to the fate of the Muslim Ummah. And her eyes await the
flag offreedom that will appear with his son the Promised Mahdi (as).
Today, like all other periods people face misery and oppression. We
must look unto the secret of the hidden grave, and think about Fatima
Zahra's (sa) tears and burning sighs, and retell her message as bestwe
can to the rest of the world.
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