Woman in the Mirror of History
From the study of history we find the fact that in the previous age
woman was considered to be a part of wealth and property. She used to
be sold and purchased like any property or animal. Illiterate Arabs of
the pre-Islamic era considered woman the cause of bad luck and
misfortune and buried the innocent girls alive. But Islam declared
this consideration and notionwrong and unjustified. The Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) fought strongly against such wrong conceptions. He
considered woman as a human being like the man and that she too hasthe
human, freedom and social rights. No body hasthe right to insult and
look down upon her.
Regretfully, the Western countries and capitalists even today imagine
her to be the medium of enjoyment and time passing. On the other hand,
woman in a few Islamic countries have been restrictively chained up
which is also against the law of Islam, such as, they do not allow her
to go to schoolsor visit the libraries and they do not have any ties
and relations with the society, with the exception of their attending
the mourning ceremonies of Imam Hussain (A.S.).
Consequently, such absurdities and superstitions came into existence
pushing woman into the cave of ignorance and darkness. This is the
very reason why, when the imperialism raised the slogan of woman
freedom, she could not conceive and understandwhat kind of voice it
was? From where it is originated? What was the meaning of this slogan?
Therefore, immodesty and impudency was thought to be the evolution of
culture. When she saw that her previous problems were solved she
forgot everything and, so to say,became free. But instead of getting
free from the superstitions she got freefrom modesty and piety. She
moved ahead in this very immodesty and deviation to the extent
tobecome a commercial item, and became the tool of the imperialism,
which may be used in any way as per its choice.She was a stooge and an
agent without eyes, ears or any will and intention.This is the
condition of today's women.
But, Islam by the training provided by ladies such as Khatija (S.A.),
Fatima (S.A.) Zainub (S.A.) highlighted the greatness of woman,
explaining and illustrating the meaning of woman's life and turned it
into an exampleand specimen for the future races.
We are going to present the brief life history of one of the ladies
Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.), daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), Wife
of Imam Ali (A.S.), mother of Imam Hassan (A.S.) and Imam Hussain
(A.S.), the chiefs of the youth of Paradise, and Zainub-e-Kubra
(S.A.)so that, it is understood and evident that how should an
exemplary woman be."
Birth
When Hazrat Fatima's (S.A.) birth was to take place, the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) told Khatija (S.A.) "Jabriel has given me the good news
that this child which is going to be born is a daughter and all the
infallible Imams will be from her generation.
Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.)was born on Friday the 20th of Jamadi
ussani, the fifth year of Hijrah, when Quraish were busy in
constructing the building of Khana-e-Kaabah.
Training and Fostering
Fatima (S.A.) was broughtup and trained in the family of Prophet
(P.B.U.H) and took advantage and share of the knowledge and wisdom of
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). She heard the recitation of Quran from the
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) andleant it by heart, and got busy with the idea
and concept of self training and becoming a complete and real human.
She extremely loved her honorable father and theHoly Quran. She took
advantage and portion from the blessings of her father's existence.
These were the perfections dueto which the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) loved
her to theextreme.
Once his wife Ayesha (R.A.) asked him, "Do you love Fatima Zahra so
much, that when she arrives you get up from your place to give
respectto her and kiss her hands and make her sit next to yourself?"
He replied, "Oh Ayesha! If you come to know why I love Fatima so much,
you shall also love her." He considered her the part and parcel of his
life, andused to say repeatedly,"Fatima (S.A.) is a piece ofme,
whosoever tortures her he has tortured me, and whoever pleases her has
pleased me." One day, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam said,"Oh Fatima
God gets pleased on your being pleased and gets furious due to your
unhappiness and displeasure.
Resemblance
Fatima Zahra (S.A.), most of all resembled her father in her looks,
character, behavior and conduct. Ome Salma the wife of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) said, "Fatima Zahra resembled the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) most
ofall the people."
The Father-Daughter Relation
The love between the father and daughter was not a one-way process;
instead, Fatima (S.A.) too immensely loved her father (Prophet) like
he loved her. When Hazrat Khatija (S.A.) died, she was not more than
six years of age. After the death of her mother, She always looked
after the comfort of her father at home. Fatima (S.A.) was such a
daughter who constantly and stably followed the footsteps of her
father. The streets and Masjid-e-Haram of Mecca were full of those who
teased, insulted and tortured the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Whenever her
respect worthy father returned home in the injured condition, she
would wash the blood off his sacred face and dress his wounds and
encouraged him with hersweet conversation.
At such times, when her father was a stranger in his own land and
among his own people and he was all alone with all the relatives
present, and secluded and lonely among all those who spoke the same
languagehe spoke. Moreover, he was all-alone during his struggle and
combat against ignorance, idol worshipping and he was carrying the
heavy responsibility of preaching on his own.
Then it was only and onlyFatima (S.A.) who pleasedand consoled the
heart ofher father with her sincere love and affection. She by
accepting the Prophecy of her father strengthened his hopes. That is
the reason why the Prophet used to say,"May your father sacrificehis
life upon you" or that he would call her the"mother of her father".
Because, she was like a mother for her father.
Marriage
When she attained the age of puberty, it becamenecessary for her to
marry. But she needed a person who must be her match. So that he would
appreciate her status andperfection and maturity of virtues and he
would know what was the real value and virtue of a human being. This
is the very aim of Islam, which as a result strengthens the marital
relations.
When she became marriage bound many men including Abu Bakar and Umar
sent their messages for asking her hand in marriage. But the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) said, "I am waiting for the revelation in this connection."
The revelation came and Fatima's husband was also nominated. God
ordered the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), "Oh my prophet get the light (Noor)
married to the light i.e., get Fatima (S.A.)married with Ali (A.S.)."
When Ali (A.S.) approached the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) to request the hand
of Fatima (S.A.) in marriage, although he had nothing with him from
the wealth of the world, yet he possessed agem, which was the
reflection of every thing including piety and human nobility.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) having acceded to his request entered the house
to ask Fatima (S.A.)her opinion about it. He said to her "Oh daughter
you know fully well that Ali (A.S.) is the one who was the first ever
faithful out of the lot. I had prayed to God, to give the best husband
for you.Therefore, God has selected Ali (A.S.) for yourhusband, so
what is your opinion?"
Fatima (S.A.) remained silent. The father took her silence as the
token of her being agreed and got her married with him.
The Marriage Ceremonies
After the aggregation of the tribe of Bani Hashim and the friends and
relations by the order of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) took place, he (P.B.U.H.)
delivered a Khutba (religious speech), sermon, and got Fatima (S.A.)
married to Ali (A.S.) over a dowry equivalent to four hundred Masqal
Silver (one Masqal comes to nearly 3.45 grams).
A companion (Sahabi) stated, "The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) got a sheep
slaughtered and invited afew persons and made them witnesses upon the
marriage.
After one month of the marriage in the 2nd Hijraon the night of
"zaffaf" (marriage night) the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) held Fatima (S.A.) by
her hand and handing her hand over to Ali (A.S.) said, "Oh Ali, Fatima
is the best wife for you." There after, he addressed Fatima and said
"Oh Fatima, Ali is a good husband for you." Then he said. "Now, both
of you move towards your real home."
The women of Bani Hashim, Ansar and Muhajireen, after taking their
dinner, rode Fatima (S.A.) on the camel of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and
took her along to Ali's (A.S.) house with great fervor. Ali and Fatima
started living near Quba mosque at a distance of eight kilometers from
Medina where the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) had stayed on migration fromMecca
and had waited a week for Ali (A.S.) to join him.
After some time Ali (A.S.) came to the city and selected a house
adjacentto the house of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Because the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) could not tolerate the separation ofAli and Fatima, since,
it was a great shock for him. The house of Ali (A.S.) which was made
of mud and date timber wasexactly opposite to the window of the
Prophet's (P.B.U.H.) house so that he could daily see them.
This was the same house of Ah-le-bait of Purity and piety, which was
praised by the Holy Quranand was away from all kinds of impurity
(sins). The house wherein Ali (A.S.) was the father, Fatima Zabra
(S.A.) the mother and Zainub, Kulsoom, Hassan and Hussain (A.S.) were
the children. This home is a memorial one for all the races of every
age.
Blessed Relation
Fatima Zahra (S.A.) had grown up along with Ali (A.S.) and considered
Ali (A.S.) as best husband and the lover and devotee of his father.
Thefate's hand had joined these two blessed persons in such a special
way, which did not have any example in that period of darkness and
ignorance.
Fatima (S.A.) knew that although Ali (A.S.) does not possess any thing
from the wealth of the world but he has the great treasure of self
sacrifice and devotednessof which he had given proof to fulfill the
aspirations of her father (P.B.U.H.). She was aware that all the youth
period of her husband was spent defending Islam and in Jehad. He did
not think anything except the service to Islam and it's welfare.
Fatima (S.A.) never thought that since she was the daughter of a
Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and leader therefore, she must have maidservants at
her home. Nay, insteadshe performed all the domestic works with her
own hands for instance grinding the wheat with millstone, baking
bread, looking after the childrenetc. But, she, leaving aside
everything would only think about God. She was always in search of a
life giving and radiant education.
Fatima (S.A.) was such a tree, which must only breed and grow in the
shade of revelation and bring the fruits of freedom and justice in
itsdeep shadow. This is the very root and origin of the tree of
purity.
An Exemplary Family
The lives of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) are a school of thought for
the next generations so that the people may learn a lesson from them.
They had such coordination that when Ali (A.S.) got free from the work
outside the house, he used to lend a helping hand to Fatima (S.A.). On
the other hand, the daughter of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) also, always
tried to keep Abul Hassan(Ali) (A.S.) happy. Both ledsuch a life full
of love andaffection that they never called each other by theirnames,
rather, whenever Ali (A.S.) called her he addressed her by"Daughter of
the Prophet(P.B.U.H.)" and Fatima (S.A.) would address him as "Ameer
ul Momineen" (the Chief of the Faithfuls).
They never neglected thetraining of their children.They always gave
their response with love and affection. They loved their children too
much, so far so, that they never got angry with them & rebuke them and
never said anything to them, which may annoy or casetheir sorrow.
The Fruit of the Marriage
In the 3rd year of Hijrah the first son was born to Fatima (S.A.), who
was named "Hasan (A.S.)." Thebirth of this child saved the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) from the torture of the enemies and the sorrow of the
separation of friends. He (P.B.U.H.) happily and joyfully visited
Fatima's (S.A.) house and took Imam Hassan (A.S.) into his lap and
recited Azan and Aqamat in his ears. Then he gave some silver, which
was equal in weight of the hair of the child, as alms.
One year after the birth of Imam Hassan (A.S.), Imam Hussain (A.S.)
was born. Now the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) got the substitutes for his sons
Qasim and Tahir who haddied in the childhood, so that God had decided
that the race of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), persists and survives through
her daughter.
The dawn of these two stars brought a new horizon in existence wherein
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) saw themselves.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) thanking God and considering those two children
as the substitute of his sons, loved them very much that the worldwas
astonished.
One day, when he (P.B.U.H.) visited Fatima's (S.A.) house he
(P.B.U.H.) saw that Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) were sleeping and
Imam Hassan (A.S.) was weeping due to hunger. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.)
slowly picked up the pot, milked the goat, and fed the child who then
became silent.
Once, he (P.B.U.H.) was passing by the house of Fatima (S.A.) when
suddenly he (P.B.U.H.) heard Imam Hussain (A.S.)crying. He came back
to her home and said, "Oh Fatima! Don't you know that I get upset by
the weeping of this child?"
One year after the birth of Imam Hussain (A.S.), a female baby was
born, who was named"Zainub" and even after another year another female
baby, who was named "Ome Kulsum."
"Zainub" and "Kulsum" were the names of the daughter's of Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) who died before 8th Hijra. In the 8th year of Hijra a son
named Ibrahim was bornto the Prophet (P.B.U.H.), who died after one
year of his birth.
Now, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was only left over with Fatima (S.A.) and
her children. He (P.B.U.H.) loved his grandchildren to such an extent
that he (P.B.U.H.) never tolerated to get separated from them.
Whenever he (P.B.U.H.) went out of the house, he (P.B.U.H.) would
always carry one of them on his shoulders.
The Superiority of Fatima(S.A.)
No one has the right in Islam to burry a dead body in the mosque.
Masjid-e-Haram is the most superior of all the mosques, being the
Qibla of all the mosques of the world.
A lady named Hajir is burned there. God has ordered all the human
being to visit Mecca and perform the circumambulation of her grave.
But Fatima's (S.A.) status is much sublime and higher than the lady
who has been laid to restin Kaabah.
Fatima (S.A.) is one of the four superior most and virtuous ladies
i.e., Mariam, Asiyah, Khatija, Fatima. Which Fatima (S.A.)? Fatima
(S.A.) is the heir of all the honors andvirtues. Who is the one
continuing the great raceoriginating and beginning with Adam (A.S.),
Ibrahim (A.S.), Moosa (A.S.), Essa [Christ] (A.S.) and reaching
Mohammad (P.B.U.H.).
Fatima (S.A.) besides father's bed
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was on the bed of ailment and illness. His head
was in the lap of Ali (A.S.) and Fatima (S.A.) was weeping holding
thehand of her father. Suddenly, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) opened his
eyesand when he saw her weeping. He (P.B.U.H.) said, "Oh daughter!
Recite the holy Quran for me." Fatima (S.A.) recited a few verses from
the holy Quran. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) by getting her dear daughter
recite the verses meant to listen hervoice in the last momentsof his
life. No sooner, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) passed away the house turned
into a mourning house. The delicate heart of Fatima (S.A.) took a deep
effect by her father's death.
Only a few hours later, another big grief took shape i.e., the right
of her husband was extorted and usurped. Fatima (S.A.), with the help
of a few faithful companions of his father,defended the right of
herhusband strongly. So far so, that one day she wentto the Prophet's
mosque along with the women ofBani Hashirn and Ansar and by delivering
a speech described her object and point of view. So that, all the
audience started weeping. But there was no body to give a positive
response to the voice of Fatima (S.A.).
They were no longer trueand faithful. Their faces were covered with
the dust of abjectness, miseryand misfortune. She returned to her
house with a heave and grievedheart and said to Ali (A.S.), "Oh Abul
Hassan why have you sit down with your hands upon each other like
weak, feeble, powerless and unable men and why don't you defend your
right?" Ali (A.S.) said, "Oh the daughter of Prophet (P.B.U.H.) Do you
not want that your father's name be pronounced in the mosque? Don't
you have the desire that the cause and mission of your father remains
alive? Fatima (S.A.) said,"Why not?"
Then he said, "If I draw the sword today (as the enemy wishes) the
efforts of your father willbe finished and we will become
unsuccessful. On hearing this, Fatima (S.A.)got silent and thereafter,
she did not utter any word. She started her silent war in the same
manner as her husband Ali (A.S.) spent twenty-five years in a
great-oppressed state.
Death
Fatima (S.A.) was sure that none of her plans can mature in
connectionwith Ali (A.S.). Therefore, she did every thing possible so
that a wrong foundation for the caliphate is not laid. But evidently
and obviously she could not succeed in her efforts and was compelled
to face hopelessness and dismay.
After that, it became hardfor her to live and she became fed up with
the world and day by day gotkeen and restless for her death.
Till at last, on Monday the3rd of Jamadi ussani, 11th of Hijra, She
bade fare well to her children and husband and passed away. She died
in the same year as her father had died.
At the time of her sorrowful demise Imam Hassan (A.S.) was 7 years of
age, Imam Hussain (A.S.) was 6 years, Zainub (S.A.) was 5 years and
Ome Kulsum (S.A.) was 3 years of age. God knows, how shocking and
painful was the separation of Fatima (S.A.) for her children
andhusband.
When her death time came near she asked the maidservant to bring her
water for taking a bath and putting on new clothes. Because, the
timefor her to meet her father was at hand. The maidservant brought
her the water and she put onnew clothes after taking a bath and laid
down upon the bed facing Kaabah. After a short while, her eyes closed
down and lips became silent and motionless andshe proceeded towards
the paradise.
"Innalil laha ina ilayha rajaoon".
Imam Ali (A.S.), as per her last will, bathed her and gave her the
coffin and buried her in the darkness of the night. Her grave was kept
secretand still it is not known and is hidden. So nobodycould know
where she was buried. Because, the political figures of that period
were bent upon opening her grave apart and offer the death prayers
again. A negativecombat about her grave is going on from that time to
the day and from now onwards for the future days to come.
The testament and will ofFatima (S.A.) made is clear and evident for
the races of those days and all the races to come that the daughter of
the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) was subjected to oppression. Fatima (S.A.)
remained unhappy and annoyed with those oppressors upto her death.
Therefore, those should remain ready for vengenence and revenge.
After Fatima (S.A.) passed away Ali (A.S.) and the children became
secluded and lonely. Ali (A.S.) sat by her grave and repeated a few
sentences in a low voice and then facing the grave of the Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) he said, "Oh Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of God!I am returning to
you that one which you had entrusted me. O Lord! AskFatima what
happened with us. She will tell you all about it."
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And Allah Knows the Best!
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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA
¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤ ¤
'' Our Lord ! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter and save us from the torment of the Fire '' [Ameen]
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{in Arab} :->
Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wafil aakhirati hasanatan waqinaa 'athaaban-naar/-
(Surah Al-Baqarah ,verse 201)
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