Hazrat Fatima Zahra and Her Unique Role in Islam

Reza Soltani

About 90 days passed since the death of the Last Messenger of Allah, Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H), and every day Fatima (A.S) used to sit beside the tomb of her dear father, and in sorrowful whispers, to disclose her inner mysteries. But then the people of Medina complained that her grief for the Prophet was disturbing their peace, especially after the injury inflicted on her and her feelings by the people who denied her rights which had elapsed into her last moments of mortal life.

Role of Imam Ali in Fatima’s Life

Her devoted husband, Imam Ali (AS) was on her bedside. A bitter sense of grief was looming on the prophet’s household [Ahlal-Bayt]. A strange feeling was contorting Ali's throat. He remembered how much her dear wife had dedicated her entire life to the path of Allah. The scenes of Fatima's kind and gentle conduct were passing in Imam Ali's mind. He remembered Fatima engrossed in midnight prayer, supplicating for the wellbeing of neighbors. Meanwhile, Imam Ali recalled Prophet Mohammad's words that "God becomes angry by Fatima's anger and is pleased at her satisfaction." He also remembered the last will of Prophet Mohammad about Fatima (SA).

Imam Ali took Fatima's hand, looked up at the sky and remembered the day Prophet Mohammad had blessed their marriage by putting her hand on his. But, now it was the time of separation. Shedding tears of sorrow, Imam Ali told Fatima in a trembling tone: “After you, I will not have a happy moment in the world. I am crying because I fear my life may be prolonged after you.” In the meantime, Fatima said: "My cousin, in my marital life with you, I never lied to you or acted against your will." Her heart-rending words deeply affected Imam Ali. She added: "Now the angels, along with Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) are coming towards me. Greetings to Gabriel, Greetings to the Messenger of Allah, Greetings to your promised words…. O my father, greetings to your sweet smile."Thus, Fatima, left the world as a martyr, and her noble spirit was carried on the wings of the angels to the presence of her Creator, the Almighty Allah.

In Childhood

Fatima was also known as Zahra (the Radiant). The childhood of Hazrat Fatima was the most difficult years of the history of Islam. For, the small community of Muslims in Mecca was under increasing pressure imposed by idolaters and disbelievers. Fatima was raised in the prophetic school of her father and the loving lap of her mother Khadijah (SA). Since childhood, Fatima witnessed the sufferings of her father, and was always at his side to soothe him.

Prophet’s Love for His Daughter

 After Hazrat Khadijeh's death, Fatima accompanied her father, she was with him both at lonely moments and when busy with guiding people. The holy prophet of Islam regarded his daughter as an angel in a human body; she was an inseparable part of him. He was overwhelmed with joy whenever he set eyes on her. Whenever he wanted to go on a trip, the last place he would leave would be his daughter's home and the first place to which he would return would be his daughter's home. Prophet Mohammad gave his daughter an epithet which clearly indicates his great love and adoration for her, for he used to call Fatima, Ome Abiha which means the mother of his father.

Unique Features

Hazrat Fatima took advantage of the deep knowledge of her father. Fatima would spend some of her time answering the scientific questions of people. Once a woman referred to her a number of times, and that was in one single day. However, Fatima was so kind that she told the lady: "In response to each of your questions, God Almighty greatly rewards me. So you can ask me as many questions as you wish."

It shows how profoundly this great lady of Islam, Hazrat Fatima, used to be attached to science. In political matters too, the holy prophet's daughter was much ahead of others. She was fully conscious of the ongoing events and would thwart the enemies' conspiracies by unveiling their covert nature. Fatima would show up at different scenes to defend Islam and would awaken sleepy souls with her wise remarks.

As Role Model

Fatima is a role model for all times. The Almighty God made her the paragon of a perfect woman so that women of all ages could follow her example. Thus, women came to realize that unlike the entrenched superstitions of some of their ancestors being a woman was no barrier on the path of progress. Besides, the Almighty God made the infallible household of the holy prophet survive through Fatima's very existence. In other words, Fatima's household was a holy household which linked the holy prophet through Fatima herself to the future Islamic nation. Fatima's home was the place where the banner of Islam would be transferred from the holy prophet to Imam Ali and his children. The residents of Fatima's home were all among the divinely selected people who surpassed people of all times in terms of science, logic, piety, justice and righteousness.

Living Modest Life

Ali and Fatima, who were directed and brought up by the holy Prophet, lived in the most austere conditions to pave the way for the loftiest of virtues. They brought up children who all in their own right left an indelible mark in the history of mankind. Life at Fatima and Ali's hope was mingled with enlightenment and piety. Not only was Fatima's home the center of politics and social matters, but it was also the center of affection and social upbringing of many people. They were endowed with such lofty moral characteristics that they would spare no effort to carry out God's will. Thus, most verses which were revealed to the holy Prophet on the greatness of his infallible household say that:  "Imam Hassan (AS) and Imam Hussein (AS) both fell ill. Thus their parents, Fatima and Ali prayed to God Almighty and vowed to fast for three days. When their two sons regained health, Imam Ali and Fatima went ahead with their fast. When they were about to break their fast at the sunset of the first day a poor man knocked their door and said: "Greetings to you, a poor man has knocked your door, give him some food". The holy household; thus gave what they had to eat. So they remained hungry and just drank water to quell their thirst. On the second day when they were about to break their fast, they again heard a knock on the door. This time it was an orphan who asked for food. Again they gave away their food and remained hungry. On the third day, a slave came to their door at sunset and sought help, again they gave him what they were about to eat. On the morning of the fourth day, Imam Ali took the hand of his two sons and took them to their grandfather. A quick glance at them was enough for the holy Prophet to know what had been going on. Then he stood up and headed for his daughter's home. He caught sight of her while immersed in prayers. She had become gaunt with hunger. Prophet Mohammad got concerned. At that time the Gabriel appeared before him and congratulated him on his excellent household. It was then that the verses 5 to 22 of Surah Insaan or Dahr were revealed to him.

A part of Imam Khomeini's message about Hazrat Fatima says:

"If Hazrat Fatima were a man, she would be a Prophet. If she were a man, she would be on the place of the God’s Prophet. She was the essence of humanity. She was a divine creature who appeared in human body…

…Hazrat Fatima (SA) was a woman who came up to all the prophets’ hopes and desires. She manifested all the honorable character and prestige. She was not an ordinary woman. She was a divine woman and the sign of humanity …She is the pride of the world".