"Oh Fatima!" was a cry on the tongues of Muslim mourners across the globe marking one of the three yearly commemoration periods for Lady Fatima's martyrdom. Then just a few weeks later, they celebrated her birthday.
"Oh Fatima!" was a cry on the tongues of Muslim mourners across the globe marking one of the three yearly commemoration periods for Lady Fatima's martyrdom. Then just a few weeks later, they celebrated her birthday.
Followers of the Prophet and his family believe that Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) is the greatest example for all women, ever. She is the daughter of Prophet Muhammad and Lady Khadijah (peace be upon them and their families). Prophet Muhammad was narrated to have said in many occasions, "Fatimah is a part of me. … Whatever hurts her hurts me … and whatever makes her happy makes me happy." The Prophet held Lady Fatima in such high esteem for her devotion to him that he called her 'Umm Abeehaa' (the mother of her father).
Lady Fatima was born on the Islamic calender date of Jamadi Athaani 20, in the 5th year after revelation (606 CE) in the city of Mecca. She lived through the earliest stages of the nascent Islamic society and grew up in both Mecca and Medina. She is considered the highest woman of all women because in her patience and virtue she transcended any woman known to humanity before her or who will be known after her. Many miracles and fascinating stories are mentioned about her in the annals of history and books of traditions.
With the blessing of God, Lady Fatima was married to Imam Ali, son of Abi Talib. On their wedding night, the poor and needy were invited to a feast in honor of the marriage. In reference to Lady Fatima, Imam Ali said, "… I used to look at her, and she would remove from me all my grief and sadness."
Through Lady Zahra is Allah's guidance to humanity not only in her individual personality but as the great mother of the imams. Lady Fatima's greatness is also mentioned in various verses of the Holy Qur'an. A few places where she is referred to are verse 61 from chapter Aal Imran, verses 8-9 from chapter Al Insaan, verse 33 from chapter Al Ahzaab, verse 26 from chapter Al Israa and verse 23 from chapter Ash-shura.
When the Prophet died, Imam Ali and Lady Fatima's rights were taken away by the oppressors. Those same oppressors demanded that Imam Ali give allegiance to an illegal ruler. Because Imam Ali would not give in, they sent a gang to his house. It is recorded in history that when Lady Fatima refused to open the door and asked the criminals to leave, the leader of the gang ordered his hoodlums to bring some wood and burn their way inside the house. One of the hoodlums exclaimed, "But Fatima (daughter of the messenger) is in there," to which came the cursed reply, "So what?!" The outrageous events that followed are some of the gloomiest scenes in Islamic history and a source of pain to lovers of the Prophet and his family to this very day.
Although Lady Fatima survived the tragic events, the physical and emotional wounds led to her martyrdom shortly-thereafter. Before she died, she asked Imam Ali to not allow her oppressors to walk in her funeral. She was then buried in a secret location at night by Imam Ali. Lady Fatima was martyred only a few months after her father, Prophet Muhammad, passed away. She is reported by some to have only been about 18-years-old. Although many think she is buried in Al Baqi Cemetery in Medina, it is still not certain what is the location of her grave.
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