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(Redirected from Fatima Zahra)
'Fatimah' (; ''fāṭimah''. c. 605–632) was the youngest daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija.[1] She was Muhammad's favourite daughter and is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca. In later life, she married Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin, and was mother to his four children. She died from illness a few months after her father, and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi in the city of Medina.
Fatimah bint Muhammad (c. 605–632), the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, was born in Makkah to Khadija, the first wife of Muhammad. There are differences of opinion on the exact date of her birth, but the widely accepted view is that she was born five years before the first Qur'anic revelations, during the time of the rebuilding of the Kaaba in 605,Fatimah bint Muhammad. USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts."Fatima", Encyclopedia of Islam. Brill Online.Parsa, Forough (فروغ پارسا). "Fatima Zahra Salaamullah Alayha in the works of Orientalists" (فاطمهٔ زهرا سلامالله علیها در آثار خاورشناسان), pp.8–14, ''Nashr-e Dānesh'', Vol. 22, No. 1, Spring 2006. ISSN 0259-9090. In Persian.[2][3] although this does imply she was over 18 at the time of her marriage which was unusual in Arabia. Shia sources, however, state that she was born either two or five years after the first Qur'anic revelations, Fatima the Gracious, Abu Muhammad Ordoni, , , Ansariyan Publications, , but this timeline would imply her mother was over fifty at the time of her birth.
Fatimah is generally placed as the fourth of Muhammad's daughters after Zaynab, Ruqayya, and Umm Kulthum.
★ See:
Ibn Hisham's Sira, Vol. 1, p. 122
Tabari's ''History of Prophets and Kings'', Vol. 2, p. 35
Ibn Kathir's ''Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihaya'', Vo. 2, p. 359
★ For Shi'a sources that mention other daughters of Muhammad, see:
Tusi's ''Tahthibul Ahkam'', Vol. 8, p. 258
Shaikh Saduq's ''Khisal'', p. 404
Kulayni's ''Al-Kafi'', Vol. 5, p. 555
Shaykh Mufid's ''Al-Muqanna'ah'', p. 332
Himyari's ''Qurb Al-Isnad'', p. 9
Papyrus scroll of Ibn Lahi'ah, referenced by G. Levi Della Vida-[R.G. Khoury]. ʿUT̲H̲MĀN b.ʿAffān. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
★ For views from Western scholarship see:
G. Levi Della Vida-[R.G. Khoury]. ʿUT̲H̲MĀN b.ʿAffān. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
Veccia Vaglieri, L. Fāṭima. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
Watt, W. Montgomery. K̲H̲adīd̲j̲a. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007 Shias claim she was his only daughter, believing Khadija's three other daughters to have been from her previous marriage.[4]
Fatimah is given many titles by Muslims to show their admiration of her moral and physical characteristics. The most used title is "''al-Zahra''" (meaning "the shining one") and she is commonly referred to as Fatimah Zahra.[5] She was also known as ''Umm-ul-Abeeha'' (Mother of her Father) and "''al-Batul''" (the chaste and pure one) as she spent much of her time in prayer, reciting the Qur'an and in other acts of worship.
Muslims regard Fatimah as a loving and devoted daughter, mother, wife, a sincere Muslim, and an exemplar for women.[6] It is believed that she was very close to her father and her distinction from other women is mentioned in many hadith.[6] After Khadijah, Muslims regard Fatimah as the most significant historical figure, considered to be the leader of all women in Paradise.[6] She was the first wife of the first Shia Imam (and fourth Sunni caliph), the mother of the second and third, and the ancestor of all the succeeding Imams; indeed, the Fatimid dynasty is named after her.[9]
Following the birth of Fatimah, she was personally nursed by her mother contrary to local customs where the newborn were sent to "wet nurses" in surrounding villages. Great Women of Islam, Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar, , , Darussalam, , She spent her early youth under the care of her parents in Mecca in the shadow of the tribulations suffered by her father at the hands of the Quraysh.
According to tradition, on one occasion while Muhammad was performing the ''salah'' (prayer) in the Kaaba, Abu Jahl and his men poured Camel placenta over him. Fatimah upon hearing the news rushed to her father and wiped away the filth while scolding the men.[10] On another occasion, she passed by Abu Jahl on the street who slapped her across the face. She went to Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish and complained about Abu Jahl's behaviour. Abu Sufyan brought her to Abu Jahl and instructed her to slap him back which she did. When she narrated this incident to Muhammad, he had expressed satisfaction at Abu Sufyan's sense of justice.
Following the death of her mother, Fatimah was overcome by sorrow and found it very difficult to come to terms with her death. She was consoled by her father who informed her that he had received word from angel Gabriel that God had built for her a palace in paradise.
Many of Muhammad's companions asked for Fatimah's hand in marriage including Abu Bakr and Umar. Muhammad turned them all down saying that he was awaiting a sign of her destiny. Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad's cousin, also had a desire to marry Fatimah but did not have the courage to approach Muhammad due to his poverty. Even when he mustered up the courage and went to see Muhammad, he could not vocalise his intention but remained silent. Muhammad understood the reason for his being there and prompted Ali to confirm that he had come to seek Fatimah in marriage. He suggested that Ali had a shield, which if sold, would provide sufficient money to pay the bridal gift (''mahr''). Muhammad put forward the proposal from Ali to Fatimah who remained silent and did not protest which Muhammad took to be a sign of affirmation and consent.[11]
The actual date of the marriage is unclear, but it most likely took place in 623, the second year of the hijra, although some sources say it was in 622. Fatimah is reported to have been between the ages of 15 and 21 at the time of her marriage while Ali was between 21 and 25. Ali sold his shield to raise the money needed for the wedding, as suggested by Muhammad. However, Uthman, to whom the shield was sold, returned it back to Ali saying it was his wedding gift to Ali and Fatimah. Muhammad himself performed the wedding ceremony and two of his wives, Aisha and Umm Salama, prepared the wedding feast with dates, figs, sheep and other food donated by various members of the Medinan community.
Fatimah was survived by two sons, Hasan and Husayn, and two daughters, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum. Controversy surrounds the fate of her third son, Muhsin. Shias say that she miscarried, while Sunnis insist that Muhsin died in his infancy of natural causes.
Modern descendants of Muhammad trace their lineage exclusively through Fatimah, as she was the only child of Muhammad who had children that survived. Muhammad had no sons who reached adulthood. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, , Karen, Armstrong, HarperSanFrancisco, , 0062508865
After her marriage to Ali, the wedded couple led a life of abject poverty in contrast to her sisters who were all married to wealthy individuals. Ali had built a house not too far from Muhammad's residence where he lived with Fatimah. However, due to Fatimah's desire to be closer to her father, a Medinan (Haritha bin al-Numan) donated his own house to them. Fatimah had no maid servants and performed all the household duties herself. Additionally, she worked as a corn-grinder as a result of which her hands were covered in blisters. Ali worked to irrigate other peoples lands by drawing water from the wells which caused him to complain of chest pains. Their circumstances were akin to many of the Muslims at the time and only improved following the Battle of Khaybar when the produce of Khaybar was distributed among the poor.
It is reported that Fatimah had occasional disputes with her husband and often sought the intercedence of her father who showed signs of great satisfaction upon reconciling the couples differences. On one occasion, a member of the house of Hisham ibn al-Mughirah put forward a proposal to Ali to marry a woman from their clan which he did not immediately reject. When word of the proposal reached Muhammad he is reported to have said, "Fatima is a part of me and whoever offends her offends me."
Muhammad also re-iterated his affection for Fatimah when he was made aware that Ali had proposed to a daughter of Abu Jahl. From the pulpit Muhammad pronounced, "she is indeed a part of me" and that Ali would have to first divorce Fatimah before the marriage could go ahead. Ali was given the name of Abu Turab (the man of dust) by Muhammad. One of the explanations for this is linked to the disputes with Fatimah where, instead of arguing with Fatimah, Ali would go and put dust on his head.
Following the Battle of Uhud, Fatimah tended to the wounds of her father and husband, and took it upon herself to regularly visit the graves of all those who died in the battle and pray for them. Fatimah, along with her husband, was also called upon by Abu Sufyan to intercede on his behalf with Muhammad while attempting to make amends following the violation of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. Abu Sufyan also asked for Fatimah's protection when she went to Mecca while it was under occupation which she refused under instruction from her father.
Main articles: Succession to Muhammad
For the few months that she survived following the death of her father, Fatimah found herself indirectly at the center of political disunity. Differing accounts of the events surrounding the commencement of the caliphate exist which were the cause of the Shia and Sunni split. The majority of Muslims at the time of Muhammed's death favoured Abu Bakr as the Caliph while a portion of the population supported Fatimah's husband, Ali.
Following his election to the caliphate after a meeting in Saqifah, Abu Bakr and Umar with a few other companions headed to Fatimah's house to obtain homage from Ali and his supporters who had gathered there. Upon seeing them, Ali came out with his sword drawn but was disarmed by Umar and their companions. Fatimah, in support of her husband, started a commotion and threatened to "uncover her hair", at which Abu Bakr relented and withdrew.
A minority Shia view which is disputed amongst Shia scholars and not found in scholarly works such as the Islamic Shi'ite Encyclopedia, hold that Umar called for Ali and his men to come out and swear allegiance to Abu Bakr. When they did not, Umar broke in, resulting in Fatimah's ribs being broken by being pressed between the door and the wall causing her to miscarry Muhsin which led to her eventual death.
Another version of the events says that Umar sent a force led by his slave-boy Qunfud to Fatimah's house instructing them to bring Ali to the mosque. Arriving at the house, Qunfud requested permission to enter, which was refused by Ali causing Qunfud to return to Abu Bakr and Umar and relate the events, who instructed them to go back and enter the house by force if necessary. Qunfud and his men returned but were this time refused permission by Fatimah which caused Qunfud to send his men back to Abu Bakr and Umar for further instructions who told them to burn the house down if necessary in order to bring Ali to them.
Although historians cannot give a precise description of the actual events, and even though the various views have been mixed with legendary accounts, it was undoubtedly a key motivation for the hatred born by the Shias towards Umar and his supporters, and was the only political involvement of Fatimah who remained in a sombre mood for the rest of her life.
Main articles: Fadak
After the death of her father, Fatimah approached Abu Bakr and asked him to relinquish her share of the inheritance from Muhammad's estate. Fatimah expected the land of Fadak (situated 30 miles from Medina[12]) and a share of Khaybar would be passed onto her as part of her inheritance. However, Abu Bakr rejected her request citing a narration where Muhammad stated that prophets do not leave behind inheritance and that all their possessions become ''sadaqa'' to be used for charity. Fatimah was upset at this flat refusal by Abu Bakr and did not speak to him until her death (although some sources claim she had reconciled her differences with Abu Bakr before she died). Shias contend that Fadak had been gifted to Fatimah by Muhammad and Abu Bakr was wrong in not allowing her to take possession of it.[13]
It was reported that Fatimah reconciled her differences with Abu Bakr prior to her death although the majority belief affirms her anger with him until her death.[14] There are two distinct views on the manner of her death between the Shias and Sunnis.
Shias hold that Muhammad appeared in a dream and informed Fatimah that she would be passing away the next day. Fatimah informed her husband Ali and asked him not to allow those who had done injustice to her, to be involved in her ''janazah'' (prayer performed in congregation after the death of a muslim) or take part in the burial.
The next day when she died, her two sons were the first family members to learn of her death and immediately proceeded to the mosque to inform their father who, upon hearing the news, fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Ali, according to Fatimah's wishes, performed the ''janazah'' and buried her during the night on 3rd Jumada al-thani 11 AH (632) making out three other false graves to ensure her real grave could not be identified. With him were his family and a few of his close companions.[15]
The next day people gathered round her house expecting to participate in the burial but were informed that it had taken place during the night.
The Sunnis, however, state that following the farewell pilgrimage, Muhammad summoned Fatimah and informed her that he would be passing away soon but also informed her that she would be the first of his household to join him. Some days after this discussion, Muhammad passed away, following which Fatimah was grief stricken and remained so for the remainder of her life until she died less than five months later, in the month of Ramadhan.
On the morning of her death, she took a bath, put on new clothes and lay down in bed. She asked for Ali and informed him that her time to die was very close. Upon hearing this news, Ali began to cry but was consoled by Fatimah who asked him to look after her two sons and for him to bury her without ceremony. After her death, Ali followed her wishes and buried her without informing the Medinan people.
★ Ahl al-Bayt
★ Genealogy of Khadijas daughters
1. See:
★ Fatimah bint Muhammad. USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts.
★ "Fatimah", Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill Online.
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica
3. MSN Encarta
4. Amin. Vol 4. p97
5. Amin. Vol. 4. p.98
6.
7.
8.
9. Esposito, John; ed. ''Oxford History of Islam'' Oxford; 1999 ISBN 0-19-510799-3
10. Amin. Vol. 4. p.99
11. Amin. Vol. 4. p.100
12. Imam Malik's Muwatta, Book 41, Number 41.2.13
13. Amin. Vol. 4. p.101
14. See:
★ "Fatimah", Encyclopedia of Islam. Brill Online;
★ "Fatimah" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 Aug. 2007
15. Amin. Vol. 4. p.103
★ 'Fāṭima', 'Encyclopaedia of Islam Online' ISSN 1573-3912
★
'Fatimah' (; ''fāṭimah''. c. 605–632) was the youngest daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija.[1] She was Muhammad's favourite daughter and is regarded by Muslims as an exemplar for women. She remained at her father's side through the difficulties suffered by him at the hands of the Quraysh of Mecca. In later life, she married Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad's cousin, and was mother to his four children. She died from illness a few months after her father, and was buried in Jannat al-Baqi in the city of Medina.
Birth
Fatimah bint Muhammad (c. 605–632), the daughter of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, was born in Makkah to Khadija, the first wife of Muhammad. There are differences of opinion on the exact date of her birth, but the widely accepted view is that she was born five years before the first Qur'anic revelations, during the time of the rebuilding of the Kaaba in 605,Fatimah bint Muhammad. USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts."Fatima", Encyclopedia of Islam. Brill Online.Parsa, Forough (فروغ پارسا). "Fatima Zahra Salaamullah Alayha in the works of Orientalists" (فاطمهٔ زهرا سلامالله علیها در آثار خاورشناسان), pp.8–14, ''Nashr-e Dānesh'', Vol. 22, No. 1, Spring 2006. ISSN 0259-9090. In Persian.[2][3] although this does imply she was over 18 at the time of her marriage which was unusual in Arabia. Shia sources, however, state that she was born either two or five years after the first Qur'anic revelations, Fatima the Gracious, Abu Muhammad Ordoni, , , Ansariyan Publications, , but this timeline would imply her mother was over fifty at the time of her birth.
Fatimah is generally placed as the fourth of Muhammad's daughters after Zaynab, Ruqayya, and Umm Kulthum.
★ See:
Ibn Hisham's Sira, Vol. 1, p. 122
Tabari's ''History of Prophets and Kings'', Vol. 2, p. 35
Ibn Kathir's ''Al-Bidayah Wa An-Nihaya'', Vo. 2, p. 359
★ For Shi'a sources that mention other daughters of Muhammad, see:
Tusi's ''Tahthibul Ahkam'', Vol. 8, p. 258
Shaikh Saduq's ''Khisal'', p. 404
Kulayni's ''Al-Kafi'', Vol. 5, p. 555
Shaykh Mufid's ''Al-Muqanna'ah'', p. 332
Himyari's ''Qurb Al-Isnad'', p. 9
Papyrus scroll of Ibn Lahi'ah, referenced by G. Levi Della Vida-[R.G. Khoury]. ʿUT̲H̲MĀN b.ʿAffān. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
★ For views from Western scholarship see:
G. Levi Della Vida-[R.G. Khoury]. ʿUT̲H̲MĀN b.ʿAffān. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
Veccia Vaglieri, L. Fāṭima. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007
Watt, W. Montgomery. K̲H̲adīd̲j̲a. Encyclopaedia of Islam. Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel and W.P. Heinrichs. Brill, 2007. Brill Online. 03 April 2007 Shias claim she was his only daughter, believing Khadija's three other daughters to have been from her previous marriage.[4]
Titles
Arabic calligraphy reading ''Fatimah az-Zahra''.
Fatimah is given many titles by Muslims to show their admiration of her moral and physical characteristics. The most used title is "''al-Zahra''" (meaning "the shining one") and she is commonly referred to as Fatimah Zahra.[5] She was also known as ''Umm-ul-Abeeha'' (Mother of her Father) and "''al-Batul''" (the chaste and pure one) as she spent much of her time in prayer, reciting the Qur'an and in other acts of worship.
Muslims regard Fatimah as a loving and devoted daughter, mother, wife, a sincere Muslim, and an exemplar for women.[6] It is believed that she was very close to her father and her distinction from other women is mentioned in many hadith.[6] After Khadijah, Muslims regard Fatimah as the most significant historical figure, considered to be the leader of all women in Paradise.[6] She was the first wife of the first Shia Imam (and fourth Sunni caliph), the mother of the second and third, and the ancestor of all the succeeding Imams; indeed, the Fatimid dynasty is named after her.[9]
Early life
Following the birth of Fatimah, she was personally nursed by her mother contrary to local customs where the newborn were sent to "wet nurses" in surrounding villages. Great Women of Islam, Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar, , , Darussalam, , She spent her early youth under the care of her parents in Mecca in the shadow of the tribulations suffered by her father at the hands of the Quraysh.
According to tradition, on one occasion while Muhammad was performing the ''salah'' (prayer) in the Kaaba, Abu Jahl and his men poured Camel placenta over him. Fatimah upon hearing the news rushed to her father and wiped away the filth while scolding the men.[10] On another occasion, she passed by Abu Jahl on the street who slapped her across the face. She went to Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish and complained about Abu Jahl's behaviour. Abu Sufyan brought her to Abu Jahl and instructed her to slap him back which she did. When she narrated this incident to Muhammad, he had expressed satisfaction at Abu Sufyan's sense of justice.
Following the death of her mother, Fatimah was overcome by sorrow and found it very difficult to come to terms with her death. She was consoled by her father who informed her that he had received word from angel Gabriel that God had built for her a palace in paradise.
Marriage
Many of Muhammad's companions asked for Fatimah's hand in marriage including Abu Bakr and Umar. Muhammad turned them all down saying that he was awaiting a sign of her destiny. Ali ibn Abu Talib, Muhammad's cousin, also had a desire to marry Fatimah but did not have the courage to approach Muhammad due to his poverty. Even when he mustered up the courage and went to see Muhammad, he could not vocalise his intention but remained silent. Muhammad understood the reason for his being there and prompted Ali to confirm that he had come to seek Fatimah in marriage. He suggested that Ali had a shield, which if sold, would provide sufficient money to pay the bridal gift (''mahr''). Muhammad put forward the proposal from Ali to Fatimah who remained silent and did not protest which Muhammad took to be a sign of affirmation and consent.[11]
The actual date of the marriage is unclear, but it most likely took place in 623, the second year of the hijra, although some sources say it was in 622. Fatimah is reported to have been between the ages of 15 and 21 at the time of her marriage while Ali was between 21 and 25. Ali sold his shield to raise the money needed for the wedding, as suggested by Muhammad. However, Uthman, to whom the shield was sold, returned it back to Ali saying it was his wedding gift to Ali and Fatimah. Muhammad himself performed the wedding ceremony and two of his wives, Aisha and Umm Salama, prepared the wedding feast with dates, figs, sheep and other food donated by various members of the Medinan community.
Children
Fatimah was survived by two sons, Hasan and Husayn, and two daughters, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum. Controversy surrounds the fate of her third son, Muhsin. Shias say that she miscarried, while Sunnis insist that Muhsin died in his infancy of natural causes.
Modern descendants of Muhammad trace their lineage exclusively through Fatimah, as she was the only child of Muhammad who had children that survived. Muhammad had no sons who reached adulthood. Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, , Karen, Armstrong, HarperSanFrancisco, , 0062508865
Life before the death of Muhammad
Poverty
After her marriage to Ali, the wedded couple led a life of abject poverty in contrast to her sisters who were all married to wealthy individuals. Ali had built a house not too far from Muhammad's residence where he lived with Fatimah. However, due to Fatimah's desire to be closer to her father, a Medinan (Haritha bin al-Numan) donated his own house to them. Fatimah had no maid servants and performed all the household duties herself. Additionally, she worked as a corn-grinder as a result of which her hands were covered in blisters. Ali worked to irrigate other peoples lands by drawing water from the wells which caused him to complain of chest pains. Their circumstances were akin to many of the Muslims at the time and only improved following the Battle of Khaybar when the produce of Khaybar was distributed among the poor.
Disagreements with Ali
It is reported that Fatimah had occasional disputes with her husband and often sought the intercedence of her father who showed signs of great satisfaction upon reconciling the couples differences. On one occasion, a member of the house of Hisham ibn al-Mughirah put forward a proposal to Ali to marry a woman from their clan which he did not immediately reject. When word of the proposal reached Muhammad he is reported to have said, "Fatima is a part of me and whoever offends her offends me."
Muhammad also re-iterated his affection for Fatimah when he was made aware that Ali had proposed to a daughter of Abu Jahl. From the pulpit Muhammad pronounced, "she is indeed a part of me" and that Ali would have to first divorce Fatimah before the marriage could go ahead. Ali was given the name of Abu Turab (the man of dust) by Muhammad. One of the explanations for this is linked to the disputes with Fatimah where, instead of arguing with Fatimah, Ali would go and put dust on his head.
In the battlefield
Following the Battle of Uhud, Fatimah tended to the wounds of her father and husband, and took it upon herself to regularly visit the graves of all those who died in the battle and pray for them. Fatimah, along with her husband, was also called upon by Abu Sufyan to intercede on his behalf with Muhammad while attempting to make amends following the violation of the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. Abu Sufyan also asked for Fatimah's protection when she went to Mecca while it was under occupation which she refused under instruction from her father.
Life after the death of Muhammad
Caliphate of Abu Bakr
Main articles: Succession to Muhammad
For the few months that she survived following the death of her father, Fatimah found herself indirectly at the center of political disunity. Differing accounts of the events surrounding the commencement of the caliphate exist which were the cause of the Shia and Sunni split. The majority of Muslims at the time of Muhammed's death favoured Abu Bakr as the Caliph while a portion of the population supported Fatimah's husband, Ali.
Following his election to the caliphate after a meeting in Saqifah, Abu Bakr and Umar with a few other companions headed to Fatimah's house to obtain homage from Ali and his supporters who had gathered there. Upon seeing them, Ali came out with his sword drawn but was disarmed by Umar and their companions. Fatimah, in support of her husband, started a commotion and threatened to "uncover her hair", at which Abu Bakr relented and withdrew.
A minority Shia view which is disputed amongst Shia scholars and not found in scholarly works such as the Islamic Shi'ite Encyclopedia, hold that Umar called for Ali and his men to come out and swear allegiance to Abu Bakr. When they did not, Umar broke in, resulting in Fatimah's ribs being broken by being pressed between the door and the wall causing her to miscarry Muhsin which led to her eventual death.
Another version of the events says that Umar sent a force led by his slave-boy Qunfud to Fatimah's house instructing them to bring Ali to the mosque. Arriving at the house, Qunfud requested permission to enter, which was refused by Ali causing Qunfud to return to Abu Bakr and Umar and relate the events, who instructed them to go back and enter the house by force if necessary. Qunfud and his men returned but were this time refused permission by Fatimah which caused Qunfud to send his men back to Abu Bakr and Umar for further instructions who told them to burn the house down if necessary in order to bring Ali to them.
Although historians cannot give a precise description of the actual events, and even though the various views have been mixed with legendary accounts, it was undoubtedly a key motivation for the hatred born by the Shias towards Umar and his supporters, and was the only political involvement of Fatimah who remained in a sombre mood for the rest of her life.
Inheritance
Main articles: Fadak
After the death of her father, Fatimah approached Abu Bakr and asked him to relinquish her share of the inheritance from Muhammad's estate. Fatimah expected the land of Fadak (situated 30 miles from Medina[12]) and a share of Khaybar would be passed onto her as part of her inheritance. However, Abu Bakr rejected her request citing a narration where Muhammad stated that prophets do not leave behind inheritance and that all their possessions become ''sadaqa'' to be used for charity. Fatimah was upset at this flat refusal by Abu Bakr and did not speak to him until her death (although some sources claim she had reconciled her differences with Abu Bakr before she died). Shias contend that Fadak had been gifted to Fatimah by Muhammad and Abu Bakr was wrong in not allowing her to take possession of it.[13]
Death
It was reported that Fatimah reconciled her differences with Abu Bakr prior to her death although the majority belief affirms her anger with him until her death.[14] There are two distinct views on the manner of her death between the Shias and Sunnis.
Shias hold that Muhammad appeared in a dream and informed Fatimah that she would be passing away the next day. Fatimah informed her husband Ali and asked him not to allow those who had done injustice to her, to be involved in her ''janazah'' (prayer performed in congregation after the death of a muslim) or take part in the burial.
The next day when she died, her two sons were the first family members to learn of her death and immediately proceeded to the mosque to inform their father who, upon hearing the news, fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, Ali, according to Fatimah's wishes, performed the ''janazah'' and buried her during the night on 3rd Jumada al-thani 11 AH (632) making out three other false graves to ensure her real grave could not be identified. With him were his family and a few of his close companions.[15]
The next day people gathered round her house expecting to participate in the burial but were informed that it had taken place during the night.
The Sunnis, however, state that following the farewell pilgrimage, Muhammad summoned Fatimah and informed her that he would be passing away soon but also informed her that she would be the first of his household to join him. Some days after this discussion, Muhammad passed away, following which Fatimah was grief stricken and remained so for the remainder of her life until she died less than five months later, in the month of Ramadhan.
On the morning of her death, she took a bath, put on new clothes and lay down in bed. She asked for Ali and informed him that her time to die was very close. Upon hearing this news, Ali began to cry but was consoled by Fatimah who asked him to look after her two sons and for him to bury her without ceremony. After her death, Ali followed her wishes and buried her without informing the Medinan people.
See also
★ Ahl al-Bayt
★ Genealogy of Khadijas daughters
Notes
1. See:
★ Fatimah bint Muhammad. USC-MSA Compendium of Muslim Texts.
★ "Fatimah", Encyclopaedia of Islam. Brill Online.
2. Encyclopaedia Britannica
3. MSN Encarta
4. Amin. Vol 4. p97
5. Amin. Vol. 4. p.98
6.
7.
8.
9. Esposito, John; ed. ''Oxford History of Islam'' Oxford; 1999 ISBN 0-19-510799-3
10. Amin. Vol. 4. p.99
11. Amin. Vol. 4. p.100
12. Imam Malik's Muwatta, Book 41, Number 41.2.13
13. Amin. Vol. 4. p.101
14. See:
★ "Fatimah", Encyclopedia of Islam. Brill Online;
★ "Fatimah" Encyclopædia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 31 Aug. 2007
15. Amin. Vol. 4. p.103
References
★ 'Fāṭima', 'Encyclopaedia of Islam Online' ISSN 1573-3912
★
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