Shi'a view of Fatimah
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- This is a sub-article of Fatima Zahra and Shi'a Islam.
According to Shi'a and non-muslim scholars, Fatima Zahra was Muhammad's only daughter. [1]. The Sunni belief that he had other daughters by Khadijah denies Ali ibn Abu Talib the distinction of being Muhammad's only son-in-law. She is held in highest of esteem, as being the single most ideal example for all women; in terms of her purity and the eventual martyrdom of her son, she is considered to be the Muslim counterpart to the Christian Mary, mother of Jesus; indeed, one of her names is Maryam al-Kubrá, or "the greater Mary". [2]
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[edit] Shi'a biography
[edit] Muhammad's era
[edit] A'isha
Shi'a state that Muhammad's young wife, Aisha, disliked both Fatima and her husband Ali [3]; that Aisha envied the relationship between Fatima and Ali, and also Muhammad's high regard for Fatima as deceased Khadijah bint Khuwaylid's only daughter. Shi'as state that Aisha was also jealous that Muhammad gave Ali more attention than Abu Bakr, Aisha's father. [4]
[edit] Muhammad's last days
She had some very emotinal talk with her father during his last days.
[edit] Abu Bakr's era
[edit] Coup d'état — 632
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When Muhammad died, Aisha and her father, Abu Bakr, intrigued to grab the leadership of the Muslim community in a Coup d'état. The Shi'a believe that Muhammad had wanted Ali to succeed him but his commands were ignored. After Abu Bakr assumed leadership, he asked Muslims to swear allegiance to him, as was the Arab custom of the time. Ali and his followers refused and were harassed and threatened by Abu Bakr's supporters.
[edit] The meeting at Saqifah
During the time that Fatimah and her husband were washing and burying her father, Umar and Abu Bakr left them and went to the meeting at Saqifah, without informing her, her husband or any of her relatives. At that meeting, Abu Bakr was chosen to become her father's successor.
[edit] Umar at Fatimah's house
According to the Shi'a view, Umar ibn al-Khattab was not only one of Abu Bakr's most zealous supporters, but also his co-conspirator and in some cases his superior. Umar led a party of armed men against Ali's house in Medina and called for Ali and his men to come out and swear allegiance to Abu Bakr, who they had decided would take power in the the meeting at Saqifah. Umar and Khalid ibn Walid threatened to burn the house down if they did not submit. The Shi'a view culminated in them breaking in, resulting in Fatimah's ribs being broken between the broken door and the wall, and she miscarriaging an unborn son named Muhsin.
[edit] Bay'ah to Abu Bakr
Many of those who were presented also are among the List of Sahaba not giving bay'ah to Abu Bakr.
[edit] Fadak and inheritance
Abu Bakr successfully seized power. They proceeded by stripping Fatima of all financial means: The land of Fadak, which Shi'a believe was a gift from Muhammad to her before the Conquest of Mecca,[5] was confiscated and any inheritance due to her was denied since Abu Bakr had conveniently been the only one to hear Muhammad state that "prophets do not leave an inheritance"[6].
Fatima opposed this confiscation, and contested Abu Bakr's statements: She still had the merit of being Muhammads daughter and people where still watching, although they where in shock over how the events had turned out. However, even though Fatima and Ali successfully contested Abu Bakr's claim, Abu Bakr refused to return her property as this would jeopardize their newly gained power. Fatima made one last attempt: She interrupted Abu Bakr's speech in the mosque of Medinah, with a long speech of her own. After this speech, Abu Bakr repented and went to return the deed to the land. However, he was stopped by Umar, who grabbed Abu Bakr's beard and demanded an explanation, forcing him to stop jeopardizing the mission. Abu Bakr yet again changed his mind. [4]
[edit] Breach in relations
This caused a major breach in their relations, she refused to talk to Abu Bakr until her death, something noted in Sunni hadith collections [7]. The question of this inheritance is one of the most debated points in the Sunni/Shi'a conflict. In effect, Abu Bakr's hands were tied: if he acknowledged her claim to Fadak, it would lend credence to her lineage's claim to the succession of Muhhammad.[8]
Shia continue that some time later, it became evident that Fatima would not be recovering from her wounds. She still had the people's heart as she was Muhammad's favorite and only biological daughter and was also the mother of Muhammad's only grandchildren. Abu Bakr and Umar went to her house to seek her pardon, and asked permistion to enter. Fatimah refused to answer them, but eventually the was door opened by Ali[9]. Fatimah, still angered that Abu Bakr was refusing her inheritance, angrily rebuked them:
- "God be my witness that you two have offended me. In every prayer I curse you and will continue cursing you until I see my father and complain against you."[10].
[edit] Last period
When Fatima was ill with the final sickness which caused her death, the wives of the Emigrants and Companions of the Muhammad went out visit her to ask how she was feeling. In reply to them, after asking for the blessings of God for her father, Muhammad, she said:
| “ | By God I am alive while I have nothing but contempt for this world. I detest your men. After I tried to show them who their real enemy was and they did not listen, I put them aside." "How ugly are the sharp edges of swords when they are broken and then play with people's efforts and struggles which so many have undertaken, destroying the fortifications, breaking spears, making devious decisions and standing on the precipice of material and personal self-desires. What a terrible future they are preparing for by causing the warth of God and thereby bringing about permanent torment for themselves." ... "God says, ' If citizens are faithful and avoid wrong deeds, We will give blessings from heaven and earth to them. But they deny the truths so we captivated them for their deeds. From those who oppressed, the results of their actions will be returned to themselves. They cannot change the traditions of history. ' ... "It is then that the destroyer of rights will lose and those who will come in the future will find and realize the terrible results of what the ancestors have done. So you should be satified with your daily affairs and live in peace prior to the storm and terrible revolts." For then, the sharp swords of the dominations of the oppressors, anarchy and the rule of tyrants will overcome you. The oppressors will enslave you. No public assets except a small quantity will remain.. They will cultivate with force what you have planted with love. At that time you will only sigh for there will be nothing that you can do because you were blind and could not see the truth. They will oblige you because you have turned your faces from the right way and you did not accept it. [11]. | ” |
[edit] Death
Fatima did not survive long after the demise of her father. Sources differ from one month to six months[12] . According to numerous Shi'a sources, because of the rift between her and the Abu Bakr faction, before her death she made these requests of her husband:
- O Ali, you will personally perform my funeral rites.
- Those who have displeased me should not be allowed to attend my funeral.
- My corpse should be carried to the graveyard at night.[13]
Ali did as she wished: she was buried at night, and accompanied to the grave by her relatives and sons. The burial was done secretly, so that Abu Bakr and Umar could not attend.
The Shi'a believe that Fatima died at the age of eighteen in Medina. This caused great grief to her husband. Eventually, in accordance with another part of her will, Ali married the woman of Fatima's choice, so that Fatima's children would be well take care of. After Fatima's death, Ali renewed the claim to the properties, but was again denied by Abu Bakr [14].
Shi'a gave Fatima Zahra many titles of praise. See List of Shi'a titles for Fatima Zahra
[edit] Legacy
In Iran, her birthday was chosen as the date for National Women's Day, and annual mowludi or birthday celebrations are held in her honor by Iranian women; the themes routinely reflected in sermons at these functions are those of Fatimah's example as a pious daughter and wife and caring mother, and her simple lifestyle.[15]
Among the Shi'a writings about Fatimah, the following is included:
[edit] See also
- Sura Al-Kawthar
- Hand of Fatima
- Book of Fatimah
- Tragedy of al-Zahra
- Disputes over Islamic historical dates
[edit] References
Prose contains specific citations in source text which may be viewed in edit mode.
- ^ See Genealogy of Khadijah's Daughters for further discussions. and also see here
- ^ Kassam-Hann 2002, p 84.
- ^ Umar abu Nasr, cited in Jafri 1970 p95
- ^ a b Thomson, Ahmad (1993). Fatima Az-Zahra. Ta-Ha Publishers. ISBN 1-897940-06-8.
- ^ Jafri 1979 p 62; citing Yaqubi II p 127, Tabarsi Ihtijaj I pp 131-149 and others.
- ^ Jafri 1979 p 62; citing Bukhari and Yaqubi.
- ^ Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim
- ^ Jafri 1979 p 63
- ^ Tarikh al-Khulafa, vol 1 p 20 cited in Muhammad al-Tijani Then I was Guided, chapter "The Opinion of the Companions about each other".
- ^ Peshawar Nights [1] on Al-Islam.org
- ^ Ali Shariati. Fatemeh is Fatemeh. Tahrike Tarsile Quran' 1982 ISBN 0-940368-09-9 Excerpts online accessed 11 July 2006.
- ^ Jafri, S.H.M. The Origins and Early Development of Shi'a Islam. Longman, New York; 1979 ISBN 0-582-78080-2 p59.
- ^ at-Tabari I p1825; Bukhari Sahih V p288 and others, cited in Jafri 1979 p63
- ^ Sahih Muslim
- ^ Kalinock, Sabine. "Between party and devotion: Mowludi of Tehran women." Critique: Critical Middle Eastern Studies. Fall 2003, Vol. 12 Issue 2, p173-187.
[edit] External links
Shi'a links:
- Baabeilm.org
- Biography and picture gallery — karbala-najaf.org
- Picture gallery and quotes — ezsoftech.com
- Shia.org
- "Sunni Traditions in praise of Syeda Fatima Zahra (AS)" — article at shianews.com
