She embodied faith
Hazrat Fatima was the youngest daughter of the Holy Prophet (SAW) and his first wife Hazrat Khadijatul-ul-Kubra. She was the most beloved child of the family of Prophet (SAW) and was born when Prophet (SAW) was thirty five. Prophet and his followers at that time were busy in the construction of Ka’aba. Hazrat Fatima, like her father, faced the atrocities of unbelievers of the tribe of Quraish until the Prophet migrated to Madina. Two years after the migration, the Holy Prophet married Fatima to Ali.
The marriage ceremony took place during the month of Rajab and was celebrated in a simple manner.
The progeny of the Prophet flourished through the children of Fatima. Hazrat Ibne Abbas (RA) recounts that the Holy Prophet once said, “The generation of all Prophets prospered through their own sons but my generation has grown up through Ali.” Fatima first of all gave birth to Hassan in the month of Ramadan in Hijra, 3. The Prophet (SAW) himself suggested his name as Hassan and introduced in his ear the first ritual of Islam, Azaan. He suggested Fatima that on the day of his aqeeqa (the first hair cut ceremony of a child), she should give pure silver alms to the poor, analogous to the weight of his hair.
Next year, Hussain was born and brought much happiness to the family of the Prophet. The Prophet loved both the babies and he once said, “Both of them are flowers for me in this world”, and he also said, “Both of them will be the leaders of the youngsters of the Muslims hereafter in the paradise”. Hazrat Ali has narrated that “Hazrat Hassan resembled the Holy Prophet from chest to head and Hazrat Hussain downward from the chest”. Another son Hazrat Mohsin was born to Fatima but he died in childhood. She gave birth to three daughters also.
Hazrat Ali was not a rich man and did not live a well-heeled life. Once, Hazrat Fatima expressed to her father, “Ali and I have only one sheep skin bedding, during day time we use it to deliver fodder to our camel and at night we use it for sleeping purpose.” The Holy Prophet (SAW) replied, “be patient my daughter. Remember, the Prophet Moses had only one sheet of cloth in his possession and he spent twelve years in the same state.” Once, the Prophet went to the house of Hazrat Fatima and found that Hassan and Hussain were not there in the house. Fatima told the Prophet, “the day has so dawned in our house that we did not have anything in our house to cook or even just to taste. Ali has taken them out so that they may not disturb me. Ali has gone to such and such Jew to find work and bring something to cook.” The Holy Prophet himself used to live a life of hunger and starvation and his beloved daughter Fatima also used to go through the same experience.
Hazrat Fatima was so dear to Prophet that once he said, “Fatima is the flesh of my body; whosoever makes her angry, he makes me angry.” Ayesha relates that Fatima had such close resemblances to the Prophet in respect of her character, demeanor, intelligence and nature that none else could have it. She further relates that Prophet would visit Fatima at the time of going out for journey and on return from his journey also. Hazrat Ali relates that, “I heard the Prophet (SAW) saying that on the day of resurrection a proclamation will announce, “‘O’ People! Close your eyes; Fatima Binte Mohammad is going to pass”. However, the Prophet (S.A.W.) drew the attention of his beloved daughter and others to the necessity of righteous deeds. One day he called,”O Fatimah bint Mohammad! I have no power to help you at all before Allah! Ask of me whatever you want from my wealth.” (Tirmidhi: 3184)
Fatima faced hardships in her life, and she would do all chore herself. Ali realized that Fatima got tired from working and doing all other house stuff, he offered her to ask her father Prophet (S.A.W.) for a maid. Fatima went to her father’s house. The prophet welcomed her and asked, “Why did you come, my daughter?” She replied, “I just came to greet you.” She was so shy that she could not ask him what she wanted. After some time, Fatima went again to the Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) accompanied by her husband. Ali explained Fatima’s problem to the Prophet. Upon hearing that, Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) declined the request of his beloved daughter. After hearing the response of the Prophet (S.A.W.), Fatima and Ali came back to home. One day, Prophet (S.A.W.) visited them and asked, “ Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested?” They said, “yes”. The prophet said:
“When you go to bed say ‘Subhan Allah’ 33 times, ‘Al hamdulillah’ 33, and ‘Allahu Akbar’ 34 times, for that is better for you than a servant.”
Hazrat Fatima (RA) left this world for heavenly abode after six months of the passing away of the Prophet (SAW), on 3rd of Ramadan, Hijra 11 at the age of twenty nine. It is reported that after the death of her father, she never smiled. The Prophet (SAW) had informed her, ‘You will be the first person to meet me in the high heavens out of all family members.’ All children of Prophet had died during his life time but it was only Fatima who died after his death. Her funeral prayers were led by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) on the insistence of Hazrat Ali (KW).
