martyrdom of hazrate Zahra (sa)
After Khadijeh’s death, Fatimah (SA) accompanied her father, she was with him both
at lonely moments and in the midst of a crowd. 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 Muhammad
gave his daughter an epithet which clearly indicates his great love and adoration for
her, for he used to call Fatimah, Om Abiha or the mother of his father.
Hazrat Fatimah had benefitted from the vast knowledge of her father. Fatimah would
spend some of her time answering to the scientific questions posed to her. Once a
woman refered to her a number of times, and that was in one single day. However,
Fatimah (SA) was so kind that she told the lady: “In response to each of you
question, God Almighty greatly rewards me. So you can ask me as many questions as
you wish.”
This in itself sheds light on how high an importance this great lady of Islam, Hazrat
Fatimah used to attach 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 hideous nature.
Fatimah (SA) would show up at different scenes to defend islam and would awaken
sleepy souls with her wise remarks.
Fatimah is a role model for all times. God Almighty 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, God Almighty made
the infallible household of the holy prophet survive through Fatimah’s very
existence. In other words, Fatimah’s household was a holy household which linked
the holy prophet through Fatimah herself with the future Islamic Ummah. Fatimah’s
home was the place where the banner of Islam would be transferred from the holy
prophet to Imam Ali adn his children. The residents of Fatimah’s home were all
among the divinely selected people who surpassed people of all times in terms of
science, logic, piety, justice and righteousness. Ali and Fatimah who were directed
brought up by the holy Prophet himself, lived in the most spartan of conditions to
pave the ground for the loftiest of virtues. They themselves brought up children who
all in their own right, left an indelible mark in the history of mankind. Life at
Fatimah and Ali’s hope was mingled with enlightenment and piety. Not only was
Fatimah’s home the center of politics and social matters but so was the center of
affection and social upbrining of many people. They were endowed with such lofty
moral characteristics that they would spare no effort to carry out God’s will. Thus,
Ali(As) prayed to God Almighty and vowed to fast for three days. When their two
sons regained health, Imam Ali and Fatimah 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 at your door, give him
some food. The holy household, thus gave what they themselves were about to eat.
So they themselves remained hungry and just drank water to quell their thirst. On the
second day when they were to break fast, they again heard a knock at 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, at sunset a slave came to their door and sought
help, again they gave him what they themselves 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, sufficed 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
Muhammad got concerned. At that time Gabriel appeared before him and
congratulated him on his excellent household. It was then that the Ayahs 5 to 22 of
Surah Insaan or Dahr were revealed to him.
