Get to know: Fatimah Bint Muhammad [RA]

Fatimah az-Zahra [RA] was the youngest and most beloved of Muhammad’s [SWS] daughters. She has been called sayyidat nisa al-alamin (the highest among the women of all times and places), karimat al-tarfayn (noble from both sides), umm al-Hasanayn (the mother of Hasan and Hussain), sayyidat nisa ahl al-jannah (the highest among the women who shall enter paradise), al-batul (Virgin), al-radiyah (one content with God’s will), al-mardiyah (one pleasing to God), al-maymunah (the blessed one), al-zakiyah (the unblemished), and numerous other names that signify her merit and praiseworthy attributes. She had the highest standards of etiquette and the best of behavior. She was distinguished by her knowledge, wisdom and understanding.

Fatimah’s [RA] courage:- Since her childhood she was known to be brave and courageous, she did whatever she could to support her father. Once Abu Jahl and his friends threw insides of a slaughtered camel, and threw this on Muhammad [SWS] back while he prostrated in the vicinity of Kabah. Fatimah [RA], came running to her father’s rescue. With her little hands, she pushed the filth from his back and castigated Abu jahl and his friends.

Marriage to Ali ibn Abi Talib:- Ali [RA] proposed Muhammad [SWS] to marry Fatimah [RA] . Jibril [AS] had conveyed to Muhammad [SWS] Allah"s approval of Ali’s proposal to marry Fatimah [RA]. Muhammad [SWS] asked Ali [RA] what he could offer as mahr. Ali replied he had nothing to offer. Muhammad [SWS] then suggested to offer his armor to Fatimah [RA] as mahr. Ali [RA] sold the armor for 400 or 480 Dirhams. The guests in their marriage were served with honey drinks and dates. Muhammad [SWS] advised the couple to spend some of the mahr on furniture and perfume.

Their children were Hasan, Husayn, Muhsin and two daughters named Zaynab and Umm Kulthum respectively. Muhammad [SWS] loved his grandchildren very much.

Even though Fatima [RA] was Muhammad’s [SWS] darling, he urged her and all the other family members to make their own arrangements for salvation on the Day of Judgement. He often urged Ali [RA] and Fatimah [RA] to do Tahajjud prayers.

A Gift Fatimah [RA] received from Muhammad [SWS]: Fatimah [RA] lived a simple life after her marriage and was happy. She did all the household chores, grinding wheat, making bread and cooking food, laundry, etc. Once her hands grew sore from grinding mill. She requested for a slave from Muhammad [SWS]. Muhammad [SWS] visited Fatimah [RA] and Ali [RA] and said, “Why don’t I give you two a gift that is better for you than a slave?” He continued, say Subhanallah 33 times, Alhamdulilah 33 times, and Allahuakbar 33 times; that is far better for you than a slave.

Aisha [RA] said, she had never known anyone more truthful than Fatimah among the followers of Muhammad [SWS]. Aisha [RA] further said, she had not known anyone who bore a greater similarity to Muhammad [SWS] in terms of habits, etiquette, and speech than Fatimah [RA]. She followed her father in all respects. When Fatimah [RA] visited Muhammad [SWS], he would stand up and kiss her on the forehead.

Stay in Shi’b Abi Talib: During the stay, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah had a lack of material resources but learned to potentially bear with difficulties in the path of Allah. Shi’b Abi Talib is a valley in the vicinity of the cave of Hira outside Makkah- early Muslims were forced to retreat to this valley and they had to face social and economic Boycott.

Helping Muhammd [SWS]: During Battle of Uhud, Fatimah [RA] along with other ladies carried water bags on their backs and offered water to the wounded. She offered first aid to her father.

Fatimah [RA] witnessed the conquest of Mekkah and participated in the farewell pilgrimage.

A few days before Muhammad’s [SWS] death, she visited him in Aisha’s [RA] house. At some point, Muhammad [SWS] whispered something to Fatimah [RA] and she began to cry. Muhammad [SWS] whispered something again to Fatimah, and she was delighted. On asking what Muhammad [SWS] said to Fatimah [RA] by Aisha [RA], Fatimah [RA] said: first he said he was going to die soon, which grieved her. He then said her she would be the first in the family to join him and that she would be the leader of women of paradise, and this pleased her.

Fatima [RA] was 29 years old when Muhammad [SWS] died. She was immensely grieved by the loss of her father. As Muhammad [SWS] had predicted, Fatimah died soon- 6 months, to be precise- after him. She died in Ramadhan 11H. Her husband Ali [RA], Asma (wife of Ali’s brother) bathed her body after she died. She wanted to be buried at night for the sake of privacy.

She is the role model for humanity for all time.

Imam al Mahdi, the appointed one is yet to come at the end of times. He will be from the lineage of Fatima [RA]. Allah knows best when he will arrive on Earth.