Information AboutFatima Zahra |
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Fatima Zahra ( prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadija . She was born in Mecca , northwestern Arabia , around 614 ( Shi'a tradition) or 606 CE ( Sunni tradition) and died in Medina in 632 , soon after her father Muhammad's death. In 624, she was married to her father's cousin, Ali Ibn Abi Talib , who was one of Muhammad's lieutenants and later, the fourth Caliph , or leader of the Muslims. (Note that this is controversial; Shi'a Muslims believe that Ali was the first ''legitimate'' caliph.) Fatima was survived by two sons, Hasan Ibn Ali and Husayn Ibn Ali and two daughters, Umm Khultum Bint Ali and Zaynab Bint Ali . The two major Muslim groups, Shi'a and Sunni, generally agree on this much, but give very different detailed accounts of her life. THE SUNNI VIEW OF FATIMA According to Sunni historians, Fatima was the youngest of the four daughters whom Khadijah bore to Muhammad. She died of natural causes, at the age of twenty-three or twenty-four, surviving her father by only a few months. Sunni historians do not accept the accounts of her injuries and miscarriage at the hands of Umar and his men. She was buried privately and secretly; the exact location of her grave is still debated by Sunni scholars. Sunnis regard her as a loving and devoted daughter, mother, and wife, a sincere Muslim, and an exemplar for Muslim women. It is believed that she was very close to Muhammed and her distinction from other women is mentioned in many of his Hadith s: ''"Fatima is a part of my flesh: whoever causes her to be upset, upsets me." (Al-Bukhari, English Translation, Vol. 5, Book 57, Number 111) {Link without Title} THE SHI'A VIEW OF FATIMA According to Shi'a Muslims, Fatima was Muhammad's only daughter. Tales that he had other daughters by Khadija were spread by Sunni controversialists, who wished to deny Ali the distinction of being Muhammad's only son-in-law. She was very close to her father. Her children, his grandsons Hasan Ibn Ali and Husayn , were very dear to him. However, Muhammad's young wife, Aisha , disliked both Fatima and Ali. She envied their relationship with her husband and Muhammad's high regard for the deceased Khadija. She had a grudge against Ali for his refusal to defend her when she was accused of adultery. When Muhammad died, Aisha and her father, Abu Bakr , intrigued to grab the leadership of the Muslim community. The Shi'a say that Muhammad had wanted Ali to succeed him but his wishes were ignored. After Abu Bakr assumed leadership, he asked the Muslims to swear allegiance to him, as was the Arab custom of the time. Ali and his followers refused; they were called the Shia or followers of Ali. They were harassed and threatened by Abu Bakr's supporters. According to the Shi'a, Umar Al-Khattab was one of Abu Bakr's most zealous supporters. He 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. He threatened to burn the house down if they did not submit. Ali refused to come out and Umar and his men pushed into the house. Fatima was standing behind the door, and when the door was pushed open suddenly, she was crushed between the wall and door. This caused her severe injury. She was pregnant at the time and she miscarried a son whom the Shi'a call Al Muhsin . Fatima did not survive long after the demise of her father. According to the Shi'a, before her death she made these requests of Ali:
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. Shi'a believe that Fatima died at the age of eighteen in Medina . According to the Shi'a, Ali and Fatimah had an additional cause of grievance against Abu Bakr and Umar; Muhammad had owned extensive properties in Medina and Fadak. Fatima believed that these properties should come to her, but Abu Bakr ruled against her. After Fatima's death, Ali renewed his claim to the properties, but was again denied. Shi'as regard Fatima as the greatest woman who has ever lived, the leader of all women in Paradise, and the pattern of female virtue. She was the wife of the first Shi'a Imam , the mother of the second and third, and the ancestress of all the succeeding Imams. They also call her ''Al-Zahra'', the Lady of Light. The Khamsa , an amulet popularly believed to ward off evil and widely used in the Maghreb , represents the hand of Fatima. Shi'a give Fatima many titles of praise; the list is long. See List Of Shi'a Titles For Fatima Zahra . The Book of Fatima According to one Shi'a tradition, Fatima wrote a book after the passing of Muhammad. Shi'a claim that the angel , who is to come in the Last Days , is expected to reveal the book again. {Link without Title} SAYINGS
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