Description of Imam Ali (AS) from the perspective of Lady Fatimah (SA)

Imam Ali

Sometimes, to describe a living and immense truth, one must seek help from a truth equal to him. The special descriptions given by Lady Fatimah (SA) in many of her social actions are examples of this. She has given special descriptions of Imam Ali (AS) in many of her statements; descriptions that guide us to further recognize Imam Ali (AS).

The social action of Lady Fatimah (SA) indeed took place at the most sensitive moments in human history, and her descriptions of her husband are very significant. Descriptions that sometimes are not in praise of a spouse, but in recognition of a guardian and leader of the community who, after the demise of the Prophet (PBUH), was bestowed with the responsibility of Wilayah (guardianship) by God.

Adherence to Islamic Values

Sometimes Lady Fatimah (SA) affirms her father’s words by expressing the values of Imam Ali (AS). The noble Prophet of Islam (PBUH), in one of the friendly gatherings, referred to the values of Ali (AS) and expressed his deep love and affection for his daughter. Lady Fatimah (SA), acknowledging the greatness and values of the Imam, said: “By the One who chose you, selected you (for prophethood), and guided the Ummah through you, I will always acknowledge the values of Imam Ali (AS) as long as I live.”

The Factor of Salvation

Sometimes Lady Fatimah (SA) discusses the factors of salvation, then showing the most important path to salvation. Lady Fatimah (SA) identified happiness and salvation in loving and befriending Ali (AS) as she said: “Indeed, the truly fortunate, in the absolute sense of happiness, is the one who loved Ali (AS) during his life and after his death.”

Weeping Over the Oppression of Imam Ali (AS)

Even in the last moments of her blessed life, Lady Fatimah (SA) did not cease her effort to clarify and openly introduce Imam Ali (AS). She revealed her grief and sorrow for the loss of religion and world after Imam Ali (AS).

She continued: Lady Fatimah Zahra (SA) wept bitterly during her grievous final moments. Imam Ali (AS) asked, “Why do you weep?” She replied, “I weep for what will befall you after me.” Imam Ali (AS) consoled his longtime companion, saying: “Do not weep, for by Allah, these hardships for the sake of Allah are insignificant to me.”

Imam Ali (AS) in the Fadak Sermon

Lady Fatimah (SA) referred to the role of Imam Ali (AS) in establishing Islam in the Fadak Sermon: “Ali (AS) fought hard in the way of God and was diligent and hardworking in carrying out God’s commands. He was the closest person to the Messenger of God (PBUH). He was the leader and chief of God’s friends, ready for benevolence, active and diligent in this path, and the reproach of the reproachers did

Lady Fatimah (SA) admonished the people of her time for their comfort and luxury-seeking behaviors: “You were indulging in comfort and luxury. You, who before Islam had such a condition, attained security, respect, welfare, and honor through the efforts of my father and the struggles of Imam Ali (AS). You did not endure hardship for the defense of Islam and drowned in luxury and comfort. So now, you cannot guarantee the preservation of Islam, and its continuation is realized through the Imamate of Ali (AS), and you were quietly secure (without the pain of religion).”

It seems that Lady Fatimah wants to admonish that those sitting in this mosque are among these groups: Hypocrites, the indifferent, the cowards, and the opportunists. Now that you have fallen away from the Prophet’s (PBUH) command, you sideline God’s Caliph!

Lady Fatimah (SA), referring to the lineage of Imam Ali (AS), said: “If you honor him and recognize him, you will find him to be my father, not the father of your women, and he is my cousin’s brother, not the brother of your men (referring to the bond of brotherhood between the Prophet (PBUH) and Ali (AS)).”

Lady Fatimah (SA) described happiness as: “How fortunate is the one who is related to him (referring to Imam Ali (AS) who was found worthy of spiritual brotherhood with the Holy Prophet (PBUH)).”

Sources

1. Manaqib Ibn Shahr Ashub, vol. 3, p. 330, and Al-Amali, vol. 11, p. 128.
2. Yanabi’ al-Mawaddah, vol. 1, p. 376.
3. Amali al-Saduq, p. 153, Hadith 8, and Dharai’ al-Uqba, p. 92.
4. Fadak Sermon taken from “Lessons by Ayatollah Hajj Agha Mojtaba Tehrani”