Contents
The Life of Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.):
Early Life and Family
Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the wife of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), is one of the most revered women in human history. The Prophet (pbuh) spoke of her high status, saying, “Fatimah is a houri in human form. Whenever I long for Paradise, I kiss Fatimah and smell the fragrance of Paradise from her.”[1]
Fatimah (s.a.) was the only child of the Prophet (pbuh) and Khadijah al-Kubra (s.a.). She was born in Mecca on the 20th of Jumada al-Thani, in the fifth year of the Prophet’s mission. She grew up amidst the persecution of the Meccan polytheists, nurtured by her loving mother and the teachings of her father. However, her mother passed away when Fatimah (s.a.) was still young, leaving the Prophet (pbuh) and his children, including Fatimah (s.a.), alone. From that time on, her father became her main, if not only, support. They shared a deep affection, and were saddened if they did not see each other for a day.
Soon after, the Prophet (pbuh) and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib, later known as Medina. On the night of the migration, the Prophet (pbuh) entrusted his cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.), with his life, leaving him to sleep in his bed while he secretly left Mecca for Medina. Before his departure, the Prophet (pbuh) appointed Imam Ali (a.s.) as his representative in Mecca, entrusting him with the care of Fatimah (s.a.) and the rest of his family.
Migration to Medina
Fatimah (s.a.) eventually migrated to Medina and married her cousin, Ali ibn Abi Talib (a.s.). Their blessed union produced two sons, Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.), and two daughters, Zaynab al-Kubra (s.a.) and Umm Kulthum (s.a.).
At the time of the Prophet’s death, Fatimah (s.a.) was pregnant with another child, whom the Prophet (pbuh) had named Muhsin. However, due to the hardships and physical and emotional injuries she suffered at the hands of some of the Prophet’s companions, particularly those who usurped the Islamic caliphate, she miscarried, and Muhsin was martyred in her womb.
The Martyrdom of Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.)
Fatimah (s.a.) fell ill and her condition worsened day by day until she passed away in Jumada al-Awwal of the 11th year of Hijra. Her soul joined the pure and holy soul of her father[2].
Differing Accounts of the Date
Most Shia historians and biographers agree that the tragic event of her martyrdom occurred in the month of Jumada, but they disagree on whether it was Jumada al-Awwal or Jumada al-Thani. Some believe she lived only 75 days after the Prophet’s death, while others say 95 days.
75 Days vs. 95 Days
Those who support the 75-day period believe her martyrdom occurred on the 13th of Jumada al-Awwal. Ibn Abi Thalj al-Baghdadi, in his “Tarikh al-A’immah,” states, “Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) lived with Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) for 75 days after the death of the Prophet (pbuh).”[3]
Allamah Tabarsi, while stating that Fatimah (s.a.) lived for 75 days after the Prophet (pbuh), places her martyrdom on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani. He writes, “Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) passed away on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani in the year 11 AH.”[4]
The discrepancy in opinions regarding the date of her martyrdom seems to stem from two factors:
- The duration of Fatimah’s life after the Prophet’s death: Was it 75 days or 95 days? These are the two most common views among Shia scholars and historians. Sunni scholars also have differing opinions, with many believing she lived for six months.
- The date of the Prophet’s death: Did it occur on the 28th of Safar (the prevalent Shia view) or on the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal (the Sunni view)?
Each of these views influences the determination of the date of Fatimah’s martyrdom. In “A’lam al-Wara,” Allamah Tabarsi discusses the duration of Fatimah’s life after the Prophet’s death and the date of her martyrdom, saying, “It is narrated that Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) passed away on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani in the year 11 AH, and lived in this world for 95 days or four months after her noble father.”[5]
According to Allamah Tabarsi, if we accept the 95-day period, her martyrdom would fall on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani. However, if we accept the four-month period, her martyrdom would have occurred towards the end of Jumada al-Thani.
There are other opinions regarding the date of Fatimah’s martyrdom, both Shia and Sunni, but they are not as widely known. This issue requires further research and analysis. However, due to their love and devotion to the Prophet’s family, Shia Muslims and lovers of the Ahl al-Bayt (a.s.) mourn and wear black on both the 13th of Jumada al-Awwal and the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani.
They commemorate two periods of mourning for Fatimah (s.a.): the first from the 13th of Jumada al-Awwal, and the second from the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani, each lasting three days.
In “al-Iqbal,” Sayyid ibn Tawus narrates a special visitation prayer for Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) and then states, “It is narrated that whoever visits her with these words and seeks forgiveness from Allah, the Exalted, Allah will forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise.
The beginning of the visitation prayer reads: “Peace be upon you, O Lady of the women of the worlds, peace be upon you, O mother of the proofs (arguments) against all people…”[6]
The Controversy Surrounding Her Burial
Possible Burial Locations
In addition to the date of her death, there is also disagreement among historians and biographers regarding the location of Fatimah’s burial. Some believe she was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, others say in her own house, and some say she was buried by Imam Ali (a.s.) between the grave of the Prophet (pbuh) and his pulpit in the Masjid al-Nabawi.
A hadith from the Prophet (pbuh) supports the third possibility. He is reported to have said, “Between my grave and my pulpit is a garden from the gardens of Paradise.”
The Secret Burial
In any case, according to Fatimah’s will, Imam Ali (a.s.) washed and shrouded her body at night and personally prayed over her with a few close companions and prominent Sahaba. He then buried her in a secret location, away from the eyes of others[7].
Imam Ali’s (a.s.) Defense of Her Grave
It is fitting to narrate the cause of Fatimah’s martyrdom and the manner of her burial from the words of her esteemed grandson, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.).
In “Dala’il al-Imamah,” Tabari narrates from Abu Basir that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) passed away on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani in the year 11 AH. The cause of her death was that Qunfudh, the slave of Umar ibn al-Khattab, struck her with the scabbard of his sword on Umar’s orders. As a result, she miscarried Muhsin and suffered a severe illness. During her illness, she did not allow those who had harmed her to visit her.
However, the two companions of the Prophet (pbuh) (Abu Bakr and Umar ibn al-Khattab) requested Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) to intercede on their behalf with Fatimah (s.a.) so they could visit her.
Imam Ali (a.s.) conveyed their request to his wife, and despite her reluctance, Fatimah (s.a.) agreed to their request due to Imam Ali’s intercession.
When they entered upon her, they inquired about her health, and Fatimah (s.a.) said, ‘Praise be to Allah, I am well.’
Then she said to them, ‘Did you not hear the Prophet (pbuh) say, ‘Fatimah is a part of me, so whoever harms her has harmed me, and whoever harms me has harmed Allah?’
They said,‘Yes, we heard the Prophet (pbuh) say so.’
Fatimah (s.a.) said, ‘By Allah, you two have harmed me.’
Then Imam al-Sa Sadiq (a.s.) said, ‘They left Fatimah’s presence while she was angry and displeased with them.’[8]
Abu Ali Muhammad ibn Hammam al-Baghdadi narrates: When Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) passed away, Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) washed her body, and no one was present with him except his children, Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab, and Umm Kulthum, as well as Asma bint Umays and their maidservant, Fidda.
Then, in the darkness of the night, without anyone knowing, he carried her pure body to the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, accompanied by Hasan and Husayn. He prayed over her, and no one else prayed over her. He then buried her in the Rawda Sharif (between the pulpit and the grave of the Prophet (pbuh)) and leveled the ground to conceal the location. He then returned to Jannat al-Baqi and made forty separate graves.
The next day, when the people of Medina learned of her burial, they went to Jannat al-Baqi and found forty new graves. They did not know which one was Fatimah’s grave. They wept and wailed, blaming and reproaching each other for their failure to protect the honor of the Prophet’s daughter. They said to each other, ‘Woe to us! Our Prophet left no offspring except his daughter, and she died as a stranger and was buried at night. None of us were present at her death, her prayer, or her burial, and now her grave is hidden from us.’
The authorities (Abu Bakr and Umar) learned of this and said to the mourning women, ‘Is there anyone among you who can exhume these graves and find Fatimah’s body so we can pray over her and then bury her and mark her grave?’
Confrontation at Jannat al-Baqi
This news reached Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) and enraged him. His eyes turned red, the veins in his neck bulged, and he put on the yellow robe he usually wore during times of conflict and distress. He took his sword, Dhulfiqar, and headed towards Jannat al-Baqi.
When he reached the people gathered there, he said, ‘By Allah, if anyone removes a single stone from these graves, I will strike his head and the head of the one who ordered him with this sword.’
At that moment, Umar ibn al-Khattab and some of his companions encountered Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.). Umar said to him, ‘What is the matter with you, O Abu al-Hasan? By Allah, we will exhume Fatimah’s grave, take out her body, and pray over her.’
Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) approached him, grabbed his shirt, lifted him into the air, and threw him to the ground. While holding him under his grip, he said, ‘O black-skinned son! I overlooked my own right (the caliphate) so that people would not apostatize due to our dispute.
But I will never overlook Fatimah’s grave. By the One in whose hand is my soul, if you and your companions and followers move anything from these graves, I will drench the earth with your blood! Try it if you dare, O Umar!’
At that moment, Abu Bakr (the caliph) arrived and pleaded with Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), ‘O Abu al-Hasan! I implore you by the right of the Prophet (pbuh) and by Allah, who is above the Throne, to let him go. Rest assured that none of us will do anything to displease you.’
Then Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) released Umar, and the people dispersed. From that time on, no one dared to exhume the graves that Ali (a.s.) had made and search for Fatimah’s body.[9]
Protecting Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.) Will
Thus, Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.) protected the grave of his oppressed wife, Fatimah al-Zahra (s.a.), from being exhumed. He fulfilled Fatimah’s will, which was that no one should be present during her washing, shrouding, prayer, or burial. This served as a perpetual protest against those who usurped their rights, violated their sanctity, and unjustly martyred them.
[1] Alqab al-Rasul wa Itratih – Ba’d Qudama al-Muhaddithin wa al-Mu’arrikhin – (from the Nafisah collection), p. 42
[2] Kashf al-Ghummah – Ali ibn Isa al-Irbili – Vol. 2, p. 4 and Muntahal al-Amal – Shaykh Abbas Qumi – Vol. 1, p. 129
[3] Tarikh al-A’immah – Ibn Abi Thalj al-Baghdadi – (from the Nafisah collection), p. 6
[4] Taj al-Mawlid – Allamah Tabarsi – (from the Nafisah collection), p. 22
[5] The Lives of the Fourteen Infallibles – Translation of A’lam al-Wara, p. 22
[6] al-Iqbal bil A’mal al-Hasana (Sayyid ibn Tawus) – Vol. 3, p. 161
[7] The Lives of the Fourteen Infallibles (Translation of A’lam al-Wara), p. 226; Waqayi’ al-Ayyam – Shaykh Abbas Qumi – p. 262 and Kashf al-Ghummah (Ali ibn Isa al-Irbili) – Vol. 2, p. 4
[8] al-Luma al-Bayda (Tabrizi Ansari), p. 851
[9] Ibid., p. 852