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Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

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Let’s learn aboutBibi Fatima AS

Written for childrenBy Sakina Hasan Askari

2008


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For my grandchildrenMuhammad AliNur e FatimaSakina Zahra

ZahraAadil

And many more to comeInshaallah

This book is to help youto learn aboutBibi Fatima AS

the daughter of Prophet MuhammadSAW


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Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………4Birth …………………………………………………………………………..6Childhood in Makkah…………………………………………………9Loss of her mother………………………………………….……..12Migration to Medina……………………………………………….15Marriage ………………………………………………………………….17Family Life………………………………………………………………..21Hadees e Kisa………………………………………………………….24Miracle at a wedding………………………….………………….29Helping the Needy……………………………..………………….32Tasbeeh……………………………………………………………………36Pomegranates from Heaven…………………….……………38Defending Islam………………………………………………………41Mubahila……………………………………………………………........44Loss of her father………………………………………….……..47Fadak and Fatima’s protest………………………………....53Fire at her door…………………………………………………..…56Her last days………………………………………………….……….62Salaams………………………………………………………..…………..68


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Introduction

Bibi Fatima was created by Allah tobe a perfect example of a humanbeing for us to follow. She wasnoble, kind, generous and alwaystruthful. She was also known byother names like Butool, Insiya,Azraa, Masumah, Sayyedah,Siddiqah, Tahirah, Tayyibah,Radhiyah, Mardheyyeh, Zakeyyah,Umma Abeehaa and Zahraa.

Fatima AS was the only daughter ofthe holy Prophet Muhammad SAWand Hazrat Khadija AS. He used tosay “Fatima is part of me.” She wasthe wife of our first Imam Ali AS.She had four children: two sons,


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Imam Hasan AS and Imam HussainAS and two daughters HazratZainab AS and Hazrat Kulsoom AS.

Bibi Fatima was an excellentdaughter, a wonderful wife, and aloving mother. She is the leader ofall the women in the universe, Syedatun nisa al aalameen and the Ladyof Paradise, Khatoon e Jannat. Shewas extremely intelligent, learned,gentle, generous, pious, beautiful,pure and free from every fault. TheProphet Muhammad SAW called herUmme Abeehaa, the mother of herfather.

Through her words and actions shehas shown us how to live as a trueMuslim, following the laws of Islam.


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Birth

Bibi Fatima AS was born on Fridaythe 20th Jamadi us-sani, five yearsafter the Prophet Muhammaddeclared his message. Most of thepeople in Makkah would not believein Islam and refused to help hermother Hazrat Khadija AS.

At the time of birth, Allah sent fourladies, who entered the house. WhenHazrat Khadija asked who theywere, one of them said: “I am yourmother Eve.”The second said:“I am Aasiya, daughter of Muzahim.”The third said:


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“I am Kulsoom the sister of Moses.”

Hazrat Khadija’s house , Makkah, where Bibi Fatima was born

The fourth said:“I am Maryam daughter of Imran,the mother of Jesus. We have cometo deliver your baby.The baby was then born. The holyProphet named her Fatima. Both theparents were very happy. Imam RezaAS has said, “She was given thename Fatima because she and herfollowers are protected from Hell.”


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Today her birthday is celebrated as“Mother’s Day” by many Shiafamilies across the world. We shouldcelebrate her birthday byremembering her and following her.

We must thank Allah for making usher follower and pray that we followBibi Fatima‘s (A.S.) example in ourdaily life.

In Makkah

As Bibi Fatima grew up, she waslooked after with love and care byher father, the Holy ProphetMuhammad SAW and her motherUmmul Momineen Hazrat Khadija


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AS, who was the first lady to acceptIslam. But as the message of Islamspread and more and more peoplestarted to follow it, the enemiesmade life very difficult for the holyfamily.

One day Bibi Fatima saw her fathercome home with his clothes all dustyand his feet bleeding. She found outthat someone had thrown rubbish onhim and put thorns in his way. Shewashed his feet and cleaned hisclothes.

When she entered the sacredmosque of Kaaba, she saw that whilethe Holy Prophet SAW was sayinghis prayers and doing sajda, hisenemies had poured camel placenta


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on his back. She was very upset andstarted to cry. Then shecleaned his back andprayed to Allah to helpher father and destroythe enemies of Islam.

The Prophet and his family wereforced to live in a valley, away fromthe people. They had to sufferboycott and lived for three years infear and anxiety. No one was allowedto buy or sell them anything,including food. They were oftenhungry and thirsty in the extremeheat of the desert hills.

Hazrat Khadija’s wealth was spent inbuying the necessary goods at veryhigh prices to help the Muslims.


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Their only support was the Prophet’suncle, Hazrat Abu Talib AS, thefather of Imam Ali AS who refusedto give up his nephew, MuhammadSAW.

We must never forget the help givenby these two great persons in thehistory of Islam.

Loss of her mother

When the boycott could not stoppeople from entering Islam, the HolyProphet SAW and his family wereallowed to return to Makkah. Butthe harsh conditions of life in thevalley affected the health of Hazrat


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Khadija AS. She fell ill and BibiFatima AS, only seven years oldlooked after her sick mother.

The Holy Prophet SAW was full ofsorrow: Hazrat Abu Talib hadpassed away a month before and nowHazrat Khadija was so ill.

Hazrat Khadija as she lay dying weptthinking of her daughter’s lonely lifeafter her. The tenth of Ramadanwas a very sad day for Bibi FatimaAS. Her mother died, leaving hertearful. ”Where is my mother?” shecried as she saw her father loweringher into the grave.


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Allah sent Jibraeel with a message:Your Lord commands you to informFatima AS that He sends hisblessings upon her and says “Yourmother is in a house of brocade

between the houses of Aasiya andMaryam in heaven.”

Today this holy grave in JannatulMoalla in Makkah cannot be visited


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easily due to the policy of thePresent wahaabih government.

Our salams to Hazrat Khadija, theloving wife of the Holy ProphetMuhamad SAW, the first to believein Islam and the mother of BibiFatima AS.

Migration to Medina

The Holy Prophet SAW decided togo to Medina (Yathrib) after thedeaths of his uncle and supporter,Hazrat Abu Talib and his dear wife,Hazrat Khadija, in the year ofsorrow.


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His enemies had surrounded hishouse, ready to kill him. He askedImam Ali AS to sleep in his bed andto save the life of the Prophet,Imam Ali AS agreed.

Imam Ali AS lay in the ProphetMuhammad’s SAW place, coveringhimself with his blanket. When theenemies came into the house thenext morning they were shocked tofind Imam Ali AS in the bed insteadof the Holy Prophet SAW, who hadalready left. This is known as Hijratand marks the start of the Islamiccalendar A.H.

After a few days Imam Ali AS tookhis mother Fatima bint Asad, hisaunt, and Bibi Fatima AS to Medina.


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The Holy Prophet SAW had alreadyreached Quba, near Medina and waswaiting for them before enteringthe city. The people of Medinawelcomed them warmly.

Marriage

When Bibi Fatima AS was about nineyears old, many came forward to askthe Holy Prophet SAW for her handin marriage. When Imam Ali AS wentto the Holy Prophet SAW, he smiledthen came to find out from hisdaughter if she was willing. Shebowed her head in modesty but herface showed her happiness. TheProphet SAW stood up saying “Allah


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o Akbar” and then he called ImamAli AS and told him the good news.

Imam Ali AS sold his shield for 500dirhams and brought the money tothe Prophet for the weddingexpenses. One third of the amountwas spent on buying perfume, onethird for food for guests, and theremaining for a simple list of items,which included:clothes,a water bag,a wool curtain,a copper bowl,a hand flour milljugs for water and oil,a wooden mat,four cushions,and two mattresses.


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Old garment New abaya

Flour millWater bag

Pitcher copper bowl water jug oil jug

When the Prophet SAW them, heprayed, “O Allah, bless them forthey are people whose belongingsare made of natural materials.”


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On Friday, the first day of Zilhij, in2 A. H., the wedding of Bibi FatimaAS and Imam Ali AS was celebrated.The Holy Prophet SAW read thenikah and prayed for theirhappiness.“O Allah bless them and let them bea source of blessing and peace formy ummat (followers).” Thebeautiful bride was then taken tothe groom’s house in the company ofthe Holy Prophet SAW and all theguests.

The Prophet placed the hand ofFatima in Ali’s handand said“May Allah bless his

messenger’sdaughter. Ali, this is


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Fatima. You are responsible for her.Ali, what an excellent wife Fatima is!Fatima, what an excellent husbandAli is! O Allah, bless them and theirchildrenThey are most dear to me so lovethem too.”

Family Life

Bibi Fatima AS, the perfectdaughter of the best of theProphets now began her role as theperfect wife of the best of theImams.

They lived a simple life, helping eachother in the worship of Allah. They


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had love and respect for each other.They lived happily together.

Imam Ali would go out to work,gather firewood and bring homefood grain. Bibi Fatima AS did thechores of grindingthe grain into flour,making the bread andkeeping the house clean. Theyhelped one another and never hadany disagreements.

They both happily shared their foodand belongings with anyone whoasked for help. No beggar returnedempty handed from their door.

Allah blessed Bibi Fatima AS andImam Ali AS with four children.


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Imam Hasan AS was born on 15th

Ramadan, 3 A.H. a year after theirwedding. In the next year, 4 A.H.,on the 3rd of Shaban, her youngerson Imam Hussain was born. Herdaughter Hazrat Zainab was born in5 A. H. and the second daughterUmme Kulsoom came a year later.

They had one maid named Bibi Fizza,who was treated with love andrespect. Fizza worked one day andBibi Fatima AS the next, while Fizzarested.

Prophet Muhammad SAW was veryfond of his grandchildren and namedeach of them himself. He wouldoften visit the house of Bibi FatimaAS and showed great love for them.


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He would play with them and huggedthem often. He told his followersmany times of his love for Fatima,Ali, Hasan and Hussain.

Hadees e Kisa

Hadees e Kisa is well knownthroughout the world. It is recitedon every Thursday night. It isreported from Bibi Fatima ASherself. She said that one day theholy Prophet Muhammad SAW cameto her house, said salaams to herthen told her to cover him with theYemeni blanket as he was feelingweak. She returned his greeting and


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covered him with the blanket. Hisface shone like the full moon.

After a while her son Hasan AScame and said salaams and then saidhe could smell the fragrance of hisgrandfather. She returned hissalaam then he went to hisgrandfather, asked his permissionand entered the blanket.

A little later, her son Hussain AScame in, greeted her (salaam) andsaid he could smell the fragrance ofhis grandfather. She returned hissalaam, and then told him that theHoly Prophet SAW was under theblanket with Hasan AS. ThenHussain AS went near, asked if he


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could come under the blanket andjoined them.

Then Imam Ali arrived, said salaamsto Bibi Fatima AS and noted hecould smell the fragrance of hisbrother, the Holy Prophet SAW.She returned his greeting and toldhim that her father was under theblanket with their sons. Imam Ali ASwent to the Prophet, greeted him,asked if he could join, then enteredthe blanket.

Now Bibi Fatima AS herself askedpermission of her father andentered the blanket. When theywere all together under the blanket,the Holy Prophet SAW raised hishands and prayed: “O Allah, these


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are the people of my household, theAhl-ul Bayt. They are of my fleshand blood. Whoever makes themunhappy, makes me unhappy. Theyare from me and I am from them.Send your blessings and mercy onme and them. Repel all blemishesfrom them and keep them pure aspure.”

Allah then spoke to His angels andsaid he had created the whole ofthe universe for the love of the fivewho were under the cloak. When theangel Jibraeel asked who was underthe cloak.


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Allah replied, “They are thehousehold of the Messenger, themine of Prophethood. They arenamely: Fatima, her father, herhusband, and her sons.”Jibraeel was then sent by Allah tothe house of Fatima AS and after

gettingpermission ofthe prophet,he entered thecloak, toldthem what

Allah had said then recited the Ayate Tatheer sent by Allah in praise ofthe Ahlal Bayt. (Sura Ahzaab33:33): Innama yureedullahiliyuzhiba ankuma rijsa Ahlal Baytwa yutaharikum tatheera


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Hadees e Kisa brings many benefits.Sins will be forgiven, problemssolved and wishes granted Inshallah.The Hadees e Kisa shows that BibiFatima AS is the link between theProphet and the Imams. She is thecentre of Purity and the Panjatan ePaak . We must recite this hadees atleast once a week .

Miracle at a Wedding

One day in Medina, a rich Jew cameto the Prophet Muhammad SAW andsaid they wanted toinvite his daughterFatima AS to hisdaughter’s wedding.The Prophet said he


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would ask his daughter and let themknow.

He told Bibi Fatima AS about theinvitation. She asked Imam Ali’spermission and then agreed to go tothe wedding. The Jews wanted tomake fun of the poverty state ofthe daughter of the Prophet ofIslam.

But when the wedding day came,Allah sent special clothes for BibiFatima AS and many angels escortedher. When she arrived at thewedding, everyone was dazzled bythe light of her presence. Theguests at the wedding fainted. Allrecovered but there was no sign oflife in the bride.


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The mother of the bride came toBibi Fatima AS and begged her tohelp her. Bibi Fatima AS prayed tworakat namaz and prayed to Allah torestore the bride to life. As shefinished her dua, the bride openedher eyes and looking at Bibi FatimaAS and said, “This is the same ladyby whose dua my life was given backto me.” She then recited theshahada, La ilaha illallah,Muhammadan Rasool Allah, anddeclared her faith in Islam.

When the others in the weddingparty heard this and saw the bridealive again, they all accepted Islam.They presented to Bibi Fatima AS aslave girl, who was named UmmeHabeeba.


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This is known as the story of BibiSyeda. It is recited every Thursdayfor the acceptance of duas in hername.

Helping the Needy

The daughter of the Prophet wasalways generous. No one turned awayempty handed from her door. Thevery next day of her wedding shegave away her new dress to a beggarat her door and kept the old one forherself.

When another poor man who hadcome asking for food arrived at themasjid the Holy Prophet SAW senthim with his companion, Ammar ibne


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Yasir to the house of Bibi FatimaAS. She had no food to give him butgave away her necklace to be sold sothat his needs could be met.

One day she gave her veil, (chadar)to be kept as surety at a pawn shopso that money could be brought tobuy food for a poor man.

Once when Imam Hasan AS andImam Hussain AS were taken ill, theProphet advised her to make a vowto fast three days. When they werebetter, all the family including BibiFizza, the maid, fasted.

Just after sunset, when it was timeto break the fast and eat, there wassomeone at the door, “I am needy!


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O family of Muhammad, help me”.Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Hussain andFizza all gave up their share to theneedy man and had nothing butwater that night.The next day they spent the dayfasting and as they were ready tobreak their fast there was a voiceat the door, “Help me I am anorphan and need food.” Again all ofthem gave their food to the orphan,staying hungry for the second night.On the third day of the fast as theywere ready to eat, a captive calledout, “Help! I am hungry.” For thethird time the family of MuhammadSAW gave away all they had.

Jibraeel came to the ProphetMuhammad SAW with the verses


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of the Sura e Dahr: “And they feedfor the love of Allah, the needy, theorphan and the captive.” Allahpraised their actions and promisedthem reward in the highest Heaven.Following her example, we must helpothers and be generous. Those whoare in need, the orphans and thepoor should be helped for the sakeof Allah.

Bibi Fatima has shown us that shewas ready to give whatever she hadto help others. She gave to otherseven when she needed it herself.Following her example we should beready to help others and share whatAllah has given us.


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Tasbeeh

The tasbeeh that we read with ournamaz every day reminds us of BibiFatima Zahraa AS.

Allah o Akbar 34 timesAlhamdulillah 33 timesSubhanallah 33 times

Her father the holy ProphetMuhammad SAW showed it to her.She followed it so regularly that ithas come to be known as Tasbeeh eFatima.


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Bibi Fatima AS first made thetasbeeh from knots of woven woolthreads. After the battle of Uhad,she made a tasbeeh from mud takenfrom the soil of the grave of HazratHamza AS. After the tragedy ofKarbala, soil from the grave of ImamHussain AS is used to make atasbeeh e qaak e shifa.

We must always read the tasbeeh eFatima after our namaz. Reciting thename of Allah brings many benefits.It is best to use a tasbeeh madefrom qaak e shifa, from Karbala.


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Pomegranates from Heaven

Bibi Fatima AS lived a simple life,eating the simplest food, wearingthe plainest clothes. Hazrat Ali ASsaw that though she had blisters onher palm as she used the grindstoneto mill the grains, yet she nevercomplained. She never asked foranything.

One day when Bibi Fatima AS was ill,Imam Ali AS asked her if he couldget fruit for her. She kept quiet but

when he insisted she said, “Apomegranate would be nice.”Imam Ali AS went out to buy

it for her. However it was not easyto find a pomegranate, as it was out


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of season. Finally one was found andImam Ali AS quickly bought it andmade his way back home.

As he walked home, he heard agroan. Imam Ali AS went to see whowas groaning. He found a poorbeggar, who lay ill. Imam Ali ASstopped and asked, “Are you OK?Can I help you?” The beggar said “Ihave been sick, so sick! My mouth isdry. If only I could have apomegranate to soothe my thirst.”Imam Ali AS thought “Fatima neverasks for anything. This pomegranateis for her but this man is so sick!What do I do?” He decided to helpthe poor man and broke the fruit inhalf.


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As he helped the sick man to eat, hefelt sad thinking how he will go backhome, empty handed. The beggarwas thankful and as he finishedeating, he prayed “may Allah rewardyou and increase His blessing.”

A little later Imam Ali AS had togive the other half of the fruit awayto another poor man.

Imam Ali went back home, walkingslowly. When he reached his door,he saw Bibi Fatima AS sitting upwith a tray full of pomegranates infront of her. She said, “There was aknock on the door just now. Thankyou for sending these for me.” ImamAli knew this was a gift from Allah.


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“Thank you Allah”, said Imam Ali AS.

Defending Islam

During the days of early Islam, theProphet and his family had to facemany hardships. Their enemies werealways ready to attack them andwaged battles against them.In the Battle of Uhad, the holyProphet was hurt and two of histeeth were broken. Bibi Fatima ASwent to help. She washed his faceand nursed him with the help ofImam Ali AS.


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In the Battle of the Moat, Khandaq,many of the clans gathered outsideMedina to fight against the Muslims.It was due to Imam Ali’s braverythat they were defeated. Bibi

Bibi Fatima’s Masjid, Khandaq

Fatima AS hearing about the dangerto the Muslims, came to their help,bringing food with her. A masjid wasbuilt in Khandaq to remember her.

The Battle of Khaibar was foughtagainst the Jews, who had beenpowerful enemies. They weredefeated by the courage of Imam


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Ali AS. After the fall of Khaibar,when they realised that the Muslimswere verypowerful, theygave up fighting.They presentedthe holy Prophetwith land, calledFadak, which hegave to his daughter Bibi Fatima ASas a gift. As long as the Prophetlived, Bibi Fatima AS owned Fadak.Money from Fadak was collected byher to help the poor.We must remember how Bibi FatimaAS helped Islam throughout herlife. After Prophet’s SAW deaththis was taken away from her by therulers of that time against theProphet SAW’s will.


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Mubahila

When the Christians from a placecalled Najran came to visit theProphet, he explained to them thereis only one God, Allah, has no fatherand no son. He said Jesus is likeAdam, and was created by Allah’scommand. They still argued. At lastthey agreed on Mubahila, whichmeans praying to Allah to curse theliars.

“Come let us gather together, oursons and your sons, our women andyour women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us call for the curseof Allah on those who lie.” (SuraNisa 3:61).


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On the 24th Zilhij all the people ofMedina gathered, eager to see whothe Prophet SAW will take with himagainst the Christians—they werethe people who were always truthful.

The sons were Imam Hasan AS andImam Hussain AS, the self (Nafs) ofthe Prophet was Imam Ali AS andBibi Fatima Zahra AS alone came tojoin him as “women”. They were thePanjatan e Paak.


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When the Christians saw the Ahl alBayt, they withdrew from“Mubahila” and agreed to pay yearlytribute to the Prophet. It was avictory for Islam and the day iscelebrated as Eid.

We must remember that it was thePanjatan who were chosen by theHoly Prophet SAW on the orders ofAllah SAW to help the cause ofIslam. We should celebrate this dayof joy by thanking Allah SAW.

Loss of her Father

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWwent for his last Hajj and on his wayback at a place called Johfa, on the


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18th Zilhij declared the lastcommand of Allah “Ali is the master(Maula) of all those I am master(Maula) of.” The message from Allahwas completed and Islam madeperfect. Everyone gathered came toshake hands with Imam Ali AS andaccept him as leader. This event isknown as Ghadeer.

After returning to Medina, theProphet SAW fell ill. His daughterFatima AS did not want to leave hisside. He hugged her and called ImamAli AS to his side. He kissed ImamHasan AS and Imam Hussain AS. Hetold Bibi Fatima AS he would beleaving her soon. She started to cry.He whispered something in her ear


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so she smiled, “You will be the firstto join me.” He then fainted.

There was a knock on the door. “Myfather is not well,”Bibi Fatima ASsaid. The knock was repeated and avoice said, “Allow me in.” “My fatheris ill” Bibi Fatima AS repeated. Theknock came again and Bibi Fatima ASstarted to weep.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAWopened his eyes. He said “Fatima mydear daughter, let him come in. Thisis the angel of Death who askspermission of no one. But he knowshe needs you to allow him in beforehe enters your house.” Fatima thensaid, “Come in.”


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The Prophet SAW lay with his cheekon Ali’s shoulder. Hasan and Hussainwere kissing his feet. Zainab andKulsoom stood crying and Fatimawept. The Prophet’s soul departed,towards Almighty Allah.

Fatima lost her great father; withhis death she felt sadness and pain.People rushed to the masjid likesheep on a rainy night without ashepherd. They were told bymischief makers: “Allah’s messengerdid not die. I will cut off the neck ofanyone who says the Prophet hasdied.” So the people returned home.

Imam Ali AS gave the funeral bathand buried the Prophet. Only a fewpeople came to console Bibi Fatima


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AS for the loss of her father. Somepeople gathered at Saqifa of BaniSaaidah to plot against the ordersof the Prophet, to choose asuccessor.

Bibi Fatima AS tearful and sad wentto her father’s grave and cried:

“Father, with you went the light ofthe world…


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I find no one to attend to myloneliness…Neither to stop my tears…Motives (of others) have changedAnd gates have been shut in myface...”Imam Ali’s right was deniedto him. Abu Bakr seized power,claiming he was the Khalif. No onecame to comfort Fatima at her loss.Instead they complained that herweeping disturbed them. Peoplecame up to Imam Ali and said, “TellFatima not to cry so much” Imam AliAS built a room for Bibi Fatima in


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Baqee, where she would go and weepfor her father, away from thehouses. It was called Bayt ul Huzn,the House of Sorrow. She wouldspend the day there and returnhome in the evening. This buildingstood in the graveyard of Baqee inMedina till it was demolished by theWahabi rulers in 1926.

We must recall the sad times thatBibi Fatima spent after the death ofher dear father, MuhammadMustafa SAW.

Fadak and Fatima’s Protest

Bibi Fatima AS felt very sad. Shemissed her father very much. Now


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she saw that her property of Fadakwas taken away. Her staff wasthrown out though she was theowner. She was asked to findwitnesses. She stood up to defendher right.

With a group of women, she went tothe masjid and delivered a speech,protesting against the rulers inMedina. She explained that thearguments that were used againsther were false.

Bibi Fatima AS quoted from ayats ofQuran to show that she had everyright to inherit from her father, theHoly Prophet SAW. She remindedthem to fear Allah and added:


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“O people, Be informed that I amFatima, and my father isMuhammad…..”

She was sad that though they hadthe means and the power, they didnot help.

“Yet the call reaches you but youdo not answer, the cry comes toyou but you do not come to help.”

She reminded them to fear Allahand to follow the Quran which theyhad ignored. Allah is watching andsoon the unjust will be punished.She ended the speech warning themof a severe punishment:“So act and so will we, and waitand we shall wait.”


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Fadak was not returned to BibiFatima AS though they realised thatshe was speaking the truth.

Bibi Fatima AS has shown us thatwe must protest when rights of theImam of the time are deniedthrough injustice. We can’t staysilent over injustice at all times.

Fire at her door

Bibi Fatima AS remained sad. Addedto the loss of her dear father, itwas shocking to see the changesaround her. Imam Ali’s rights weredenied and her personal property


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was snatched away. She went to thehouses of the people in Medina butvery few were ready to help. Medinahad changed so soon after the deathof the Holy Prophet SAW. She andImam Ali AS feared for the futureof Islam.

The only comfort that Bibi FatimaAS got was at the tomb of herfather. She went to his grave andwept, sometimes alone, sometimeswith her children Hasan AS andHussain AS by her.

She cried “Anyone who smells theearth of Ahmed (Muhammad) SAWhas lost nothing if they never againsmell musk. O father, what miserieshave fallen upon me after you. If


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they had fallen upon a bright day,they would turn it to night.

Days and nights passed as she grewrestless. Imam Ali AS stayed athome, a mountain of silence andsorrow. It had hardly been twomonths since the Prophet died butlife was so different. So much hadchanged.

She missed her father, she missedthe love and respect he alwaysshowed her. The Muslims had so


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soon forgotten how to treat theAhlebait.

Bibi Fatima AS was carrying herfifth child who would be calledMohsin. Then suddenly one daythere were loud shouts at the door.“Send Ali outside! If he doesn’tcome out, we will set fire to yourhouse!” Bibi Fatima AS went to thedoor. She asked, “Have you come toset fire to my house? The grandsonsof the Prophet, Hasan and Hussainare inside.”

“So what?” came the answer.

Bibi Fatima stood behind the door.Outside there was a group of peoplebent on terror. They were shouting


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and threatened to kill everyoneinside.

They had firewood against the doorand set it alight. Fire raged at thedoor of Bibi Fatima AS.

Smoke filled the house. Bibi FatimaAS was shocked. Then suddenly


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someone from outside forced thedoor open. In spite of knowing shewas behind it, they squashed thedoor hard. Bibi Fatima AS wascrushed between the door and thewall. She fell to the floor crying out“Come! Come to my help Fizza!”They barged into the smoke-filledhouse and put a rope around ImamAli’s neck and dragged him. BibiFatima AS forgot her own pain andheld on to Imam Ali, saying “Whyare you taking Ali? Leave him alone.”

She was dragged along the floor.Then she felt a lash of a whip whichhurt her arm and ribs. She fainted.

Fizza held her mistress in her arms.She saw that Bibi Fatima AS had


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lost the baby she was carrying. Herarms and ribs were bruised. Thechildren were frightened andweeping. Bibi Fatima AS remained inpain but never complained. She wasonly eighteen years old but from nowon, she needed to lean on a stickwhen she walked.

We should never forget thesufferings of this great lady, whohad to suffer so much pain andsadness.

We must keep our love for her alivethrough reciting majlis and recallingthe events of her life. We should befriends with her friends and rejectthose who caused her harm.


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Her last Days

After the brutal attack on herhouse, the loss of her unborn babyson Mohsin, Bibi Fatima AS fell ill.As days passed, she became weakerand weaker. It was only seventy fivedays since she had lost her father,but each day seemed so long.

She felt her death was near. Shehugged her children, one by one.Hasan AS was hardly seven yearsold, Hussain AS was six, herdaughter Zainab AS was five, andKulsoom AS was three. Bibi FatimaAS called Ali AS and said, “Ali, myhusband, this is the last day of mylife. I shall meet my father soon. I


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am sad to leave you and my children.Promise me that you will bury me atnight. I do not want those who mademe sad to come to my funeral. LetFizza remain with you if she wishes.Take care of my children. They willmiss me, be a mother to them.”

Imam Ali AS held her hand, tearsrolled down his cheeks and droppedon her hand. Bibi Fatima AS said,“You have already borne so much andhave to bear more for the sake ofIslam. Be patient, O Ali! Farewell myhusband, I give you all in Allah’scare. May He protect you all. Let mebe alone now with my Lord.”

Ali AS and his sons left for themasjid.


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Bibi Fatima AS said her last namazand went into sajda. Asma bintUmais, says for an hour or so shecould hear the sound of tasbeehfrom the room then it was quiet. BibiFatima’s soul had joined her father.

Imam Hasan AS and Imam HussainAS entered the house. They found itstrange quiet, very quiet. Theyasked Asma and Fizza, “Where isour mother?”

Asma said “Food is ready for you.Eat something.”

The children looked at Asma andasked, “Have you ever seen us eatwithout our mother?”


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Asma and Fizza started to cry. Thechildren went into their mother’sroom. Bibi Fatima’s eyes were closed.Her lips were silent. Zainab andUmme Kulsoom were crying by her.Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain ranto the masjid and called theirfather.

Imam Ali AS came into the house tofind that Fatima had left this worldto meet her father. It was the 13th

Jamadi Awal 11 A.H. According toanother source it was 3rd Jamadi ussani 11 A.H. His childrenhad lost their lovingmother; he had lost hislife partner, one sospecial that there was no one likeher: “A flower from heaven, it was


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from heaven and went to heaven buthas left its fragrance in my mind.”

Fulfilling her last wishes, Imam AliAS buried her in the night. Medinaslept. Only a few close friends andfamily were present at her funeral.As he lowered her into the grave, hewept saying, “Accept my partingsalaams…Goodbye o daughter of thechosen Prophet of Allah. May yourest in peace, which mankindrefused to you in this world. If Ileave you, it is not that I do notwant to stay near you. I wish I hadyour company till the end of my life.”

No one knows for sure where BibiFatima AS’s grave is. Some think itis in Jannat ul Baqee. Others believeshe was buried inside the room


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where she lived, next to where thegrave of the holy Prophet. Somethink it is in the area known asRiazul Jannat in Masjid e Nabi SAW.

Jannatul Baqee, showing the Rauza Of Bibi Fatima AS

Grave of Fatima Zahra (AS)

Riazul Jannat, Masjid e Nabi, Medina


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Salaams

We must say salaams to Bibi FatimaAS to show our love and respect forher. The holy Prophet Muhammadused to say “Whoever makes Fatimahappy, makes me happy; whoevermakes her sad, makes me sad.”

Salaams on you, o Daughter of theMessenger of AllahSalaams on you, o daughter of thebest of Allah’s creationSalaams on you, o leader ofwomen of the worldSalaams on you, o wife of thefriend of Allah


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Salaams on you, the mother ofHasan and Hussain, masters ofthe youth of Paradise

Salaams on you, o pious and pureand may the blessings of Allah beupon you.

Please recite sura Fatihafor all momineen and mominaat.May Allah forgive our faults

And keep us on the straight path.


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About the Author

Sakina Hasan Askari (nee SakinaJafri) completed her graduationfrom women’s collage, Hyderabad,India. And then mastered in EnglishLiterature with Honours from bothOsmania University, Hyderabad,India. As well as Leeds University,U.K. She taught for many yearswithin the U.K. School System and isa prolific author, Raising herchildren and grand children she hadfelt a need for books for children tolearn about Islam. She has authoredseveral books that are appreciatedall over the world by the Englishspeaking audience. Her husbandDr.Syed Hasan Askari is a generalpractitioner in Liverpool, U.K. and


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hails from a religious family inHyderabad, India. He hasencouraged and supported to helpher publish all these books fromtheir personal savings. Thecommunity salutes them both andpray that Allah SWT and aimaeMasoomeen AS accept their effortsand give them ajar in the hereafter.


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Title Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima ASAuthor: Sakina Hasan AskariPublisher: Salman Publications

Hyderabad IndiaFirst Edition: 1429 A.H. 2008Pages: 68Copies: 1000ISBN

Other Books by Sakina Hasan Askari

Aza e HussainAza e ZainabAza e MasoomeenSana e MasoomeenZikr e Aale Muhammad

Copies available fromU.K. Sakina Hasan Askari00441514285771Email [email protected] Syed Abbas Hasan Jafri001 248 952 5151Email [email protected] Salman Book Centre0091 4024560156/32561156Email [email protected] www.salmanbookcentre.com


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The holy Prophet Muhammad SAW saidTrain your children in three things,The love of your Prophet,the love of his progeny (Ahlebait)and the recitation of the Quran.

Look out for other books in this series

Let’s learn about Prophet Muhammad SAWLet’s learn about The 12 Days of MuharamLet’s learn about Imam Mahdi ASLet’s learn about Bibi Zainab ASLet’s learn about Bibi Sakina AS

Salman Book Centre0091 4024560156/32561156

Email [email protected] www.salmanbookcentre.com


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(For the outside title page)

Let’s learn aboutBibi Fatima AS

Written for childrenBy Sakina Hasan Askari

2008

Documents

Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS - Shia books for · PDF fileLet’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS 1 Let’s learn about ... Nur e Fatima Sakina Zahra Zahra Aadil ... Bibi Fatima‘s