Fatimah the Resplendent

Witness-Pioneer has a moving biography about Fātimah az-Zahrā’ (may Allāh be pleased with her), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allāh bless him and grant him peace). It is rare to read personal accounts of her life story, which is ironic considering her exalted status among all women.

As the Messenger of Allāh (may Allāh bless him and grant him peace) said, “The best women in all the world are four: Maryam (Mary) daughter of ‘Imrān, Āsiyā the wife of Fir‘awn (Pharoah), Khadījah daughter of Khuwaylid, and Fātimah daughter of Muhammad.”

Here are three excerpts from the biography:

‘Ali ibn Abī Tālib (may Allāh ennoble his countenance and be pleased with him) Asks for Her Hand in Marriage

Ali, the son of Abu Talib, plucked up courage and went to the Prophet to ask for her hand in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet, however, Ali became over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not say anything. The Prophet then asked: “Why have you come? Do you need something?” Ali still could not speak and then the Prophet suggested: “Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to Fatimah.”

“Yes,” replied Ali. At this, according to one report, the Prophet said simply: “Marhaban wa ahlan - Welcome into the family.”

Her Contributions to Her Society

Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor and destitute Ahl as-Suffah. As soon as the Battle of Uhud was over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father’s wounds. At the Battle of the Ditch, she played a major supportive role together with other women in preparing food during the long and difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah, one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed their devotions.

Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet when he made ‘Umrah [the lesser pilgrimage to Makkah] in the sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum, were among the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet in the liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion, both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's mission.

Her Passing

One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five months after her noble father had passed away, Fatimah woke up looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was looking after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house. With her face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband Ali.

He was taken aback when he saw her lying in the middle of the courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said: “I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God.”

Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again, then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty Creator.

Read more:

• Witness-Pioneer: Fatimah bint Muhammad (may Allāh bless him and grant him peace)