Some might wonder whether Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) was subjected to oppression and injustice after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The answer to this question becomes evident upon consulting the authoritative historical texts of both Shia and Sunni historians, who have meticulously recorded the events following the Prophet’s demise with all their details [1]. These texts unequivocally demonstrate that Lady Fatimah spent her entire short life after the Prophet’s passing in continuous protest against the injustices and oppression she endured from the ruling authorities of the time.
A glance at her fiery and impassioned sermon in the mosque of Medina, delivered to a public assembly of the Muhajirun and Ansar, makes this abundantly clear [2]. In this address, she brought the leader of the government to trial, chastising him with stern and reproachful words. At this moment, a question arises: Does such rhetoric not indicate her grief and anger at the injustices of the first caliph and his supporters? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself had said, “The anger and pleasure of Fatimah are the anger and pleasure of Allah.” This means that anyone who incurs the wrath of Fatimah is subject to the wrath of Allah—and someone who is under Allah’s wrath cannot justly hold authority over the Islamic community.[3]
Her sermon had a profound impact, striking the ruling authority and its supporters like lightning, and shaking public opinion against the government. However, after delivering this address in the mosque, more painful events unfolded, and this divine trust fell ill and was confined to her bed…
One day, the Commander of the Faithful, Ali (peace be upon him), sensed that Lady Fatimah wished to share something privately. He asked the women present to leave the room, approached her bedside, lifted her head gently from her pillow, and placed it against his chest. He said, “My dear! Tell me whatever is in your heart.”
She said, “O my beloved cousin! I am soon to depart this world. Not long ago, I saw my father in a dream, and he said, ‘My daughter, come to me; I am eager to see you.’ My first question to you is this: During the time I was with you, did you ever hear me tell a lie or witness me act disobediently in any way? (I ask so you may forgive me if there was anything.)”
Ali (peace be upon him) was deeply moved by her words, and tears streamed from his eyes. He replied, “God forbid! You are far above such things. I never heard a lie from you, nor saw any disobedience in you.”
She then said, “My children [4] are still young, and they will grow up without their mother. Every man needs a companion, and after me, you will marry. I ask you to marry my niece, Umamah, as she will be kinder to my children than anyone else.”
Then she added, “My will is this: Prepare me for burial at night. I do not want anyone who wronged me to know of my funeral. Wash me yourself, shroud me, offer the funeral prayer, and bury me at night. After my burial, stay beside my grave and recite the Qur’an for me.”
As her head rested on Ali’s chest, she said, “Peace be upon Jibreel. Peace be upon the Messenger of Allah.”
With that, her pure soul departed to the heavenly realm. The light of Ali’s home was extinguished. Gently, Ali placed her head back on the pillow. The motherless children rushed to their mother’s lifeless body. Hasan threw himself on her chest, kissing her and saying, “Mother, I am Hasan; speak to me!” Husayn sat by her feet, holding them and crying, “Mother, I am your Husayn; speak to me, for I feel my soul leaving my body!”
Cries of sorrow filled the house of Ali (peace be upon him). It was the early hours of the night. The people of Medina, aware of Lady Fatimah’s severe illness, had been anticipating this tragedy. Soon, the sound of weeping spread from house to house, and all of Medina trembled as it was transformed into a house of mourning.
According to the esteemed scholar Mulla Qummi: “The people of Medina screamed in unison, as if the city itself would be torn apart.”[5]
Source: Excerpt from the series Safir Hedayat (The Call of Guidance), authored by Ayatollah Zia Abadi (with minor modifications).
Footnotes:
[1] Several examples of this matter have been mentioned by prominent Islamic historians and narrators. For instance, Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) was confronted with a fabricated narration attributed to Abu Bakr, contrary to the Qur’an, which deprived her of her rightful inheritance. She became furious and severed ties with him. According to Sunni scholars such as Bukhari, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Ibn Sa’d, Ibn Athir, and Ibn Kathir, she never spoke to Abu Bakr again until her passing: Sahih Bukhari, vol. 4, p. 42; Musnad Ahmad, vol. 1, p. 6; Tabaqat al-Kubra, vol. 8, p. 28; Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah, vol. 5, p. 306, and others.
[2] Known as the “Sermon of Fadak,” this address has been documented by both Shia and Sunni scholars in their books.
[3] Sunni sources: Mustadrak al-Sahihayn, vol. 3, p. 154; Tarikh Madinat Dimashq, vol. 3, p. 156; Usd al-Ghabah, vol. 5, p. 522; Al-Isabah, vol. 8, p. 265, etc. Shia sources: Manaqib (Ibn Shahr Ashub), vol. 3, p. 107; Al-Amali (Sheikh Tusi), p. 427; Kashf al-Ghummah, vol. 2, p. 85, etc.
[4] Lady Fatimah had four children, the eldest of whom was 8 years old, and the youngest, 4 years old, at that time.
[5] Bayt al-Ahzan, p. 78.