Fatimah (peace be upon her) is regarded by Muslims as the greatest and most exalted woman in the world throughout all centuries and eras. This belief is derived from the content of Prophetic Hadiths. Though these Hadiths differ in wording, they share a common theme. In one of these narrations (which is universally accepted by Muslims, both Shia and Sunni), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) says: “Fatimah is the leader of the women of the worlds.” Although, according to the Quranic verse, Lady Maryam (Mary) is presented as the chosen woman of the worlds, and is highly revered by Muslims for her purity and chastity, she was the chosen woman of her time. However, the exalted status of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) is not confined to her era but extends throughout all times. Therefore, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) explicitly refers to Fatimah (peace be upon her) as the leader of the women of the past and the future in another narration.
Another point to be gathered from these Hadiths and similar narrations is that if Fatimah (peace be upon her) is the greatest woman in the world, and no woman surpasses her in rank, then studying every aspect of her life, every moment of her existence, is of immense value. By reflecting on her life, one can attain the highest spiritual ranks. Additionally, upon reviewing the Quran, we find numerous verses that describe her status and position, such as the verse of purification, the verse of Mubahala, the early verses of Surah Dahr, Surah Kawthar, the verse of giving the right to close kin, and so on. These verses emphasize her deep status in the eyes of God, and they will be further analyzed in other articles. In this section, we will briefly examine her personality and life.
Name, Titles, and Nicknames
Her blessed name is Fatimah (peace be upon her), and she has many titles and descriptions, such as Zahra, Siddiqa, Tahira, Mubarakah, Batul, Radiyah, and Marziyah.
“Fatimah” in Arabic means “one who is separated or distanced,” and according to Prophetic Hadiths, the reason for this name is that the followers of Fatimah (peace be upon her) are saved from the fire of Hell because of her.
“Zahra” means “the shining one,” and it is narrated from Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) that when the Prophet’s daughter would stand in prayer, her light would shine for the inhabitants of the heavens, just as the light of the stars shines for the people of the earth.
“Siddiqa” means one who speaks only the truth. “Tahira” means pure and clean. “Mubarakah” means blessed. “Batul” means one who is separated from impurity. “Radiyah” means content with God’s decree, and “Marziyah” means one who is pleasing to God.
Fatimah’s nicknames include Umm al-Husayn, Umm al-Hasan, Umm al-A’immah, and Umm Abiha, which means “mother of her father.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) praised his daughter with this title, indicating that Fatimah (peace be upon her) was like a mother to the Prophet. History is a testament to this, as when Fatimah was with her father, and after the passing of Khadijah (peace be upon her), she became the source of comfort and support for him, never hesitating to help, whether in battles, where she would tend to her father’s wounds, or in other aspects of the Prophet’s life.
Parents
As we know, Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) father is Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon him and his family), the Messenger of God, the Seal of the Prophets, and the greatest of God’s creation. Her mother was Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, one of the noble and distinguished women of the Quraysh. She was the first woman to embrace Islam, and after accepting Islam, she spent all her wealth and property in the service of Islam and the Muslims. Khadijah was also known for her purity in the days of Jahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), so much so that she was called “Al-Tahira” (the Pure) and was regarded as the greatest of the women of Quraysh.
Birth
Fatimah (peace be upon her) was born in the fifth year after the Prophet’s mission, on the 20th of Jumada al-Thani in Mecca. When she was born, by God’s power, she immediately spoke, saying: “I testify that there is no god but Allah, and that my father is the Messenger of God and the chief of all Prophets, my husband is the leader of the successors, and my children are the leaders of the descendants.” Most Shia scholars and some prominent Sunni scholars, such as Fakhr al-Razi, have interpreted the opening verse of Surah Al-Kawthar to refer to Fatimah (peace be upon her), considering her to be the “great reward” and the cause for the survival and expansion of the Prophet’s progeny. It is noteworthy that the final verse of this surah also supports this claim, where Allah addresses the Prophet and tells him that his enemy is without descendants.
Moral Excellence
The entire life of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) was filled with exemplary moral conduct and human virtues. In this brief space, we will mention only three examples of her noble character. However, we emphasize that these are just a small glimpse of her ethical qualities.
Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari, a companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), narrates that a poor Arab man came to the Prophet after the Asr prayer and asked for help. The Prophet replied that he had nothing to give him, but he directed him to Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) house, which was next to the Prophet’s. The man, along with Bilal (the Prophet’s companion and muezzin), went to Fatimah’s door, greeted her, and presented his case. Despite the fact that Fatimah, her father, and her husband had been fasting for three days and were extremely hungry, upon hearing the man’s plight, she removed a necklace that had been a precious gift from her cousin, the daughter of Hamza, and said to the man, “Take this and sell it; may Allah replace it with something better.” The man took the necklace and returned to the Prophet, who was deeply moved by the story and shed tears. He prayed for the man, and then Ammar ibn Yasir (another companion) purchased the necklace and gave him food, clothing, transportation, and travel expenses. The Prophet asked the man if he was satisfied, and he expressed his gratitude and humility. Ammar then wrapped the necklace in fine cloth, perfumed it, and sent it to the Prophet. The Prophet gave the necklace to Fatimah (peace be upon her), and she accepted it, then freed the servant who had brought it to her as an act of charity.
On the night of her wedding, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) provided Fatimah with a new dress. However, there was an old patched-up dress she had. A beggar appeared at her door, asking for a worn dress. Fatimah (peace be upon her), remembering the verse “You will never attain righteousness until you give of what you love,” decided to give her new dress to the beggar.
Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba describes his mother, Fatimah (peace be upon her), during her acts of worship, her attention to people, and her selflessness in prioritizing others. He says: “I saw my mother, Fatimah, standing in her prayer niche on a Friday night, engaging in worship, bowing and prostrating until dawn. She would pray for the believing men and women by name, but never prayed for herself. I asked her, ‘Mother, why do you not pray for yourself as you pray for others?’ She replied, ‘My son, first the neighbor, then the house.'”
Marriage and Children of the Blessed Lady
Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) had many suitors. It is reported that several prominent companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) proposed to her. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told them that the decision regarding Fatimah was in God’s hands. According to a narration from Anas ibn Malik, another group of distinguished companions from the emigrants (Muhajirun) went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to propose to Fatimah (peace be upon her), offering a large dowry for the marriage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) continued to leave the matter to God’s will, until finally, the Angel Jibril (Gabriel) descended upon him and said: “O Muhammad! Allah sends His greetings to you and says: ‘Marry Fatimah to Ali. Allah has chosen Ali for Fatimah and Fatimah for Ali.'” Imam Ali (peace be upon him) was also among the suitors, and the Prophet (peace be upon him), as stated, agreed to the marriage by God’s command. Many narrations mention that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If it were not for Ali, Fatimah would have had no equal.” Thus, the preparations for the marriage were made. Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) entered the house of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) with a modest dowry (unlike the high dowries customary in the pre-Islamic era). The blessed union resulted in five children: Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab, Umm Kulthum, and Muhsin (who was miscarried after the events following the Prophet’s death). Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (peace be upon them) are two of the Twelve Imams, who were raised by such a mother, and the other nine Imams (besides Imam Ali and Imam Hasan) are descendants of Imam Husayn (peace be upon him), thus making them also direct descendants of the Prophet (peace be upon him) through Fatimah (peace be upon her). Because of the Imams’ lineage through her, Fatimah (peace be upon her) is known as “Umm al-A’immah” (Mother of the Imams).
Zaynab (peace be upon her), the eldest daughter of Fatimah (peace be upon her), was a pious, virtuous, and learned woman. After the event of Ashura, she brilliantly explained the Hussaini movement in a way that shook the foundations of the corrupt Umayyad regime, raising the voices of protest against the oppression and tyranny of Yazid. Her speeches and actions led to widespread movements against the injustice of Yazid. The records of history reveal that even in the most difficult times, Zaynab (peace be upon her) never ceased her intimate devotion to God, and this devotion was rooted in her profound knowledge and recognition of the divine.
Umm Kulthum, also raised by such a noble mother, was a respected, wise, and eloquent lady. Like Zaynab, she played a crucial role after Ashura in spreading awareness among the people.
Fatimah (peace be upon her) at Home
Fatimah (peace be upon her), with all her virtues, was an excellent wife for the Commander of the Faithful. It is narrated that whenever Imam Ali (peace be upon him) looked at Fatimah (peace be upon her), his worries and sadness were alleviated. Fatimah (peace be upon her) never asked Imam Ali (peace be upon her) for anything that she thought he could not provide. To understand the depth of their relationship, it is worth listening to Imam Ali’s words. He proudly describes her as the best of women, mentioning her as one of his greatest honors. He also said: “By God, I never made her angry, and as long as she was alive, I never made her do anything she disliked. Likewise, she never made me angry nor disobeyed me.”
The Status and Knowledge of Lady Fatimah
Although Fatimah (peace be upon her) is not an Imam, her status in the sight of God and among Muslims, particularly Shiites, is not only equal to the other Imams but, in some respects, even greater. To grasp her intellectual stature, we should look at her words in the famous sermon of Fadak. There, she expresses the most profound statements on the unity of God, her understanding of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and her concise explanation of Imamate. Her arguments and reliance on the Quran in this sermon demonstrate the vastness of her knowledge, which is directly connected to divine revelation. Furthermore, many women and men from Medina would turn to her for religious and theological guidance, as recorded in various historical accounts.
The Status of Infallibility
The infallibility of Fatimah (peace be upon her) from sin, error, and even forgetfulness is affirmed by the verse of purification (Ayat al-Tathir). Her infallibility, like that of the other Imams and the Prophet, is proven by the same arguments and proofs, which will be discussed further in the relevant section on the website.
The Prophet’s Praise of Fatimah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) frequently praised Fatimah (peace be upon her). On many occasions, he would say, “May my father be sacrificed for her,” and would bend down to kiss her hand. When he would leave for a journey, she was the last person he would bid farewell to, and when he returned, he would visit her home first. It is widely narrated by scholars of all Islamic sects and beliefs that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Fatimah is a part of me. Whoever harms her, harms me.” Furthermore, the Quran makes it clear that the Prophet (peace be upon him) is protected from speaking anything based on personal desire, and everything he says is divine revelation. This constant praise and admiration for Fatimah (peace be upon her) goes beyond a mere father-daughter relationship, indicating a higher purpose, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself often explained. When critics questioned this, the Prophet would respond that God had commanded him to act in this way, or he would say, “I smell the fragrance of paradise from her.”
It is also significant that the Quran warns of a severe punishment for those who harm the Prophet (peace be upon him). Similarly, it states that anyone who harms Allah or His Messenger will be distanced from God’s mercy and face disgraceful punishment. Thus, it becomes clear that pleasing Fatimah (peace be upon her) pleases Allah, and angering her angers Allah. In a deeper sense, she is the manifestation of divine pleasure and anger.
Fatimah After the Prophet
After the passing of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Fatimah (peace be upon her) was overwhelmed with grief. Not only had she lost her father, but the last messenger of God, the best of His creation, had departed. With his death, the gate of divine revelation closed, and the rightful successor to the Prophet, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), was denied his rightful position. Fatimah (peace be upon her) never concealed her sorrow about these events. She often visited the Prophet’s grave to mourn and would also visit the graves of the martyrs of Uhud and her uncle Hamzah, pouring out her heart in those moments. When women from Medina inquired about the source of her sorrow, she openly declared that she grieved both the loss of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the denial of her husband’s rightful position as the Prophet’s successor.
Soon after the Prophet’s death, the divine command of appointing Imam Ali (peace be upon him) as the rightful leader was ignored by a group of individuals who gathered at a place called Saqifah and chose a leader for themselves. In protest, some of the Muslims gathered at Fatimah’s house. When Abu Bakr, the chosen leader of Saqifah, became aware of this, he sent Umar to Fatimah’s house to force Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the others to pledge allegiance. Umar, along with a group, arrived at Fatimah’s house carrying firewood. When Fatimah (peace be upon her) inquired about their presence, Umar told her that they had come to bring Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to the mosque to swear allegiance to Abu Bakr. Fatimah (peace be upon her) refused and admonished them. Some of them left, but Umar threatened that if they did not come out of the house to pledge allegiance, he would burn the house. Despite knowing that Fatimah (peace be upon her) was inside, they set fire to the door and forced their way into the house. Imam Ali (peace be upon him), Fatimah, and their children were inside. As they entered, Umar and his companions searched the house and dragged Imam Ali (peace be upon him) to the mosque by force. During this ordeal, Fatimah (peace be upon her) was injured and endured great hardship, but she did not give up. She fulfilled her divine duty and came to the mosque to speak against the oppression. However, the acts of Abu Bakr, Umar, and their companions continued despite her protest.
Fatimah (Peace Be Upon Her) and Fadak
Another injustice inflicted upon Fatimah (peace be upon her) after the passing of the Prophet was the issue of Fadak. Fadak is a village about 165 kilometers from Medina, with a spring of water and abundant date palms, making it a fertile region. It originally belonged to the Jews, who gave it to the Prophet (peace be upon him) without any war, and it became part of the Anfal (spoils of war), which according to the explicit text of the Qur’an, belongs solely to Allah and His Messenger. After this event and the revelation of the verse “And give to the near kin his due,” the Prophet (peace be upon him) granted it to Fatimah (peace be upon her) according to divine command. Fatimah (peace be upon her) and Imam Ali (peace be upon him) had agents in Fadak who worked on its cultivation and sent the income to her after the harvest. Fatimah (peace be upon her) would first pay her agents’ wages, then distribute the rest among the poor. Despite living in the simplest of conditions, often spending their own food for the sake of Allah, they prioritized the poor and acted with a sole focus on pleasing Allah, as mentioned in the beginning of Surah Al-Insan.
After the Prophet’s death, Abu Bakr, attributing a Hadith to the Prophet (peace be upon him) stating that “we, the Prophets, do not leave inheritance,” claimed that whatever remained from the Prophet (peace be upon him) belonged to all Muslims.
In defense of her rightful claim, Fatimah (peace be upon her) took two actions. First, she introduced witnesses to testify that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had granted Fadak to her during his lifetime, meaning that it was not an inheritance. In the second phase, she delivered a speech in the Prophet’s mosque, which, as previously mentioned, contained profound teachings on Tawhid (the Oneness of God), Prophethood, and Imamate. In this eloquent sermon, she refuted Abu Bakr’s claim. Fatimah (peace be upon her) addressed Abu Bakr, asking how he could speak against the Book of Allah, then referred to verses where Solomon was mentioned as the inheritor of David, and Zechariah asked Allah for a son who would inherit him and the descendants of Jacob. Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) argument solidly proved that if Fadak was not given to her during the Prophet’s life, it would still be inherited by her after his death. Therefore, the claim that Prophets do not leave inheritance is false, and attributing such a statement to the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a lie, for it is impossible that the Prophet would speak against Allah’s words, which are repeatedly confirmed in the Qur’an. Nevertheless, the confiscation of Fadak continued, and it was not returned to its rightful owner.
The authenticity of Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) claim was so evident and her reasoning so sound that no one could doubt it. Many of those who denied it inwardly accepted it. This is evidenced by the fact that when the Islamic conquests expanded and the Caliphate’s need for income was resolved, Umar (the second caliph) returned Fadak to Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and the descendants of Fatimah (peace be upon her). However, during the reign of Uthman, Fadak was once again confiscated.
Fatimah’s (Peace Be Upon Her) Illness and Visitors
Eventually, Fatimah (peace be upon her) became ill due to the injuries sustained from the attack on her house and the events that followed. She was bedridden, sometimes struggling to get up and perform household tasks. At times, she would painfully walk with her small children to visit the tomb of the Prophet (peace be upon him) or the grave of her uncle, Hamzah, and the martyrs of Uhud, where she would express her sorrow.
During this period, the women of the Muhajirun and Ansar, upon hearing of her illness, came to visit her. Fatimah (peace be upon her) once again expressed her dissatisfaction with those who unjustly claimed the Caliphate and criticized those who had remained silent. She rebuked them for neglecting the divine command regarding the succession of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and warned them of the consequences of their actions, which could lead to the deviation of Islam from its true course. She also reminded them of the blessings they would receive by adhering to the divine command and following the rightful successor of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
On one occasion, Abu Bakr and Umar came to visit her. Initially, Fatimah (peace be upon her) turned away from them and did not allow them to visit. However, they eventually managed to visit her. Fatimah (peace be upon her) reminded them of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) words: “Whoever angers Fatimah, angers me; and whoever pleases her, pleases me.” Both Abu Bakr and Umar affirmed the truth of this statement. Fatimah (peace be upon her), taking Allah and the angels as witnesses, said, “You have angered me, and you have never pleased me. I will complain about you both to the Prophet (peace be upon him).”
Fatimah’s (Peace Be Upon Her) Will
During her illness, Fatimah (peace be upon her) called Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and made him her executor. She instructed him to wash her body and bury her at night, without anyone who had wronged her being present at her burial or the funeral prayers.
Martyrdom
Finally, on the 3rd of Jumada al-Thani in the 11th year of Hijrah, Fatimah (peace be upon her) asked for water, which she used to wash her sacred body. She then wore a new garment, lay on her bed, and covered herself with a white cloth. Soon after, Fatimah (peace be upon her), due to the injuries sustained from the attack on her house, passed away, having lived only 18 years, and according to some sources, just 95 days after the passing of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Fatimah (peace be upon her) passed away, according to the most reliable sources in both Sunni and Shia traditions, while being angry with Abu Bakr and Umar, and she never spoke to them again before her death. It is natural that even Abu Bakr’s regret upon his death for his actions against Fatimah (peace be upon her) would not change the situation.
Washing and Burial
Upon hearing of Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) death, people of Medina gathered around her house, waiting for her funeral procession. However, it was announced that her burial would be delayed, and the people dispersed. When night fell and the people were asleep, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), in accordance with Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) will, washed her body alone, then wrapped her in a shroud. Afterward, he sent word to a few of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) close companions, those whom Fatimah (peace be upon her) had approved, to attend the funeral (the number did not exceed seven). After their arrival, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) performed the prayer for Fatimah (peace be upon her) and, in the midst of the grief of her young children, who secretly wept for their mother, buried her. After the burial, he turned towards the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) grave and said:
“Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah, from me and from your daughter, the one who has come to rest beside you, and has joined you in a short time. O Messenger of Allah, my patience has worn thin from the separation from your beloved one, and my self-control in her separation is gone… We belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return… Soon your daughter will inform you about how your nation gathered and wronged her. Ask her about the events and seek the report from her, for it will not be long before your memory is not forgotten…”
Today, after many years, the grave of the Lady of the Women of the Worlds remains hidden, and no one knows its location. Muslims, especially Shia, await the appearance of Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his appearance), the greatest divine savior and the eleventh descendant of Fatimah (peace be upon her), to reveal the hidden grave of his mother to the world and bring an end to the oppression and injustice that prevail across the globe.
Fatimah’s (Peace Be Upon Her) Words
Many sayings of Fatimah (peace be upon her) remain, some directly attributed to her, providing glimpses of her elevated status and profound knowledge, while others were narrated through the Prophet (peace be upon him), reflecting her deep connection with him. For brevity, we will mention two quotes attributed directly to Fatimah (peace be upon her):
Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) said: “Whoever raises his pure worship to Allah, Allah will send to him the best of His providence.”
Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) said in part of her famous Fadak sermon: “Allah made faith a means of purifying you from polytheism, prayer a means of cleansing you from arrogance, almsgiving a means of purifying the soul and increasing wealth, fasting a means of confirming sincerity, pilgrimage a means of