The Exemplary Lady

Lady Fatimah (PBUH), daughter of the greatest religious and political man, considered family as a holy sanctuary. She gracefully embraced her role as a creature filled with love, compassion and energy, and devoted herself to supporting her husband and raising her children.

Lady Fatimah’s (PBUH) relationship as a wife to Imam Ali (PBUH) was in such that the two had the best understanding to one another. They were each other’s friend and companion to the fullest. And instead of seeking what the general public occupied their times and hopes for, their main concern was achieving the highest virtues and noble attributes. For this reason the couple saw each other to be one of the best blessings for each other, and they would work hard together to help each other in their virtuous growth. As a matter of fact, what makes life sweet is not the luxury accessories or design of the home and nor is what food is put on the table every day. Understanding between couples is what makes life joyful more than any other factor. The principle is based on clear communication, sacrifice for one another and care for each other’s feelings.

Fatimah (PBUH) was a true companion and soul mate for Ali (PBUH); she was his consoler, consultant, supporter, and haven. Imam Ali (PBUH) has said in this regards, “I find peace and become at ease once I go home and speak with Fatimah (PBUH).” Lady Fatimah (PBUH) did not request for anything during her lifetime in Imam Ali’s (PBUH) home, and she would say to him, “I am ashamed from my Lord to ask you for something that you may not be able to provide that for me.[1] And in return Imam Ali (PBUH) has also said about Lady Fatimah (PBUH), “During the lifetime of Fatimah (PBUH), I did not anger her, and she too never did anything to anger me.”[2]

Lady Fatimah (PBUH) is a mother. Motherhood is composed of love and compassion. Fatimah (PBUH) holds these two attributes to the utmost limit. These attributes sets the basis of a good upbringing. A pure soul that offers love and compassion is enough for the obedience of her children, just as the Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said, “The best of women amongst you are those who are the sweetest and kindest to their husbands, and most compassionate to their children.”[3],[4]

In this regard university professor, Mary Thurlkill, author of Chosen Among women: Mary and Fatima in medieval Christianity and Shi’ism (2007) [5] has written:

“The house serves as the locus of domestic sacrality. Herein Allah bestows grace and blessing via progeny. Marriage socializes the theology of completion and in certain respects objectifies women as child bearers. Women purvey divine favor by producing offspring while residing under the male householder’s custodianship. Mothers receive recompense in the afterlife; the Prophet, for example, proclaimed that ‘paradise is under the heals of the mother’.

Fatima, as archetypal mother, displays many of these attributes: she remains closely aligned with the domestic sphere, she bears coveted male children to the Imam Ali, and she ultimately submits to Ali’s custodianship. Unlike Mary, Fatima provides a practical model for women to imitate, available for all wives and mothers instead of a monastic audience married only to a spiritual bridegroom.”[6]

Islamic – Shia Website: Roshd

Footnotes:

[1] Fatima (peace be upon her) said: “Oh Abu Al-Hassan! “I am ashamed before my God to burden yourself with something that you cannot afford.”
Kashf al-Qummah, vol. 2, p. 26; Zakhaa’ir al-Uqbaa, p. 45.

[2] The Commander of the Faithful (peace be upon him) said: “By God, I did not make her angry, nor did I force her to do anything… nor did she make me angry, nor did I disobey anything of mine.”
Bihar al-Anwaar, vol. 43, pp. 133, 134

[3] The Messenger of God (may God bless him and his family) said And he said: “The best of your women are the kindest to their husbands and most merciful to their children.”
Foru al-Kafi, vol. 5, Kitab al-Nikah, Baab Fazl Nisa’ al-Quraish, p. 327, Hadith No. 2 – Wasa’il al-Shia, vol. 20, p. 37,

[4] Selection from “In the School of Thought of Fatimah (PBUH)” by Dr. Ali Qaemi.

[5] The author of this book compares a part of the personality of Lady Fatimah (PBUH) in the Islamic view and the personality of Lady Maryam (PBUH) in the present bible and what is common in the Christian society. Nevertheless according to the Holy Quran (66:12) Lady Maryam (PBUH) is not only example for the faithful women, but also for the faithful men. Moreover according to the Holy Quran (2:59), Lady Maryam (PBUH) did mary anyone and Prophet Isa/Jesus (PBUH) did not have any father like Prophet Adam (PBUH) and was born by divine power from Maryam (PBUH).