About Lady Fatimah (SWT) excellence and Her Holiness's level there are many Verses (Quran) and Traditions (Hadees of the Holy Prophet (SAWS)). However at this time I would contend myself by discussing only few of those verses and traditions.
It is the saying of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) that Fatimah (SWT) is the `sardar' or chief of all women will enter Heaven. All universe's women's sardar or chief. With your Holiness's salutation the Lord is satisfied. Whoever gave your holiness pain gave the Holy Prophet (SAWS) pain. The All Mighty God due to your Holiness has saved your Holiness's followers from Hell. At another instance the Holy Prophet SAWS said:
"In men many who have been complete have passed. However in women only four women who are complete have passedAnd in them to achieve the highest level of completion was (lady) Fatimah (SWT)."
- (Lady) Mariam (A.S) (Mother of Jesus)
- (lady) Asiah
- (Lady) Khadijah (Our Lady's mother)
- (lady) Fatimah (SWT)
It has been mentioned by numerous religous scholars that His Holiness the Holy Prophet SAWS loved Lady Fatimah (SWT) exteremely and also gave Her Holiness (SWT) perfection of respect. One of the gestures of love was that whenever the Holy Prophet (SAWS) was leaving for Holy war or `Ghazwah'. His Holiness would ask Her Holiness's permission in the end and on return from Holy war or `Ghazwah' His Holiness (SAWS) would first of all meet His Holiness's (SAWS) beloved daughter lady Fatimah (SWT). The show of respect and regard was this that whenever the Holy Lady would come to meet Her Holy Father (SAWS) His Holiness would stand in respect and make Her Holiness (SWT) sit in His Holiness's place.
The Holy Prophet SAWS) has been reported to have said:
"Fatimah (SWT) is a part of me (His Holiness (SAWS)), whoever tortures Her Holiness (SWT) would torture me (His Holiness (SWT))."
The creator thought of Her Holiness (SWT) as His special devotee. The All Mighty Allah had great regard and respect for Her Holiness (SWT).
Numerous times it has been seen that when Her Holiness used to be busy in prayers, the angels would be gently rocking the cradle of Her Holiness Holy children (A.S). When Her Holiness would be reciting the Holy Quran then the angels would be grinding the flour for Her Holiness (SWT). According to the Holy Prophet (SAWS) the name of the angel rocking the cradle was Gaberial. The name of the Angel griniding the flour was `Okabiel'.
During the time of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) there was no limit to the regard and respect which Lady Fatimah SWT recieved. Angels would rock the cradle of Imam Hussain A.S (Son of Lady Fatimah SWT0. If ever on the occasion of Eid it was said by Lady Fatimah (SWT) that There Holinesses A.S (imam Hassan and Imam Hussain A.S) clothes are to be brought by a tailor. Then the treasurer of Heaven would come in the appearence of a tailor. Even the Angel of death without the permission of Our Holy Lady SWT would not enter Her Holiness SWT house. During the last moments of the Holy Prophet SAWS. His Holiness's (The Holy Prophet SAWS) head was in the lap of Our Holy Lady Fatimah SWT. At the time of death when the angel of death asked Her Holiness's SWT permission to come into the room. The permission was not granted. However the angel of death continued to insist that He must enter. However on continued refusal from the Her Holiness SWT, the angel of death changed His tone. On listening this change of tone Her Holiness SWT began to cry as the tears fell on the Holy face of the Holy Prophet SAWS. The Holy Prophet SAWS asked what was the matter. The Holy Lady Fatimah SWT told the Prophet SAWS what had happened i.e. between Her Holiness SWT and the Angel of Death. Immediately the Holy Prophet SAWS ordered that permission must be granted as this was the Angel of Death.
28 Safar, 11th year of the Prophet SAWS migration the Holy Prophet SAWS departed from the earth. After the Death of the Holy Prophet SAWS calamities and diffculties befell on the House of the Holy Prophet SAWS.
Her Holiness SWT was affected by these calamaties and diffculties to such an extent that after the death of the Holy Prophet SAWS. Her Holiness SWT lived on for only 75 days. The loss of the Holy Prophet SAW was one of the greatest losses for the Holy Lady SWT. However the wordly people made the life of the Holy Lady Fatimah SWT after the death of the Holy Prophet SAWS a target of sorrows. What should have been done was not done rather what should not have been done was done.
After the death of the Holy Prophet SAWS the muslims should have taken the responsibilty of the funeral and its arrangements on to themselves rather than leaving this duty also to be done by the House of the Holy Prophet SAWS. It was most unfortunate and distressing that the muslims (Many of the promenient ones) like Hazrat AbuBakr and Hazrat Omar rather than being a part of the funeral and as told before taking up the responsibilty of the funeral arrangements. These prominent personalities rushed to make a new caliph rather than attending to the aggrieved Household (The House of the Holy Prophet Muhammed SAWS). The Holy body of the Holy Prophet SAWS was left in the House and after much wait and patience shown by the House of the Prophet (SAWS). Eventually it was laid to rest by Imam Ali A.S, Imam Hassan A.S, Imam Hussain A.S and certain other true followers. By the time Hazrat Abubakr and the promeinent companions had returned from the election house the Holy body of the Holy Prophet SAWS had been laid to rest. It is sad and highly distressing to see that those who called themselves the closest campanions were not even in the back row of the mourners carrying the coffin containing the Holy body of the Holy Prophet SAWS. When they arrived from the election house rather than inquiring as to whether the Holy Prophet's SAWS body was laid to rest or not. Their priority was to get allegiance from Imam Ali A.S for Hazrat Abubakr who was their choice of Caliph.
Hazrat Omar brought brought sticks and fire to burn down Imam Ali A.S house. This he wanted to do in order to bring Imam Ali A.S out of His Holiness A.S house. As Hazrat Omar was hurling threats at the inmates of Imam Ali A.S house. Her Holiness moved closer to entrance and told the crowd that the Holy grand children of the Holy Prophet SAWS are inside. On hearing this Hazrat Omar replied that it does not matter who is inside. Outside there was much noise and the demand of Imam Ali A.S to come out of the house was constantly being repeated. However Imam Ali A.S did not come out. The mob set fire to the House of the Holy descendants of the Prophet SAWS. As the House burnt the burning entrance fell upon the Holy Lady SWT and caused the death of Prince Mohsin in Her Holiness's SWT womb. This injury resulted later on in the death of Her Holiness's SWT death. The injury had been caused by Hazrat Omar.
After the mob entered the House of His Holiness Imam Ali A.S and arrested His Holiness by placing a rope around His Holiness's neck. They continued to hurl threats of killing His Holiness A.S if His Holiness A.S did not go with them to the court of Hazrat Abubakr. The demand of the mob included that His Holiness A.S would swear alleigance to Abubakr. The Holy Imam A.S to this treatment asked the mob as to what they were doing and on what grounds and under what law were they asking His Holiness's A.S allegiance. His Holiness A.S reminded them that this would never happen.
After this show of of uncivil behaviour from the government of the time Holy Fatimah's SWT estate of Fadak was also taken away from Her Holiness by the order of the Caliph (Hazrat Abubakr). It must be noted here that this estae was given as a gift to Her Holiness SWT by will of the All Mighty Allah. Certainly its confiscation by the government of the time fully indicated that these people had absolutely no regard for The Creator Himself let alone the Holy Prophet SAWS and His Household A.S. Such brave people History has seldom seen who intend to fight and disobey The Creator, The All MIghty Allah without any fear. The revenue which was collected from this estate used to go to feed the poor and the needy. Obviously the government and its supporters found it unacceptable that the poor and the needy should be supported. This action of the Caliph and His supporters made Her Holiness Lady Fatimah SWT extremely unhappy and also furious. Her Holiness SWT went before the Caliphate's court to present Her Holiness SWT's demand. Surely the true intention of the Caliph of the time and His supporters was to degrade the Holy Prophet (SAWS) and His Holy Household A.S. Infact by this action history of Islam has certainly degraded the enemies of the House. As in `Surah Kausar' in the Holy Quran rightfully it is indicated that the enemies of the Holy Prophet SAWS would be destroyed . However after the refusal of the Caliph to release the estate of Fadak. The Holy Prophet SAWS , Holy Daughter SWT presented His Holiness Ali A.S , The Two Holy children Imam Hassan A.S and Imam Hussain A.S, Umme- Aiman and Rabah as witnessess. However these witnesses were deemed unacceptable by the Caliph's court. The court said that Imam Ali A.S was the Husband of Her Holiness and therefore unacceptable. The two holy chlidren Imam Hassan A.S and Imam Hussain A.S were sons of Her Holiness SWT. While the rest were servants. It is most odd that despite the Prophet SAWS saying that Imam Hassan A.S and Imam Hussain A.S are the Chiefs of Men of Heaven that their status as a witness is rejected in a court which is surely much lower than their (Holy Imam Hassan A.S and Holy Imam Hussain A.S) standards. How unfortunate it is that just after the Holy Prophet SAWS death they (The Muslims) had forgotten the status of the Holy Household A.S of the Prophet SAWS. The daughter SWT (Her Holiness Lady Fatimah SWT) who is a part of the Holy Prophet SAWS is forced to come to such a court. One asks the reader will a part of the Holy Prophet SAWS ever do wrong?. Surely if one part can do wrong or lie than the rest can also do it. What was the Caliphate trying to prove that they were superior to the Holy Prophet SAWS and His Household A.S or were they trying to create a mockery of the teachings of the Holy Prophet SAWS. It might have even been to take revenge for their dead who had been killed by the command of the Holy Prophet SAWS in the wars against the pagans of Mecca. Most of the pagans had been killed in battle by no one other than the `Lion of Allah' , Imam Ali A.S (The son in Law of the Prophet SAWS and husband of Her Holiness Fatimah SWT).
In another tradition mentioned in one of the books. Hazrat Abubakr had signed a verification document about the matter (Estate of Fadak) and gave to Lady Fatimah SWT. As Her Holiness SWT was about to leave with this document. However when Hazrat Omar saw the document Her Holiness's SWT hand and enquired as to what the document was about. The Holy Lady SWT answered that it was the verfication document of the estate. Hazrat Omar on hearing this snatched the letter from Her Holiness's SWT hand tore it into pieces and through it on the ground and spat on it. Due to this action of Hazrat Omar the case was nullified and the estate remained with the government. On this occasion the Holy Lady SWT gave a sermon which came to be know as the sermon `Lamah'. After a few days Hazrat Abubakr and Hazrat Omar called on Imam Ali A.S. They did this so that Imam Ali A.S should accompany them to His Holiness house. They wanted to go to His Holiness's (Imam Ali A.S) house to apologize for their actions to the Holy Fatimah (SWT). On reaching the House Imam Ali A.S asked Lady Fatimah SWT to grant them permission to come in. As this was a request from His Holiness Imam Ali A.S. Her Holiness SWT did not turn it down and allowed Hazrat Abubakr and Hazrat Omar to come in. However when these two entered Lady Fatimah SWT turned Her Holy Face towards the wall and did not return the greetings (Salam). Her Holiness SWT told them that till she (Her Holiness SWT) would curse them after Her Holiness's SWT prayers. Hence Lady Fatimah SWT did not accept their apology and they went home disappointed. Imam Bukhari (Author of Sahih Al-Bukhari) says till Lady Fatimah SWT remained alive Her Holiness remained furious with them and did not talk to them.
A bystander of history must want to ask every person of logic a simple question. A Lady (SWT) who is very dear to the All Mighty Allah and is very dear to the Holy Prophet SAWS is angry with these people and does not forgive them. Then one is forced to ask How furious will the Prophet of Allah SAWS and the All Mighty Allah be for torturing there dear one (Her Holiness SWT)? Those from whom the Holy Prophet SAWS is angry Allah is angry.
With refrence to our information as told in the previous portions of this article. It was Hazrat Omar who had caused the burning door to fall on the Holy Lady Fatimah SWT and had caused injury to Her Holiness SWT resulting in the loss of Her Holiness's child (Prince Mohsin) who was in Her Holiness's womb. This injury resulted in Her Holiness's sickness which eventually caused Her Holiness SWT death.
After the death of the Holy Prophet SAWS the person most affected was the Holy Lady Fatimah SWT. Mother (Lady Khadijah) had died before hence the Holy Prophet SAWS had been both as a father and as a mother to Our Holy Lady Fatimah SWT. It cannot be explained in words as to what a father the Holy Prophet SAWS. As the Holy Prophet SAWS was both a king of faith and the world. The loss of such a father is unimaginable rather most devastating. The Holy Imam (Imam Ali A.S) being deprived of the caliphate. then ofcoarse the confiscation of the Estate of Fadak (Losing the case in court). These various distressing conditions were the main cause of death of the Holy Lady SWT, who died at the young age of 18 years. As a result of all these distressing situations the Holy Lady SWT would cry so much that the inhabitants of the neighbourhood started to complain and therefore Imam Ali A.S got a place constructed for Her Holiness SWT outside Medina. The place was known as "Bait al Ahzan".
How unfortunate and distressing it is that while the Holy Prophet's SAWS daughter cried seeing the state in which Her Holiness's father religon was the muslims slept merely. What a piety it is that rather than complaining about the prevailing situation of the muslims they complaint that there sleeps were getting disturbed.
Her Holiness (SWT) told Isma (Maid) that Her Holiness (SWT) did not approve of the way women's bodies were carried to the graves. (The common method of carrying women's bodiess to th grave was done by putting their body's on a plank and putting a cloth over the body before being carried). On hearing Her Holiness disapproval of the common method Isma said that she had seen a beautiful coffin in Africa. The Holy Lady (SWT) asked Isma to make a replica of what she had seen. Isma made the coffin out of Bamboo shoots. On seeing the coffin Her Holiness (SWT) was pleased. After this Her Holiness (SWT) called His Holiness Imam Ali (A.S) gave Her Holiness's (SWT) testament.
The testament (Will) was as follows:
According to the testimony of Ibn-e-Qateebah (`Chaudah Sitaray') Lady Fatimah (SWT) lived on for only 75 days after the Holy Prophet (SAWS) death. However according to Allamah Bhai (`Chaudah Sitaray') mentions that the Holy Lady (SWT) remanied alive for only a 100 days after the Holy Prophet (SAWS) death.
The Holy Lady Fatimah (SWT) died on 30 th Jamadi-us-Sani 11th year of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) migration to Medina. According to the testimony of a companion of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) Ibne Abbass (R.A). It has been narrated that at the time of Her Holiness (SWT) death there was neither fever or headache which Her Holiness (SWT) might have had experienced. The day Her Holiness (SWT) died, Her Holiness (SWT) held the hand of the Holy Imam Hassan (A.S) in one hand and that of Holy Imam Hussain (A.S) in the other hand and then took the two princes two the grave of their Holy Grandfather (SAWS). On reaching the grave Her Holiness (SWT) between the pulpit and the Holy grave of His Holiness The Holy Prophet (SAWS) prayed two rakats.
After saying the prayers Her Holiness (SWT) held both the Holy Imams (A.S) in Her Holy arms and then told them to go and sit with their Holy father(A.S) for sometime. At this time the Holy Imam Ali (A.S) were involved in prayers in the mosque. After instructing the Holy sons (A.S) to go to their Holy father (A.S) the Holy Lady (SWT) came back to Her Holiness's SWT house and picked up the sheet of His Holiness (SAWS) and had a bath. After having a bath wore a shroud. Thereafter called the wife of Jaffer Tayyar Lady Isma. Isma replied that she would be in Her Holiness (SWT) attendance shortly. On Isma's arrival Her holiness (SWT) told her that she should not part from Her Holiness (SWT). Her Holiness (SWT) also told Isma that Her Holiness (SWT) would remain in Her Holy chambers for a hour . When a hour passes and the Holiness (SWT) and Her Holiness (SWT) does not come out then Isma should call Her Holiness (SWT) three times. If Her Holiness (SWT) replied then she was to come in otherwise she was to believe that Her Holiness (SWT) had departed from the world. There after Her Holiness (SWT) went to the place of the Holy Prophet (SAWS) where Her Holiness (SWT) then offered two rakats prayers and then lied down and covered Her Holy self (SWT) with the sheet. However some scholars have said that the Holy Lady Fatimah (SWT) died in the position of prostaration to the All Mighty Allah.
When the Hour passed Isma in line with the order of Her Holiness (SWT) called out to Her Holiness (SWT) but in vain. On hearing no reply Isma entered the chambers of Her Holiness (SWT) and saw that Her Holiness (SWT) had passed away. (Inna lillah e wa ina illahe rajhion) After seeing this Isma tore up Her collar (Sign of grief) and rushed to where the Holy imams (A.S) were present. On seeing Isma in this state the Holy Imams (A.S) (Imam Hassan (A.S) and Imam Hussain (A.S)) asked her about their Holy Mother (SWT). Isma told their Holinesss that their Holy Mother (SWT) was in Her chambers. Immediately upon hearing Isma's reply the Holy Imams (A.S) rushed to their Holy Mother's (SWT) chambers and saw that Her Holiness (SWT) had passed away. Filled with grief the two princes (Their Hollinesss (A.S) began to cry with deep sorrow . When this sad news reached Imam Ali (A.S). His Holiness (A.S) was also gripped with intense grief and sorrow. Imam Ali (A.S) rushed home and saw that Her Holiness (SWT) had passed away. Besides Her Holiness (SWT) His Holiness (A.S) found a piece of paper on which there was reference to act in accordance with Her Holiness (SWT) will (testament). Those who had caused Her Holiness (SWT) pain and diffculty were not to learn of Her Holiness (SWT) death or Her Holiness's (SWT) funeral.
When night fell His Holiness Imam Ali (A.S) gave Her Holiness's (SWT) body the funeral bath. Then His Holiness Imam Ali(A.S) put the shroud over Her Holiness's (SWT) body. Then did the burial in jannat-ul-Baqi. (Graveyard in Medina). However there are other versions of Her Holiness (SWT) burial. According to kutub-e-Maqahtal when Imam Ali (A.S) was giving Her Holiness's (SWT) body the funeral bath at that time His Holiness Imam Ali (A.S) saw the marks of the wound recieved by the whip of a prominent and revered member of the Muslim Ummah. On seeing this the Holy Imam (A.S) screamed and burst into tears. As told before much of the prominent members of the Muslim society were univited and even the time of the burial was not told to them. Funeral prayers were saud by the Holy Imam (A.S) himself (A.S). In Sahih al-Bukhari's chapter Jihad it is told that Her Holiness (SWT) remained annoyed with certain promienent members of the muslim Ummah and had no contact with them.