In the Name of Allah,
the Mercciful and the Compassionate
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa), Personality, Names, Titles, Birth, Rank
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) belongs to the noblest family ever existing throughout the whole history of mankind. Her distinguished father Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the very last messenger of Allah (SWT), a personality that the Noble Qur'an introduces him as the Best Paradigm. The mother of Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was a pure noble lady named Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa), a godly woman with unparalleled virtues and merits, who dedicated all her life and wealth for the sake of Islam. Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is the wife of the Leader of all Believers, Ameerul Momineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), mother of the Masters of the youths of heaven (Syed-e-Shabab-e-Ahlul Jannah) and grandmother of the other nine Imams of Islam. Her name is as beautiful and as peaceful as the garden of heaven.
Her name is Fatimah and her other names are: Zahra, Seddiqah, Tahirah, Mubarakah, Batool, Radiah, Mardiah and Muhaddathah. The word Fatimah means separated. She is named Fatimah because her followers are separated from the Hell because of her. Zahra means luminous. Sixth Imam, Imam Sadiq (as) said: "When Fatimah prayed, she shined for the heavens as the stars shine for people on earth." Seddiqah means someone who says nothing except the truth. Tahirah means pure and clean, Mubarakah means full of favour and blessing, Batool means separated from uncleanness and Radiah means satisfied with Allah's (SWT) fate and destiny and Mardiah means laudable. Muhaddathah means the one spoken to by angels. The following are some of her titles: Ensiah (heavenly lady), Haniah (sympathetic), Shahidah (martyr), Afifah (chaste), Sabirah (patient), Alimah (learned), Madhloomah (oppressed), Ma'soomah (infallible), Umm al-Hassan (mother of Hassan), Umm al-Hussain (mother of Hussain), Umm al-A'immah (mother of Imams) and Umme Abiha. Umme Abiha means mother of her father. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has given her this title and this shows that Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) treated Prophet Muhammad (saw) as his mother. This fact was proved throughout the history as she cured her father during the wars and when she was at home and many other cases.
According to the Islamic Calendar, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was born in Makkah on the 20th day of the Islamic Lunar Calendar month, Jumada Al-Thani (615 AD), five years after the declaration of the message of Islam by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and three years after Isra and Miraj(Night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (saw) to heaven) and eight years before Hijrah (migration of Prophet Muhammad (saw) from Makkah to Medina). Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) lived eight years in Makkah with her father and then she immigrated to Medina. When Prophet Muhammad (saw) died in Madina, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was eighteen years and few months old.
Pure noble lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa) and Prophet Muhammad (saw) bestowed all their natural love, care and devotion on their lovable child Fatima Al-Zahra (sa), who in her turn was extremely fond of her parents.
As a daughter, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) loved her parents so much that she won their love and regard. The behavior of Prophet Muhammad (saw) toward his daughter Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was special. Prophet Muhammad (saw) showed unique respect to his dear daughter; whenever Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) came to see him, he (saw) welcomed her, stood up to show respect and even kissed her hand and made her sit at his own place. On every occasion that Prophet Muhammad (saw) decided to go on a journey, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was the last one to whom he (saw) bade farewell, and as soon as he (saw) came back from his trip, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was the first one whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) visited.
Ayesha, the wife of Messenger of Allah (saw), spoke about this physical, spiritual and moral relationship: "Never have I seen anyone more like the Messenger of Allah (saw) in his solemn way of standing and sitting, more than Fatimah, may Allah (SWT) grant her more honor. When she (Fatimah) came in to see him, he (Messenger of Allah) would rise to his feet, take her hand, kiss her and seat her where he was seated. And when he came to see her, she would stand up, take his hand, kiss him and seat him where she was seated."
Ayesha, the wife of Messenger of Allah (saw), was also reported to have said: "Never have I seen anyone resembling Prophet of Allah, in his way of speaking and talking, better than Fatimah."
The highest degree of humanity is Infallibility, where the consent and anger is based solely upon the anger and consent of Allah (SWT). An infallible person shows content to whatever Allah (SWT) is content with, and shows anger to whatever angers Allah (SWT). Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is one whom the Almighty Allah is content when she is satisfied, and is angry when she is angry. This position has astonished many people.
Prophet Muhammad (saw) demonstrated to the people the lofty status of women in Islam. One day when a person asked Prophet Muhammad (saw) as to why he showed such respect to his daughter, he (saw) was told: "You do not know Fatima. She has the fragrance of paradise. Do you know that Allah (SWT) is pleased when Fatima is pleased and Allah (SWT) is displeased if Fatima is displeased?"
Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was virtue personified. In fact, she is considered the greatest lady that ever graced Planet Earth. Whatever Prophet Muhammad (saw) said about her was to make people aware of her position and status that would serve as an example for women of all time.
Messenger of Allah (saw), who spoke only what was revealed to him, told her that she [Fatima Al-Zahra (sa)] was the chief and the best of women: "Won't you be pleased to the chief of believers' women and the chief of the women of this Ummah (Nation)?"
To acquaint the Muslims with Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) and her high rank, he (saw) said to them: "The best women of Paradise are Khadijah, daughter of Khuwailid, Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad, Maryam, daughter of Imran, and Asiyah, daughter of Muzahim, the wife of Fir'on (Pharaoh)."
A Very Interesting Prayer before Sleep
Hazrat Fatima Zahra (pbuh) is known to have recounted this interesting true story: One day, as I was preparing myself to sleep, suddenly I saw my father, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) entering our room. He (pbuh) said: "My beloved daughter, Fatimah Zahra! Never sleep at night, unless you have accomplished four things!"
First, you have to read entire Noble Qur'an from the beginning to end.
Second, you have to ask for the great Prophets of Allah to intercede in your favour after your death.
Third, you should remember that, you have to make all the faithful believers happy and pleased with you.
And finally, you have to go to Makkah, and accomplish the Pilgrimage of Hajj [Hajj Tamattu and Umrah Tamattu].
Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) said: "After having said that, my father, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) began to perform his prayer and I had to wait until he finished his prayer to ask more information from him."
I said most confused: "O Messenger of Allah! You have ordered me to do four things before sleep. But beloved father, I cannot see myself executing such things! I am unable to accomplish them at this late hour!"
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) smiled graciously and answered:
1--"If you say three times the Surah Ikhlas, it is as though you have read the entire Noble Qur'an from the beginning to end.
2--If you say greetings and salutations to me and to the other great Prophets, you make us intercede in your favour.
اَللّهُمَّ صَلَّ عَلی مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدْ اَللّهُمَّ صَلَّ عَلی جَمیعِ الأنْبِیاءِ وَ الْمُرْسَلین
3--If you pray for the faithful believers, you have made them happy and content.
اللهم اغفر للمومنين و المومنات
4-- And at last, if you say (dhikr) "Subhanallahe, Walhamdulillahe, Wala Ilaaha Illallahe, Wallahu Akbar" it is as though you have accomplished the Pilgrimage of Hajj [Hajj Tamattu and Umrah Tamattu]."
سبحان الله والحمد لله و لا اله الا الله و الله اکبر
Tasbeeh of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (pbuh)
Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) whole life was shaped by thoughts of the hereafter. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) loved his children, but not in any worldly way. Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) used to run her house without much help; Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could see how hard his daughter worked at home.
Imam Ali ibn Talib (as), Fatimah Zahra's husband, once told Ibn Wahid a story about Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) most beloved daughter. Imam Ali ibn Talib (as) said, Fatimah Zahra's (pbuh) hands were blistered from constant grinding; her neck had become sore from carrying water; her clothes would become dirty from sweeping the floor. When Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had received an influx of servants from some place, Imam Ali ibn Talib (as) suggested to his wife that she approach her father and ask for a servant. Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) went, but could not speak to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) because of the people who were surrounding him. Next day, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came to their house, and asked Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) as to why she wanted to see him. Imam Ali ibn Talib (as) told the whole story to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and said that Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) went to him on his advice. "Fear Allah (SWT), Fatimah," Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, "Fulfill your obligations to the Lord, and continue with your housework."
Then, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said he would give her something that would be better than a helper or anything else she wished in this world, this is when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) gives Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) the gift of this Tasbih/Tasbeeh and its is known as Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh). And said when you go to bed at night, read the following:
34 times - Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
33 times - Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah)
33 times - Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah)
This would be much better than having a servant.
"If that is the will of Allah (SWT) and His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)," Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) replied "then so be it." This was Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) only reply. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) did not provide her a servant.
This Tasbih/Tasbeeh is recommended to be read after every Namaz/Salah. The Salah is like a beautiful flower and the Tasbih of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) gives that beautiful flower a beautiful fragrance. So after every Salah we should say the Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) because we want our Salah to be like a beautiful flower with a beautiful fragrance.
Imam Baqir (as) says whoever performs the Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) and asks Allah (SWT) for forgiveness, Allah (SWT) will forgive him or her a hundred times, will add a thousand good deeds to their scale, repel Shaitan/Satan and be pleased with him or her.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) says whoever does Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) before they move their legs or unfold their legs from the position of sitting in Wajib Salah, Allah (SWT) forgives them and makes Jannah Wajib upon them. Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) also says that Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) after every Wajib Salah is more loved then praying a thousand Rakats everyday. Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) continues to say whoever does the Tasbih/Tasbeeh of Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) after every Salah and ends it by saying La illaha illalah, Allah (SWT) will forgive his or her sins.
When Hazrat Hamzah (ra) was martyred in the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (pbuh) took some earth (Turba) from his grave and moulded it into beads and she used that as her Tasbih/Tasbeeh. Before this event Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) would use a blue woollen string that was knotted and that was the customary Tasbih/Tasbeeh before the martyrdom of Hazrat Hamzah (ra). After that it became customary to make beads from clay.
Hazrat Hamzah (ra) was knows as Sayyid al-Shuhada the "Chief of Martyrs." Today we call our 3rd Imam, Imam Hussain (as) Sayyid al-Shuhada and we try to use the earth from Karbala (Khak-E-Shifa) from near his grave to use in our Tasbih/Tasbeeh so that we remember the sacrifice and we remember what Tawheed (Oneness of God) is all about.