Mouood Mouood English Edition
This last narration was also mentioned with variations by:
1. Al-Khateeb Al-Baghdadi in his history book V. 5, P. 87.
2. Kharazmi in Maqtal Al-Hussain P. 63.
3. Muhammad Ibn Ahmad Al-Demashqiin Mizan Al-Etedal V. 1, P. 38.
4. Az Zarandi in Nazm Durar As Simtain.
5. Asqalani in Lisan Al-Mizan V. 5, P. 160.
6. Qanduzi in Yanabi’ Al-Mawaddah.
7. Muhib-Ad-Din At-Tabari in Dhakhaer Al-Uqbi P. 48
These narrations are mentioned on the accounts of Aisha, Ibn Abbas, Saed Ibn Malik, and Umar lbn Al-Khattab.
8. Sheik Shua’b Al-Misri in Ar-Rawd Al-Faeq P. 214, Writes: “Some noble narrators mentioned that one day Lady Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her)asked the Master of creatures (the Prophet (S.A.W.)) to show her a fruit from the Dwell of Peace (Paradise). Thus, Gabriel brought him who was chosen above all (S.A.W.) two apples from Paradise and said:
‘O Muhammad, He who appointed a due proportion for all things says to you: “Eat one apple and give the other to Lady Khadija, then come unto her; for I will create from you (both) Fatima Zahra.”‘
The Chosen One (S.A.W.) did what The Guardian (Gabriel) told him to do, and…. (until he said). Thus, whenever the Chosen One (S.A.W.) longed for Paradise and its greatness, he would kiss Fatima and smell her beautiful fragrance and say:
‘Fatima is a human huri.’
There are successive narrations in this regard, but we satisfy ourselves with what has been mentioned. There remains a point here on which elaboration is rather important; it is noticeable that the narrations clearly state that Khadija bore Fatima immediately after the Prophet’s Ascension to heaven, which took place in the second or third year after revelation. Nevertheless, there is a collection of narrations from the Holy Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.), which state that Fatima was born five years after the first revelation to the Prophet (S.A.W.). This indicates that she stayed in her mother’s womb for more than two years, which is definitely incorrect. How can the contradictions between the narrations be explained?! There are several probabilities, which can be given as answers to this question; they are:
1. The Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) ascended to heaven more than once, as was stated in the Book of Kafi. This, in my opinion, is the most accurate account of this affair.
2. Taking into account some narrations which state that Fatima (S.A.) was born in the second or third year after the first revelation (as will be mentioned together with the historians’ opinions who claim that Ascension took place in the third year of revelation); this contradiction can be explained especially in light of the various sayings regarding the month during which Ascension occurred.
Among the unique merits of Fatima Zabra was that she spoke to her mother while she was still in her mother’s womb. Shiite scholars are not alone in reporting this merit of Fatima; several Sunni scholars and narrators also support this fact. For instance, Abdurrahman Shafe’i narrated in his book Nuzhat Al-Majalis V. 2, P. 227, that Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
“When I was pregnant with Fatima, which was an easy pregnancy, she would speak to me from inside my womb.” Also, Dahlawi in Tajhiz Al-Jaish quoted the author of Madh Al-Khulafa Ar-Rashidin as saying:
“When Khadija was pregnant with Fatima, she (Fatima) used to speak to her from her womb, but Khadija kept this from the Prophet. One day, the Prophet entered the house and found Khadija speaking to someone while no one was in the room with her He (S.A.W.) inquired as to whom she was speaking; she replied:
‘That which in my womb, surely it speaks to me.’ Then the Prophet said:
‘Rejoice Khadija, for this is the girl whom Allah has made to be the mother of eleven of my successors who will come after me and after their father.’
Shuab Ibn Saad AI-Misri mentioned the following in Ar Rawd Al-Faeq P. 214: “At the time when Khadija’s pregnancy had become apparent, the infidels asked the Prophet (S.A.W.) to show them the splitting of the moon; upon hearing this Khadija declared:
“O what a disappointment it would be! Had Muhammad lied while he is the best Messenger of my Lord?” It was then that Fatima called Khadija from her womb and said:
“O Mother, do not be grieved nor sorrowful, for surely Allah is with my father.” When Fatima was born, the skies became illuminated from the brightness of her face.
Fatima Zahra’s Birth
The clear disagreement on Fatima’s birth date is surprising. Some scholars state that she was born five years after revelation; while others say that she was born two or three years before that; and still others claim that she was born five years before revelation.
It should be noted that the first statement was narrated from the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.); a group of Sunni scholars also favor the same viewpoint. On the other hand, Sunni scholars and narrators alone speak of the second date. The following are narrations which have been cited concerning the date of Fatima Zahra’s birth:
1. Kafi (Kulayni): “She was born five years after (the beginning of) Prophethood, and three years after Ascension to heaven. When the Prophet died, Fatima was eighteen years old… .”
2. Al-Manaqib (Ibn Shahr Ashub): “Fatima was born five years after (the beginning of) Prophethood and three years after Ascension, namely on the 20th of Jamadi Al-Thani. She lived eight years in Mecca with her father, then she immigrated… .”
3. Al-Bihar: Imam Baqir (A.S.) said: “Fatima Bint Muhammad was born five years after the (first) revelation to Allah’s Messenger. She died when she was eighteen years and seventy-five days old.”
4. Rawdhat Al-Waedhin: “Fatima was born five years after the (first) revelation to the Prophet.. .”
5. Iqbal Al-Aamal: Sheik Mufeed in his book Hadaiq Ar-Ryadh, said: “The 20th of Jamadi Al-Thani was the birthday of Fatima Zahra during the second year after (the first) revelation.”
6. Misbab Al-Kaf’ami: “Although it has been said that she was born five years after (the first) revelation, (Fatima) was born on Friday the 20th af Jamadi Al-Thani, two years after revelation.”
7. Misbahain: “Friday the 20th of Jamadi Al-Thani, two years after revelation, was the birthday of Fatima (S.A.), as was cited by some narrations. It has been mentioned in a narration that she was born five years after revelation. The Sunnis narrate that she was born five years before revelation.”
8. Dala’el Al-Imamah, on the authority of Imam Sadiq (A.S.): “Fatima was born on the 20th of Jamadi Al-Thani, forty five years after the Prophet was born… .”
The above mentioned statements are a selection of narrations from the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt (A.S.) and the old Shiite scholars (may Allah bless their souls) declaring that Fatima Zahra’s birth took place after revelation. Contrary to this, the Sunni scholars have stated:
1. Ma’refat As-Sahabah by Abu Nu’eym: “Fatima was the youngest of Allah’s Messenger’s daughters. She was born while Quraish was building Kaaba.”
2. Maqatil At-Talibin by Abu Al-Faraj Al-Isfahani: “Fatima’s birth took place before revelation, during the time that Quraish was building Kaaba.”
3. lbn Al-Athir in Al-Muhktar Fi Manaqib Al-Akhiar.
4. Tabari in Dhakhaer Al-Uqbi.
5. Sayuti in Ath-Thughour Al-Basimah.
