Mouood Mouood English Edition
Among the things which Allah completed the great honour of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali(A.S.)in this world and the world to come was His special favour towards him in having him unite in marriage with the noble daughter of the Messenger of Allah, who was the most beloved of all creatures to him, the consolation of his eyes and leader of the women of the world. Among the many ahadith (traditions) concerning this event is the sound hadith reported on the authority of Anas ibn Malik, who said: “As the Apostle of Allah(S.A.W.) was sitting one day, ‘Ali(A.S.) came to see him. He addressed him saying, `O ‘Ali(A.S.), what brings you here?’ `I came only to greet you with the salutation of peace’, `Ali(A.S.) replied. The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) declared: `Here comes Gabriel to tell me that Allah has willed to unite you in marriage with Fatimah(A.S.). He has, moreover, called as witnesses to her marriage a thousand angels. Allah has revealed to the tree of Tuba, “Scatter your pearls and rubies! ” Black-eyed houris rushed to pick the precious stones up, which they shall exchange as presents among them till the Day of Resurrection.’ “
It is related on the authority of Ibn `Abbas, who said: “On the night when Fatimah(A.S.) was married to ‘Ali(A.S.), the Messenger of Allah(S.A.W.) stood before her. Gabriel stood at her right hand and Michael at her left. Seventy thousand angels stood behind her, praising and sanctifying Allah. The Commander of the Faithful prided himself on his marriage to her on numerous occasions.” Abu Ishaq ath-Thaqafi reported on the authority of Hakim ibn Jubayr, who reported from al-Hajari who related from his uncle who said: “I heard `Ali(A.S.) say one day, `I shall utter words which no other man would utter but that he would be a liar. I am `Abdullah (Allah’s servant), and the brother of the Apostle of Allah. I am the one whose guardian is the Prophet of mercy, for I have married the mistress of all the women of the community. I am the best of the vicegerents.’ ” Numerous reports expressing similar ideas have been transmitted.
Ath -Thaqafi reported on the authority of Buraydah, who said: “On the nuptial night of `Ali(A.S.) and Fatimah(A.S.), the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) said to ‘Ali(A.S.), `Do not do anything until you see me.’ He then brought water – or the traditionist reported that he called for water – which he used to perform his ablutions for prayers, pouring the rest over ‘Ali(A.S.). The Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) then prayed, `O Allah, bless them! Shower your blessings over them, and bless for them their two young lions (that is, their two sons Hasan(A.S.) and Husayn(A.S.)).”‘ ath-Thaqafi also related on the authority of Shurahil ibn Abi Sa’d, who said: “On the morning after Fatimah’s wedding, the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) brought a skinful of milk, and said to Fatimah(A.S.), ‘Drink! May your father be a ransom for you.’ He likewise said to `Ali(A.S.), ‘Drink! May your cousin be a ransom for you.’ “
The Time Of Fatimah’s Martyrdom And The Spot Of Her Grave
It is reported that Fatimah died on the 13th Jamadi-al-Awwal orthird of Jumada ‘l-Akhir in the eleventh year of the hijrah. She survived the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) by only ninety-five days.
The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali(A.S.) himself took charge of her washing. It is reported that Asma’ daughter of `Umays assisted him in washing her. Asma’ related: “Fatimah(A.S.) had stated in her will that no one should wash her corpse except ‘Ali(A.S.) and I. Thus we washed her together, and the Commander of the Faithful prayed over her along with Hasan(A.S.) and Husayn(A.S.), `Amman ibn Yasir, Miqdad, `Aqil, az-Zubayr, Abu Dharr, Salman, Buraydah and a few men of Banu Hashim. They prayed over her in the night, and in accordance with her own will ‘Ali the Commander of the Faithful buried her in secret.”
There is much disagreement among traditionists as to the exact spot of her grave. Our own traditionists have asserted that she was buried in the Baqi `. Others said that she was buried in her own chamber, and that when the Umayyad rulers enlarged the Mosque of Medina, her grave came to be in the sanctuary. Still others argued that she was buried between the grave and pulpit of the Prophet. It is to this that the Holy Prophet(S.A.W.) alluded in his saying: “There is between my grave and pulpit a garden of the gardens of Paradise.” The first view is unlikely, while the two other views are nearer to the truth. Thus, those who wish to apply the principle of caution (ihtiyat) when performing ziyarah, or pilgrimage, to her grave, should do so in all three places.
A Quiet Funeral
In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were asleep and voices were silent, a Heavenly procession left Imam Ali’s house while carrying the Messenger of Allah’s daughter to her final abode. This was on the night of the third of Jamadi Al-Thani (the second), 11 A.H.
The heartbreaking procession moved towards an unknown location followed by a small number of devoted ones… They were Ali(A.S.), Hasan(A.S.), Hussain(A.S.), Zainab(A.S.) and Umm Kulthum(A.S.)… Abu Dhar, Ammar, Miqdad, and Salman were following them.
Where are the thousands who inhabited Medina?! One asks, and the answer came: Fatima (A.S.) requested that they may not be present at her funeral! The family and their friends hurry to bury Fatima… then they rush back to their own homes so that no one would know where Fatima was buried!
In such a matter, the first start from Ahlul-Bayt set after the sun (the Prophet) and left everyone with the only light of Imamate! Here I was asked: “What do you think about the end of the life of Fatima(A.S.)? What will be the position of those who oppresses her in the hereafter!?” I waved my hand to him… So long… with no word…dead silence…So long! But wait..can’t you hear the Commander of the faithful…the known hero…Ali…Don’t you realize that he is crying? Yet, who would not cry for being separated from the Mistress of women? Listen to him, he is speaking to the Prophet(S.A.W.):
“O Prophet of Allah, peace be upon you from me and from your daughter who has come to you and who has hastened to meet you. O Prophet of Allah (S.A.W.)! My patience about your chosen (daughter) has been exhauted and my power of endurance has weakened, except that I have ground for consolation in having endured the great hardship and heart-rending event of your seperation. I laid you down in your grave while your last breath had passed (when your head) between my neck and chest. ‘Verily we are Allah’s and verily unto Him shall we return.’ (2:56)
Now the trust has been returned and what had been given has been taken back. My grief knows no bounds, and my nights will remain sleepless till Allah chooses for me the house in which you are now residing. Certainly your daughter would apprise you of the joining together of your Ummah (people) for oppressing her. You ask her in detail and get all the news about the position. This happened when a long time had not elapsed and your remembrance had not disappeared. My salam be on you both, the salam of a grief stricken not of a disgusted or a hateful person; for if I go away, it is not because I am weary (of you); and if I stay, it is not due to lack of belief in what Allah has promised the endurers.”
Failing Attempts
At sunrise people gathered to participate in Hadrat Fatima’s funeral, but they were informed that the darling of Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W.) had been secretly buried during the night. Meanwhile, Ali (A.S.) made the shapes of four fresh graves in Baqi’ so as to conceal the location where Fatima was buried.
When the people entered the graveyard, they were confused as to which spot was actually Lady Fatima Zahra’s grave; the people turned towards each other and with feeling of guilt said:
“Our Prophet (S.A.W.) has not left behind but one daughter, yet she has died and was buried without our participation in the funeral or the prayer rituals. We do not even realize the place where she has been buried!”
Noticing that a revolt might be ignited because of the emotional atmosphere that event created, the governing party announced:
“Select a group of Muslim women and ask them to dig these graves so that we may find Fatima(A.S.) and perform prayers on her.
” Yes! They attempted to execute the plan, violating Hadrat Fatima’s will and causing Imam Ali’s (A.S.) attempts to hide the grave to lay veinly. Have they forgotten Ali’s sharp sword and his well-known courage! Did they really think that Imam Ali(A.S.) would remain indifferent to their outrageous actions up to the point of letting them dig Fatima’s grave?!
Imam Ali (A.S.) did not fight back after the Holy Prophet’s (S.A.W.) demise because he considered the Muslim’s unity and overall interests. Yet, this did not mean that he would ignore their villainous crimes against Hadrat Fatima(A.S.) even after her death.
In other words,Imam Ali(A.S.) was asked by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) to have patience, but only to a certain extent; when Imam Ali(A.S.) recieved the news of the about to be executed plot, he put on his fighting gear and rushed towards Baqi’.
