‘I want to wash my children’s hair and clothes, because they will soon be orphans’

Imam Ali (A.S.) was surprised to find that his dear wife had left her bed and had started doing the housework; he asked her about it and she replied:

“This is the last day of my life. I want to wash my children’s hair and clothes, because they will soon be orphans, without a mother!!”

Imam Ali (A.S.) then asked her about the source of know­ledge of this news (the day of her departure). She (A.S.) told him that she had seen the Messenger of Allah in her dream and he had told her that she was going to join him that night. She then asked Imam Ali (A.S.) to execute her will.

He said:

“Instruct me to do anything you wish, daughter of Allah’s Messenger.” Ali (A.S.) then asked everyone to leave the house and he sat next to her.

Fatima started:

“Cousin, you are not accustomed to me being a False-teller, undevoted, or have I disobeyed you since I have become your companion?”

Ali said:

“Allah forbid!! You are more knowing of Allah, more devoted, more pious, and more honorable and more fearing of Allah than (to give me a reason) to reprimand you for disobeying me. Surely it is very painful for me to be separated from you and to lose you; but it is an inevitable destination. By Allah, you have renewed the sorrow I have just encountered with the death of Allah’s Messenger; surely your death and departure will be a great calamity, but ‘to Allah do we belong, and to Him shall we return.’

What a painful, bitter and sad calamity. Surely this is a calamity for which there is not consolement, and a disaster for which there is no compensation.”

Then they both cried and Imam Ali (A.S.) embraced her head and said:

“Instruct me to do anything you wish; you certainly will find me devoted and I will execute everything that you command me to do. I shall also put your matters over mine.”

She (A.S.) said:

“May Allah reward you with the best of goodness. Cousin, firstly I ask you to marry after my death, my niece Umamah; surely she will be to my children as I was. Besides, men cannot do without women.”

Fatima (A.S.) then added:

“I ask you not to let anyone who did injustice to me to witness my funeral, for they certainly are enemies of mine, and the enemy of Allah’s Messenger. Also don’t give them the chance to pray over me, nor to any of their followers. Burry me at night when eyes are rested and sight is put to sleep.”