LADY OF PARADISE FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.) IN THE EYES OF ALLAMA IQBAL

Allama Iqbal, the famous poet, philosopher and Thinker of Pakistan, was a Sunni Muslim, and a devout admirer of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.). His Urdu and Persian work is full of praise for Imam Ali, Imam Husayn apart from Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.). In his Persian book Ramooz-e-Bekhudi, he had written a qaseedah praising The Lady of Paradise. I will reproduce it first in transliteration followed by English translation.

            Maryam az ek nisbat e Eisa aziz            Az se nizbat hazrat e Zahra aziz

Hazrat Maryam (s.a.) is exalted by only one relation of being the mother of Hazrat Eisa(a.s.), but Hazrat Zahra (s.a.) is more respectable by three relations; her father was the Prophet, Hazrat Ali (a.s.), her husband was Imam and Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) were her children.

            Noor e chashm e Rahmatulil Aalameen  Aan imam e awwaleen o akhareen

She was the beloved daughter of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.), the leader of all Prophets.

            Aan ke jaan dar payker e geeti damaid  Rozegar e taza aaeen aafraid

The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had brought peace and tranquility on the earth and opened new avenues.

            Baano e aan tajdaar e “Hal Ataa”          Murtaza Mushkilkusha Sher e Khuda

Her husband was the Crown of Holy Qur’an’s surah Hal Ataa. Imam Ali’s other name was Murtaza and he was known as the Lion of God and helped people in distress.

            Badshah wa kalbai aiwaan e oo            Yek husaam o yak zirah samaan e oo

Imam Ali (a.s.) was the king but his palace was a small house and his belongings consisted of one sword Zulfiqar and one shield which he used to wear at his back not in front.

            Maader e aan markaz e parkaar e ishq  Maader e aan karwaan salaar e ishq

She was the mother of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn who were pivot and compass of real

Islam.

            Aan yek e shama e shabistaan e haram  Hafiz e jamiyyat e khairul umam

Imam Hasan(a.s.) was one of the Panjetan and protector of Muslim Ummah.

            Taa nashinad aatish e paikaar o keen                 Pusht e pa zad bar sare taaj o nageen

Imam Hasan (a.s.), in order to avoid bloodshed of Muslims, kicked off the crown of khilafat.

            Waan digar moulai abraar e jahaan                    Quwwat e baazo e ahraar e jahaan

Imam Husayn (a.s.) was the leader of the pious and the guide of the freedom fighters in the world.

            Dar nawa e zindagi soz az Husayn                     Ahl e haq hurriyat amoz az Husayn

Imam Husayn(a.s.)’s jihad in Kerbala has brought meaning and purpose to life and the followers of righteousness will continue to draw inspiration from his courage, liberty and fortitude.

            Seerat e farzand ha az ummahaat                       Jouhar e sidq o safa az ummahaat

Character of children reflects their mothers so also they learn truth and piety from their mothers.

Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn(a.s.), who are the “Leaders of Youth in Paradise, reflect the paramount stature of the Lady of Paradise, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.).

            Mazra e tasleem ra hasil Batool             Madaraan ra uswai kaamil Batool

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.)’s other name was “Batool”. Iqbal says that She is a complete and perfect example and role model for Muslim women to follow in their lives.

            Bahr e muhtaj e dalish aango na sukht   Ba yahudi chaader e khud ra farukht

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was so moved by the distress of a needy person that she sold her own chador to a Jew to help him.

            Noori wa ham aatashi farmanbarish                   Gum razaish dar raza e shouharish

All angels and jins were the servants of Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) but she was obedient to her husband.

            Aan adab parwarda e sabr o raza                     Aasia garden wa lab qur’an sara

She was the symbol of patience and contentment and she would recite Qur’an while grinding the stone mill at home.

            Girya hai oo zabaleen be niyaz              Gauhar afshande badamaan e namaaz

She will shed tears for the nearness to Allah while praying namaaz and the pearls would fall on prayer mat.

            Ashk e oo barcheed Jibra’eel az zameen           Hamchu shabnam raikht bar Arsh e baree

Jibra’eel would carry her tears from the earth and spread them as dew in the heavens.

            Rishta e aaeen e haq zanjeer pa ast                   Paas e farmaan e janab e Mustafa ast

I have been constrained by Islamic laws and commandments of Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.s.)

            Warna gird e turbatish gardeedami                    Sajda ha bar khaak e oo pashidami

Otherwise, I would have circuambulate your grave and do prostration on your grave’s soil.