Hazrat Khadija (s.a.) was the richest woman of Arabia.
The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) worked for her as the administrator of her
enormous trading empire transporting goods to parts of the Middle East where
there was demand for it. During these trade journeys, her special servant, Mays
rah, witnessed many miracles from the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.) and reported
back to her. She was very impressed with his honesty, sincerity and exemplary morals.
She herself initiated to marry the young Muhammad (s.a.w.a.s.).
There is a proverbial saying: “Islam did not spread in the world except through (Imam) Ali’s Zulfiqar
and the enormous wealth of Sayyida Khadija (s.a.)”. She had earned the
titles of “Ameerat-ul-Quraish” –
Princess of Quraish and al-Tahira, the Pure One, due to her impeccable
personality and virtuous character, not to mention the honorable descent. She
was from the tribe of Banu Asad, a
clan of Banu Hashim. Before the dawn
of Islam, she was practicing monotheist religion of Prophet Ibra’him (Islam)
and was already practicing “Silae Rahem”. She used to feed and provide
clothes to the poor and needy, assist financially her relatives and bear the
expenses of marriage of her deserving kin.
She was the first woman to apparently embrace Islam along with (Imam)
Ali, a young boy who was born inside the sacred Ka’bah!
The marriage between Sayyida Khadijah (s.a.) and Muhammad
(s.a.w.a.s.), the Noble Messenger, was
solemnized and the nikah was
performed by his uncle Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.). According to the narratives
of both Sunni and Shi’a, on the night of Ascension
(Me’raj), the Archangel Jibra’il presented some fruits of Tooba to the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and he ate
them. On return to earth, the seed
of Sayyida Fatima was coagulated
from that heavenly fruits and thus Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) conceived her.
Because Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) had married the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) who was not financially at par with her, hence her
neighbors boycotted her at the time of delivery of her precious daughter Fatima
(s.a.). It is reported that Allah sent the noble women of the world viz. Hazrat
Hawwa, Hazrat Umm Kulsoom, Prophet Musa’s sister, Hazrat Asiya, the wife of
Fir’aun, Hazrat Maryam. Sayyidah Fatima
Zahra (s.a.) was born on the 20th day of Jamadi al-Thani, and with
her birth, the taunts and reproaches of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)’s
opponents were silenced. Allah (s.w.t.)
had granted “al-Kausar” to his Messenger
as mentioned in Surah al-Kausar. She was destined to be the “Ummul A’immah” or the Mother of the Golden
Chain of Infallible Imams. She was
to have the “Princes of the Youths of
Paradise” who shall represent “The
Sons” in the forthcoming event of Mubahelah”.
On the eve of “The Certification of The
Most Truthful” as required by the Ayah 61 of Al-e- Imran which says: “If anyone
disputes after knowledge has come to you, say, “Let us summon our sons and (you
summon) your sons, and (we summon) our women and (you) your women, and (we
summon) our selves and (you) your selves and then let us invoke and lay the
curse of Allah on the liars.”
As the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had said: “Fatima is a Huri in human form”. Hence, her Purity was subsequently
confirmed by Allah (s.w.t.) in Surah al-Ahzab, Ayah 33 which says: “Verily,
verily Allah intends but to repel from you (every kind of) uncleanness O’
People of The House, and Purify you (with) a through Purification.” As narrated
in “Hadees-e-Kissa”, when Arch Angel Jibra’il inquired as to who was under the
cloak (Kissa), Allah (s.w.t.) introduced Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and related
“The Pnajetan” as “She is Fatima, her father, her husband and her children”
Growing in the house of revelation, gave Sayyidah Fatima
Zahra (s.a.) a chance to achieve the highest degree of perfection and
excellence. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) taught her the Divine knowledge
and endowed her with special intelligence, so that she realized the true
meaning of faith, piety, and the reality of Islam.
Surah al-Nur Ayah
35 which says: “Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth. A metaphor for
His light is a niche in which there is a lamp placed in a glass….” Ibn al
Maghazli al-Shafi’I has related that the niche means Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.); the
lamp means Hasan (a.s.) and Husayn (a.s.).
Surah al-Isra’
Ayah 26 which says: “Give the kinsmen their dues….” Commentators have related
that when this Ayah was revealed, the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) asked Arch
Angel Jibra’il: Who are the kinsmen and what is their due? Jibra’il replied:
Give Fadak to Fatima for it is her due, and whatever is due to Allah and the Prophet
out of Fadak, that also belonged to her. Thereupon the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
called Fatima and wrote the deed of gift, giving Fadak to her. (Tafsir
Durre Mansoor, volume 4 page 177)
It is said that “Love of the beloved of God is love of God.”“There is no man more loved
by the Prophet than Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) and no woman more
loved than Sayyida Fatimah (s.a.)”
When this Ayah was revealed saying: “Make not the calling of the Messenger among you as your calling of one
another”, the Muslims did not address the Prophet as “O Muhammad” any more,
instead they said: “O Messenger of God”. Sayyidah Fatimah Zahra (s.a.) said:
“After this Ayah was revealed, I did not dare calling my father as “father dear”. Subsequently, when I
addressed him as “O’ Messenger of Allah”, he did not like it and turned his
face away. He said: “O’ Fatimah, this
Ayah was not revealed for you, not for your family and your descendants. You
are of me and I am of you. Say, father dear; for this word is more life giving
for the heart and more pleasing to God.” (Manaqib Ibne-Shher Ashub)
The Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “Whoever harms Fatimah has harmed me and whoever
angers her has made me angry; and whoever has made her glad has made me glad,
and whoever sadden her has made me sad. Fatimah is part of me, whoever annoys her annoys me.”
This Tradition carries an utmost importance. It is a fact
that all the physical and spiritual qualities which are in the main body are
completely found in the part. Hence, if the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) was the
Messenger of Allah and responsible for preaching Islam, it is a natural
corollary that Sayyidah Fatima also preached Islam to the women folks. That might
be the reason when Sayyidah Fatima Zahra (s.a.) came in the presence of the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.); he would stand up and gave respect to her not as
a daughter but as the partner in preaching Islam!
Sources used:
The Glorious Qur’an
Fatima Zahra: The World’s Most Outstanding Lady by Ayatullah Nasir Makarem
Shirazi
Fatimah, the Gracious by
Abu Muhammad Ordani
Hazrat Fatimah Az-Zahra al-Islam.org
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