SAYYIDA FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.) AND HAZRAT MARYAM (S.A.)

Hazrat Maryam was the daughter of Imran while Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was the daughter of the Master of all Prophets, The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.).

Prophet Zakariya raised Hazrat Maryam (s.a.) as an orphan, while Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was raised by the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) himself.

Hazrat Maryam (s.a.) was assured the safety and security of Prophet Isa while no such assurance of survival of Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn was given by Allah (s.w.t.) hence she deserved more praise.

Allah (s.w.t.) pacified her saying, “Do not be sad” (19:24) while the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) told Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), “Allah becomes happy with whatever makes you happy!”

When Hazrat Maryam became pregnant with Prophet Isa, Allah said, “We breathed Our spirit” (21:91) while Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was one of the “Holy Five” about whom Archangel Gib’raeel said proudly, “I am the sixth of “The Holy Five” under the Cloak of Purity” referring to the Hadees-e-Kissa.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Maryam was the leader of the women of the world at her time but Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is the leader of all the women at all time, from beginning till the end of the world. She is the Chief of the women in Paradise. She is the human houri. Allah is angered when she is angry and He (s.w.t.) is pleased when she is pleased. She is part of me, whoever annoys her annoys me.” (Sahih Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Masnad Ahmad etc.)

In the Glorious Qur’an, there is one Surah Maryam in her praise. There are many Ayahs generally praising Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and four Surahs viz. Surah al-Kauthar, Surah al-Dahr, Ayah of Purity 33:33, Ayah of Muwaddat 42:23

When Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was born, Hazrat Maryam (s.a.) along with Hazrat Hawwa, Asiya bint Muzahim, Kulsum, Prophet Musa’s sister came to assist Sayyida Khadija. (Fatima the Gracious by Abu Muhammad Ordoni).

The Poet, Philosopher Allama Iqbal praising Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) said in “Ramuz-e-Bekhudi”:

                          Maryam az ek Nisbete Isa Aziz* Az sey Nisbet Hazrat-e-Zahra Aziz

 Hazrat Maryam is exalted only by one relation; being the mother of Prophet Isa, but Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) is respectable and exalted by three relations; her father was the Chief of all Prophets, The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), her husband was the bravest man in history, the soul of the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.), the Lion of Allah, Imam Ali (a.s.), and the mother of “the Princes of the youths of Paradise; Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.)

Once, the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was hungry for several days and he came to Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and inquired about any food, but she had nothing to offer him. As soon as he left, a neighbor brought some food. She sent her children to call their grandfather. When he came, she uncovered the tray of food and found bread and meat. He (s.a.w.a.s.) asked, “From where you have gotten this food?” She replied, “It is from Allah. Surely Allah gives sustenance to whomever He pleases without measure.” (3:37) The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “Grace be to Allah who has made you similar to the best of women (Maryam) of the world during the time of Israelites”

Apart from this incident, Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was honored by Allah many times, sending food from Paradise. Once, she prayed for clothes for her young sons Imam Hasan and Imam Husayn (a.s.), and Archangel Gib’raeel brought new clothes from Paradise posing as the “Tailor” 

Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, Allama Iqbal’s Ramuz-e-Bekhudi, Fatima The Gracious by Abu Muhammad Ordoni,

               Behar-al-Anwar by Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi (r.a.)