FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.), THE BATOUL

Humans are subjected to assigned universal laws and physiological, psychological and spiritual peculiarities, yet certain people who have been chosen by Allah have been excluded by these laws. For instance, when Prophet Ibrahim was thrown in the gigantic fire, Allah ordered the fire to be cool and provide safety to him.

Procreation cannot take place without impregnation and the implementation of sperm in the woman’s womb, wherein the sperm is made into a clot that grows to be a fetus covered with bones that become an unborn child. This process takes at least six to nine months. But Allah invalidated this process in case of Hazrat Mariam. It has been reported that she gave birth to Prophet Isaa, carrying him for six to nine hours in her womb.

Likewise, all miracles, which occurred through other prophets, took place in environments that did not confirm to natural laws. The Holy Qur’an is filled with numerous examples of such abnormal or supernatural phenomenons.

Woman’s monthly menstruation, which starts at maturity and continues until the fifties and sixties, is nothing but the discharge of spoiled blood and tissues which were to hold the fetus had it been conceived.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “They ask you concerning women’s menstruation. Say they are a discomfort and pollution.” During the monthly periods, women are not obliged to pray or fast and they are forbidden from staying in mosques. In addition, reciting the Surahs of Qalam, Najm, Alif Lam Mim Tanzil, and Ham Mim as they contain obligatory Sajdaas.

Nevertheless, Allah, the Exalted, relieved Bibi Fatima Zahra (s.a.) from such pollution, as He removed all abominations and purified her, a total purification. The Ayah Tathir refers to this purification. For this reason she is called “Batoul”.

Following Traditions confirm the above:

1. Muhammad Saleh Kashfi in Al-Manaqib reports that the Noble Prophet said: “Fatima was called Al-Batoul because she was safeguarded and relieved from that which women encounter every month (menstruation)”
2. Al Amr Tasri narrates in Arjah Al Matalib that someone said: “Messenger of Allah, we have heard that you said that Maryam is Batoul and Fatima too, is Batoul”. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) replied: “Batoul is she who never sees blood, meaning that she never discharges menstrual blood; because menstruation is resented if it occurs in Prophet’s daughters.”
3. Qanduzi reported in Yanabi Al Mawaddah that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “She was safeguarded from menstruation and childbed (bleeding)”

Similarly, Al-Nisai, Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti, Tabari and others also recited this tradition with minor difference of wording.

It was reported in Bihar Al-Anwar that Abu Basir quoted Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) as saying “Allah, the Exalted, forbade (Imam) Ali marrying women while (Bibi) Fatima was alive.” Abu Basir exclaimed “Why was that?” Because she was pure and did not menstruate.” Allama Majlisi commented on that as “This narration means either. First: Fatima did not menstruate; (Imam) Ali had no reason to marry another woman. So Allah forbade him to marry other women in observance of her sanctity. Or, Second: Her eminence disallowed him from marrying another woman; whereas this particularity of hers is a part of this eminence."

Reference: Fatima, The Gracious by Abu Muhammad Ordoni