WHERE IS THE GRAVE OF SAYYIDA FATIMA ZAHRA (S.A.) ?

Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was the only daughter of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Her mother was Sayyida Khadija (s.a.), the richest woman in the Arabian Peninsula. She authorized the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to spend her entire wealth for the propagation and strength of Islam. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) loved and respected his daughter. He told the Muslims time and again that she was a part of the Messenger of Allah, whatever harms her harms him, whatever causes her pains it pains him, whoever pleases her pleases him. After the Migration to Madina and her marriage to the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.), it was customary for the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to stand up to welcome his daughter Fatima Zahra (s.a.) as a mark of respect. This was the distinction and unique status of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.). Muslims do not give this exalted status to their daughters treating it as “Sunnah” The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) called her “Umme Abiha” which means she was the mother of her father (s.a.w.a.s.). Her husband was the Conqueror of Khyber, hero of Badr, Uhad, and Khandaq. He sacrificed his life on the night of “Migration to Madinah” to safeguard the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.a.s.). It is rightly said that “Islam prospered by the wealth of Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) and the sword (Zulfiqar) of Imam Ali (a.s.).

Before his death, the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) used to come at the house of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and greet the inmates of her house. Surah al-Shura Ayah 23 says: “I do not ask you for any compensation for my preaching to you except (your) love of (my near) relatives.” Moreover, whenever the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) would go out of Madinah, he would meet his daughter (Fatima) at the end and see her first on his return!

It is customary that man not only loves his lover but also loves those human beings or things attached to his lover. In Surah al-Rahman Ayah 60: “Hal Jaza’al Ihsan Illal Ihsan?” “Can anything else be a response to a favor but a favor?”

Surprisingly, we Muslims are fully aware that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) dearly loved his beloved daughter Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) who’s self-less services to Islam and the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.a.s.) are undeniable. He himself had said: “Fatima is a part of me”. Part is inclusive of physical as well as spiritual partnership. Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) single-handedly conveyed the Message of Islam to the women-folk of the Muslim community. But we do not ponder for a moment as to where is the grave of this lady who was part of the Ayah of Purification Surah al-Ahza’b Ayah 33: “Innama Ureedullahu Le’yuzheba Ankumur Rijsa Ahlal Bayte wa Utah’herakum Tatheerah” It means “O’People of the House, Allah wants to keep away all kinds of uncleanness from you and to Purify you thoroughly.” Her “Truthfulness” was certified by Allah (s.w.t.) in the spiritual Battle with the Christians of Najr’an (Najra’an is a town south of Jiddah, Saudi Arabia) when the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) invited the priests for Mubahelah Surah ale-Imran Ayah 61 and seeing the illuminating faces (of course, Sayyida Fatima Zahra was fully covered), they decided not to do Mubahela. In Mubahela, the opposing parties would pray for the curse of Allah on the liars.

When the time of Martyrdom of the beloved daughter of the last Prophet of Allah arrived, she requested the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), her husband, not to let the people attend her funeral prayers who oppressed and caused utmost pain to her. She also requested that she should be buried at night and to eliminate any sign of her grave. Imam Ali (a.s.) complied with her request and she was buried at night and eliminated the signs of her grave. He prepared 40 other graves so that no one could identify her grave.

There are reports that she was buried in her house, some other reports said that she was buried in the Mosque of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) between his grave and his minbar as it was considered to be a garden of Paradise. And a third report says that she was buried in the famous graveyard of “Jannat-ul-Baqi’”

If the Muslims sincerely and really love their Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and expect his Shafa’ah on the Day of Judgment, then they should ponder, inquire and search the reasons why the Lady of Paradise did not want the Muslims of Madinah to attend her funeral, why she did not want that any outsider should identify her grave?