Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was the only daughter of the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and Sayyida Khadijatul Kubra (s.a.). Her birth was
specially arranged by Almighty Allah (s.w.t.): Gabriel descended in the
presence of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and conveyed His peace and ordered
him not to come close to his wife for forty days. He (s.a.w.a.s) complied by
fasting during the day and praying at nights. After forty days Gabriel once again
with another angel Michael (Mikael) descended with a plate covered by a handkerchief
of brocade and asked that he should break his fast on that day with the food
under cover. Imam Ali (a.s.) narrates, “The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) used
to order me to open the door to anyone who came to join him in iftar. On that
day he ordered me to guard the door and said, “O Son of Abu Talib! This food is
forbidden to everyone save me.” Then, he said “I sat at the door, and the
Prophet uncovered the plate and found a cluster of dates and a bunch of grapes,
he ate until satisfied and drank his need of water. He then extended his hands for
washing, so Gabriel poured water, Michael washed his hands and Israfil dried
them. Thereafter, the remaining food ascended to Heavens. Then he started to
prepare for prayers when Gabriel said to him, “Prayer is forbidden to you until
you go to Khadija and perform coition with her; for Allah (Glory be to Him)
ordained upon Himself to create noble progeny from you tonight.”
The birth of Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was also
miraculous. Sayyida Khadija (s.a.) called the midwives of Quraish for help,
everyone refused because she had married the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)
ignoring the rich youths of Quraish. She was stressed, but Allah sent the
towering women of the world. Four ladies, whose beauty and brilliance are indescribable,
entered the room. One of them said, “I am your Mother Eve (Hawwa), the second
one said, “I am Umme Kulthum, Musa’s sister, the third one said, “I am Asiya
binte Muzahim and the fourth one said, “I am Mariam bint Imran, mother of Isa.”
We have come to deliver your child! (Tabari, Qanduzi in Yanabiul Muwaddah,
Bihar ul Anwar of Majlisi)
The Infallible Imam Jaffar al-Sadiq (a.s.) said, “My grandmother
Fatima Zahra (s.a.)’s light (Noor) was created by Allah (s.w.t.) long before Adam
was created. According to Ibne Abbas, she would grow in one month as ordinary
babies grow in one year. When she would go to her father, he would stand up to
receive her as a mark of respect and make her sit on his place and often kiss
her hand.
People asked the sixth Infallible Imam Jaffar al-Sadiq
(a.s.), “Why do they call Fatima, Zahra?” The Imam replied, “Because Zahra
means shining, and Fatima was such that when she stood in the “Mihrab” of prayers,
her light was radiance for the inhabitants of skies, just as the light of the
stars are for the inhabitants of earth.”
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) said, “My daughter is named
Fatima because she and her Shias, the followers of her school, are separated
from the fire of Hell (Sawaiq ul Muhriqa). Her other names are more than eighty-five;
some of which are,” Ummul A’imma” (Mother of Imams), “Umme Abiha” (Mother of
her father), Siddiqah (The Honest), “Taahirah’ (The Virtuous), “Zakiyyah” (The
Chaste), “Marziyyah” (Pleasing for her prayers), “Muhaddisah” (One who converses
with angels).
Sources: Fatima, the Gracious by Abu Muhammad Ordani, Bihar
ul Anwar by Allama Muhammad Baqir Majlisi,
World’s
Most Outstanding Lady by Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Dua.org
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