On this 20 Jamadiul Sani, World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) congratulates the Prophet of Islam (saww), the Imam of our time (atfs), all righteous scholars and all believers on the birth anniversary  of the only daughter of the Prophet, the leader of the women of the universe, the queen of the women of paradise,  Fatima bint Muhammad (sa).

Lady Fatima (sa) was born in the fifth year after revelation began, and was raised by the Prophet (saww) and her mother lady Khadijah (sa) surrounded by the light of prophethood, excellence in worship and constant God-consciousness. She in turn was a most loyal devoted daughter whose humility and modesty as a woman are exemplary.

Fatima (sa) has several names/titles, such as: Fatima فاطمة, al-Siddiqa الصديقة (the truthful one), al-Mubaraka المباركة (the blessed one), al-Tahira الطاهرة (the pure one), al-Zakiyya الزكية (the chaste one), al-Radhiayya الرضية (the grateful one), al-Mardhiyya المرضية (the one who shall be pleased [on Judgment Day]), al-Muhaddatha المحدثة (the one, other than the Prophet, to whom an angel speaks) and al-Zahra الزهراء (the splendid one).

Lady Fatima (sa) is one of the fourteen Infallibles, born and kept purified by Allah. Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (as) said that her name means one who is protected from evil touching her, as are her devout followers. There are around 15 verses of the Quran that relate Sayeda Fatima (sa) according to both Sunni and Shia sources, especially the verses of Mubahila (3:61) with the Christian delegation, where Fatima was the only designated woman of the Prophet’s envoys for interfaith discussion, and also the Verse of Purification (30:33) where the Ahlul Bayt (the Prophet, Ali, Hasan, Husain and Fatima) were described as the purified family of the Prophet (saww).

The Prophet (saww) said,  “Whoever injures (bodily or otherwise) Fatima, he injures me; and whoever injures me injures Allah; and whoever injures Allah practices unbelief. O Fatima! If your wrath is incurred, it incurs the wrath of Allah; and if you are pleased, it makes Allah pleased, too.” This hadith is unequivocal in the special status accorded to Sayeda Fatima (sa). In fact we know that the our aim is to get close to Allah, by pleasing Him: and the best way to please Him is by pleasing those He loves and sent as perfect role models. Therefore to be loyal to Fatima bint Muhammad (sa) and her progeny is the best way to please Allah and attain His nearness.

Not only is Lady Fatima one of the five exalted purified figures according to the Quran, but she is also one of the four chosen best examples of women in the universe, the others being her mother Khaidjah, Asiya wife of Pharoah, and Maryam mother of Jesus (sa). But Fatima is the highest in status out of these four.  Her place in creation is absolutely unique: she was the one and only person for whom the Prophet of Islam stood up in veneration. She was the one who was considered a mercy for him (saww) who is described as a mercy to the universe (saww). We cannot begin to comprehend the status of Fatima. And yet, despite her uniqueness, she lived the most humble, simple, ordinary life imaginable.

Lady Fatima was the daughter of the last Prophet, but she was also the wife of the first Imam, Ali ibn Abi Talib and mother to Imams Hasan, Husain, ladies Zainab and Umm Kulthum (as). Her life as daughter, wife, mother, teacher, are incomparable. There is an example for every one of us to take from her life.

Despite being raised in the lap of prophethood, and being the mother of Imams Hasan and Husain (as), and the honoured wife and soulmate of Imam Ali, lady Fatima (sa) led a very difficult oppressed life after the demise of the Prophet (saww). She suffered greatly at the tender age of 18 at the hands of the Muslim ummah. In fact we can say that she was the first victim of terrorism, for she was attacked  for not submitting to the rulers of the time and their version of Islam. This is almost identical to the terror and oppression that is still being perpetrated today in the name of Islam by violent extremists.

As followers of lady Fatima (sa), we stand against every act of terror especially those carried out in the name of Islam to sully the faith. We also take great lessons from her modesty, her honourable veil and her piety. WABIL extends its warm wishes to the world today on the birth of the righteous, devout, pious, light of the house of the Prophet, Fatima (sa). We pray for the ability to follow her wonderful life and seek her pleasure, and in turn Allah’s pleasure, by holding to the tenets of Islam.

Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK

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