Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) belongs to the noblest family ever existing throughout the whole history of mankind. Her distinguished father Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the very last messenger of Allah (SWT), a personality that the Noble Qur’an introduces him as the Best Paradigm. The mother of Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was a pure noble lady named Khadijah bint Khuwaylid (sa), a godly woman with unparalleled virtues and merits, who dedicated all her life and wealth for the sake of Islam. Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) is the wife of the Leader of all Believers, Ameerul Momineen, Ali ibn Abi Talib (as), mother of the Masters of the youths of heaven (Syed-e-Shabab-e-Ahlul Jannah) and grandmother of the other nine Imams of Islam. Her name is as beautiful and as peaceful as the garden of heaven.
Her name is Fatimah and her other names are: Zahra, Seddiqah, Tahirah, Mubarakah, Batool, Radiah, Mardiah and Muhaddathah. The word Fatimah means separated. She is named Fatimah because her followers are separated from the Hell because of her. Zahra means luminous. Sixth Imam, Imam Sadiq (as) said: “When Fatimah prayed, she shined for the heavens as the stars shine for people on earth.” Seddiqah means someone who says nothing except the truth. Tahirah means pure and clean, Mubarakah means full of favour and blessing, Batool means separated from uncleanness and Radiah means satisfied with Allah’s (SWT) fate and destiny and Mardiah means laudable. Muhaddathah means the one spoken to by angels. The following are some of her titles: Ensiah (heavenly lady), Haniah (sympathetic), Shahidah (martyr), Afifah (chaste), Sabirah (patient), Alimah (learned), Madhloomah (oppressed), Ma’soomah (infallible), Umm al-Hassan (mother of Hassan), Umm al-Hussain (mother of Hussain), Umm al-A’immah (mother of Imams) and Umme Abiha. Umme Abiha means mother of her father. Prophet Muhammad (saw) has given her this title and this shows that Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) treated Prophet Muhammad (saw) as his mother. This fact was proved throughout the history as she cured her father during the wars and when she was at home and many other cases.
According to the Islamic Calendar, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was born in Makkah on the 20th day of the Islamic Lunar Calendar month, Jumada Al-Thani (615 AD), five years after the declaration of the message of Islam by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and three years after Isra and Miraj (Night journey and ascension of Prophet Muhammad (saw) to heaven) and eight years before Hijrah(migration of Prophet Muhammad (saw) from Makkah to Medina). Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) lived eight years in Makkah with her father and then she immigrated to Medina. When Prophet Muhammad (saw) died in Madina, Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was eighteen years and few months old.
The Messenger of Allah (S) said:
“The best of women of Paradise are: Khadija Bint Khowailid, Fatima Bint Muhammad, Asia Bint Muzahim (Pharaoh’s wife) and Maryam Bint Imran.”
The Prophet (s) said, “Fatima is part of me. Whatever upsets her upsets me, and whatever harms her harms me.”
Sahih Muslim, v. 5, p. 54; Khasa, is Al-Imam Ali of Nisa;’i, p. 121-122; Masabih Al-Sunnah, v. 4, p. 185; Al-Isabah, v. 4, p. 378; Seir Alam Al-Nubala’, v. 2, p. 119; Kenz Al-Omal, v. 13, p. 97; similar wording is related in Al-Tirmidhi, v. 3, Chapter on the Virtues of Fatima, p. 241; Haliyat Al-Awliya’, v.2, p. 40; Muntakhab Kenz Al-Omal, in the margins of Al-Musnad, v. 5, p. 96; Maarifat Ma Yajib Li Aal Al-Bait Al-Nabawi Min Al-Haqq Alaa Men Adahum, p. 58; Dhakha`ir Al-Uqubi, p. 38; Tadhkirat Al-Khawass, p. 279; Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v.2, ch. 59, p. 478.
In these traditions, the statement that ‘Fatima is part of me’, has an in-depth meaning. It shows that Fatema Zahra (sa) is not only the daughter of Rahmatul Lil Aalameen (Mercy to all the Worlds); No wonder that where Prophet Mohammed (saw) declared Fatima (sa) as part of himself, he (saw) also announced, “Verily my daughter Fatima is the leader of the women of the worlds.”
Fatema Zahra (sa), by virtue of being ‘Bidhatur Rasool’ [part of Prophet Mohammed (saw)] and ‘Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen’ [Fatima is the leader of the women of the worlds for all times] is an excellent role model particularly for the Muslim women, because the Prophethood of Mohammed (saw) would not have been everlasting without her. Prophet Mohammed (saw) is the perfect example for men but could not be so for women. For all Noble Qur’anic verses revealed for women, Fatema Zahra (sa) has been the perfect model, who translated every verse of Noble Qur’an into action. In her lifetime, she was a complete woman, being daughter, wife and mother par excellence.
“If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee, say: `Come! Let us gather together; our sons arid your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves. Then let us invoke the curse of God on those who lie!'” (3: 61)
This proves that there was not a woman as excellent, great, holy, and chaste as Fatima az-Zahra (sa) was. The Prophet called Fatima az-Zahra (sa) alone to join him, because she was the only woman capable of fulfilling the qualifications of the verse.
The Prophet (s) said, “On the Day of Judgment, a caller will call out, `lower your gaze until Fatima has passed.”
Kenz Al-Omal, v. 13, p. 91 & 93, Muntakhab Kenz Al-Omal quoted in the margin of Al-Musnad, v. 5, p. 96; Al-Sawaiq Al-Muhariqa, p. 190; Asad Al-Ghaba, v. 5, p. 523; Tadhkirat Al-Khawas, p. 279; Dhaka`ir Al-Uqubi, p. 48; Manaqib Al-Imam Ali of Ibn Al-Maghazali, p. 356; Nur Al-Absar, p. 51-52, Yanabi^ Al-Muwadda, v. 2, ch. 56, p. 136.
The Prophet (s) said, “When I long for the fragrance of Paradise I smell the neck of Fatima.”
Muntakhab Kenz Al-Omal, v. 5, p. 97; Nur Al-Absar, p. 51; Manaqib Al-Imam Ali of Ibn Al-Maghazali, p. 360.
The Prophet (s) said, “Of all the women in the Universe, four would suffice: Mary, Asiya, Khadija, and Fatima.”
Al-Sahihain, v. 3, the Chapter on the Virtues of Fatima, p. 171; Seir Alam Al-Nabala`, v. 2, p. 126; Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya, v. 2, p. 59; The Virtues of Al-Imam Ali of Ibn Al-Maghazali, p. 363.;
The Prophet (s) said, “I am not pleased unless Fatima is pleased.”
Manaqib Al-Imam Ali of Ibn Al-Maghazali, p. 342.
The Prophet (s) said, “The most beloved of my family to me is Fatima.”
Al-Jami^ al-Sagheer, v. 1, #203, p. 37; Al-Sawaiq Al-Muhariqa, p. 191; Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v. 2, ch. 59, p. 479; Kenz Al-Omal, v. 13, p. 93.
The Prophet (s) said, “The four greatest women in the Universe are Mary, Asiya, Khadija, and Fatima.”
Al-Jami^ Al-Sagheer, v. 1, #4112, p. 469; Al-Isaba fi Tamayyuz Al-Sahaba, v. 4, p. 378; Al-Bidaya wa Al-Nihaya, v. 2, p. 60; Dakha`ir Al-Uqubi, p. 44.
The Prophet (s) said, “Many men have reached completion, but no women have reached completion except four: Mary, Asiya, Khadija, and Fatima.”
Nur Al-Absar, p. 51.;
The Prophet (s) said, “If I were separated from the fruits of Paradise I would kiss Fatima.”
Nur Al-Absar, p. 51.
The Prophet (s) said, “The verse of purification was revealed concerning five people: myself, Ali, Hassan, Hussein, and Fatima.
“Is^af Al-Raghibeen, p. 116; Sahih Muslim, Kitab Fadha`il Al-Sahaba.
The Prophet (s) said, “The first one to enter Paradise will be Fatima.
“Yanabi^ Al-Mawadda, v. 2, p. 322, ch. 56.
The Prophet (s) said, “Verily, God has weaned (fatama in Arabic) my daughter Fatima and her children and those who love them from the Hellfire, and that is why she is named Fatima.”
Kenz Al-Omal, v. 6, p. 219.