The Chief Princess of All Women: An Introduction to the Holy Personality of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah
The First Creation and The Divine Light of the Universe
In the sacred spiritual lineage of the Owaisi Qadari Qalandari Order, we recognize that the Panjtan Paak—the Five Holy Personalities—were the first creation of Almighty Allah from His Divine Light (Noor). Among these blessed five, Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) holds a position of unparalleled distinction as the Chief Princess of all women of the universes and Jannah. Her status is not merely of a beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) but of a spiritual luminary whose light illuminates the heavens and the earth.
Her Titles and Names: Reflections of Her Divine Dignity
The names of Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (peace be upon her) are themselves mirrors reflecting her outstanding qualities and divine status. Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) has narrated that she possesses nine names given by Almighty Allah, each revealing a dimension of her sanctity:
Fatima means “separated and protected from ignorance and impurity,” signifying that she is kept away from the fire of hell and adorned with all virtues and merits. This name indicates her power to save herself and all her followers and lovers from the fire of hell.
Seddiqah means “extremely honest,” pointing to the degree of her truthfulness as one of her outstanding qualities.
Mubarakah means “blessed,” as she was granted abundant blessings and was herself a source of abundant blessings. Through her, all the offspring of the Holy Prophet descended, making her the vessel of the Prophet’s continuing lineage.
Tahirah means “pure and chaste,” as she was purified along with other members of the Household of the Holy Prophet according to the Verse of Tat’heer in the Holy Quran: “Verily, Allah desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O People of the House! And to purify you a thorough purifying”.
Zakiyyah means “the purified soul,” purified from any pollution or deficiency, enabling her to attain the highest level of spiritual evolution.
Raaziyah means “the one who is content with Allah’s wills,” surrendering herself to all that Allah has predestined for her.
Marziyyah means “the one with whom Allah, His Messenger, and the Holy Imams are fully satisfied.”
Muhaddathah means “the one to whom the angels talked,” a matchless lady who received divine inspirations. The angel came to her continuously and spoke to her just as it spoke to Saint Mary, saying: “O Fatima! Allah has selected you, purified you, and made you superior to all women throughout the world”.
Zahra means “luminous,” for when she stood in her place of prayer, the angels in the heavens witnessed a glittering light, just like starlight in the sky that glitters for the people on the earth.
The Chief Princess of All Women
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) himself declared the supreme status of his beloved daughter, saying: “Fatima is the best woman ever, from the beginning of time, up to its end”. He also proclaimed: “Fatima is the best of all women of the world (Sayyidatu Nesae Al A’lameen), and a role-model for all Muslim women”. In another tradition, the Holy Prophet declared: “The best of your men is Ali Ibn Abi Talib, and the best of your women is Fatimah Binte Mohammad”.
She is recognized as the leader of all women of Paradise, the guiding light for all women, and the most honorable and noble woman in the world. The blessed lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) continued only through her, and her sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain, were declared the leaders of the youth of Paradise.
The Holy Prophet’s Unique Love and Care for His Beloved Daughter
The relationship between the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) and his beloved daughter Fatima represents the most beautiful and profound father-daughter bond in human history. His love for her was not ordinary but was mixed with exceptional respect and exaltation. The Holy Prophet declared: “Fatimah is a part of me; whatever makes her happy, makes me happy. And whatever hurts her, hurts me”. He further stated: “Fatimah is a part of me, and she is my soul that is between my shoulders”.
In an era when the pagan Arabs viewed their daughters as a curse and a liability, to the extent of burying them alive, the Holy Prophet demonstrated the highest form of respect and love for his daughter. He would stand up to receive her whenever she visited him, which was clearly against the Arab custom for a father to stand up for his daughter. He would kiss her hand and make her sit at his own place. He would place his face on hers and never slept unless he kissed her face.
Whenever the Holy Prophet decided to go on a journey, Fatima was the last one to whom he bade farewell, and as soon as he came back from his trip, she was the first one he visited. He would kiss her throat upon his return and say: “From her, I do smell the fragrance of Paradise”. Sometimes, overwhelmed with love, he would say: “May her father be sacrificed for her”.
On one occasion, when his beloved daughter came to him and requested a servant to help her with household chores, the Holy Prophet did not provide a servant but instead gave her the Tasbih of Fatima—to recite 33 times SubhanAllah, 33 times Alhamdolillah, and 34 times Allaho-Akbar—teaching her that this remembrance of Allah was far better than any servant. This incident demonstrates that his love was not merely worldly but was aimed at her spiritual elevation.
Her Dignity and Sanctity as Established by the Holy Quran
Surah Al-Kawthar and the Abundant Blessing
Before the birth of Fatima Zahra, the enemies of the Holy Prophet repeatedly taunted him by saying that he was the one who would be without posterity, as all his children had died. In response, Almighty Allah revealed Surah Al-Kawthar: “Verily, We granted you Kawthar (the Abundant Blessing). So, turn to your Lord in Prayer and make a sacrifice. Surely, your enemy (and not you) is the one who shall be without posterity”. Many great scholars believe that Fatima Al-Zahra is the personality who best fits the concept of Kawthar, as all later offspring of the Holy Prophet descended from her, becoming the guardians of Islam.
The Verse of Tat’heer (Purity)
The Verse of Tat’heer in Surah Al-Ahzab establishes the genetic purification of the Ahlul-Bayt, including Fatima Zahra, declaring that they are not only infallible—free from any uncleanness, disobedience, error, sin, or personal whim—but also away from “the thought of sin”.
The Verse of Mubahala (Mutual Cursing)
The event of Mubahala, mentioned in Surah Aale-Imran, revealed to the Muslims how near and dear the progeny of the Prophet are to Allah. When the Holy Prophet was challenged by the Christians of Najran, he brought Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain as his sons, Fatima Zahra as his selected lady, and Imam Ali as his soul. This event marked out the distinct status of the Ahlul-Bayt and proved the superiority and truthfulness of Islam.
The Event of Surah Al-Insan
The verses of Surah Al-Insan (verses 7-11) were revealed in praise of the Ahlul-Bayt when Imam Ali, Fatima Zahra, along with their maid Fizza, took a vow to fast for three days when Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain fell sick. Each day at the time of breaking their fast, a needy person appeared, and they fed him, passing the nights without food and breaking their fasting with water only. On the fourth day, when the Prophet saw them trembling with hunger, he was grieved to see the condition of his daughter, sitting hollow-eyed on her prayer mat, her stomach stuck to her back. It was then that Archangel Gabriel came with Surah Al-Insan, saying: “O Muhammad, Allah congratulates you for having such a (devoted) household”.
Her Role as the Mother of the Ahlul-Bayt
Syeda Fatima Zahra is the mother of the infallible Imams, the vessel through whom the Prophet’s lineage continued. Her sons, Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain, are the leaders of the youth of Paradise. The entire chain of Islamic scholarship, jurisprudence, and spirituality continued through her blessed progeny. As Imam Khomeini noted, “Sahifah Fatimah was inspired to her from the very presence of the Lord most High,” indicating her receiving divine inspirations.
A Role Model for All Times
Her life, though short, achieved the position as the primary woman of all females, superior to all great and saintly women throughout history. Her home environment was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty. She helped her husband in his worldly and religious affairs and cooperated with him in achieving his exalted mission.
Imam Khomeini, the great spiritual leader of the Muslim world, declared the Birthday of Hazrat Zahra as “Woman’s Day,” emphasizing that this day is like the day of revival of real womanhood. He advised all women around the world to follow in the footsteps of the holy lady, stating: “If you don’t learn from her asceticism, piety, modesty and other virtues, you have not even understood the true essence of womanhood”.
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) is not merely a historical figure but a living spiritual reality whose light continues to guide humanity. She is the Chief Princess of all women of the universes and Jannah, the most honored and noble woman in the world, and the manifestation of divine light in female form. Her dignity and sanctity were established by Almighty Allah in the Holy Quran, and her status was repeatedly emphasized by her beloved father, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW).
She is a part of the Holy Prophet, and her love and devotion are essential for every believer seeking closeness to Allah and His Messenger. As the Blessed Daughter of the Holy Prophet, the Mother of the Infallible Imams, and the Chief of the Women of Paradise, Syeda Fatima Zahra continues to be a beacon of light for all who seek guidance, and she remains the ultimate role model for all women—and indeed all humanity—until the end of time.