Imaginary Created Shrine of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha)
The Complete Life History of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha)
The Divine Conception and Heavenly Birth
The story of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) begins not in the earthly realm but in the divine presence of Almighty Allah. She is the central personality between Nabuwah (Prophethood) and Imamat, the blessed daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) and the beloved wife of Imam Ali (ASWS). Her conception was a miracle of divine proportions, as the Holy Prophet was ordered by Almighty Allah to seclude himself from contact with Khadija for forty days . During this period of spiritual seclusion, the Holy Prophet was engaged in prayers, fasting, and spiritual connections with his Lord.
When the seclusion ended, Archangel Gabriel descended with a tray of heavenly fruits, saying: “Allah sends His salaams to you! Get ready to receive the celestial gift from your Lord!” . The Holy Prophet was commanded to eat from this heavenly dish and then go to Khadija, as Almighty Allah had willed to create a pure child from this blissful food . Thus, Syeda Fatima was conceived from the fruits of Paradise, establishing her divine origin and her status as a celestial being.
The Miraculous Birth and Her Titles of Dignity
Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah was born on the 20th of Jamadi al-Thani, five years after the declaration of Prophethood and eight years before the Hijrah . When the time of childbirth approached, Khadija, abandoned by the ladies of Quraysh who had previously enjoyed her hospitality but now refused to help her , was in distress. Four of the most beautiful women in white dressings came to assist her—Eve, Asiya (Pharaoh’s wife), Kulthum (Moses’ sister), and Maryam (mother of Jesus). They bathed the newborn with heavenly water, wrapped her in heavenly clothes, and placed her on Khadija’s lap .
The Holy Prophet was delighted with the news of her birth, perceiving that the divine promise of giving him “Kawthar” (the Abundant Blessing) had been fulfilled . She was named “Fatima” because she and her followers shall be protected from the fire of hell . She has many epithets: al-Zahra (the Radiant), al-Tahira (the Pure), al-Siddiqa (the Righteous), al-Muhadditha (the one spoken to by angels), and Umm Abiha (the mother of her father) . This last title reflects her exceptional care and compassion for her father, as she would wash his wounds and comfort him during the persecution in Mecca.
Her Childhood and the Title “Mother of Her Father”
The Holy Prophet and his daughter shared an especially tender relationship. When Khadija died when Fatima was barely six years old, the Prophet faced intense political violence in Mecca and often came home bruised and battered . It was little Fatima who put aside her own grief for her mother and grew up overnight, washing and dressing her father’s wounds and cheering him on with her love and belief . The Prophet took to calling the gentle, busy mite “the mother of your father” .
Her Virtues and Supreme Status
The Holy Prophet declared: “If beauty were a person it would be Fatima, Nay! She is greater. Indeed Fatima is my daughter and the best of the people of the earth in her origin, dignity and honour” . Muhammad is said to have regarded her as the best of women and the dearest person to him . He also said to her: “Thou art the highest of the women of the people of Paradise, excepting only the Virgin Mary, daughter of Imran” .
The Holy Prophet would stand up to greet her and kiss her hands and make her sit by him . Ayesha once asked him: “Do you love Fatima Zehra so much that when she arrives you get up to give respect to her, kiss her hands and make her sit by you?” He replied, “O Ayesha! If you come to know why I love her so much, you shall also love her” . Umm Salma, another of the Prophet’s wives, said that Fatima Zehra resembled the Prophet most of all the people in both looks and behaviour .
Her Marriage to Imam Ali (ASWS)
When Fatima came of age, the Prophet’s senior followers, including Abu Bakr and Umar, applied for her hand, but the Prophet held back, waiting for an omen . God spoke to him: “O my Prophet, get the light Noor married to the light.” Thus, when Ali asked for Fatima’s hand, the Prophet gladly married them . The dowry was simple—Ali sold his shield, and the Prophet declared: “I marry you to the best one of my Ummah. He is the most knowledgeable, the most prudent, and the first Muslim.” Her home, though simple, was filled with blessings and divine light.
Her Life of Charity and Altruism
One of her most celebrated acts of charity occurred during a three-day fast. When her two sons fell ill, the family made a vow to fast for three days if they recovered. Each night at the time of breaking their fast, a different needy person came to their door . On the first night, it was a destitute; on the second, an orphan; and on the third, a captive. Each time, the family gave away their meager food and broke their fast with only water . This act is praised in the Holy Quran: “And they feed for the love of Allah, the destitute, the orphan and the captive” (Surah al-Dahr, 76:8-9) . It was her practice that no beggar ever left her door empty-handed.
The Painful Events After the Prophet’s Demise
After the outward demise of the Holy Prophet, a gathering at Saqifah led to the hasty decision of establishing a Caliphate without the consultation of the Prophet’s family and many prominent companions . This event led to painful situations for the Ahlul Bayt Athaar (ASWS). The house of Syeda Fatima was besieged, and the door was burned, causing her injury and the miscarriage of her unborn child, Muhsin . The Garden of Fadak, which the Prophet had gifted to her, was also snatched away . Despite all this, Syeda Fatima remained steadfast in her faith and courage.
The Sermon of Fadak and Her Powerful Defense
Syeda Fatima delivered a powerful sermon in the Prophet’s Mosque, protesting the injustice against her and her family. She defended the rights of the Ahlul Bayt and the divine law of inheritance. Her courage and eloquence moved the audience to tears, yet the injustice continued .
The Holy Demise: A Divine Account of Her Soul’s Return
When the time of her demise approached, a most profound event unfolded, demonstrating her supreme status in the sight of Almighty Allah. It is narrated in Tafsir Ruh al-Bayan that when Almighty Allah ordered the Angel of Death, Izraeel, to take the pure soul from the holy body of the daughter of His Beloved Prophet, Izraeel refused. The Angel of Death gave a beautiful pretext: she always covered her whole personality with cloth and never left a single hair uncovered. When he would go to get the pure soul back, her whole personality would be uncovered to him . Out of profound respect for her sanctity and modesty, he could not bear to witness her uncovered .
Almighty Allah, who is the Most Forbearing and the Most Merciful, liked the reply of His angel. The Lord of the Universe Himself then took the pure soul of Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah back to His divine presence. This event highlights the unique honour and status bestowed upon her. It is because of her unwavering modesty and the utmost respect she commanded, even from the Angel of Death, that Almighty Allah Himself undertook this sacred task. She left this world pure and undefiled, a true martyr (Shahida) .
Her Final Moments and Will
During her final illness, she was seen sitting facing the Qibla, raising her hands to the sky and praying . She entrusted her will to Imam Ali, requesting that he wash, shroud, and bury her at night, and that no one from those who had wronged her should attend her funeral . She passed away shortly after her father, a grieving yet steadfast soul . She was buried in a secret location in Medina, according to her will, and today she is believed to be buried in al-Baqi cemetery .
Her Supreme Status on the Day of Judgement
On the Day of Judgment, Almighty Allah will announce to all of creation: “Keep your heads and eyes down as the Holy Personality of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) is arriving at the Hauz-e-Kauthar.” This announcement, rooted in the deep reverence and love that the Lord holds for her, underscores her unparalleled status as the Mistress of the Women of Paradise. Her arrival at the celestial fountain, the very symbol of abundance granted to her father, will be a moment of unparalleled majesty and dignity. No one will be able to look upon her, for her light will be blinding, and her sanctity overwhelming. She will arrive as the Queen of the Hereafter, the intercessor for her lovers and followers, and the ultimate symbol of divine grace and purity.