In the current state of the Muslim world, and the advent of various sorts of spiritual diseases among Muslims, the personality of Lady Fatima is increasingly becoming a refuge for those who remain sincerely believing and hold true the Prophetic Mission. As Muslims continue to seek out happiness, contentedness, and true love towards God, we must return to the root of such traits, and these characteristics are manifested in the Prophet Muhammad and his Purified Family.

Through the school of Fatima, we can learn to cultivate our own selves into Muslims who have earned the honor of being labeled as true followers (Shias). By studying the life of the most perfect woman in Islam, individuals begin to construct for themselves a life of independence, guidance, and direction because she emphasized these values and beliefs through her devotion and love for Islam.

While the life of Lady Fatima is an example for all Muslims, she is the unequivocal role model for all women regardless of their religion or creed. Like her mother Lady Khadija, Lady Fatima presented the first chance for women to build an Islamic character and free them from the binds of ignorance and inferiority. Who other than Lady Fatima has taught women how to preserve their honor and purity? Was it not Lady Fatima who showed the world how to rise against oppression, usurpation, and injustice? Was it not Lady Fatima who personified charity and mercy towards the destitute by giving away her meals and clothing to others while knowing this would cause hardship on her?

The worship and piety of Lady Fatima is rivaled by no one before her or after her. Imam Hassan said, "On Friday night, I saw my mother standing in her arch of prayer. She was continuously kneeling and performing prostration till the dawn broke. I would hear her pray for the faithful men and women, but she did not at all pray for herself. I said, 'O mother, why did you not pray for yourself like you prayed for others? ‘She replied, 'My son, first the neighbor, and then your own house" Indeed, Lady Fatima was worshipping and praying during the night, but she even prayed for other people before herself.

The oppression dealt to the highest ranked woman in Islam has been carried out by a dual force. Following the death of her father and God's Last Messenger (peace be upon him and his progeny), the sect of the hypocrites usurped her entitlement to Fadak and carried out an attack on the home of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her). However, the historical context of these individuals allows observers to accept their actions because they complement their previous animosity towards the Prophet Muhammad and his family. When it came to many of the so-called "companions" of the Prophet, no effort was made to conceal their blatant hatred towards the Prophet's Family despite a divine decree establishing love for the Prophet and His family as compulsory. "Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it (the deliverance of the Message) but love for my near relatives." (42:23)

Indeed, we remember the sacrifice and loyalty of Imam Hassan (peace be upon him) and the revolutionary martyrdom of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) in the forsaken fields of Karbala. Rarely, if ever, do we consider: how were these individuals cultivated into men of God? Is it not because their mother was the leading woman of the worlds?

The Holy Prophet refused to allow the marriage of Lady Fatima to occur in the absence of a Divine decree, and when he was asked to explain, He stated, "Maryam was the lady of the women of her time, but my daughter Fatimah is the lady of the whole world's women, from the first to the last." (The World's Most Outstanding Lady: Fatima az-Zahra) The status and rank of Lady Fatima was so lofty and safeguarded that the only possible companion for her would be the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (peace be upon him).

Lady Fatima's life and death were so exalted and sublime in virtue and piety that all lessons of life and grandeur should be taken from her. Lady Fatima is a source of guidance for all Muslims, and her attributes mirror those of her father and her husband and her sons and grandsons. The status afforded to her is recognized by all Muslims, and even those who stood against her and in direct violation of God praised her qualities. Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, has narrated many of the virtues of Lady Fatima, and these traditions are prominently featured in the books of the other Islamic sects. For example, Aisha narrated, "I have not seen a person more similar to the Prophet's appearance, conduct, guidance, and speech, whether sitting or standing, than Fatima." (Mustadrak al-Hakim)

The reason for why the grave of Imam Ali (A.S) was concealed for a while was the fact that ignorant and abusive individuals, who were enemies to him, would possibly disrespect his grave. Later on though, after time had passed and the abovementioned individuals had passed away, in addition to the growing strength of the school and teachings of the Ahl-ul-Bayt, the possibilities of such a matter lessened. Moreover, since the grave was located in between reeds and the desert, no one was certain even about its approximate whereabouts, causing the people not to be able to visit it and from its great blessings and bounties. These factors caused the imams to show the grave to their true followers and slowly, it became known to all over the years and as the Shia became stronger.

Another point is that the concealment of her grave is a strong barrier that doesn’t allow the falsification of the history of early Islam, preventing people from totally denying her stance against the situation that had come up regarding the caliphate. The issue of her grave is a sign for those in search of the truth, guiding them across the sea of evil and corruption to the shore of salvation, unveiling the truth and completing Allah’s (swt) proof regarding it.

Of course, since the approximate coordinates of her grave have been mentioned [2], people can benefit from the areas close to her grave.

What was said, were only a few points that are supported by different clues and evidence, but that doesn’t mean that these are all of the reasons, meaning that there are possibilities that there are other secrets behind this matter that might be unveiled in the future.

Notes:

 [1] See: Ibn Abil-Hadid, Sharh Nahjul-Balaghah, vol.16, pg.281; Sheykh Abdullah Naser, Mihnatu Fatima ba’da Wafati Rasulillah, pp.197-206.

[2] According to hadiths, some of the places that her grave might possible be located are: between the Minbar and Mihrab of Masjidul-Nabi, Lady Fatima’s (A.S) home, and the graveyard of Baqi’.

Allama Majlisi has related in his magnum opus Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 24 that Prophet Muhammad said: "Fatima is the leader of the women of the worlds from the first to the last. When she stands in the prayer niche, twenty thousand angels greet her and address her like they addressed Mary. They say, 'O Fatima, verily God has chosen you and purified you and has chosen you above the women of the worlds.' And they are from the close angels."

In the same book, it is related that Prophet Muhammad was asked if Fatima is the leader of the women of this world. He replied:

"Mary, daughter of Amran, is the leader of the women of this world, my daughter Fatima is the leader of the women of all the worlds."

Once it is understood that Fatima has such a place in the universe, we will also realize that we must struggle day and night to learn about this great lady. We must learn who she was and how she lived. Then we must emulate her lifestyle, whether we are male or female. In reality, her status and lifestyle are so lofty that Imam Mahdi (may Allah hasten his reappearance) has even said:

"In the daughter of the Messenger of God is a great example for me to emulate." (Lisan Al-Mizan, vol. 3, p. 180)

We must not overlook that the savior of the world, the one who will fill the earth with justice and equity and wipeout injustice and oppression, the one who will realize the efforts of all the prophets and their successors, the one who will establish God's government and religion on the face of the earth, meaning Imam Mahdi, even takes lessons from Fatima. Thus, can we afford to ignore or forget her?

Having said that, we will mention some of her virtues from reliable traditions.

Fatima's Position before God

In various traditions, Prophet Muhammad has said:

"Verily, God becomes angered when Fatima is angered, and He is pleased when Fatima is pleased." (Bihar Al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 54)

The more we think about this statement, the more Lady Fatima's position becomes clear to us. This tradition has a world of meaning, and everyone can take from it in accordance to his/her ability and understanding. We will discuss two points in regards to it:

1. Human beings are naturally inclined towards position and rank. Unfortunately, most people believe that one can attain this goal through wealth and power. Therefore, they endeavor and use all of their God-given abilities and resources in order to attain more riches and more power because they foolishly believe that the more of these they have the higher status they will have. However, Islam has shown us that this path is the path of Satan.

True position and worth comes with serving and submitting to God. The more one submits to God's will, the more status he/she attains.

 It can reach a point where the servant completely surrenders him/herself to God, and God submits all that is in the heavens and earth to him/her. There are even traditions that say that a true servant of God can reach such a status that whenever he/she says "Be!" to a thing, it becomes, just as God says "Be!", and it is. Lady Fatima had surrendered herself to God so much so that God's anger and pleasure are related to her anger and pleasure.

2. This position of Fatima is also used to defend the leadership (Wilayah) and right of Imam Ali (peace be upon her).

In reality, Fatima is the first defender of Wilayah.

Her defense of her husband and his God-given rights eventually led to her being attacked in her own home and being martyred as a result of her injuries. Her anger with her attackers and those who usurped her husband's rights led her to request her husband to bury her at night, so that those who angered her do not attend her funeral and pray over her body.

In doing so, Lady Fatima left an eternal question in the hearts of all truth seekers: why was the only remaining daughter of the Prophet of Islam buried at night and why is her grave unknown?

Whoever truthfully and objectively searches out the answer to this question will, God-willing, find the truth and become a follower of the School of Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them). There are numerous examples of people from various religions and schools of thought who pursued the answer to this question and found their way to the Ahlul Bayt.

As an example, I will mention a sister of ours who became Muslim during the time of Malcolm X. Eventually she questioned herself why is Lady Fatima's grave unknown? While searching for the answer, she found her way to the school of Ahlul Bayt. The benefits of this research were so admirable that her entire family is devoted followers and lovers of Fatima. Two of her sons have studied in Qum and are now serving Imam Mahdi.

Allah, the Exalted said:

"If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee, say: `Come! Let us gather together; our sons and 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 event is famous and is known to all Muslims. Islamic scholars are united on the fact that it was revealed in regard to the Christian delegation who came from Najran to dispute the issue of Isa (Jesus) bin Maryam (PBUH) with the Prophet (PBUH). In v.6 of Bihar, Imam Ali (PBUH) mentioned the event in the following manner:

A delegation of Najrani Christians led by three prominent men, Al-Aqib, Muhsen, and the Archbishop; these meet along with two prominent Jews came to the Prophet (PBUH). They intended to argue with him; the archbishop started:

"Abu Al-Qasim, who was Moses's father?"

The Prophet answered: "Imran."

The archbishop then said: "Who was Josef's father?"

The Prophet answered: "Jacob."

The archbishop continued: "May I be your sacrifice; who is your father?"

The Prophet answered: "Abdullah bin Abd al-Muttalib."

Then the archbishop asked: "Who is Isa's (Jesus) father?"

The Prophet (PBUH) waited a moment while Gabriel revealed the following to him:

"(Say) he was the Spirit of Allah and His Word."

The archbishop then asked: "Can he be a spirit without having a body?"

Again a revelation was sent to the Prophet (PBUH) the revelation is as follows:

"The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him: `Be.' And he was."

When the archbishop heard this, he jumped in objection to the Prophet saying that Jesus (PBUH) was created from dust, and said:

"Muhammad, We don't find this to be in the Torah, the Bible, or in the Zabour. You are the first one to say this."

This was the moment that the verse of Mubahala was revealed.

After the delegation had heard the verse, they said:

"Assign for us a solemn meeting (in which every side supplicates to Allah to curse the other side if they are followers of falsehood)."

The Prophet's answer to this was: "Tomorrow morning, if Allah wills."

The next morning, the Prophet finished his morning prayers and ordered Ali to follow him and Fatima, in turn, holding Hasan and Hosein to follow Ali. The Prophet (PBUH) then told them: "When I supplicate you should say: Amen."

When the delegation saw the holy family and that the Prophet (PBUH) had spread a mat for himself and family, they said to each other: "By Allah, he is a true Prophet; and if he curses us, surely Allah will answer his prayer and destroy us. The only thing that can save us is to ask him to relieve us from this meeting."

Razi, in his interpretation of the Holy Qur'an states: 'The Archbishop said: "O Christians, I surely see faces of men, who if they were to ask Allah to move a mountain, He would surely do it. Do not hold this meeting, or you shall be destroyed and no Christian will remain on Earth until the Day of Resurrection."

The delegation proceeded toward the Messenger and said: "Abu Al-Qasim, relieve us (from this) solemn meeting."

The Prophet said: "Indeed I will; but the One who sent me with righteousness is my witness that had I cursed you, Allah would not have left a Christian on the face of the earth."

This has been a summary of the story. What matters to us here, is Allah's saying in the verse:

"...Our women and your women."

All Muslims have agreed that the Prophet took Ali with him to represent "ourselves", Hasan and Hosein to represent "Our Sons," and Fatima Zahra to represent "Our Women," It is also a given fact that he did not accompany any other woman including his wives, his aunts, or any other Muslim women.

This proves that there was not a woman as excellent, great, holy, and chaste as Fatima (PBUH) was. The Prophet called Fatima alone to join him, because she was the only woman capable of fulfilling the qualifications of the verse.

When Hazrat Fatima"s (S.A.) birth was to take place, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) told Khatija (S.A.) "Jabriel has given me the good news that this child which is going to be born is a daughter and all the infallible Imams will be from her generation.

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.) was born on Friday the 20th of Jamadi ussani, the fifth year of Hijrah, when Quraish were busy in constructing the building of Khana-e-Kaabah.

Training and Fostering

Fatima (S.A.) was brought up and trained in the family of Prophet (P.B.U.H) and took advantage and share of the knowledge and wisdom of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). She heard the recitation of Quran from the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) and leant it by heart, and got busy with the idea and concept of self training and becoming a complete and real human.

She extremely loved her honorable father and the Holy Quran. She took advantage and portion from the blessings of her father"s existence. These were the perfections due to which the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) loved her to the extreme.

Once his wife Ayesha (R.A.) asked him, "Do you love Fatima Zahra so much, that when she arrives you get up from your place to give respect to her and kiss her hands and make her sit next to yourself?"

He replied, "Oh Ayesha! If you come to know why I love Fatima so much, you shall also love her." He considered her the part and parcel of his life, and used to say repeatedly, "Fatima (S.A.) is a piece of me, whosoever tortures her he has tortured me, and whoever pleases her has pleased me." One day, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) of Islam said, "Oh Fatima God gets pleased on your being pleased and gets furious due to your unhappiness and displeasure.

Resemblance

Fatima Zahra (S.A.), most of all resembled her father in her looks, character, behavior and conduct. Ome Salma the wife of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "Fatima Zahra resembled the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) most of all the people."

The Father-Daughter Relation

The love between the father and daughter was not a one-way process; instead, Fatima (S.A.) too immensely loved her father (Prophet) like he loved her. When Hazrat Khatija (S.A.) died, she was not more than six years of age. After the death of her mother, She always looked after the comfort of her father at home. Fatima (S.A.) was such a daughter who constantly and stably followed the footsteps of her father. The streets and Masjid-e-Haram of Mecca were full of those who teased, insulted and tortured the Prophet (P.B.U.H.). Whenever her respect worthy father returned home in the injured condition, she would wash the blood off his sacred face and dress his wounds and encouraged him with her sweet conversation.

At such times, when her father was a stranger in his own land and among his own people and he was all alone with all the relatives present, and secluded and lonely among all those who spoke the same language he spoke. Moreover, he was all-alone during his struggle and combat against ignorance, idol worshipping and he was carrying the heavy responsibility of preaching on his own.

Then it was only and only Fatima (S.A.) who pleased and consoled the heart of her father with her sincere love and affection. She by accepting the Prophecy of her father strengthened his hopes. That is the reason why the Prophet used to say, "May your father sacrifice his life upon you" or that he would call her the "mother of her father". Because, she was like a mother for her father.

This Namaaz is prayed to seek fulfillment if legitimate desires. It can be prayed any time, or any day, but Friday is strongly recommended.

Pray this namaaz exactly like 2 Raka't Fajr Namaaz (SALAT), with the following adjustments.

(a) In the first Raka't after Sooratul Faatih'ah recite Sooratul Qadr 100 times.

(b) In the second Raka't after recitation of Sooratul Faatih'ah, recite Sooratul Ikhlaas 100 times.

(c) After Salaam recite "S'alaawaat", (O Allah send blessings on Muhammad and on the children of Mohammad),

"Bismillaahir-Rah'maanir-Rah'eem", and Tasbih of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA), then recite the following Dua'a:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

(For Arabic Text please see "Mafateehul Jinaan")

   O Allah send blessings on Muhammad and on the progeny of Mohammad.

   In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.

   Glory be to the Lord of Honor, and Sublime Authority;

   Glory be to the Lord of Majesty and Exalted Greatness;

   Glory be to the Lord of eternal Pride.

   Glory be to He Who is Splendor and Beauty;

   Glory be to He Who is Light and Dignity;

   Glory be to He Who makes out the footprints of the ant on the stone;

   Glory be to He Who knows (the exact time and place) the bird dips down through the air;

   Glory be to He Who is like this and no one (other than Him) is like this.

   O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and on the progeny of Mohammad.

(d) Go into Sajdah and beseech Allah for obtaining fulfillment of your legitimate desires.

(e) And recite the following Dua'a:

   O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad and on the progeny of Mohammad.

   In the name of Allah the Beneficent the Merciful.

   O He, besides Whom, there is no lord, to be invoked;

   O He, above Whom, there is no god to be feared;

   O He, except Whom, there is no master, to be obeyed;

   O He, Who has no counselor to be approached

   O He, Who has no attendant to be bribed;

   O He, Who has no door keeper, to be fooled;

   O He, Who gives not but generously and liberally, (No matter) how many are the demands, and (deals not)with numerous sins but mercifully and kindly;

   Send blessings on Muhammad and His progeny.

   and do (as I request) ... (mention your desires).

1. Allah made all the beings without previous matter & samples & shapes & pattern. And made them wear the dress of life by His main & might & created them according to His divine will & Intention, short of it that He might have needed their creation, or have wished any benefit for Himself from their shaping & sketching, except this that he wanted to give a proof of His wisdom & make the people (creation) aware about His obedience & submission, & invited them to his servitude & worship & make His invitation grand & ostentatious.

2. Allah fixed the reward for His obedience & torment for His insubordination & disobedience, so that He may restrain His servants from His wrath & fury & lead them to His paradise.

3. I testify that there is no Deity (LORD) except the sole & matchless Allah. And the testification of the singleness of Allah is a word that Allah has declared sincerity (as) it's reality, & made the hearts the centre of it's contact & union. And has made the specifications & research of the oneness of Allah's station obvious & evident in the light of meditation. The Allah who can not be seen by the eyes & tongues are unable & baffled to describe His virtues & attributes. And the intelligence & apprehension of man is helpless & destitute from the imagination of his howness.

4. Allah saw nations & groups had various different sects in their religion & scattered & staying on on the verge of the fires of differences, busy with their idol worshipping. They denied God with all the signs & symbols of HIM. So Allah illuminated the darkness through my father Mohammad (SAW) and removed the darkness from their hearts, removed (cured) the blindness of the eyes.

5. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said to Fatima (SA), "what is the thing which is a blessing for a women?"

She said that, "she must not see a man (stranger & not intimate) & a man must not see her".

6. Allah made the faith for you as a purity from polytheism (& infidelity).

7. And (made) service the cause of your getting distant (purification) from pride (egoism).

8. And rendered fasting for the maintenance & firmness of your sincerity.

9. And Allah set Hajj for the consolidation & reinforcement of the religion.

10. Allah executed & rendered justice for the sake of putting together & harmonization of the hearts.

11. And Allah set the subordination & obedience of us (the household of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) for the security of society's system & our Imamate as a safety from segregation & disunity.

12. And (Allah made) Jihad (holy war), the honor & glory for Islam & abjectness & humbleness for the infidels & hypocrites.

13. And (Allah rendered) patience as a help for getting reward.

14. And (Allah caused) commanding goodness & forbidding to do evil for the amendment & correction of

society & the common folks (public).

15. And (Allah made) the kindness to parents as a protection (shield) to His wrath & displeasure.

16. And Allah made joining & connecting with the kinship & cognation, the cause of lengthening of life.

17. And Allah made law of retaliation (revenge for homicide) as the security of blood (from being shed).

18. And Allah executed the vow performing as a medium for forgiveness.

19. And (Allah rendered) prohibition from drinking wine the cause of taking distance from contaminations

(evils).

20. And Allah prohibited polytheism for the sake of (bringing about) sincerity in (His) adoration & worship.

The Holy prophet was awaiting the Divine order in this respect, till Imam Ali approached him and asked for her hand in marriage.

The Holy Prophet came to Hadhrat Fatimah and asked, "My daughter! Do you consent to be wedded to Ali, as I am so commanded by Allah? "Hadhrat Fatimah thereupon bowed her head in modesty. Umm Salamah narrates: "

The face of Fatimah bloomed with joy and her silence was so suggestive and conspicuous that the Holy Prophet stood up reciting 'Allahu Akbar' (Allah is most great). Fatimah’s silence is her acceptance.

"On Friday, lst or 6th. dhi’ l hijjah 2 AH, the marriage ceremony took place. All the Muhajirun (Emigrants) and Ansar (Helpers) of Medina assembled in the mosque while Imam Ali (as) was seated before the Holy Prophet with all the ceremonious modesty of a bridegroom. The Holy Prophet first recited an eloquent sermon and then announced: I have been commanded by Allah to get Fatimah wedded to Ali, and so I do hereby solemnize the matrimony between Ali and Fatimah on a dower of four hundred mithqal of silver or an armor. Then he asked Imam Ali, "Do you consent to it, O Ali ? " Yes, I do, O Holy Prophet of Allah! “Replied Imam Ali.

Then the Holy Prophet raised his hands to pray thus O May God bless both of them, sanctify their progeny and grant them the keys of The beneficence, Thy treasures of wisdom and Thy genius; and let them be a source of blessing and peace to my ummah.

Her children; Imam Hasan, Imam hussein, zainab and um kulthun, are well - known for their piety, goodness and generosity. Their strength of character and action changed the course of history and fortified Islam which otherwise would have been lost to mankind.

House hold affairs

In the whole world, there was only one house that was free from impurities and that house was of Imam Ali (as) and Zahra (sa). She being the leader of all the women of the world, she was the torch bearer of the ideals and character of woman hood.

Zahra (sa) never used to take household duties as a chore for a woman. In the performance of domestic duties, she had faced many obstacles and hardships.

The Infallible daughter of the Holy Prophet (SW) was conscious of her responsibilities and aware that a wife could shape the direction of her husband’s activities. Her thinking was that the home is the place of refuge. A place of peace for a man, when he comes back tired from his struggles and dealings with the outside world. A place to re-strengthen his energy and also to gain in him fresh confidence and determination, so that he could be able to tackle his duties.

Imam Musa Al Kadhim (as) says: "The crusade of a woman is to have concern and regard for the husband."