Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Let’s learn about

Bibi Fatima AS

Written for children

By Sakina Hasan Askari
2008

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

For my grandchildren
Muhammad Ali
Nur e Fatima
Sakina Zahra
Zahra
Aadil
And many more to come
Inshaallah

This book is to help you

to learn about
Bibi Fatima AS
the daughter of Prophet Muhammad
SAW

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Contents

Introduction………………………………………………………………4
Birth …………………………………………………………………………..6
Childhood in Makkah…………………………………………………9
Loss of her mother………………………………………….……..12
Migration to Medina……………………………………………….15
Marriage ………………………………………………………………….17
Family Life………………………………………………………………..21
Hadees e Kisa………………………………………………………….24
Miracle at a wedding………………………….………………….29
Helping the Needy……………………………..………………….32
Tasbeeh……………………………………………………………………36
Pomegranates from Heaven…………………….……………38
Defending Islam………………………………………………………41
Mubahila……………………………………………………………........44
Loss of her father………………………………………….……..47
Fadak and Fatima’s protest………………………………....53
Fire at her door…………………………………………………..…56
Her last days………………………………………………….……….62
Salaams………………………………………………………..…………..68

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Introduction
Bibi Fatima was created by Allah to
be a perfect example of a human
being for us to follow. She was
noble, kind, generous and always
truthful. She was also known by
other names like Butool, Insiya,
Azraa, Masumah, Sayyedah,
Siddiqah, Tahirah, Tayyibah,
Radhiyah, Mardheyyeh, Zakeyyah,
Umma Abeehaa and Zahraa.

Fatima AS was the only daughter of

the holy Prophet Muhammad SAW
and Hazrat Khadija AS. He used to
say “Fatima is part of me.” She was
the wife of our first Imam Ali AS.
She had four children: two sons,

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Imam Hasan AS and Imam Hussain

AS and two daughters Hazrat
Zainab AS and Hazrat Kulsoom AS.

Bibi Fatima was an excellent

daughter, a wonderful wife, and a
loving mother. She is the leader of
all the women in the universe, Syeda
tun nisa al aalameen and the Lady
of Paradise, Khatoon e Jannat. She
was extremely intelligent, learned,
gentle, generous, pious, beautiful,
pure and free from every fault. The
Prophet Muhammad SAW called her
Umme Abeehaa, the mother of her
father.

Through her words and actions she

has shown us how to live as a true
Muslim, following the laws of Islam.

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Birth
Bibi Fatima AS was born on Friday
th
the 20 Jamadi us-sani, five years
after the Prophet Muhammad
declared his message. Most of the
people in Makkah would not believe
in Islam and refused to help her
mother Hazrat Khadija AS.

At the time of birth, Allah sent four

ladies, who entered the house. When
Hazrat Khadija asked who they
were, one of them said: “I am your
mother Eve.”
The second said:
“I am Aasiya, daughter of Muzahim.”
The third said:

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“I am Kulsoom the sister of Moses.”

Hazrat Khadija’s house , Makkah, where Bibi Fatima was born

The fourth said:

“I am Maryam daughter of Imran,
the mother of Jesus. We have come
to deliver your baby.
The baby was then born. The holy
Prophet named her Fatima. Both the
parents were very happy. Imam Reza
AS has said, “She was given the
name Fatima because she and her
followers are protected from Hell.”

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Today her birthday is celebrated as

“Mother’s Day” by many Shia
families across the world. We should
celebrate her birthday by
remembering her and following her.

We must thank Allah for making us

her follower and pray that we follow
Bibi Fatima‘s (A.S.) example in our
daily life.

In Makkah

As Bibi Fatima grew up, she was

looked after with love and care by
her father, the Holy Prophet
Muhammad SAW and her mother
Ummul Momineen Hazrat Khadija

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AS, who was the first lady to accept

Islam. But as the message of Islam
spread and more and more people
started to follow it, the enemies
made life very difficult for the holy
family.

One day Bibi Fatima saw her father

come home with his clothes all dusty
and his feet bleeding. She found out
that someone had thrown rubbish on
him and put thorns in his way. She
washed his feet and cleaned his
clothes.

When she entered the sacred

mosque of Kaaba, she saw that while
the Holy Prophet SAW was saying
his prayers and doing sajda, his
enemies had poured camel placenta

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on his back. She was very upset and

started to cry. Then she
cleaned his back and
prayed to Allah to help
her father and destroy
the enemies of Islam.

The Prophet and his family were

forced to live in a valley, away from
the people. They had to suffer
boycott and lived for three years in
fear and anxiety. No one was allowed
to buy or sell them anything,
including food. They were often
hungry and thirsty in the extreme
heat of the desert hills.

Hazrat Khadija’s wealth was spent in

buying the necessary goods at very
high prices to help the Muslims.

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Their only support was the Prophet’s

uncle, Hazrat Abu Talib AS, the
father of Imam Ali AS who refused
to give up his nephew, Muhammad
SAW.

We must never forget the help given

by these two great persons in the
history of Islam.

Loss of her mother

When the boycott could not stop

people from entering Islam, the Holy
Prophet SAW and his family were
allowed to return to Makkah. But
the harsh conditions of life in the
valley affected the health of Hazrat

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Khadija AS. She fell ill and Bibi

Fatima AS, only seven years old
looked after her sick mother.

The Holy Prophet SAW was full of

sorrow: Hazrat Abu Talib had
passed away a month before and now
Hazrat Khadija was so ill.

Hazrat Khadija as she lay dying wept

thinking of her daughter’s lonely life
after her. The tenth of Ramadan
was a very sad day for Bibi Fatima
AS. Her mother died, leaving her
tearful. ”Where is my mother?” she
cried as she saw her father lowering
her into the grave.

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Allah sent Jibraeel with a message:

Your Lord commands you to inform
Fatima AS that He sends his
blessings upon her and says “Your
mother is in a house of brocade

between the houses of Aasiya and

Maryam in heaven.”

Today this holy grave in Jannatul

Moalla in Makkah cannot be visited

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easily due to the policy of the

Present wahaabih government.

Our salams to Hazrat Khadija, the

loving wife of the Holy Prophet
Muhamad SAW, the first to believe
in Islam and the mother of Bibi
Fatima AS.

Migration to Medina

The Holy Prophet SAW decided to

go to Medina (Yathrib) after the
deaths of his uncle and supporter,
Hazrat Abu Talib and his dear wife,
Hazrat Khadija, in the year of
sorrow.

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His enemies had surrounded his

house, ready to kill him. He asked
Imam Ali AS to sleep in his bed and
to save the life of the Prophet,
Imam Ali AS agreed.

Imam Ali AS lay in the Prophet

Muhammad’s SAW place, covering
himself with his blanket. When the
enemies came into the house the
next morning they were shocked to
find Imam Ali AS in the bed instead
of the Holy Prophet SAW, who had
already left. This is known as Hijrat
and marks the start of the Islamic
calendar A.H.

After a few days Imam Ali AS took

his mother Fatima bint Asad, his
aunt, and Bibi Fatima AS to Medina.

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The Holy Prophet SAW had already

reached Quba, near Medina and was
waiting for them before entering
the city. The people of Medina
welcomed them warmly.

Marriage

When Bibi Fatima AS was about nine

years old, many came forward to ask
the Holy Prophet SAW for her hand
in marriage. When Imam Ali AS went
to the Holy Prophet SAW, he smiled
then came to find out from his
daughter if she was willing. She
bowed her head in modesty but her
face showed her happiness. The
Prophet SAW stood up saying “Allah

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o Akbar” and then he called Imam

Ali AS and told him the good news.

Imam Ali AS sold his shield for 500

dirhams and brought the money to
the Prophet for the wedding
expenses. One third of the amount
was spent on buying perfume, one
third for food for guests, and the
remaining for a simple list of items,
which included:
clothes,
a water bag,
a wool curtain,
a copper bowl,
a hand flour mill
jugs for water and oil,
a wooden mat,
four cushions,
and two mattresses.

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Old garment New abaya

Flour mill
Water bag

Pitcher copper bowl water jug oil jug

When the Prophet SAW them, he

prayed, “O Allah, bless them for
they are people whose belongings
are made of natural materials.”

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On Friday, the first day of Zilhij, in

2 A. H., the wedding of Bibi Fatima
AS and Imam Ali AS was celebrated.
The Holy Prophet SAW read the
nikah and prayed for their
happiness.
“O Allah bless them and let them be
a source of blessing and peace for
my ummat (followers).” The
beautiful bride was then taken to
the groom’s house in the company of
the Holy Prophet SAW and all the
guests.

The Prophet placed the hand of

Fatima in Ali’s hand
and said
“May Allah bless his
messenger’s
daughter. Ali, this is

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Fatima. You are responsible for her.

Ali, what an excellent wife Fatima is!
Fatima, what an excellent husband
Ali is! O Allah, bless them and their
children
They are most dear to me so love
them too.”

Family Life

Bibi Fatima AS, the perfect

daughter of the best of the
Prophets now began her role as the
perfect wife of the best of the
Imams.

They lived a simple life, helping each

other in the worship of Allah. They

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had love and respect for each other.

They lived happily together.

Imam Ali would go out to work,

gather firewood and bring home
food grain. Bibi Fatima AS did the
chores of grinding
the grain into flour,
making the bread and
keeping the house clean. They
helped one another and never had
any disagreements.

They both happily shared their food

and belongings with anyone who
asked for help. No beggar returned
empty handed from their door.

Allah blessed Bibi Fatima AS and

Imam Ali AS with four children.

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th
Imam Hasan AS was born on 15
Ramadan, 3 A.H. a year after their
wedding. In the next year, 4 A.H.,
rd
on the 3 of Shaban, her younger
son Imam Hussain was born. Her
daughter Hazrat Zainab was born in
5 A. H. and the second daughter
Umme Kulsoom came a year later.

They had one maid named Bibi Fizza,

who was treated with love and
respect. Fizza worked one day and
Bibi Fatima AS the next, while Fizza
rested.

Prophet Muhammad SAW was very

fond of his grandchildren and named
each of them himself. He would
often visit the house of Bibi Fatima
AS and showed great love for them.

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

He would play with them and hugged

them often. He told his followers
many times of his love for Fatima,
Ali, Hasan and Hussain.

Hadees e Kisa

Hadees e Kisa is well known

throughout the world. It is recited
on every Thursday night. It is
reported from Bibi Fatima AS
herself. She said that one day the
holy Prophet Muhammad SAW came
to her house, said salaams to her
then told her to cover him with the
Yemeni blanket as he was feeling
weak. She returned his greeting and

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covered him with the blanket. His

face shone like the full moon.

After a while her son Hasan AS

came and said salaams and then said
he could smell the fragrance of his
grandfather. She returned his
salaam then he went to his
grandfather, asked his permission
and entered the blanket.

A little later, her son Hussain AS

came in, greeted her (salaam) and
said he could smell the fragrance of
his grandfather. She returned his
salaam, and then told him that the
Holy Prophet SAW was under the
blanket with Hasan AS. Then
Hussain AS went near, asked if he

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could come under the blanket and

joined them.

Then Imam Ali arrived, said salaams

to Bibi Fatima AS and noted he
could smell the fragrance of his
brother, the Holy Prophet SAW.
She returned his greeting and told
him that her father was under the
blanket with their sons. Imam Ali AS
went to the Prophet, greeted him,
asked if he could join, then entered
the blanket.

Now Bibi Fatima AS herself asked

permission of her father and
entered the blanket. When they
were all together under the blanket,
the Holy Prophet SAW raised his
hands and prayed: “O Allah, these

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are the people of my household, the

Ahl-ul Bayt. They are of my flesh
and blood. Whoever makes them
unhappy, makes me unhappy. They
are from me and I am from them.
Send your blessings and mercy on
me and them. Repel all blemishes
from them and keep them pure as
pure.”

Allah then spoke to His angels and

said he had created the whole of
the universe for the love of the five
who were under the cloak. When the
angel Jibraeel asked who was under
the cloak.

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Allah replied, “They are the

household of the Messenger, the
mine of Prophethood. They are
namely: Fatima, her father, her
husband, and her sons.”
Jibraeel was then sent by Allah to
the house of Fatima AS and after
getting
permission of
the prophet,
he entered the
cloak, told
them what
Allah had said then recited the Ayat
e Tatheer sent by Allah in praise of
the Ahlal Bayt. (Sura Ahzaab
33:33): Innama yureedullahi
liyuzhiba ankuma rijsa Ahlal Bayt
wa yutaharikum tatheera

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Hadees e Kisa brings many benefits.

Sins will be forgiven, problems
solved and wishes granted Inshallah.
The Hadees e Kisa shows that Bibi
Fatima AS is the link between the
Prophet and the Imams. She is the
centre of Purity and the Panjatan e
Paak . We must recite this hadees at
least once a week .

Miracle at a Wedding

One day in Medina, a rich Jew came

to the Prophet Muhammad SAW and
said they wanted to
invite his daughter
Fatima AS to his
daughter’s wedding.
The Prophet said he

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would ask his daughter and let them

know.

He told Bibi Fatima AS about the

invitation. She asked Imam Ali’s
permission and then agreed to go to
the wedding. The Jews wanted to
make fun of the poverty state of
the daughter of the Prophet of
Islam.

But when the wedding day came,

Allah sent special clothes for Bibi
Fatima AS and many angels escorted
her. When she arrived at the
wedding, everyone was dazzled by
the light of her presence. The
guests at the wedding fainted. All
recovered but there was no sign of
life in the bride.

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The mother of the bride came to

Bibi Fatima AS and begged her to
help her. Bibi Fatima AS prayed two
rakat namaz and prayed to Allah to
restore the bride to life. As she
finished her dua, the bride opened
her eyes and looking at Bibi Fatima
AS and said, “This is the same lady
by whose dua my life was given back
to me.” She then recited the
shahada, La ilaha illallah,
Muhammadan Rasool Allah, and
declared her faith in Islam.

When the others in the wedding

party heard this and saw the bride
alive again, they all accepted Islam.
They presented to Bibi Fatima AS a
slave girl, who was named Umme
Habeeba.

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This is known as the story of Bibi

Syeda. It is recited every Thursday
for the acceptance of duas in her
name.

Helping the Needy

The daughter of the Prophet was

always generous. No one turned away
empty handed from her door. The
very next day of her wedding she
gave away her new dress to a beggar
at her door and kept the old one for
herself.

When another poor man who had

come asking for food arrived at the
masjid the Holy Prophet SAW sent
him with his companion, Ammar ibne

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Yasir to the house of Bibi Fatima

AS. She had no food to give him but
gave away her necklace to be sold so
that his needs could be met.

One day she gave her veil, (chadar)

to be kept as surety at a pawn shop
so that money could be brought to
buy food for a poor man.

Once when Imam Hasan AS and

Imam Hussain AS were taken ill, the
Prophet advised her to make a vow
to fast three days. When they were
better, all the family including Bibi
Fizza, the maid, fasted.

Just after sunset, when it was time

to break the fast and eat, there was
someone at the door, “I am needy!

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O family of Muhammad, help me”.

Ali, Fatima, Hasan, Hussain and
Fizza all gave up their share to the
needy man and had nothing but
water that night.
The next day they spent the day
fasting and as they were ready to
break their fast there was a voice
at the door, “Help me I am an
orphan and need food.” Again all of
them gave their food to the orphan,
staying hungry for the second night.
On the third day of the fast as they
were ready to eat, a captive called
out, “Help! I am hungry.” For the
third time the family of Muhammad
SAW gave away all they had.

Jibraeel came to the Prophet

Muhammad SAW with the verses

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of the Sura e Dahr: “And they feed

for the love of Allah, the needy, the
orphan and the captive.” Allah
praised their actions and promised
them reward in the highest Heaven.
Following her example, we must help
others and be generous. Those who
are in need, the orphans and the
poor should be helped for the sake
of Allah.

Bibi Fatima has shown us that she

was ready to give whatever she had
to help others. She gave to others
even when she needed it herself.
Following her example we should be
ready to help others and share what
Allah has given us.

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Tasbeeh
The tasbeeh that we read with our
namaz every day reminds us of Bibi
Fatima Zahraa AS.

Allah o Akbar 34 times

Alhamdulillah 33 times
Subhanallah 33 times

Her father the holy Prophet

Muhammad SAW showed it to her.
She followed it so regularly that it
has come to be known as Tasbeeh e
Fatima.

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Bibi Fatima AS first made the

tasbeeh from knots of woven wool
threads. After the battle of Uhad,
she made a tasbeeh from mud taken
from the soil of the grave of Hazrat
Hamza AS. After the tragedy of
Karbala, soil from the grave of Imam
Hussain AS is used to make a
tasbeeh e qaak e shifa.

We must always read the tasbeeh e

Fatima after our namaz. Reciting the
name of Allah brings many benefits.
It is best to use a tasbeeh made
from qaak e shifa, from Karbala.

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Pomegranates from Heaven

Bibi Fatima AS lived a simple life,

eating the simplest food, wearing
the plainest clothes. Hazrat Ali AS
saw that though she had blisters on
her palm as she used the grindstone
to mill the grains, yet she never
complained. She never asked for
anything.

One day when Bibi Fatima AS was ill,

Imam Ali AS asked her if he could
get fruit for her. She kept quiet but
when he insisted she said, “A
pomegranate would be nice.”
Imam Ali AS went out to buy
it for her. However it was not easy
to find a pomegranate, as it was out

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of season. Finally one was found and

Imam Ali AS quickly bought it and
made his way back home.

As he walked home, he heard a

groan. Imam Ali AS went to see who
was groaning. He found a poor
beggar, who lay ill. Imam Ali AS
stopped and asked, “Are you OK?
Can I help you?” The beggar said “I
have been sick, so sick! My mouth is
dry. If only I could have a
pomegranate to soothe my thirst.”
Imam Ali AS thought “Fatima never
asks for anything. This pomegranate
is for her but this man is so sick!
What do I do?” He decided to help
the poor man and broke the fruit in
half.

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As he helped the sick man to eat, he

felt sad thinking how he will go back
home, empty handed. The beggar
was thankful and as he finished
eating, he prayed “may Allah reward
you and increase His blessing.”

A little later Imam Ali AS had to

give the other half of the fruit away
to another poor man.

Imam Ali went back home, walking

slowly. When he reached his door,
he saw Bibi Fatima AS sitting up
with a tray full of pomegranates in
front of her. She said, “There was a
knock on the door just now. Thank
you for sending these for me.” Imam
Ali knew this was a gift from Allah.

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“Thank you Allah”, said Imam Ali AS.

Defending Islam

During the days of early Islam, the

Prophet and his family had to face
many hardships. Their enemies were
always ready to attack them and
waged battles against them.
In the Battle of Uhad, the holy
Prophet was hurt and two of his
teeth were broken. Bibi Fatima AS
went to help. She washed his face
and nursed him with the help of
Imam Ali AS.

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In the Battle of the Moat, Khandaq,

many of the clans gathered outside
Medina to fight against the Muslims.
It was due to Imam Ali’s bravery
that they were defeated. Bibi

Bibi Fatima’s Masjid, Khandaq

Fatima AS hearing about the danger

to the Muslims, came to their help,
bringing food with her. A masjid was
built in Khandaq to remember her.

The Battle of Khaibar was fought

against the Jews, who had been
powerful enemies. They were
defeated by the courage of Imam

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Ali AS. After the fall of Khaibar,

when they realised that the Muslims
were very
powerful, they
gave up fighting.
They presented
the holy Prophet
with land, called
Fadak, which he
gave to his daughter Bibi Fatima AS
as a gift. As long as the Prophet
lived, Bibi Fatima AS owned Fadak.
Money from Fadak was collected by
her to help the poor.
We must remember how Bibi Fatima
AS helped Islam throughout her
life. After Prophet’s SAW death
this was taken away from her by the
rulers of that time against the
Prophet SAW’s will.

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Mubahila

When the Christians from a place

called Najran came to visit the
Prophet, he explained to them there
is only one God, Allah, has no father
and no son. He said Jesus is like
Adam, and was created by Allah’s
command. They still argued. At last
they agreed on Mubahila, which
means praying to Allah to curse the
liars.

“Come let us gather together, our

sons and your sons, our women and
your women, ourselves and your
selves. Then let us call for the curse
of Allah on those who lie.” (Sura
Nisa 3:61).

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th
On the 24 Zilhij all the people of
Medina gathered, eager to see who
the Prophet SAW will take with him
against the Christians—they were
the people who were always truthful.

The sons were Imam Hasan AS and

Imam Hussain AS, the self (Nafs) of
the Prophet was Imam Ali AS and
Bibi Fatima Zahra AS alone came to
join him as “women”. They were the
Panjatan e Paak.

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When the Christians saw the Ahl al

Bayt, they withdrew from
“Mubahila” and agreed to pay yearly
tribute to the Prophet. It was a
victory for Islam and the day is
celebrated as Eid.

We must remember that it was the

Panjatan who were chosen by the
Holy Prophet SAW on the orders of
Allah SAW to help the cause of
Islam. We should celebrate this day
of joy by thanking Allah SAW.

Loss of her Father

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW

went for his last Hajj and on his way
back at a place called Johfa, on the

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th
18 Zilhij declared the last
command of Allah “Ali is the master
(Maula) of all those I am master
(Maula) of.” The message from Allah
was completed and Islam made
perfect. Everyone gathered came to
shake hands with Imam Ali AS and
accept him as leader. This event is
known as Ghadeer.

After returning to Medina, the

Prophet SAW fell ill. His daughter
Fatima AS did not want to leave his
side. He hugged her and called Imam
Ali AS to his side. He kissed Imam
Hasan AS and Imam Hussain AS. He
told Bibi Fatima AS he would be
leaving her soon. She started to cry.
He whispered something in her ear

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so she smiled, “You will be the first

to join me.” He then fainted.

There was a knock on the door. “My

father is not well,”Bibi Fatima AS
said. The knock was repeated and a
voice said, “Allow me in.” “My father
is ill” Bibi Fatima AS repeated. The
knock came again and Bibi Fatima AS
started to weep.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW

opened his eyes. He said “Fatima my
dear daughter, let him come in. This
is the angel of Death who asks
permission of no one. But he knows
he needs you to allow him in before
he enters your house.” Fatima then
said, “Come in.”

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The Prophet SAW lay with his cheek

on Ali’s shoulder. Hasan and Hussain
were kissing his feet. Zainab and
Kulsoom stood crying and Fatima
wept. The Prophet’s soul departed,
towards Almighty Allah.

Fatima lost her great father; with

his death she felt sadness and pain.
People rushed to the masjid like
sheep on a rainy night without a
shepherd. They were told by
mischief makers: “Allah’s messenger
did not die. I will cut off the neck of
anyone who says the Prophet has
died.” So the people returned home.

Imam Ali AS gave the funeral bath

and buried the Prophet. Only a few
people came to console Bibi Fatima

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AS for the loss of her father. Some

people gathered at Saqifa of Bani
Saaidah to plot against the orders
of the Prophet, to choose a
successor.

Bibi Fatima AS tearful and sad went

to her father’s grave and cried:

“Father, with you went the light of

the world…

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

I find no one to attend to my

loneliness…
Neither to stop my tears…
Motives (of others) have changed
And gates have been shut in my
face...”Imam Ali’s right was denied
to him. Abu Bakr seized power,
claiming he was the Khalif. No one
came to comfort Fatima at her loss.
Instead they complained that her
weeping disturbed them. People
came up to Imam Ali and said, “Tell
Fatima not to cry so much” Imam Ali
AS built a room for Bibi Fatima in

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Baqee, where she would go and weep

for her father, away from the
houses. It was called Bayt ul Huzn,
the House of Sorrow. She would
spend the day there and return
home in the evening. This building
stood in the graveyard of Baqee in
Medina till it was demolished by the
Wahabi rulers in 1926.

We must recall the sad times that

Bibi Fatima spent after the death of
her dear father, Muhammad
Mustafa SAW.

Fadak and Fatima’s Protest

Bibi Fatima AS felt very sad. She

missed her father very much. Now

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

she saw that her property of Fadak

was taken away. Her staff was
thrown out though she was the
owner. She was asked to find
witnesses. She stood up to defend
her right.

With a group of women, she went to

the masjid and delivered a speech,
protesting against the rulers in
Medina. She explained that the
arguments that were used against
her were false.

Bibi Fatima AS quoted from ayats of

Quran to show that she had every
right to inherit from her father, the
Holy Prophet SAW. She reminded
them to fear Allah and added:

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

“O people, Be informed that I am

Fatima, and my father is
Muhammad…..”

She was sad that though they had

the means and the power, they did
not help.

“Yet the call reaches you but you

do not answer, the cry comes to
you but you do not come to help.”

She reminded them to fear Allah

and to follow the Quran which they
had ignored. Allah is watching and
soon the unjust will be punished.
She ended the speech warning them
of a severe punishment:
“So act and so will we, and wait
and we shall wait.”

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Fadak was not returned to Bibi

Fatima AS though they realised that
she was speaking the truth.

Bibi Fatima AS has shown us that

we must protest when rights of the
Imam of the time are denied
through injustice. We can’t stay
silent over injustice at all times.

Fire at her door

Bibi Fatima AS remained sad. Added

to the loss of her dear father, it
was shocking to see the changes
around her. Imam Ali’s rights were
denied and her personal property

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

was snatched away. She went to the

houses of the people in Medina but
very few were ready to help. Medina
had changed so soon after the death
of the Holy Prophet SAW. She and
Imam Ali AS feared for the future
of Islam.

The only comfort that Bibi Fatima

AS got was at the tomb of her
father. She went to his grave and
wept, sometimes alone, sometimes
with her children Hasan AS and
Hussain AS by her.

She cried “Anyone who smells the

earth of Ahmed (Muhammad) SAW
has lost nothing if they never again
smell musk. O father, what miseries
have fallen upon me after you. If

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

they had fallen upon a bright day,

they would turn it to night.

Days and nights passed as she grew

restless. Imam Ali AS stayed at
home, a mountain of silence and
sorrow. It had hardly been two
months since the Prophet died but
life was so different. So much had
changed.

She missed her father, she missed

the love and respect he always
showed her. The Muslims had so

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soon forgotten how to treat the

Ahlebait.

Bibi Fatima AS was carrying her

fifth child who would be called
Mohsin. Then suddenly one day
there were loud shouts at the door.
“Send Ali outside! If he doesn’t
come out, we will set fire to your
house!” Bibi Fatima AS went to the
door. She asked, “Have you come to
set fire to my house? The grandsons
of the Prophet, Hasan and Hussain
are inside.”

“So what?” came the answer.

Bibi Fatima stood behind the door.

Outside there was a group of people
bent on terror. They were shouting

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

and threatened to kill everyone

inside.

They had firewood against the door

and set it alight. Fire raged at the
door of Bibi Fatima AS.

Smoke filled the house. Bibi Fatima

AS was shocked. Then suddenly

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someone from outside forced the

door open. In spite of knowing she
was behind it, they squashed the
door hard. Bibi Fatima AS was
crushed between the door and the
wall. She fell to the floor crying out
“Come! Come to my help Fizza!”
They barged into the smoke-filled
house and put a rope around Imam
Ali’s neck and dragged him. Bibi
Fatima AS forgot her own pain and
held on to Imam Ali, saying “Why
are you taking Ali? Leave him alone.”

She was dragged along the floor.

Then she felt a lash of a whip which
hurt her arm and ribs. She fainted.

Fizza held her mistress in her arms.

She saw that Bibi Fatima AS had

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lost the baby she was carrying. Her

arms and ribs were bruised. The
children were frightened and
weeping. Bibi Fatima AS remained in
pain but never complained. She was
only eighteen years old but from now
on, she needed to lean on a stick
when she walked.

We should never forget the

sufferings of this great lady, who
had to suffer so much pain and
sadness.

We must keep our love for her alive

through reciting majlis and recalling
the events of her life. We should be
friends with her friends and reject
those who caused her harm.

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Her last Days

After the brutal attack on her

house, the loss of her unborn baby
son Mohsin, Bibi Fatima AS fell ill.
As days passed, she became weaker
and weaker. It was only seventy five
days since she had lost her father,
but each day seemed so long.

She felt her death was near. She

hugged her children, one by one.
Hasan AS was hardly seven years
old, Hussain AS was six, her
daughter Zainab AS was five, and
Kulsoom AS was three. Bibi Fatima
AS called Ali AS and said, “Ali, my
husband, this is the last day of my
life. I shall meet my father soon. I

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

am sad to leave you and my children.

Promise me that you will bury me at
night. I do not want those who made
me sad to come to my funeral. Let
Fizza remain with you if she wishes.
Take care of my children. They will
miss me, be a mother to them.”

Imam Ali AS held her hand, tears

rolled down his cheeks and dropped
on her hand. Bibi Fatima AS said,
“You have already borne so much and
have to bear more for the sake of
Islam. Be patient, O Ali! Farewell my
husband, I give you all in Allah’s
care. May He protect you all. Let me
be alone now with my Lord.”

Ali AS and his sons left for the

masjid.

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Bibi Fatima AS said her last namaz

and went into sajda. Asma bint
Umais, says for an hour or so she
could hear the sound of tasbeeh
from the room then it was quiet. Bibi
Fatima’s soul had joined her father.

Imam Hasan AS and Imam Hussain

AS entered the house. They found it
strange quiet, very quiet. They
asked Asma and Fizza, “Where is
our mother?”

Asma said “Food is ready for you.

Eat something.”

The children looked at Asma and

asked, “Have you ever seen us eat
without our mother?”

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Asma and Fizza started to cry. The

children went into their mother’s
room. Bibi Fatima’s eyes were closed.
Her lips were silent. Zainab and
Umme Kulsoom were crying by her.
Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain ran
to the masjid and called their
father.

Imam Ali AS came into the house to

find that Fatima had left this world
to meet her father. It was the 13th
Jamadi Awal 11 A.H. According to
rd
another source it was 3 Jamadi us
sani 11 A.H. His children
had lost their loving
mother; he had lost his
life partner, one so
special that there was no one like
her: “A flower from heaven, it was

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

from heaven and went to heaven but

has left its fragrance in my mind.”

Fulfilling her last wishes, Imam Ali

AS buried her in the night. Medina
slept. Only a few close friends and
family were present at her funeral.
As he lowered her into the grave, he
wept saying, “Accept my parting
salaams…Goodbye o daughter of the
chosen Prophet of Allah. May you
rest in peace, which mankind
refused to you in this world. If I
leave you, it is not that I do not
want to stay near you. I wish I had
your company till the end of my life.”

No one knows for sure where Bibi

Fatima AS’s grave is. Some think it
is in Jannat ul Baqee. Others believe
she was buried inside the room

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

where she lived, next to where the

grave of the holy Prophet. Some
think it is in the area known as
Riazul Jannat in Masjid e Nabi SAW.

Jannatul Baqee, showing the Rauza Of Bibi Fatima AS

Grave of Fatima Zahra (AS)

Riazul Jannat, Masjid e Nabi, Medina

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Salaams

We must say salaams to Bibi Fatima

AS to show our love and respect for
her. The holy Prophet Muhammad
used to say “Whoever makes Fatima
happy, makes me happy; whoever
makes her sad, makes me sad.”

Salaams on you, o Daughter of the

Messenger of Allah
Salaams on you, o daughter of the
best of Allah’s creation
Salaams on you, o leader of
women of the world
Salaams on you, o wife of the
friend of Allah

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Salaams on you, the mother of

Hasan and Hussain, masters of
the youth of Paradise

Salaams on you, o pious and pure

and may the blessings of Allah be
upon you.

Please recite sura Fatiha

for all momineen and mominaat.
May Allah forgive our faults
And keep us on the straight path.

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

About the Author

Sakina Hasan Askari (nee Sakina

Jafri) completed her graduation
from women’s collage, Hyderabad,
India. And then mastered in English
Literature with Honours from both
Osmania University, Hyderabad,
India. As well as Leeds University,
U.K. She taught for many years
within the U.K. School System and is
a prolific author, Raising her
children and grand children she had
felt a need for books for children to
learn about Islam. She has authored
several books that are appreciated
all over the world by the English
speaking audience. Her husband
Dr.Syed Hasan Askari is a general
practitioner in Liverpool, U.K. and

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

hails from a religious family in

Hyderabad, India. He has
encouraged and supported to help
her publish all these books from
their personal savings. The
community salutes them both and
pray that Allah SWT and aimae
Masoomeen AS accept their efforts
and give them ajar in the hereafter.

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Title Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

Author: Sakina Hasan Askari
Publisher: Salman Publications
Hyderabad India
First Edition: 1429 A.H. 2008
Pages: 68
Copies: 1000
ISBN

Other Books by Sakina Hasan Askari

Aza e Hussain
Aza e Zainab
Aza e Masoomeen
Sana e Masoomeen
Zikr e Aale Muhammad

Copies available from

U.K. Sakina Hasan Askari
00441514285771
Email [email protected]
USA Syed Abbas Hasan Jafri
001 248 952 5151
Email [email protected]
India Salman Book Centre
0091 4024560156/32561156
Email [email protected]
Website www.salmanbookcentre.com

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

The holy Prophet Muhammad SAW said

Train your children in three things,
The love of your Prophet,
the love of his progeny (Ahlebait)
and the recitation of the Quran.

Look out for other books in this series

Let’s learn about Prophet Muhammad SAW

Let’s learn about The 12 Days of Muharam
Let’s learn about Imam Mahdi AS
Let’s learn about Bibi Zainab AS
Let’s learn about Bibi Sakina AS

Salman Book Centre

0091 4024560156/32561156
Email [email protected]
Website www.salmanbookcentre.com

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 Let’s learn about Bibi Fatima AS

(For the outside title page)

Let’s learn about

Bibi Fatima AS

Written for children

By Sakina Hasan Askari
2008

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