Fatimah After The Prophet Death

After The Prophet's Death

After the Prophet's death, events continued to occur. When studying the era following the Prophet's death, history speaks of the wonders, which occurred.

Indeed, history tells us about "Apostasy" which included the majority of Muslims who objected to Abu Bakr's seize of power from its righteous candidate, Ali Ibn Abu Talib (A)

It also tells us how Fatima's rights were usurped- especially in Fadak-and how Ali was dragged to the Mosque to pay allegiance to Abu Bakr!

History tells us how Fatima's house was set on fire by him who yesterday pretended not to believe in her father's death.

Yes, history tells us how the Prophet (S) died and with him died his repeated warnings to those who would oppress his family members and that they will be met with the wrath of Allah. It also tells us of Lady Fatima's sadness and misery which she suffered after the death of her dear father.

Fidhdha, Fatima's helper, spoke of Fatima's sadness; she said:

"It was on the eighth day after the Prophet's death that Fatima revealed the extent of her sadness and inability to bear life without her father. She (A) came to the Mosque and while crying said

Oh! Father

Oh! My sincere friend

Oh! Abu Al-Qasim

Oh! The helper of the widowed and the orphans

Who do we have for Kaaba and the Mosque?

Who does your saddened and grieved daughter have?

Fidhdha added:

"Fatima (A) then proceeded towards the tomb of the Prophet; it was difficult for her to walk because her tears covered her eyes. When she saw the Mizaneh, she passed out; so the women rushed to rescue her; after putting water of her face, she regained consciousness; Fatima then said:

My strength has been eradicated

My endurance has betrayed me

My enemies have rejoiced at my misfortune

And my grief will kill me 

Father! I remain bewildered and lonely

Confused and lonesome

My voice is subdued 

My back is broken

My life is disturbed

I find no one, Father, after you to attend to my loneliness

Neither to stop my tears

Nor to support me in times of weakness

Surely precise revelations, the place of Gabriel's descendence and Michael's location have vanished after you

Father,

Motives (of others) have changed

And gates have been shut in my face

Thus, I detest this world after you

And my tears shall be shed for you as long as breath continues to exist in me

My longing for you shall not cease

My sadness for (being separated from) you shall not vanish

Fatima then cried out loudly:

Father!!

With you went the light of the world

Its flowers wither away after blossoming in your presence

Father!!

I will forever be sorrowful for you until we are reunited

Father!

Sleeping has left me since we have been separated

Father!

Who is there for the widows and the orphans

Who will we have for the Ummah until

The Day of Rising?

Father!

We became-after you-among the oppressed

Father!

People shun us after you After we were glorified by your presence among menThus, what tear shall not spill on your departure?

What sadness (after you) shall not continue to exist?

Which eyelid shall be smeared with slumber?

You are the spring of faith and the light of Prophets So how can mountains not sway?

And seas not dry out?

How can the Earth not tremble?

Father! I have been afflicted with the greatest sorrow, and my disaster is not minor!

Father!

I have been inflicted with the greatest misfortune and the biggest calamity Angels cry for you, and stars cease to move because of you Your minbar (after you) is gloomy, Your minbar is empty Of your secret conversation (with your Lord)Your grave is joyful for holding you And Paradise is delighted with your presence Supplication and prayers Father!!

How gloomy are your meeting places (without your presence)!!

How pained I am for you, until I soon join you!!

How bereaved is Abu Al-Hussan, The entrusted one!!

The Father of your two sons, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain; your beloved one He whom you brought up as a youth, and made your brother as a man (Abu Al-Hassan)The most beloved of your companions to you Abu Al-Hassan, who was the first to immigrate and help you Sadness has overtaken us; Crying will kill us And distress will always accompany us.

Lady Fatima (A) then returned to her house and lived in misery and sadness until she joined her beloved father not long after he passed away.

Following Ali to The Mosque

After the Messenger of Allah, Abu Bakr seized Caliphate. He and his followers claimed that since he was unanimously elected by the Muslims, he was the righteous leader of the Ummah.

Yet, with little reflection upon the matter of Caliphate, one realizes that it is an extension and continuation of the Prophethood without revelation. Thereupon, since Prophethood can only be assigned to someone through Divine specification, likewise Caliphate cannot be assigned to anyone by mankind; rather, it is a Divine code bestowed upon men by Divine specification.

Moreover, this consensus that Abu Bakr and his followers claim to have achieved is not valid; because the Ansar, Bani Hashim, Ammar, Salman, Miqdad, Abu Dhar and many other companions opposed the election of Abu Bakr to the Divine post, which was previously granted to Ali (A). Nevertheless, Abu Bakr was able to seize power and eradicate Ali's (A) and his followers attempts to regain his righteous post.

Why was Abu Bakr Elected?

Several factors can be cited to have motivated some Muslims to choose Abu Bakr as their leader

1. Resentment to see both Prophethood and Imamate posts occupied by Bani Hashim. This factor was revealed by Umar in a long conversation with Ibn Abbas: According to Umar:

(If Prophethood and Imamate posts were both occupied by Bani Hashim) then they would constantly brag about them!!

2. Ali's young age

3. The Arabs, especially the Quraishans envy of Ali (A)

4. Ali (A) would lead and judge people according to righteousness and the right path, had he been chosen as the leader, as Umar stated.

It is inevitable after Abu Bakr seized power that Ali (A) should pay allegiance to him, for it is the natural path of every coup to force the opposition to announce its support to the -new regime. But what can they do with Ali who refused to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr?

Can they threaten him? But he is the famous hero who was able to extinguish the Arab heroes, kill their brave men, and compete with their "wolves"!!

Can they deceive him (A) into doing so?! But Ali is that cautious man who is aware in such matters!!

Nevertheless, allegiance must be taken from Ali at any rate.

But behold! What would Lady Fatima's stand be had Ali (A) been forced to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr? In other Words, what can be done if Lady Fatima (A)chooses to defend her husband?

Should they ignore all these obstacles?! Or what should they do?

This created an unsolvable problem for the coup leaders who spent long hours reflecting on the issue. Meanwhile, Imam Ali (A) confined himself to his house to collect the Holy Quran, after realizing the fruitlessness of his efforts to regain his rights. He was virtually secluded from the outside world. This situation was disadvantageous to the coup leaders, for in Ali's refusal to pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr lies a deep meaning and an excuse for others to object to Abu Bakr's seizure of power.

Yet, opinions met of the necessity to bring Ali (A) by force to the Mosque, whatever the price may be. Especially in light of the fact, which they later came to realize, that he was more concerned about the Islamic interests than his own. Therefore, a commissioned force led by Umar's slave boy, Qunfud, was sent to Ali's house. When this force reached the house, Qunfud requested permission to enter so they may speak to him regarding the issue; but Ali (A) refused them permission to enter; after which they returned to the Mosque and said to Abu Bakr and Umar:

"We were refused permission to enter.

Umar said: "Go back and if you are denied permission again, then enter (the house) with force.

So the group once again asked for permission, but Fatima (A) said: "You are prohibited from entering my house without permission.

Upon hearing this, the members of the force went back-save Qunfud. They informed Umar that they were not allowed to enter the house. This angered Umar who said:

"What do women have in this?

Events continued to occur, and two pictures are drawn in front to us:

First:

Umar orders his slave boy to start Fatima's house on fire! A man objects by saying:

"But Fatima is in it.

Yet Umar replied: "So what!!

Second: (According to Jahiz and the author of Abaqat Al-Anwar):

The Prophet assigned Ali (A)as his successor. All the companions had full knowledge of this assignment. Yet, Umar forges the fact for the sake of Abu Bakr and strikes Fatima's womb, which caused her to miscarry Mohsin.

(Two pictures with no comments.)

At any rate, Ali (A) was forced to the Mosque. When Fatima Zahra (A) saw this, she followed him and addressed Abu Bakr by saying:

"Do you wish to make me a widow?! By Allah if you do not let him go, I will uncover my head, rip my shirt, and go to my Father's tomb and cry to my Lord...

So she (A) took Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain's hands and proceeded towards her father's (S) tomb!

When Imam Ali (A) saw the seriousness of the situation, he immediately interfered and said to Salman

"Prevent Muhammad's daughter (from reaching her father's grave) for surely I can see the outskirts of Medina being sunk into the earth.

Salman later said:

I was near Lady Fatima when, by Allah, I saw the foundations of the Mosque's walls being elevated up to a point that had a man wanted to go from under them, he would have been able to do so. So I said:

`My Mistress, surely Allah, the Exalted, sent your father to be mercy, thus do not become the cause of His wrath.

These noble stands of Fatima, forced Abu Bakr and Umar to release Ali (A); Fatima (A)returned home after setting the most honorable example of devotion to her husband.

Encounters in the Mosque:

As we have already mentioned, Abu Bakr sent Umar to Fatima's house with orders to compel Ali and his friends to come and pledge allegiance to him. If they could not be persuaded by fair means, Umar was going to set the house on fire. When Fatima asked him what he meant, he told her that he would certainly burn the house down unless they would be content to do as the rest of the people had done.

Knowing Umar's temper, Ali and his friends chose to come out of the house. Imam Ali, who was accompanied by Abbas and Zubair, reproached Umar's party saying:

"O you Muhajirs! You claim the succession to the Prophet of Allah preferring your priority in Islam and your kinship, to him before the Ansars. Now I put forward the same arguments in preference to you. Am I not the first who believed in the Prophet before any of you embraced his faith? Am I not the nearest in relation to the Prophet than any of you?

Fear-Allah, if you are true believers, and do not snatch away the Prophet's authority from his house to your own.

Standing behind the door, Fatima (A) reproachfully addressed the raiding people thus:

"O people! You left behind the Prophet's dead body to us and proceeded to wring out the Caliphate for yourselves, extinguishing our rights.

She (A) then burst into tears and cried:

"O Father! O Prophet of Allah! How soon after you troubles are pouring on us at the hands of the son of Khattab (Umar) and the son of Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr). How soon they have ignored your words at Ghadir al-Khum and your saying that Ali was to you as Haroun was to Musa.

Hearing Fatima's wailing, most of the people in Umar's party turned back .Ali was however, taken to Abubakr and was asked to swear allegiance to him.

Imam Ali (A) said: "What if I do not do him homage?

He was answered: "By Allah, we shall kill you if you do not do as others have done

Upon hearing this Ali said: "What! Will you kill a man who is a servant of the lord and a brother of the Prophet of the Lord?

Hearing this Umar said; "We do not acknowledge you as a brother of the prophet of the Lord" and addressed Abu Bakr who was silent, requesting him to speak out Ali's fate, but (it was claimed) Abu Bakr said that so long as Fatima was alive, he would not compel her husband to do so. So Ali (A) departed and proceeded directly to the tomb of the Prophet where he cried out:

"O my brother! Your people now treat me with contempt and are bent on killing me.

Abu Bakr Versus Fatima (A)
Fatima-the only surviving child of the Prophet, his most beloved- claimed inheritance of the property which could be apportioned to her in the lands of Medina and in Khaibar, as also Fadak, which having been acquired without the use of force, the Prophet had given her for her maintenance, in accordance with the commands of Allah.

Yet, Fadak became an arena for political games when Abu Bakr refused to transfer it to Fatima. It is appropriate here to speak about Fadak before clarifying the corresponding events which occurred in its regard:

Fadak was a village located at a two-day walking distance from Medina. Apparently, it was inhabited by Jews who refused to submit to Islam at the beginning, but when the later realized the might of the Muslims, especially after they, led by Ali Ibn Abu Talib conquered Khaibar, the Jews decided to yield to the Messenger of Allahwithout fighting. So he took possession of the village.

The village was valued at 100,000 dirhams by Umar's appraisers when he expelled its inhabitants to Syria. Umar took possession of the village and paid half of the price to the Jews.

Fadak Becomes the Prophet's Personal Property

Since the reason that motivated the inhabitants of Fadak to transfer its possession to Allah's Messenger was fear of the Muslims after they had conquered Khaibar, this property became the sole possession of the Prophet. This conforms to Allah's decree in the Holy Quran:

"What Allah has bestowed on His Apostle (and taken away) from them for this (which) ye made no expedition with either calvary or camelry: But Allah gives power to His Apostles over any He pleases: and Allah Has power over all things." (59: 6)

There was no dispute between the Muslims that Fadak belonged to the Prophet (S); rather, the disagreement was related to how much Fadak had the Jews granted him as part of the peace settlement. Thus, it is strange to hear Abu Bakr narrate a tradition from the Prophet saying:

"We the group of Prophets do not inherit, nor are we inherited; what we leave is for alms!!"

Because, had the Prophet actually said so (which is doubted), how did Abu Bakr understand from this saying that Fadak did not belong to him. There is clear contradiction in Abu Bakr's arguments.

Therefore, after realizing beyond doubt that Fadak was the personal property of Allah's Messenger (S), it is appropriate to inquire as to what he did with it? But the answer is clear. He granted it to Fatima (A)before his death. In other words, Fadak became the personal property of Lady Fatima Zahra (A). Moreover, it is not for anyone to object to the Prophet for granting his own property to any person he wished-including his daughter.

Moreover, the following factors can be cited as proofs that the Prophet (S) granted Fadak to his noble daughter (A):

1. Fatima's saying to Imam Ali (A):

"This is Ibn Abu Quhafa snatching away my father's grant to me.

2. Fatima Zahra's saying to Abu Bakr 

"Surely Fadak was granted to me by my father, the Messenger of Allah (S).

Especially in light of the fact that her infallibility prevents her from uttering falsehood or from demanding that which does not belong to her.

3. Ali (A), the infallible Imam, would not allow his wife to demand something, which did not belong to her.

4. Imam Ali (A) wrote in his letter to Uthman Ibn Hunaif:

"Yes! Fadak was the only land from that which was under the heavens, in our hands; but the inclinations of certain men lusted for it and the souls of others relinquished it.

Hence, had it been part of the Prophet's inheritance, he (A) would not have said that it belonged to them (Ali and Fatima).

5. Imam Ali (A) together with Um Ayman testified to the fact that Allah's Messenger (S)granted it to Lady Fatima Zahra (A), when Abu Bakr requested Fatima to summon witnesses that he (S)granted it to her.

Yet, despite these undisputable proofs, Abu Bakr denied Fatima possession of Fadak and brought the following as proof of the correctness of his action:

1. According to Abu Bakr, Fadak did not belong to the Messenger of Allah;it rather was the property of all Muslims.

2. Besides, according to Abu Bakr, even if it belonged to the Prophet of Allah, he had heard him saying:

"We the group of prophets do not inherit nor are we inherited.

3. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:
"My inheritance is not to be divided after me, even if it is one dinar or dirham. That which I leave is alms, save what is to maintain my wives and dependents.

However, when these hypothetical points made by Abu Bakr are put on the board of discussion, free from ideological or emotional prejudgments, and far from blind sanctification of the early followers of Islam, we can record the following points against them:

1. It is true that he denied the Prophet's ownership of Fadak, but all the Muslims--whether early Muslims or now-a-days-unanimously agree that Fadak was the sole possession of Allah's Prophet (S) This fact is also supported by the Quranic verse which we have already mentioned. Therefore, Abu Bakr's claim is invalidated £or being a mere endeavor to null the effect of the Quran. 

2. Abu Bakr's claim that he heard the Prophet of Allah (S) say:

"We the group of prophets do not inherit, nor are we inherited; what we leave is for alms,Can be disputed as follows: 

A. This narration is irrelevant regarding this issue; because we have already stated that Fadak was a grant from the Prophet (S) to his daughter before he died. So it is inappropriate to quote a narration related to the issue of inheritance with the purpose of denying Lady Fatima (A) her property.

B. This narration was only reported by one man--who is Abu Bakr, himself--and since the Holy Quran stated a general rule concerning inheritance, the Prophets and their heirs are included in this rule. So Abu Bakr's claim cannot be taken as proof versus the Holy Quran, nor can it be proof for excluding the prophets and their families from the Quranic rule.

C. Yet, the real reasons which provoke Abu Bakr and his followers to deprive Fatima Zahra (A) from her own property, despite the fact that the Prophet (S) said:

"Fatima is part of me, he who loves her loves me , and he who angers her angers me,
had more dangerous and implicit motives behind them, and were directly related to the political events of that time.

3. As for Abu Hurairah's narration; it is sufficient for us to keep in mind that he was famous for forging Prophetic traditions. Even he, himself, admitted this; and anyone wishing to study more about his life, should refer to Sheikh al-Madhirah - Abu Hurairah Dowsi, written by Mahmoud Abu Raieh.

The Real Motives Which Lead Abu Bakr to Usurp Fadak from Fatima

The history books at hand need thorough examination and revision, for they have been recorded according to the wishes and satisfactions of despotic rulers throughout history. In view of this, and in light of the fact that Lady Fatima Zahra (A) was a strong supporter of her husband in his quest to regain Caliphate, and that her views were proof that the followers of Imam Ali(A)can use it to easily verify his claims against Abu Bakr; we can easily understand how Abu Bakr was successful in depriving Lady Fatima Zahra (A) of her rights, and how his moves corresponded to his adopted political thinking. So, not only was Abu Bakr able to persuade the Muslims to dismiss Fatima's stands as those of a woman who can be depended upon even in such a secondary issue like Fadak, but also he aimed at convincing them that since she was not to be believed in such a matter, she was also to be deserted when it comes to the most important issue of that time (i.e., Caliphate).

Yet, there are more motives that can be spotted to have led Abu Bakr to usurp Fatima Zahra's (A) property. Among them are:

1. Since Fadak brought large profits to its owners, Ali (A) could use this profit in his fight against Abu Bakr just as Khadija was able her wealth to use against the infidels.

2. The political challenge which Abu Bakr created here, was aimed at proving to Ali and Lady Fatima Zahra (A) that the nation was not ready to aid them in an emotional issue in which he was successful in downgrading Ali and Fatima by controlling and directing the public opinion. Listen to Abu Bakr as he speaks to the people after Fatima's speech in the Mosque:

"O people!

What is this attentiveness to every aimless speech?

Where were these claims at the time of Allah's Messenger (S)?

He who heard something should say so!

He who witnessed anything should speak out!

Surely they are (Ali and Fatima, like) foxes who have no witnesses save their tails!

They instigate every dissension!

And say: Renew (trouble) after it has cooled downThey seek help from the weak and acquire support from women They are like Umme Tahal (a woman who was a prostitute during the era of ignorance) whose family chose prostitution for her Surely if I wish 1 can say a lot; and had I said (something), would have revealed (much). But I will remain silent as long as I am left alone.

3. Abu Bakr's drive to deprive Lady Fatima Zahra (A) of her property had another underlying motive. Had Abu Bakr admitted Fatima's words in regard to Fadak as undisputable facts, she could also claim her husband's right to leadership, which would force Abu Bakr to hand it back to Ali (A)

Ibn Abil-Hadid said: I asked Ali Ibn Fareqi, a distinguished teacher of Madrassa-Gharbia, Baghdad: "Was Fatima truthful in making the claim (regarding Fadak)?

He answered: "Yes!

I said: "Did Abu Bakr know that she was a truthful woman?

Again he answered: "Yes.

I then asked: "Then why did the Caliph not give that which she was entitled to back to her?

At that moment the teacher smiled and said with great dignity:

"If he had accepted her word on that day and had returned Fadak to her on account of her being a truthful woman and without asking for any witnesses, she could very well use this position for the benefit of her husband on the following day and say:

`My husband, Ali is entitled to the Caliphate,' and then the Caliph would have been obliged to surrender the Caliphate to Ali on account of his having acknowledged her to be a truthful woman. However, in order to obviate any such claim or dispute, he deprived her of her undisputed right!

4. Moreover, there were several emotional factors, which lead Abu Bakr to refuse Fatima, Khadija's daughter, her rights. Some of these factors are:

Once, the Prophet of Allah sent Abu Bakr to the Muslims, during Hajj season, to recite for them the newly revealed Surah al-Tawbah, but before reaching his destination AbuBakr was stopped by Ali Ibn Abu Talib who informed him that the Messenger commanded him to deliver the Surah himself; because according to the Prophet :

"No-one can take the Messenger's place save he or someone from him.|

This surely creates a feeling of envy in a man's heart!! A matter, that can be said to have influenced Abu Bakr himself.

B. When the Prophet was too ill to lead the prayers, Abu Bakr was asked by his daughter, Aisha, to do so. But as soon as Allah's Messenger (S) learned what was going on, he, supported by Imam Ali and Abbas, came out and removed Abu Bakr and led the prayers himself. The author of 'Fatima Umme Abiha' says in this regard:

This event might have led Abu Bakr to think that Fatima was the one who informed the Prophet (S) of Abu Bakr's actions, just as Aisha told him (Abu Bakr) to lead the prayers!!

C. Aisha, the Prophet's wife and Abu Bakr's daughter, had uncalled for feelings towards Fatima and her mother, Khadija.

For instance, Aisha said:

"Despite the fact that Khadija died three years before the Prophet married me, I did not have a feeling of envy" for anyone as much as I had for her. This was because he (the Prophet) used to mention her name constantly and he was ordered by His Almighty Lord to give her the good news of a house made of brocade in Paradise. He also used to slaughter sheep and distribute their meat among her (Khadija's) friends.

This undoubtedly led Abu Bakr to join his daughter in her feelings towards Khadija, her daughter (Fatima) and her son-in-law (Ali (A)).

D. Aisha, Abu Bakr's daughter was sterile. Yet Khadija (A) was the only wife of the Prophet who had children that survived. Moreover, that child of Khadija was Aisha's main adversary, Fatima. So the Messenger of Allah's descendants would only come from his daughter and her husband, Ali. This surely was an unwelcomed fact to Aisha and her father, Abu Bakr.

Fatima's Protest Against Abu Bakr's Actions

Fatima (A) felt grieved by Abu Bakr's actions, and was so displeased with him that when she knew of his attempt to seize Fadak, she accompanied a group of women to the mosque. There she sat down and delivered the following speech:

'Praise be to Allah for that which He bestowed (upon us); And thanks be to Him for all that which He inspired; and commended in His Name for that which He Provided: Form prevalent favors which He created, And abundant benefactions which He offered and perfect grants which He presented; (such benefactions) that their number is much too plentiful to compute; Bounties too vast to measure; Their limit was too distant to realize; He recommended to them (His creatures) to gain more (of His benefaction) by being grateful for their continuity; He ordained Himself praiseworthy by giving generously to His creatures; I bear witness that there is no God but Allah Who is One without partner, a statement which sincere devotion is made to be its interpretation; hearts guarantee its con­tinuation, and illuminated in the minds is its sensibility. He Who can not be perceived with vision; neither be described with tongues; nor can imagination surround His state.

He originated things but not from anything that existed be­fore them, and created them with­out examples to follow. Rather, He created them with His might and dispersed them according to His will; not for a need did He create them; nor for a benefit (for Him) did He shape them, But to establish His wisdom, Bring attention to His obedi­ence, manifest His might, lead His creatures to humbly vene­rate Him, and to exalt His decrees. He then made the reward for His obedience, and punishment for his dis­obedience, so as to protect His creatures from His Wrath and amass them into His Paradise.

I too bear witness that my Father, Muhammad, is His Slave and Messenger, Whom He chose prior to sending him, named him before sending him; when creatures were still concealed in that which was transcendental, guarded from that which was appalling, and associated with the termination and nonexistence. For Allah the Exalted knew that which was to follow, comprehended that which will come to pass, And realized the place of every event. Allah has sent him (Muhammad) as perfection for His commands, a resolution to accomplish His rule, and an implementation of the decrees of His Mercy. So he found the nations to vary in their faiths; Obsessed by their fires, Worshipping their idols, And denying Allah despite their knowledge of Him. Therefore, Allah illuminated their darkness with my Father, Muhammad, uncovered obscurity from their hearts, and cleared the clouds from their insights. He revealed guidance among the people; So he delivered them from being led astray, led them away from misguidance, guided them to the proper religion, and called them to the straight path.

Allah then chose to recall him back in mercy, love and pre­ference. So, Muhammad is in comfort from the burden of this world, he is surrounded with devoted angels, the satisfaction of the Merciful Lord, and the nearness of the powerful King.

So may the praise of Allah be upon my Father, His Prophet, Trusted one, the chosen one

from among His creatures, and His sincere friend, and may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.'

Fatima (A) then turned to the crowd and said:

'Surely you are Allah's slaves at His command Prohibition; You are the bearers of His religion and revelation; You are Allah's trusted ones with yourselves; and His messengers to the nations. Amongst you does He have righteous authority; A covenant He brought unto you, and an heir He left to guard you; That is The eloquent book of Allah; The truthful Quran; The brilliant light; The shining beam; Its insights are indisputable; Its secrets are revealed; Its indications are manifest; and its followers are blessed by it. (The Quran) leads its adherents to goodwill; and Hearing it leads to salvation; with it are the bright divine authorities achieved, His manifest determination acquired, His prohibited decrees avoided; His manifest evidence recognized; His satisfying proofs made apparent, His permissions granted, and His laws written.

So Allah made belief to be purification for you from poly­theism.

He made Prayer, An exaltation for you from conceit.

Alms -A purification for the soul and a (cause of) growth in subsistence.

Fasting an implantation of devotion.

Pilgrimage -A construction of religion.

Justice -A harmony of the hearts;

obeying us (Ahlul-Bayt)­Management of the nation.

Our leadership (Ahlul-Bayt), Safeguard from disunity.

Jihad (struggle)­ a strengthening of Islam.

Patience -A helping course for deserving (divine) reward.

Ordering goodness (Amr Bil Maruf)­ Public welfare.

Kindness to the parents­ A safeguard from wrath.

Maintaining close relations with one's kin -A cause for a longer life and multiplying the number of descend­ants.

Retaliation (Qesas)-For sparing blood (souls).

Fulfillment of vows-subjecting oneself to mercy.

Completion of weights and measures -A cause for preventing the neglect of others' rights. Forbiddance of drinking wines an exaltation from atrocity.

Avoiding slander -A veil from curse.

Abandoning theft-a reason for deserving chastity.

Allah has also prohibited polytheism so that one can devote himself to His Lordship.

Therefore; Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam;

Obey Allah in that which He has commanded you to do and that which He has forbidden, for surely those truly fear among His servants, who have knowledge.'

Lady Fatima Zahra (A) then added:

'O People! Be informed that I am Fatima, and my father is Muhammad I say that repeatedly and initiate it continually; I say not what I say mistakenly, nor do I do what I do aimlessly.

Now hath come unto you an Apostle from amongst yourselves; It grieves him that you should perish; Ardently anxious is he over you; To the believers he is most kind and merciful. Thus, if you identify and recog­nize him, you shall realize that he is my father and not the father of any of your women; the brother of my cousin (Ali (A)) rather than any of your men. What an excellent identity he was, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his descendants Thus, he propagated the Message, by coming out openly with the warning, and while inclined away from the path of the polytheists, (whom he) struck their strength and seized their throats, while he invited (all) to the way of his Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching He destroyed idols, and defeated heroes, until their group fled and turned their backs. So night revealed its dawn; righteousness uncovered its genuineness; the voice of the religious authority spoke out loud; the evil discords were silenced; The crown of hypocrisy was diminished; the tightening of infidelity and desertion were untied,So you spoke the statement of devotion amongst a band of starved ones; and you were on the edge of a hole of fire;(you were) the drink of the thirsty one; the opportunity of the desiring one; the fire brand of him who passes in haste; the step for feet; you used to drink from the water gathered on roads; eat jerked meat. (Lady Fatima (A) was stating their lowly situation before Islam) You were despised outcasts always in fear of abduction from those around you. Yet, Allah rescued you through my father, Muhammad after much ado, and after he was confronted by mighty men, the Arab beasts, and the demons of the people of the Book Who, whenever they ignited the fire of war, Allah extinguished it; and whenever the thorn of the devil appeared, or a mouth of the polytheists opened wide in defiance, he would strike its discords with his brother (Ali, (A)), who comes not back until he treads its wing with the sole of his feet, and extinguishes its flames with his sword. (Ali is) diligent in Allah's affair, near to the Messenger of Allah, A master among Allah's worshippers, setting to work briskly, sincere in his advice, earnest and exerting himself (in service to Islam); While you were calm, gay, and feeling safe in your comfort­able lives, waiting for us to meet disasters, awaiting the spread of news, you fell back during every battle, and took to your heels at times of fighting.

Yet, When Allah chose His Prophet from the dwell of His prophets, and the abode of His sincere (servants); The thorns of hypocrisy appeared on you, the garment of faith became worn out, The misguided ignorant(s) spoke out, the sluggish ignorant came to the front and brayed. The he camel of the vain wiggled his tail in your courtyards and the your courtyards and the Devil stuck his head from its place of hiding and called upon you, he found you respon­sive to his invitation, and observing his deceits.

He then aroused you and found you quick (to answer him), and invited you to wrath, therefore; you branded other than your camels and proceeded to other than your drinking places. Then while the era of the Prophet was still near, the gash was still wide, the scar had not yet healed, and the Messenger was not yet buried. A (quick) undertaking as you claimed, aimed at preventing discord (trial), Surely, they have fallen into trial already! And indeed Hell surrounds the unbelievers. How preposterous! What an idea!

What a falsehood! For Allah's Book is still amongst you, its affairs are apparent; its rules are manifest; its signs are dazzling; its restrictions are visible, and its commands are evident. Yet, indeed you have casted it behind your backs! What! Do you detest it? Or according to something else you wish to rule? Evil would be the exchange for the wrongdoers! And if anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), it never will it be accepted from him; And in the hereafter, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost. Surely you have not waited until its stampede seized, and it became obedient. You then started arousing its flames, instigating its coal, complying with the call of the misled devil, quenching the light of the manifest reli­gion, and extinguished the light of the sincere Prophet. You concealed sips on froth and proceeded towards his (the Prophet) kin and children in swamps and forests (meaning you plot against them in deceitful ways), but we are patient with you as if we are being notched with knives and stung by spearheads in our abdomens, Yet-now you claim that there is not inheritance for us! What! "Do they then seek after a judgment of (the Days of)ignorance? But How, for a people whose faith is assured, can give better judgment than Allah? Don't you know? Yes, indeed it is obvious to you that I am his daughter.

O Muslims! Will my inheritance be usurped? O son of Abu Quhafa! Where is it in the Book of Allah that you inherit your father and I do not inherit mine? Surely you have come up with an unprecedented thing. Do you intentionally abandon the Book of Allah and cast it behind your back? Do you not read where it says: And Sulaiman inherited Dawood'?

And when it narrates the story of Zakariya and says: `So give me an heir as from thyself (One that) will inherit me, and inherit the posterity of Yaqoob' And: `But kindred by hood have prior rights against each other in the Book of Allah'

And: Allah (thus) directs you as regards your children's (inheritance) to the male, a portion equal to that of two females' And, If he leaves any goods, that he make a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable usage; this is due from the pious ones.' You claim that I have no share! And that I do not inherit my father! What! Did Allah reveal a (Quranic) verse regarding you, from which He excluded my father? Or do you say: `These (Fatima and her father) are the people of two faiths, they do not inherit each other?!' Are we not, me and my father, a people adhering to one faith? Or is it that you have more knowledge about the specifi­cations and generalizations of the Quran than my father and my cousin (Imam Ali)? So, here you are! Take it! (Ready with) its nose rope and saddled! But if shall encounter you on the Day of Gathering; (thus) what a wonder­ful judge is Allah, a claimant is Muhammad, and a day is the Day of Rising. At the time of the Hour shall the wrongdoers lose; and it shall not benefit you to regret (your actions) then! For every Message, there is a time limit; and soon shall ye know who will be inflicted with torture that will humiliate him, and who will be confronted by an everlasting punishment. (Fatima then turned towards the Ansars and said:) O you people of intellect! The strong supporters of the nation! And those who embraced Islam; What is this short-coming in defending my right? And what is this slumber (while you see) injustice (being done toward me)? Did not the Messenger of Allah, my father, used to say: A man is upheld (remembered) by his children'? O how quick have you violated (his orders)?! How soon have you plotted against us? But you still are capable (of helping me in) my attempt, and powerful (to help me) in that which I request and (in) my pursuit (of it). Or do you say: "Muhammad has perished

Surely this is a great calamity; Its damage is excessive its injury is great, Its wound (is much too deep) to heal.

The Earth became darkened with his departure; the stars eclipsed for his calamity; hopes were seized; mountains submitted; sanctity was violated, and holiness was encroached upon after his death. Therefore, this, by Allah, is the great affliction, and the grand calamity; there is not an affliction-which is the like of it; nor will there be a sudden misfortune (as surprising as this).

The Book of Allah-excellent in praising him-announced in the courtyards (of your houses) in the place where you spend your evenings and mornings; A call, A cry, A recitation, and (verses) in order. It had previously came upon His (Allah's) Prophets and Messengers; (for it is) A decree final, and a pre­destination fulfilled: "Muhammad is not but an Apostle: Many were the apostles that passed away before him. If he died or was slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah; but Allah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve Him) with gratitude." O you people of reflection; will I be usurped the inheritance of my father while you hear and see me?! (And while) You are sitting and gathered around me? You hear my call, and are included in the (news of the) affair? (But) You are numerous and well equipped! (You have) the means and the power, and the weapons and the shields. Yet, the call reaches you but you do not answer; the cry comes to you but you do not come to help? (This) While you are characterized by struggle, known for goodness and welfare, the selected group (which was chosen), and the best ones chosen by the Messenger for us, Ahlul-Bayt. You fought the Arabs, bore with pain and exhaustion, struggled against the nations, and resisted their heroes. We were still, so were you in ordering you, and you in obeying us. So that Islam became triumphant, the accomplishment of the days came near, the fort of polytheism was subjected, the outburst of was subjected, the outburst of infidelity calmed down, and the system of religion was well-ordered. Thus, (why have you) become con­fused after clearness? Conceal matters after announcing them? Turned on your heels after daring? Associated (others with Allah) after believing? Will you not fight people who violated their oaths? Plotted to expel the Apostle and became aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if you believe!

Nevertheless, I see that you are inclined to easy living; dismissed he who is more worthy of guardianship (Ali (A)); You secluded yourselves with meekness and dismissed that which you accepted. Yet, if you show ingratitude, ye and all on earth together, yet, Allah free of all wants, worthy of all praise. Surely I have said all that I have said with full knowledge that you intent to forsake me, and knowing the betrayal that your hearts sensed. But it is the state of soul, the effusion of fury, the dissemination of (what is) the chest and the presentation of the proof. Hence, Here it is! Bag it (leadership and) put it on the back of an ill she­ camel, which has a thin hump with everlasting grace, marked with the wrath of Allah, and the blame of ever (which leads to) the Fire of (the wrath of Allah kindled (to a blaze), that which doth mount (right) to the hearts; For, Allah witnesses what you do, and soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take! And I am the daughter of a warner (the Prophet) to you against a severe punishment. So, act and so will we, and wait, and we shall wait.'

(The end of Lady Fatima's speech.)

It appears from recorded historical events, that Lady Fatima (A) was successful at the beginning in persuading Abu Bakr to hand back Fadak to her; listen to part of a speech he (according to some historians) delivered after hearing Fatima's speech. He said:

"O daughter of the Messenger of Allah... Surely the Prophet is your father, not anyone else's, the brother of your husband, not any other man's; he surely preferred him over all his friends and (Ali) supported him in every important matter, no one loves you save the lucky and no one hates you save the wretched. You are the blessed progeny of Allah's Messenger, the chosen ones, our guides to goodness our path to Paradise, and you-the best of women-and the daughter of the best of prophets, truthful is your sayings, excelling in reason. You shall not be driven back from your right...But I surely heard your father saying:

`We the, group of prophets do not inherit, nor are we inherited Yet, this is my situation and property, it is yours (if you wish); it shall not be concealed from you, nor will it be stored away from you. You are the Mistress of your father's nation, and the blessed tree of your descendants. Your property shall not be usurped against your will nor can your name be defamed. Your judgment shall be executed in all that which I possess. This, do you think that I violate your father's (will)?

Fatima then refuted Abu Bakr's claim that the Prophet had stated that prophets cannot be inherited, and said:

"Glory be to Allah!! Surely Allah's Messenger did not abandon Allah's Book nor did he violate His commands. Rather, he followed its decrees and adhered to its chapters. So do you unite with treachery justifying your acts with fabrications? Indeed this-after his departure-is similar to the disasters which were plotted against him during his lifetime. But behold! This is Allah's Book, a just judge and a decisive speaker, saying:

`One that will (truly) inherit Me, and inherit the posterity of Yaqub,' (19:6)

and

'And Sulaiman inherited Dawood.' (27: 16)

Thus, He (Glory be to Him) made clear that which He made share of all heirs, decreed from the amounts of inheritance, allowed for males and females, and eradicated all doubts and ambiguities (pertaining to this issue which existed with the) bygones.

Nay!

But your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, but (for me) patience is most fitting against that which ye assert; it is Allah (alone) whose help can be sought.

It is apparent that Abu Bakr chanced the mode with which he addressed Lady Fatima (A) after delivering her speech. Listen to his following speech; which is his reply to Fatima's just reported speech.

Abu Bakr said:

"Surely Allah and His Apostle are truthful, and so has his (the Prophet's) daughter told the truth. Surely you are the source of wisdom, the element of faith, and the sole authority. May Allah not refute your righteous argument, nor invalidate your decisive speech. But these are the Muslims between us-who have entrusted me with leadership, and it was according to their satisfaction that 1 received what 1 have. I am not being arrogant, autocratic, or selfish, and they are my witnesses.

Upon hearing Abu Bakr speak of the people's support for him, Lady Fatima Zahra (A}

turned towards them and said:

"O people, who rush towards uttering falsehood and are indifferent to disgraceful and losing actions!

Do you not earnestly seek to reflect upon the Quran, or are your hearts isolated with locks? But on your hearts is the stain of the evil, which you committed; it has seized your hearing and your sight, evil is that which you justified cursed is that which you reckoned, and wicked is what you have taken for an exchange! You shall, by Allah, find bearing it (to be a great) burden, and its consequence disastrous. (That is) on the day when the cover is removed and appears to you what is behind it of wrath. When you will be confronted by Allah with that which you could never have expected, there will perish, there and then, those who stood on falsehoods." (the end).

Although parts of Abu Bakr's speeches cannot be verified with authentic evidence, and despite the fact that we have already mentioned part of the actual speech, which Abu Bakr delivered after Lady Fatima's arguments, it appears certain that Abu Bakr was finally persuaded to submit Fadak to her.

Nevertheless, when Fatima was leaving Abu Bakr's house, Umar suddenly appeared and exclaimed:

"What is it that you hold in your hand?

Abu Bakr replied: 'A decree I have written for Fatima in which I assigned Fadak and her father's inheritance to her.

Umar then said: "With what will you spend on the Muslims if the Arabs decide to fight you?

Umar then seized the decree and tore it up!

Fadak in The Political Arena

The House of Grief

When political opposition fails, silent protest starts. This kind of protest can be more effective than the first, because in addition to having the benefits of offending and disapproving of the opponent's acts, it also gives the person the chance of keeping calm and tranquil.

Lady Fatima Zahra (A)acted in such a manner when she realized that with the weaknesses, which afflicted her, she could not prevail. So she took refuge in a house in Baqi' near the tombs of martyrs, to cry for her father and complain to him about that which grieved her. Fatima (A) used to visit the great tomb of her father and take handful of the dirt from his grave and smell it then begin weeping. Fatima (A)would then return to her home and cry day and night. The elderly men of Medina came to Imam Ali (A)complaining and said:

Abu Al-Hassan! Fatima cries day and night so none of us can sleep comfortably. Hence, we demand you to ask her to either cry during the day or the night.

Imam Ali (A) replied: "Most gladly"

He then proceeded towards Fatima who was crying; when she saw him approaching, she stopped and Imam Ali (A) said:

"Daughter of Allah's Messenger, the elderly men of Medina have asked me to ask you to either cry during the day or the night.

Fatima answered:

"Abu Al-Hassan, how short will my stay among them be? And soon I will depart from them. Therefore, by Allah, I join my father-Allah 's Messenger (S).

When Imam Ali (A) saw her insistence, he built a house for her behind Baqi' which later became known as "The house of griefs." Thereafter, with every sunrise, Fatima (A) would take Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain to that house and cry until sunset, when Imam Ali (A) would come and bring them back home.

Once, Lady Fatima Zahra (A) longed for the sound of Adhan-the call for prayer-which was performed by Bilal. But Bilal had taken an oath to never perform it again after the Prophet's death; nevertheless, in respect to Fatima's request, he decided to do so. Yet, as soon as Bilal said: 'Allahu Akbar," Fatima (A) remembered the era of her great father (S) and started weeping, so that when Bilal said:

"I bear witness that Muhammad is His worshipper and Messenger," Fatima took a deep breath and fell unconscious. When Fatima (A) fell, the people requested Bilal to stop Adhan, because they believed that Fatima had died.

Now that the voice of rejection seized to reveal that which was in Fatima's heart, the language of tears spoke out for her; and as it is correctly said: "The language of tears, is more painful to the heart and sadder to the eyes"!In addition to being a reason encouraging others to be unjust to Ahlul-Bayt, the usurping of Fadak by Abu Bakr ignited political unrest throughout history. Sheikh Ja'far Subhani, a leading historian, wrote the following in his book The Message p.601 regarding Fadak throughout history:

"The foundation of the deprivation of the descendants of Fatima's claim of Fadak was laid in the time of the First Caliph. After the martyrdom of Ali, Mu'awiyah assumed the reins of government and divided Fadak amongst three persons (Marwan, Amr bin Uthman and his own son, Yazid). During the period of the Caliphate of Marwan, all three shares were assumed by him and he gifted them to his son, Abdul Aziz. He, in turn, gave the same to his son, Umar. On account of the fact that Umar Bin Abdul Aziz was an upright person from amongst Bani Umayyah, the first heresy which he removed was that he returned Fadak to the descendants of Fatima. After his death, however, the succeeding Umayyad Caliphs again took away Fadak from the Bani Hashim and it continued to remain in their possession till their rule came to an end.

During the Caliphate of Bani Abbas, the question of Fadak vacillated in a strange manner. For example, Saffah gave it to Abdullah Bin Hassan and after him Mansur Dawaniqi took it back, but his son Mahdi returned it to the descendants of Zahrah. After him Musa and Harun took it away from them on account of some political considerations. When Ma'mun assumed the office of caliph, he handed it over formally to its owner. After his death, the conditions of Fadak vacillated once again and it was returned at one time to the descendants of Fatima and then taken away from them again.

During the periods of the Caliphate of Bani Umayyah and Bani Abbas, Fadak assumed largely apolitical aspect as compared with its pecuniary aspect. And even if the First Caliphs were in need of income from Fadak the later Caliphs and nobles were so rich that they did not stand in any need of income from it.

Hence, when Umar Bin Abdul Aziz handed over Fadak to the descendants of Fatima, Bani Umayyah reproached him and said; `By this act of your, you have found fault with the two venerable men (viz. Abu Bakr and Umar).' They, therefore, persuaded him to distribute the income from Fadak among the descendants of Fatima, but to keep its ownership with himself."

Fatima-The Withering Rose

It was a short life... As short as the lives of fragrant roses... 

A life that Lady Fatima (A) endured and now it is coming to an end... even before it was given the chance to completely blossom!

Surely the successive calamities and severe hardships which befell Lady Fatima Zahra (A), while she was still young, left her with a broken rib and confined to bed, suffering from her broken rib and remembering what had come to pass and her devoted husband who was her safe refuge in whom she took refuge whenever abused...

She remembered her usurped rights...

She remembered her oppressed husband and his stolen position..

She remembered him being led by his turban to the Mosque while she followed him...

She remembered all this and a gloomy picture appeared before her tired eyes... then a sigh becomes imprisoned deep in her heart..

That heart which longs for the great Messenger who gave her the good news of her speedy departure after him...

Oh! How forsaken she was?

But. she was the Prophet's daughter!

She was his favorite child!

She whom the Prophet repeatedly expressed the importance of observing her rights!

And as he said: "Man is observed by respecting his children"

Yet, this did not stop the arrogant ones from encroaching on her rights, nor did it stop the sinful hands from reaching out to strangle the beautiful rose before it completely blossomed!

Thus, the branch, which the Prophet left among his nation, withered away, its flowers became scattered, its branches wilted.

Fatima (A) appeared pale and faint!

Allah is with you Umm al-Hassan.

You shall depart towards a generous Lord and a great Father... then you shall complain to him about what you have encountered..

Yes! Umm Al-Hassan... only ninety (90) days are left...

But you, Muhammad's Ummah, remember her...

Write this in the pages of history... and tell the generations about Fatima's sad story!

On the Death Bed

The moment when eternal separation starts is anguishing. This is a fact known to everyone who has experienced it, for it is the last opportunity for the beloved to be with his dear ones... then the inevitable, the predestined, happens. At such a moment, one is in earnest need of calmness and tranquility. Yet, many are the ones who mourn and break apart instead.

Lady Fatima Zahra (A)was calm and patient when the women of the Muhajireen and Ansar came to visit her.Suwaid Ibn Ghafleh said: "When Fatima was inflicted with her illness, the women of the Muhajireen and Ansar gathered around her and said:

How are you doing, daughter of Allah's Messenger?'

Fatima praised Allah, prayed for her father and said:

"I have become, by Allah, to have feelings of resentment for your world, detesting your men; I have casted them after testing them, hated them after examining them. Thus, shameful is the defiling of honor, playing after being serious, striking the soft rocks, the slackening of spears, the foolishness of judgments and the misguidance of wants"

"Evil indeed are (the works) which their souls have sent forward before them (with the result) that Allah's wrath is on them, and in torment will they abide"

Certainly it (Allah's wrath) has control of their affairs, held them responsible (for deserving it), and launched its disagreement on them"

So, may the unjust ones be done away with, cursed, and damned. Woe unto them!

How they have snatched it away from the foundations of the Message, the fundamentals of prophethood and guidance, the place of descent for the Devoted Spirit, and he who is clever in the affairs of this world and the hereafter? (She means that they usurped Ali's right)

Surely; (their action) is clear loss. Why were they hostile to Abu Al-Hassan?

They took vengeance, by Allah, from him for his unbiased sword,his carelessness about his death (i.e., his unprecedented courage),his deadly assaults his severe encounters, and his anger for the sole sake of Allah, Exalted is His Name.

"By Allah, had they prevented each other from assuming the reigns of power, which Allah's Messenger entrusted to him, he would have held it and led them smoothly,He would not have harmed them the size of a thread,Nor would his followers stammer, (meaning they would have lived in harmony under his rule).

He surely would have delivered them to a spring pure, lush, abundant, flowing over its banks yet its sides are not muddy.

He certainly would have brought them back satisfied and advised them secretly and publicly without providing himself with any availing thing.

Nor would he favor himself with the worldly things with any gain, save that which would quench the thirst of the thirsty, and feed the hungry.Surely the abstinent would have been distinguished from the desirous, and the truthful from the liar.

Had the people of the town believed and feared Allah, We should indeed have opened out to them (all kinds of) blessings from Heaven and Earth; but they rejected (the truth), and We brought them to book for their misdeeds.And the wrongdoers of this generation; the results of their deeds will soon overtake them (too), and they will never be able to frustrate (Our Plan)!

"  "Indeed.. "Come to see! "As long as you live, time shall show you amazing events!

"I wish I knew what proof they have for that which they have done?

"On what foundation have they stood?

"On what reliable grip have they held?

"Upon whose progeny have they encroached and spoke against?

"Evil, indeed, is the patron and evil the companion!

"They have exchanged, by Allah, the daring for the tales and the capable for the impotent.

"Thus, away with a people who (mistakenly) believe they are doing well (to themselves);

"For surely, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realize (it) not.

"Woe unto them!

"Is he who guides towards truth more worthy to be followed, or the who finds not guidance (himself) unless he is guided?

"What then is the matter with you?

"How do you judge?

"But-upon my life! it has already conceived (meaning that it is too late to do anything).

"So wait until its fruit comes about."Then shall ye fillyour buckets with pure blood and fatal venom?

"That day the dealers in falsehood will perish!

"And the ones who come to follow shall know the evil which their successors have established!

"Then awaken the aversion in yourselves to your world!

"Prepare your hearts for calamities,

"Adapt yourselves to a sharp sword; n assault of a tyrant enemy,an overwhelming commotion, and atrocity from oppressors who shall leave your booty worthless, and your crops unharvested; "Alas!

"What a pity! How will ye be treated? But indeed it hath been obscured from your sight. Shall we then compel you to accept it when ye are averse to it?"

Swaid Ibn Ghaflah added:

"The women informed their men what Lady Fatima Zahra (A) had said, then a group of men went to her and said:

`O you Mistress of all women! Had Abu Al-Hassan mentioned this to us before we made the oath, and gave the promise (to Abu Bakr), then surely we would not have exchanged him (Imam Ali (A)) for anyone else!!!'

Fatima (A) said:

Leave me alone! Surely there is not an excuse for you after (I have already) spoken to you; and there shall be no command after (I have seen) your shortcomings.

When we review Lady Fatima's (A) speech, it becomes clear to us that she blamed the people for accepting Abu Bakr's and Umar's leadership over Imam Ali (A). She also foretold of many calamities, which would take place as a result of this misdeed. Fatima's predictions were true; Umar seized power after Abu Bakr appointed him as his successor to Caliphate. After Umar, Uthman was appointed leader; this started the era of explicit oppression against the Muslims. Imam Ali (A) in his sermon of Shiqshiqiyyah pointed out the course of Caliphate and how it was transferred from one person to another until finally he was appointed leader-virtually by force. He (A) then explained how the same ones who paid allegiance to him turned against his rule, which triggered unrest between the Muslims that had everlasting adverse effects. Imam Ali (A) also added his view on Caliphate and this world, in several eloquent words in this sermon. He (A) said:

"By Allah, the son of Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr) dressed himself with it (the caliphate) and he certainly knew that my position in relation to it was the same as the position of the axis in relation to the handmill. The floodwater flows down from me and the bird cannot fly unto me. I put a curtain against the Caliphate and kept myself detached from it. Then I began to think whether I should assault or endure calmly the blinding darkness of tribulations wherein the elders are feeled and the young grow old and the true believer acts under strain till he meets Allah (on his death). I found that endurance thereon was wiser. So I adopted patience although there was pricking in the eye and suffocation of my inheritance till the first one went his way but handed over the Caliphate to Ibn Khattab after himself

Then he quoted Aisha's verse:

"My days now are passed on the camel's back (in difficulty), while there were days (of ease) -when I enjoyed the company of Jabir's brother Hayyan.'

"It is strange that during his lifetime he wished to get rid of the Caliphate but he straightened its way for the other after his death. No doubt these two shared its udders strictly among themselves. This one put the Caliphate in a tough enclosure where the utterance was haughty and the tough was rough. Mistakes were in plenty and so also the excuses therefore. One in contact with it, was like the rider of an unruly camel If he pulled up its rein the very nostril would be slit, but if he let it loose he would be thrown. Consequently, by Allah, people got involved in recklessness, wickedness, unsteadfastness, and deviation. Nevertheless, I remained patient despite the length of period and stiffness of trial, till when he went his way (by death), he put the matter (of Caliphate) in a group and regarded me to be one of them. But good Heavens! What had I to do with this `consultation'? Where was any doubt about me with regard to the first of them that I was not considered akin to these ones. But I remained low when they were low and flew high. One of them turned against me because of his hatred and the other got inclined the other way due to his in-law relationship and this thing and that thing, till the third man of these people stood up with heaving breasts between his dung and fodder. With him, his cousins also stood up swallowing up Allah's wealth like a camel devouring the foliage of spring, till his rope broke down, his actions finished him and his gluttony brought him down prostrate. At that moment, the crowd of people frightened me. It advanced towards me from every side like the mane of the hyena so much so that Hassan and Hussain were getting crushed and both the ends of my shoulder garment were torn. They collected around me like a herd of sheep and goats. When 1 took up the reins of government, one party broke away and another turned disobedient while the rest began acting wrongfully as if they had not heard the word of Allah saying:

`That abode in the hereafter, We assign it for those who intend not to exalt themselves in the earth, nor (to make) mischief (therein); and the end is (best) for the pious ones.'

(28:83)

Yes, by Allah, they had heard it and understood it, but the world appeared glittering in their eyes and its embellishments seduced them. Behold, by Him who split the grain (to grow) and created living beings, if people had not come to me and supporters had not exhausted the argument and if there had been no pledge of Allah with the learned to the effect that they should not acquiesce the gluttony of the oppressor and the hunger of the oppressed, I would have cast the rope of Caliphate on its own shoulders and would have given the last one the same treatment as the first. Then you would have seen that in my view this world of yours is no better than the sneezing of a goat.

(It is said that when Amir Al-Mo'mineen reached here in his sermon, a man of Iraq stood up and handed him writing. Amir Al-Mo'mineen (A) began looking at it, when Ibn Abbas (Allah may be pleased with both of them) said,

"O Amir Al-Mo'mineen, I wish you resumed your Sermon from where you broke it.

Thereupon he (A) replied, "O Ibn Abbas, it was like the foam of a camel which gushed out but subsided.

Ibn Abbas says that he never grieved over any utterance as he did over this one; because Amir Al-Mo'mineen (A) could not finish it as he wished to. Commenting on this sermon, Allama Razi says

"The words in this sermon `Like the rider of a camel,' mean to convey that when a camel rider is stiff in drawing up the rein, then in this scuffle the nostril gets bruised; but if he lets it loose in spite of the camel's unruliness, it would throw him somewhere and would get out of control. Ashnaq-an-Naqah' is used when the rider holds up the rein and raises the camel's head upwards. In the same sense the word `Shannaq-an-Naqah' is used. Ibn Sekait has mentioned this in 'Islah-il-Mantiq' this is because he has used this word in harmony with 'Aslasa-laha' and harmony could be retained only by using both in the same form. Thus, Amir Al-Mo'mineen (A) has used Ashnaqa laha'as though in place of 'In Rafaa laha Raasaha,' (i.e., `if he stops it by holding up the reins.)"

An Apology too Late!

After Fatima's visit with women and then the men, which resulted in an emotional revolution in the hearts of the Muslims, Abu Bakr and Umar decided to visit the Mistress of women and try to achieve her contentment with them. The story was reported in 'I'lal Al-Sharaye' as follows:

When Fatima (A) was suffering from her fatal illness, Abu Bakr and Umar came to visit her. They asked for permission to enter, but she refused to see them. Upon this, Abu Bakr vowed not to enter any house until he saw Fatima and asked her to forgive him. Abu Bakr, because of his oath, was forced to spend that night in the cold with no cover. Umar then went to Ali (A) and addressed him by saying:

"More than once we have come to see Fatima so as to ask for requital, but she refuses to grant us permission to enter. If you see to it, you can get us permission from her to talk to her.

He (Imam Ali (A)) said: "I surely will.

Imam Ali then entered the house and said to Fatima (A):

"Daughter of Allah's Messenger, you have seen what these two men have done. They have repeatedly come to see you, but you have not given them permission to enter, now they have asked me to ask you to give them that permission.

She said: "By Allah, I shall not give them permission, nor will I speak a word to them until I meet my father and complain to him about that which they have done and committed against me.

Ali then said; "But I have assured them that I will (acquire your permission).

Now Fatima replied: "Now that you have assured them of something, the house is yours, and women follow men (in their commands); I shall not disagree with you in anything, so allow whoever you wish (to enter the house).

When Ali heard Fatima's reply, he (A) left the house and gave permission to enter. The two men entered the house; when they saw Fatima (A) they submitted their greetings to her, but she did not reply, only turned her face away from them; in turn, they followed her face and she constantly turned away from them. The two parties repeated this action several times until Fatima (A) said:

'Ali cover me with your garment;" she then said to some women who were present: "Turnme towards them!!

When this was done, Abu Bakr said: "Daughter of Allah's Messenger, we have only come to you in an attempt to achieve your satisfaction and avoid your wrath; we ask you to requite and forgive us for the misdeed which we have committed against you.

Fatima said: "I shall not speak a word to either of you until I meet my Lord and complain to Him about you. I shall then complain about your actions and everything which you have committed against me.

Fatima then turned towards Ali and said: "I shall not speak to them until I ask them about something which they heard from Allah's Messenger. If they tell the truth regarding it, then I will decide to speak to them or not.

They said: "By Allah, she has the right to do so. Besides, we only speak that which is right and testify to that which is true.

She said: "I ask you by Allah, do you remember when the Messenger of Allah called you out in the middle of the night regarding a matter which came up with Ali?

They answered: "Yes, By Allah.

Fatima then said: "I ask you by Allah, did you hear him say: 'Fatima is part of me and I am from her; he who offends me offends Allah. He who offends her after my death is the same as he who offends her during my life; and he who offends her during my life is the same as he who offends her after my death'?'

They both answered: "Yes, by Allah, we remember.

She (A) said: "Praise be to Allah. O Allah, I hold you witness, so you who are present testify to this; surely they have offended me when I am living and after my death. By Allah, I shall not speak a word to you until I meet my Lord and complain to Him about you and that which you have inflicted me with.

When Abu Bakr heard this, he wailed and burst in loud laments and said: "I wish that my mother had not bore me"

Umar said: "It is strange how people appointed you as guardian of their affairs while you are not but a foolish old man!! You become anxious at a woman's anger and you rejoice at her satisfaction. What is wrong with he who angers a woman?

They then left the house.

Commenting on this story Sayid Qazwini writes:

"There was no need for Abu Bakr to wail and apologize when he had the opportunity to amend his mistakes, nor was there a reason for him to burst into loud laments when he had the chance to return her estate to her. But surely the Caliph wished to achieve Lady Fatima's satisfaction at the same time he was keeping her property and rights usurped.

Abu Bakr's Family Versus Fatima's Progeny

The early injustices done by Abu Bakr against Lady Fatima Zahra (A), paved the way for his offspring to do the same against the Prophet's progeny. Sayyid Safdar Hussain, in his valuable book The Early History of Islam p.242, summarized the wrongdoings committed by the Bakrs (the descendants of Abu Bakr) against Fatima (A) and her descendants in several points. He wrote:

"History shows that Abu Bakr himself and his whole family (excepting Asma and her son Muhammad) were hostile to the Prophet's family, in utter disregard to what the Quran ordained or what the Prophet had said relating to the respect and love for his family. The following is the list of those whose hostility was distinctively marked:

1. Abu Bakr, on his accession to the Caliphate, sent Umar to Fatima's house to compel Ali, by force, to come in and do fealty to him. Umar threatened to burn the house down upon Fatima, and brought Ali under escort to Abu Bakr where he was so humiliated and insulted that he cried bitterly at the tomb of the Prophet complaining against the treatment he had received. Subsequently, Fatima was so much grieved by Abu Bakr that as long as she survived her father, she never spoke a word to Abu Bakr and on her deathbed she forbade his joining her funeral.

2. Abu Bakr's daughter, Aisha, revolted against Ali, the Caliph, and at the head of thirty thousand soldiers, she fought the battle of Jamal; but she was discomfited with heavy loss.

3. Abu Bakr's son-in-law, Zubair Ibn Al Awwam, the husband of Asma, the eldest daughter of Abu Bakr, was the Commander of Aisha's armies; during the heat of the battle, he withdrew and took the road towards Mecca, but was slain only at a short distance from the field of battle.

4. Abu Bakr's grandson, Abdullah, the son of Zubair by Asma, was the commander of Aisha's infantry. He was the adopted son of Aisha. After the battle, he was pulled out from under a heap of the slain lying in the battlefield.

5. Abu Bakr's cousin, Talha, and the husband of Abu Bakr's daughter Umme Kulthum, was a Commander of Aisha's Troops. In the heat of the battle, Marwan (the Secretary and the evil genius of Caliph Othman), an officer in the same forces, seeing Talha busily engaged, said to his slave: `It was but the other day that Talha was busily instigating the murderers of Othman and now he busily seeks to revenge his blood. What a hypocrisy to gain worldly grandeur!' So saying, he shot an arrow, which pierced through Talha's leg and struck his horse, which flew wildly off the ranks and Talha fell to the ground. He was instantly taken to Basra where he died after awhile.

6. Abu Bakr's cousin, Abu Al-Rahman, a brother of Talha, also fell fighting in the same battle.

7. Muhammad, the son of Talha, also fell in the same battle.

8. Abu Bakr's sister, Umme Farwa's daughter, Jo'da Bint Ash'ath poisoned Al-Hassan, the son of Ali, to death. She was suborned to commit the wickedness by Yazid the son of Mu'awiya or by Mu'awiya himself.

9. Abu Bakr's sister's (Umme Farwa's) son Ishaq, both brothers, the sons of Ash'sth, appeared among the armies of Yazid, fighting against Hussain, the son of Ali, at the Karbala tragedy. Later on, the former was killed fighting against Mukhtar, who was avenging the murder of Hussain; while the latter, who had taken off the dead body of Hussain some of his clothes, was torn to death by dogs.

10. Mos'ab, a son of Zubair, the son-in-law of Abu Bakr, fought against Mukhtar, who was killed avenging the murder of Hussain."

Lady Fatima Zahra' s Will to Imam Ali (A)

Imam Ali (A)was surprised to find that his dear wife had left her bed and had started doing the housework; he asked her about it and she replied:

"This is the last day of my life. I want to wash my children's hair and clothes, because they will soon be orphans, without a mother!!

Imam Ali (A)then asked her about the source of know­ledge of this news (the day of her departure). She(A)told him that she had seen the Messenger of Allah in her dream and he had told her that she was going to join him that night. She then asked Imam Ali (A)to execute her will.

He said:

"Instruct me to do anything you wish, daughter of Allah's Messenger." Ali (A)then asked everyone to leave the house and he sat next to her.

Fatima started:

"Cousin, you are not accustomed to me being a False-teller, undevoted, or have I disobeyed you since I have become your companion?

Ali said:

"Allah forbid!! You are more knowing of Allah, more devoted, more pious, and more honorable and more fearing of Allah than (to give me a reason) to reprimand you for disobeying me. Surely it is very painful for me to be separated from you and to lose you; but it is an inevitable destination. By Allah, you have renewed the sorrow I have just encountered with the death of Allah's Messenger; surely your death and departure will be a great calamity, but `to Allah do we belong, and to Him shall we return.

What a painful, bitter and sad calamity. Surely this is a calamity for which there is not consolement, and a disaster for which there is no compensation.

Then they both cried and Imam Ali (A) embraced her head and said:

"Instruct me to do anything you wish; you certainly will find me devoted and I will execute everything that you command me to do. I shall also put your matters over mine.

"O daughter of the chosen Muhammad!

O daughter of the most honorable of them whom women bore!

O daughter of the best of those who have walked on gravel! O daughter of him who was at `A distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer" (a Quranic verse, (53:9))

There is no answer... silence overwhelms the house ...Asma then proceeds towards Fatima and finds her dead.

At that point, Hassan and Hussain entered and asked:

"Where is our mother?

"May Allah console you for our Mother!

Imam Ali (A) was at the Mosque. Hassan and Hussain went to the Mosque and broke the news to their father. As soon as he (A) heard their words, he fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he said:

"Who will console me now, daughter of Muhammad? You used to console me, so who will take your place now?
The Hashimite women were then gathered to receive the news of the great calamity... Yes, the calamity befell them once more, while the blood was still flowing from the wound of losing the Prophet..

Medina shakes...

Everyone came to console Ali (A) and his two children... Allah is with you, Zahra's children..

It was just yesterday that you were inflicted with the death of your great father-the Prophet of Allah-and your new calamity is not any less than that one! But take patience, for this is the will of the Mighty Lord. Yet Asma uttered not a word!

Hassan and Hussain proceeded towards their mother and found her dead. At this, Hussain turned towards Hassan and said:She (A) said:

"May Allah reward you with the best of goodness. Cousin, firstly I ask you to marry after my death, my niece Umamah; surely she will be to my children as I was. Besides, men cannot do without women.

Fatima (A) then added:

"I ask you not to let anyone who did injustice to me to witness my funeral, for they certainly are enemies of mine, and the enemy of Allah's Messenger. Also don't give them the chance to pray over me, nor to any of their followers. Burry me at night when eyes are rested and sight is put to sleep.

Commenting on Imam Ali's speech after Fatima's burial, the commentator on Nahjul Balagha-English version-published by Ansariyan Publication, p.347 - wrote:

"The treatment meted out to the daughter of the Prophet after his death has been extremely painful and sad. Although Sayyedah Fatima (A) did not live in this world more than a few months after the death of the Prophet (S), yet even this short period has a long tale of grief and woe (about her). In this connection, the first scene that strikes the eyes in that the arrangements for the funeral rites of the Prophet had not yet been made when the contest for power started in the Saqifa of Bani Sa'eda. Naturally, their leaving the body of the Prophet (without burial), must have injured Hadhrat Fatima's grief-stricken heart to see that those who claimed love and attachment (to the Prophet) during his life, became so engrossed in their machinations for power that instead of consoling his only daughter, they did not even know when the Prophet (S) was given funeral bath and when he was buried; and the way they condoled her, was that crowded at her house with material to set fire to it and tried to secure allegiance by force with all the display of oppression, compulsion and violence. All these excesses were with a view to so obliterate the prestigious position of this house that it might not remain its lost prestige on any occasion. With this aim in view, in order to crush her economic position, her claim for (the estate of) Fadak was turned down by dubbing it as false, the effect of which was that Hadhrat Fatima (A) made the dying will that none of them should attend her funeral.

A Quiet Funeral

In the darkness of the jet-black night, when eyes were asleep and voices were silent, a Heavenly procession left Ali's house while carrying the Messenger of Allah's daughter to her final abode.

This was on the night of the third (3rd) of Jamadi al-Thani (the second), 11 A.H.

The heartbreaking procession moved towards an unknown location followed by a small number of devoted ones...

They were Ali, Hassan, Hussain, Zainab and Um Kulthum... Abu Dhar, Ammar, Miqdad, and Salman were following them.

Where are the thousands who inhabited Medina?! One asks, and the answer came: Fatima (A) requested that they may not be present at her funeral!!

The family and their friends hurry to bury Fatima... then they rush back to their own homes so that no one would know where Fatima was buried!

In such a matter, the first start from Ahlul-Bayt set after the sun (the Prophet) and left everyone with the only light of Imamate!!

Here I was asked:

"What do you think about the end of the life of Fatima?

What will be the position of those who oppressed her in the hereafter?

I waved my hand to him... 

So long... with no word... dead silence...

So long!

But wait... can't you hear the Commander of the faithful... the known hero... Ali... Don't you realize that he is crying? Yet, who would not cry for being separated from the Mistress of women?

Listen to him, he is speaking to the Prophet (S):

"O Prophet of Allah, peace be upon you from me and from your daughter who has come to you and who has hastened to meet you. O Prophet of Allah ! my patience about your chosen (daughter) has been exhausted and my power of endurance has weakened, except that I have ground for consolation in having endured the great hardship and heart-rending event of your separation. I laid you down in your grave while your last breath had passed (when your head) `Verily we are Allah's and verily unto Him shall we return.' (2:56) ...between my neck and chest.

Now the trust has been returned and what had been given has been taken back. My grief knows no bounds, and my nights will remain sleepless till Allah chooses for me the house in which you are now residing. Certainly your daughter would apprise you of the joining together of your Ummah (people) for oppressing her. You ask her in detail and get all the news about the position. This happened when a long time had not elapsed and your remembrance had not disappeared. My salam be on you both, the salam of a grief stricken not of a disgusted or a hateful person; for if I go away, it is not because I am weary (of you); and if I stay, it is not due to lack of belief in what Allah has promised the endurers.

Failing Attempt

At sunrise people gathered to participate in Fatima's funeral, but they were informed that the darling of Allah's Messenger (S)had been secretly buried during the night.

Meanwhile, Ali (A) made the shapes of four fresh graves in Baqi' so as to conceal the location where Fatima was buried. When the people entered the graveyard, they were confused as to which spot was actually Lady Fatima Zahra's grave; the people turned towards each other and with feelings of guilt said:

"Our Prophet (S) has not left behind but one daughter, yet she has died and was buried without our participation in the funeral or the prayer rituals. We do not even realize the place where she has been buried"

Noticing that a revolt might be ignited because of the emotional atmosphere this event created, the governing party announced:

"Select a group of Muslim women and ask them to dig these graves so that we may find Fatima (A) and perform prayers on her.

Yes! They attempted to execute the plan, violating Fatima's will and causing Ali's attempts to hide the grave to lay vainly.

Have they forgotten Ali's sharp sword and his well-known courage!! Did they really think that Ali would remain indifferent to their outrageous actions up to the point of letting them dig Fatima's grave?

Imam Ali (A) did not fight back after the Prophet'sdeath because he considered the Muslim's unity and over all interests. Yet, this did not mean that he would ignore their villainous crimes against Fatima even after her death. In other words, Ali (A) was asked by the Prophet (S)to have patience, but only to a certain extent; when Ali (A) received the news of the about-to-be-executed plot, he put on his fighting gear and rushed towards Baqi'. A man from among the people called out:

"This is Ali Ibn Abu Talib leveling his sword and saying:

If anyone moves even a mere stone from these graves, I shall strike even the "back of the last follower of the unjust.

People who realized Ali's seriousness, took his threats with complete belief that he would do just as he said if anyone were to oppose him. Yet, a man from the governing ones addressed Ali (A) by saying:

"What is the matter, Abu Al-Hassan?! By Allah, we shall dig her grave out and perform prayers on her.

Ali (A) then grabbed the man by his clothes, shook him and threw him to the ground and said:

"Son of the Sawada! I have abandoned my right to prevent people from forsaking their faith, but as regards Fatima's grave, by Him in whose hand is my soul, if you and your followers attempt to do anything to it, I will irrigate the ground with your blood!!

At this, Abu Bakr said;

"Abu Al-Hassan, I ask you by the right of Allah's Messenger, and by Him Who is above the Throne: leave him alone and we will not do anything which you would not approve of..

Thus, until this day, the location of Fatima's grave remains a secret.

Fatima Bint Muhammad was ready to meet her Lord. She bathed, than lay down in her garment... She then instructed Asma Bint Umais to wait awhile and then to call her name; if there was no answer, this would mean that she (A) had departed towards her Lord.

Asma waited awhile, then called Fatima's name... but there was no answer;

Asma repeated the call:

"O daughter of the chosen Muhammad!

O daughter of the most honorable of them whom women bore!

O daughter of the best of those who have walked on gravel! O daughter of him who was at `A distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer" (a Quranic verse, (53:9))

There is no answer... silence overwhelms the house ...Asma then proceeds towards Fatima and finds her dead.

At that point, Hassan and Hussain entered and asked:

"Where is our mother?

Yet Asma uttered not a word!

Hassan and Hussain proceeded towards their mother and found her dead. At this, Hussain turned towards Hassan and said:

"May Allah console you for our Mother!

Imam Ali (A) was at the Mosque. Hassan and Hussain went to the Mosque and broke the news to their father. As soon as he (A) heard their words, he fell unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he said:

"Who will console me now, daughter of Muhammad? You used to console me, so who will take your place now?

The Hashimite women were then gathered to receive the news of the great calamity... Yes, the calamity befell them once more, while the blood was still flowing from the wound of losing the Prophet..

Medina shakes...

Everyone came to console Ali (A) and his two children... Allah is with you, Zahra's children.

It was just yesterday that you were inflicted with the death of your great father-the Prophet of Allah-and your new calamity is not any less than that one! But take patience, for this is the will of the Mighty Lord.

Lady Fatima Zahra (A) on The Last Day

On the Day when the oppressed shall bite their hands (in fear); when the oppressors shall be gathered in humiliation and lowliness, remembering their disgraceful and shameful deeds:

Then every one of them shall review his file, which is packed with oppression against his chosen worshippers. On that Day shall every human, whatever color, creed, faith, and his deeds may be shall be gathered... no one will be left behind... even the fetus who was the victim of abortion shall come that Day to present his case...

Then the great personality of Lady Zahra (A) shall become manifest to every soul..

Following are several narrations reported by Ahlul-Bayt (A) regarding Fatima (A) on the Last Day:

1. Hakim reported in Al-Mustadrak v.2, p.153 that Ali (S) said:

"I heard the Prophet say:

"On the Day of Rising, a caller shall announce from beyond the veil: "O gathered people, lower your eyes so that Fatima, the Daughter of Muhammad, may pass.

This narration has also been reported by:

Ibn Al-Athir in Usd al-Ghaba v.5, p.523;

Ganji Shafiee in Kifayat At-Talib p. 212;

Dhahabi in Mizan al-Etedal v.2, p.18; and by

Hamwini in Yanabi' al-Mawaddah p.104, who added the following to it:

Ali (A) reported that the Prophet said:

"On the Day of Rising, a caller shall call from the sole of the Throne:

"O people of Resurrection, cast your eyes down, so that Fatima Bint Muhammad may pass-while holding Al-Hussain's shirt, which will (still) be saturated with blood.' She will then embrace the leg of the Throne and say:

"O (Allah), You are the Omnipotent and Just; pass the judgment between me and those who killed my son." (The Prophet (S) added): "Then He shall judge according to my Sunnah, by the Lord of Kaaba, Fatima will then say:

"O Allah! grant me intercedence for everyone who cried for his disaster; Allah will then grant her intercedence for them.

2. Abu Nu'aym in Dala'el al-Nobowwah, Ibn Hajar in al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah, and others have reported that Abu Ayuoub Ansari said:

"The Messenger of Allah said: A caller shall call from the sole of the Throne: O gathered people, lower your heads and cast your eyes down so that Fatima Bint Muhammad may pass on the Path. ' He added: `She then passes accompanied by seventy thousand Huri Al-Een, as if they were a flashing light.

3. Many Sunni Scholars have reported that Allah's Messenger stated that Lady Fatima Zahra shall arrive at the gathering place (while) riding Ghadha' or Gusua female camel.

4. Jaber Ibn Abdullah Ansari said:

"I said to Abu Ja'far (Al-Baqir (A)): `May I be your sacrifice son of Allah's Messenger; narrate to me a hadith in regard to the noble traits of your grandmother Fatima, so that if I report it to your Shiites (followers), they would rejoice at (hearing) it!'

Abu Ja'far (A) said: `My father told me that my grandfather reported that Allah's Messenger said:

"On the Day of Rising, Minbars of light shall be erected for the prophets and messengers, of which my Minbar shall be the highest among all Minbars on that day. Allah will then say: Deliver a speech,' so I will deliver a speech that none of the prophets or messengers have ever heard. Then for the successors (of prophets) shall be erected Minbars of light, and in the middle of these Minbars one shall be erected for my successor, Ali Ibn Abu Talib, which will be higher than all their Minbars. Allah will then say:

"Ali, deliver a speech.' So he will deliver a speech like no successor has ever heard before. Then for the children of the prophets and messengers shall be erected Minbars of light; among them shall be a Minber of light for my two sons, grandsons and the two flowers of my life (Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain). Then it shall be said to them: "Deliver speeches." So they will deliver two speeches like none of the children of the prophets and messengers have ever heard before!

"A caller-Gabriel-shall then call:

`Where is Fatima Bint Muhammad?'

She (A) will rise..." (until he said):

'Allah, the blessed and exalted is His Name, shall say:

`O people of the gathering; to whom does honor belong today?

So Muhammad, Ali, Hassan and Al-Hussain (A) will say:

'To Allah, The one, The Almighty

'Allah the Exalted will say:

"O people of the gathering: lower your heads and cast your eyes down, for this is Fatima proceeding towards Paradise.' Gabriel shall then bring her a female camel from the female camels of Paradise; its sides shall be embellished, its muzzle with fresh pearls, and it shall have a saddle of coral. It shall kneel down in her presence; so she will ride it. Allah will then send 100, 000 angels to accompany her on her right side; and 100, 000 angels to accompany her on her left side; and 100, 000 angels to lift her onto their wings until they bring her to the gate of Paradise. When she is near the gate of Paradise, she will look to her side. Allah will then say:

"Daughter of My beloved, why did you look to your side after I gave the command that you enter my Paradise?

She will say: "My Lord, I wished that my position would be realized on such a Day!"

Allah will say:

"Daughter of My beloved!

Go back and look for everyone in whose heart was love for you or for any of your progeny; take their hand and lead them into paradise!

Abu Ja'far (A) said: "By Allah; Jabir, she will pick her Shiites (followers) and those who love her just like a bird picks good seeds from bad seeds. So that when her Shiites are near the gate of Paradise, Allah will inspire their hearts to look to their sides; when they do--- Allah, The Almighty, will say:

My beloved ones, why did you look around when Fatima, the daughter of my beloved one, interceded for you?

They will answer: `Our Lord! We hoped that our position would be known on such a day!'

Allah will then say: `My beloved ones, go back and look for everyone who loved you for your love for Fatima;

Look for everyone who fed you for the love of Fatima;

Look for everyone who clothed you for the love of Fatima;

Look for everyone who gave you a drink for the love of Fatima;

Look for everyone who prevented (Gheeba) backbiting from being done against you for the love of Fatima..

Take their hands and lead them into Paradise...

5. Ibn Abbas said: "I heard Amir Al-Mo'mineen, Ali (A) say:

Once the Messenger of Allah entered the house of Fatima and found her in a sad mood. So he said: `What has made you sad daughter?'

Fatima replied: `Father, I remembered the gathering (Day), and people standing naked on the Day of Resurrection!'

He said: Daughter, surely it will be a great Day. But Gabriel informed me that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, said that the first one upon whom the ground shall be split opened is me, then your husband, Ali Ibn Abu Talib (A); then Allah shall send Gabriel accompanied by seventy thousand angels and he will erect on your grave seven domes of light, after which Israfil will bring you three garments of light and stand by your head and say to you:

"O Fatima Bint Muhammad, rise towards your gathering place.

"You (Fatima) shall then rise secure from fear and veiled (in privacy). Israfil will hand you the garments and you will wear them. Rafael will then bring you a female camel of light; its muzzle shall be made of fresh pearls and on it shall be a howdan of gold. You will ride it and Rafael shall lead it by its muzzle while seventy thousand angels holding the banners of glorification accompany you.

When the caravan hurries with you, seventy thousand Huris shall receive you rejoicing at seeing you; while every one of them will be holding a censer of light from which the fragrance of incense is spread without fire. They shall be wearing crowns of jewels embellished with green chrysolites.

6. Bihar v.10, on the authority of Amali (by Saduq) reports that Imam Baqir (A) said:

"I heard Jabir Ibn Abdullah Ansari say: Allah's Messenger said: "On the Day of Rising, My daughter, Fatima, shall arrive riding a female camel from among the camels of Paradise-to her right shall be seventy thousand angels and to her left shall also be seventy thousand angels; Gabriel will be holding its muzzle and calling with the loudest of voices: `Cast down your eyes so that Fatima Bint Muhammad may pass!"

"Then shall no prophet, messenger, truthful one, or martyr remain without casting their eyes down until Fatima passes... Then a call shall come from the side of Allah, the Exalted:

My beloved one and the daughter of my beloved one; ask Us and you shall be given (whatever you wish), and intercede, your intercedence shall be accepted. By my Honor and Exaltation, the oppression of no oppressor shall pass My (judgement) today.

She (Fatima) will then say:

"O Allah, My Master;

My progeny, My Shiites (followers), the Shiites of my progeny, those who love me and those who love my progeny."

She will then hear a call from Allah's side, may His Name be exalted:

"Where are Fatima's progeny, her Shiites, those who love her, and those who love her progeny?" They will then come forward, surrounded by angels of mercy, and Fatima will lead them into Paradise."

Intercedence in The Quran

The narrations just mentioned, prove beyond doubt that intercedence is a given fact and a right granted to some chosen worshippers of Allah.

Yet, some heedless Muslims argue that intercedence is a sort of polytheism, as if they have not read the Holy Quran. The following Quranic verses explicitly speak of intercedence on the Day of Rising.

"Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth?" (2: 255)

"And they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable." (21: 28)

"No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His Leave." (10: 3)

"None shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from the Most Gracious (Allah)." (12: 87)

"On that Day shall no intercession avail except for those for whom permission has been granted by (Allah) the Most Gracious." (20: 109)

"No intercession can avail His presence, except for whom He has granted permission." (34: 23)

"Their intercession will avail nothing except after Allah has given leave for whom He pleases and that he is acceptable to Him." (53: 26)

These verses speak of intercedence on the Day of Rising. There are also Quranic verses, which prove intercedence in this world; some of these verses are:

1. "If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come unto thee and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Apostle had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed oft-returning, Most merciful." (4: 64)

2. They said: "O our father! Ask for us forgiveness for our sins, for we were truly at fault." (12: 97)

3. 'And ask forgiveness for thy fault, and for the men and women who believe." (67: 19)

4. 'And pray on their behalf, verily thy prayers are a source of security for them." (9: 103)

5. "Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein." (4: 85)

Moreover, Sayyid Muhammad Hussain Tabataba'i explained what intercession means in his Al-Mizan v.1, pp.227-265. He says:

"When he (man) wants to get a reward without doing his task; or to save himself from punishment without performing his duty, then he looks for someone to intercede on his behalf. But intercession is effective only if the person for whom one intercedes is otherwise qualified to get the reward and has already established a relationship with the authority. If an ignorant person desires appointment to a prestigious academic post, no intercession can do him any good; nor can it avail in case of a rebellious traitor who shows no remorse for his misdeeds and does not submit to the lawful authorities. It clearly shows that intercession works as a supplement to the cause; it is not an independent cause. The effect of an intercessor's words depends on one or the other factor, which may have some influence upon the concerned authority; in other words, intercession must have solid ground to stand upon. The intercessor endeavors to find a way to the heart of the authority concerned, in order that the said authority may give the reward to, or waive the punishment of, the person who is the subject of intercession. An intercessor does not ask the master to nullify his mastership or to release the servant from his servitude; nor does he plead with him to refrain from laying down the rules and regulations for his servants or to abrogate his commandments (either generally or especially in that one case), in order to save the wrongdoer from the due consequences nor does he ask him to discard the canon of reward and punishment, (either generally or in that particular case). In short, intercession can interfere with neither the institution of mastership and servantship, nor the master's authority to lay down the rules; nor can affect the system of reward and punishment. These three factors are beyond the jurisdiction of intercession.

What an intercessor dose is this: He accepts the inviolability of the above-mentioned three aspects. Then he looks at one or more of the following factors and builds his intercession on that basis:

a. He appeals to such attributes of the master as give rise to forgiveness, e.g., nobility, magnanimity and generosity.

b. He draws attention to such characteristics of the servant as justify mercy and pardon, e.g., his wretchedness, poverty, low status and misery.

c. He puts at stake his own prestige and honor in the eyes of the master.

Thus, the import of intercession is like this: I cannot and do not say that you should forget your mastership over your servant or abrogate your commandment or nullify the system of reward and punishment. What I ask of you, is to forgive this defaulting servant of yours because you are magnanimous and generous, and because no harm would come to you if you forgive his sins; and/or because your servant is a wretched creature of low status and steeped in misery; and it is befitting of a master like you to forgive and pardon him in honor of my intercession.

The intercessor, in this way, bestows precedence on the factors of forgiveness and pardon over those of legislation and recompense. He removes the case from the latter's jurisdiction putting it under the former's influence. As a result of this shift, the consequences of legislation (reward and punishment) do not remain applicable. The effect of intercession is, therefore, based on shifting the case from the jurisdiction of reward and punishment to that of pardon and forgiveness; it is not a confrontation between one cause (divine legislation) and the other (intercession).

By not it should have been clear that intercession too is one of two causes; it is the intermediate cause that connects a distant cause to its desired effect.

Allah is the ultimate Cause. This causality shows itself in two ways:

First: IN CREATION. Every cause begins from Him and ends up to Him; He is the first and the final Cause. He is the real Creator and Originator. All other causes are mere channels to carry His boundless mercy and limitless bounty to His creatures.

Second: IN LEGISLATION. - He, in His mercy, established a contact with His creatures; He laid down the religion, sent down His commandments, and prescribed suitable reward and appropriate punishment for His obedient and disobedient servants; He sent Prophets and apostles to bring us good tidings and to warn us of the consequences of transgression. The prophets and apostles conveyed to us His message in the best possible way. Thus, His proof over us was complete: and the word of your Lord has been accomplished with truth and justice, there is none to change His words... (6: 115). 

Both aspects of causality of Allah may be, and in fact are, related to intercession.

1. Intercession in creation: Quite obviously the intermediary causes of creation are the conduits that bring the divine mercy, life, sustenance and other bounties to the creatures; and as such they are intercessors between the Creator and the created. Some Quranic verses, too, are based on this very theme: `Whatever is in the Heavens and whatever is in the Earth is His: who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission' (2: 255);

`Surely your Lord is Allah, who created the Heavens and the Earth in six periods, and He is firmly established on throne, regulation the affair; there is not intercessor except after His permission' (10: 3). Intercession in the sphere of creation is only the intermediation of causes between the Creator and the created thing and effect, in bringing it into being and regulating its affairs.

2. Intercession in legislation: Intercession, as analyzed earlier, is effective in this sphere too. It is in this context that Allah says:

`On that day shall no intercession avail except of him whom the Beneficent God allows and whose word He is pleased with' (20: 109); And intercession will not avail aught with Him save of him whom He permits' (34: 23); And how many an angel is there in the Heavens whose intercession does not avail at all except after Allah has given permission to whom He pleases and chooses' (53: 26); ...and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves...' (21: 28); And those whom they call upon besides Him have no authority for intercession, but he who bears witness of the truth-and they know (him)' (43: 86).

These verses clearly affirm intercessory role for various servants of Allah-both men and angels-with divine permission and pleasure. It means that Allah has given them some power and authority in this matter, and to Him belongs all the kingdom and all the affairs. Those intercessors may appeal to Allah's mercy, forgiveness and other relevant attributes to cover and protect a servant who otherwise would have deserved punishment because of his sins and transgressions. That intercession would transfer his case from the general law of recompense to the special domain of grace and mercy. (It has already been explained that the effect of intercession is based on shifting a case from the former's to the latter's jurisdiction; it is not a confrontation between one law and the other.) Allah clearly says; so these are they of whom Allah changes the evil deeds to good ones' (25: 70). Allah has the power to change one type of deed into another, in the same way as He may render an act null and void. He says: And We will proceed to what they have done of deeds, so We shall render them as scattered floating dust' (25: 23); so He rendered their deeds null' (47: 9); `If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden, We will expiate from you your (small) sins' (4: 31); `Surely Allah does not forgive that anything should be associated with Him, and forgives what is besides that to whomsoever He pleases' (4: 48).

The last verse quoted, is certainly about the cases other than true belief and repentance; because with belief and repentance even polytheism is forgiven, like any other sin. Also Allah may nurture a small deed to make it greater than the original: `These shall be granted the reward twice' (28: 54); `whoever brings a good deed, he shall have ten like it' (6: 160); Likewise, He may treat a nonexistent deed as existing: And (as for) those who believe and their offspring and We will not diminish to them aught of their work; every man is responsible for what he has done' (52: 21).

"To make a long story short, Allah does what He pleases; and decrees as He wills. Of course, He does so pursuant to His servants' interest, and in accordance with an intermediary cause and intercession of the intercessors (e.g., the prophets, the friends of Allah and those who are nearer to Him) is one of those causes, and certainly no rashness or injustice is entailed therein.

It should have been clear by now that intercession, in its true sense, belongs to Allah only; all His attributes are intermediaries between Him and His creatures and are the Channels through which His grace, mercy and decrees pass to the creatures; He is the real and all-encompassing intercessor: Say: `Allah's is the intercession altogether' (39: 44) ..you have not besides Him any guardian or any intercessor' (32: 4); ...there is not guardian for them nor any intercessor besides Him' (6: 51). The intercessors, other than Allah, get that right by His permission, by His authority.

In short, intercession with Him is a confirmed reality-in cases where it does not go against the divine glory and honor.

Sayyid Tabatabai also answers the following question:

Who are the Intercessors?

He writes:
"It has been described that intercession takes place in two spheres: in creation and in legislation. So far as the intercession in creation is concerned, all intermediary causes are intercessors because they are placed between the Creator and the created.

As for the intercessors is the sphere of legislation and judgment, they may be divided into two categories:

(1) Intercessors in this life, and (2) those in the hereafter.

Intercessors in this life: All the things that brings a man nearer to Allah and make him eligible for divine forgiveness. The following come into this category:

a. Repentance: Allah says: `Say: O my servants! who have acted extravagantly against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; surely Allah forgives the faults altogether; surely He is the Forgiving, the Merciful And return to your Lord...' (39: 53-54). It covers all the sins, even polytheism; if one repents from it and believes in One God, one's previous polytheism is wiped out and forgiven.

b. True faith; Allah says: `O you who believe! 'Fear Allah and believe in His Apostle: He will give you two portions of His mercy, and make for you a light with which you will walk, and forgive you...' (57: 28).

c. Good deed: Allah has promised those who believe and do good deeds (that there is) for them pardon and great recompense' (5: 9); `O you who believe! fear Allah and seek an approach (medium)to Him...' (5: 35). There are many verses with this theme.

d. The Quran: `Indeed has come to you from Allah a light and a manifest Book whereby Allah guides him who follows His pleasure, into the ways of peace, and takes them out from darkness towards the light by His will and guides them to the straight path' (5: 16).

e. Anything related to a good deed, like the mosques, holy places and auspicious days.

f. The prophets and the apostles, as they seek forgiveness for their people. Allah says: `And had they, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked forgiveness of Allah, and the Apostle had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful' (4: 64).

g. The angels, as they too ask forgiveness for the believers. Allah says: `Those who bear the throne and those around it, celebrate the praise of their Lord and believe in Him and ask forgiveness for those who believe' (40: 7); and the angels celebrate the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on earth...' (4: 5).

h. The believers themselves, as they seek pardon for their believer brothers and for themselves. Allah quotes them as saying. - `and pardon us, and forgive us, and have mercy on us. Thou art our Guardian...' (2: 286).

Intercessors in the hereafter: We use the term intercessor, in the meaning explained in the beginning. The following come into this category:

a. The prophets and the apostles: Allah says: And they say: "The Beneficent God has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! They are honored servants; they do not precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act. He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves...' (21: 26-28). Those who were called `son' of God, are in fact His honored servants and they do intercede for him whom He approves. Among them is Isa (Jesus), son of Maryam, and he was a prophet. It means that the Prophets do intercede for approved persons.

Again Allah says: And those whom they call upon besides Him have no authority for (or, do not own) intercession, but he who bears witness to the truth and they know (him)' (43: 86).

b. The angels: The preceding two verses prove that the angels too may intercede, because they too were called daughters of Allah. Moreover, Allah says: And how many an angel is there in the Heavens whose intercession does not avail at all, except after Allah has given permission to whom He pleases and chooses' (53: 26); `On that day shall no intercession avail except of him whom the Beneficent God allows and whose word He is pleased with. He knows what is before them and what is behind them...' (20: 109-110).

c. The witnesses; Allah says: And those whom they call upon besides Him have no authority for (or, do not own) intercession, but he who bears witness of truth and they know (him)' (43: 86). This verse shows that those who bear witness of the truth do own (or, have authority for) intercession. The witness mentioned here, does not mean the one killed in the battlefield. It refers to the witness for the deeds, as was described in the Chapter of the Opening.

d. The believers: They shall be joined to the witnesses on the Day of Judgment; it follows that they, too, may intercede-like the witnesses. Allah says: And (as for) those who believe in Allah and His apostles, these it is that are the truthful and the witnesses with their Lord..." (57: 19).

It is noticeable that Sayyid Tabataba'i did not mention the Imams or Fatima (A) in his categorization of the intercessors. This is because the Imams are among the witnesses that he spoke of. In his explanation of the sixth verse of chapter one (1), and verse 143 of chapter two (2), he implicitly stated that what is meant by the witness on the right path, are the Imams (A). In addition to this, there are various narrations, which clearly state that they (A) are the ones meant by the witnesses.

Lady Fatima (A) undoubtedly is included among the believers who are intercessors on the Day of Rising. If a certain class of believers have the right of intercession, then it is only reasonable that she (A) is at the top of the category. Nevertheless, the previously mentioned narrations regarding her intercession deem it unnecessary for us to speak further about this matter.

Traditions Regarding Intercession

Sayyid Tabataba'i has also selected several traditions which speak of intercession on the Day of Rising by the Prophet (S)and Ahlul-Bayt (A). In order to become more familiar with the subject from this viewpoint, some of these narrations are mentioned here:

1. Al-Hussain Ibn Khalid narrates from Al-Ridha (A), who narrated through his forefathers from the Leader of the Faithful (A)that he said:

"Messenger of Allah (S) said: `Whoever does not believe in my reservoir, may Allah not bring him to my reservoir, and whoever does not believe in my intercession, may Allah not extend to him my intercession.' Then he said: `Verily, my intercession is for those of my Ummah who shall have committed great sins; as for the good-doers, there shall be no difficulty for them. " Al-Hussain Ibn Khalid said: "I asked Al-Ridha (A); `O son of the Messenger of Allah! What is then the meaning of the words of Allah, Mighty and Great is He: `and they do not intercede except for him whose religion Allah is pleased with, "' (Al Amali, As-Saduq).

2. "Suma'ah Ibn Mihran narrates from Abu Ibrahim (A) that he said about the words of Allah:

`May be your Lord will raise you to a praised position': The people, on the Day of Resurrection, will remain standing for forty years; and the sun will be ordered so that it will ride over their heads and they will be bridled with sweat, and the earth will be told not to accept any of their sweat. So, they shall approach Adam to intercede for them, and he will direct them to Nuh, and Nuh will direct them to Ibrahim, and Ibrahim will direct them to Musa, and Musa will direct them to Isa, and Isa will direct them saying: `You should seek help from Muhammad, the last Prophet.' Thereupon, Muhammad (S) will say: `I'll do it'; and will proceed until arriving at the door of the Garden; he will knock on it. It will be asked, `Who is it?' (While Allah knows better), and he will say: `Muhammad,' then it will be said: `Open for him'. When the door will be opened, he will turn to his Lord, falling in sajdah. He will not raise his head until he is told: `Speak up and ask, you shall be given; and intercede, your intercession shall be granted.' He will raise his head and turning to his Lord, will fall (again) in sajdah. Then he will be promised as before; then he will raise his head.- Thereupon, he shall intercede until he will intercede even for him who would have been burnt in the fire. Therefore, on the Day of Resurrection, no one among all the nations will be more eminent than Muhammad (S); and this is (the meaning of) the words of Allah: `May be your Lord will raise you to a praised position."(Al Ayyashi)

3. Ubayd Ibn Zurarah said:

'Abu Abdillah (A) was asked whether a believer would have the right of intercession. He said: Yes.' Then someone said: `Will even a believer need the intercession of Muhammad (S) on that day?' He said: Yes, the believers too will come with wrongs and sins; and there will be none but shall need the intercession of Muhammad on that day."' (Ubayd) said: 'And someone asked him about the words of the Messenger of Allah: `I am the Chief of the children of Adam, and I say this without boasting.' He said: Yes,'then he said: He will hold the chain-link of the door of the garden and open it; then he will fall in sajdah, and Allah will tell him: `Raise your head, to intercede, your intercession shall be granted; ask, you shall be given.' Thereupon, he will raise his head and intercede and his intercession will be accepted; and he will ask and be given.

4. Al-Qumi narrates a tradition in his Tafseer, under the verse: 'and intercession will not avail aught with Him save of him whom He permits," (34:23), that Abu Al-Abbas al-Mukabbar said:

'A servant of a wife of Ali Ibn Al-Hussain (A),named Abu Ayman, came (to the fifth Imam- (A)) and said: `O Abu Ja'far! You mislead the people, saying intercession of Muhammad, intercession Muhammad.' (Hearing this) Abu Ja'far became so angry that his face took a glowering expression; then he said: `Woe unto you! O Abu Ayman! Are you deluded by chastity of your stomach and genitals? Why, when you will see the terror of resurrection, you shall certainly be in need of intercession of Muhammad. Fie on you! Would he intercede except for him who would have been sentenced to the fire?' (Then) he said: `There is not one from the early people to the later ones but he will need the intercession of Muhammad (S) on the Day of Resurrection.' Then again Abu Ja'far said: `Certainly the Messenger of Allah has (authority of) intercession for his Ummah, and we have (authority of) intercession for our Shiites, and our Shiites have (authority of) intercession for their families.' Then he said: And surely a believer shall intercede for (very large numbers of) people like the tribes of Rabi'ah and Mudhar. And surely a believer shall intercede for his servant, saying: "O my Lord! I owe this to him, he protected me from heat and cold.

5. The (fifth) Imam said about the verse, 'And intercession will not avail aught with Him save him whom He permits:

"No prophet or apostle may intercede until Allah permits him, except the Apostle of Allah; because Allah has already given him permission before the Day of Resurrection; and intercession is (allowed) to him and to the Imams from his progeny, and after that to the prophets." (Tafseer, Al-Qumi) 

6. Ali (A) said:

The Apostle of Allah (S) said: `Three (groups) shall intercede with Allah and their intercession will be accepted: The prophets, then the (religious) scholars, then the martyrs. " (Al-Khis?l)

7. Abu Abdillah narrates through his father and grandfather, from Ali (A) that he said:

"The garden has eight gates: one for the entry of prophets and the truthful ones, the other for the martyrs and the good ones; and five gates are for the entry of our Shiites and lovers-I shall be standing on the As-Sir?t (the path, the bridge over hell) praying and saying: `My Lord! Save my Shiites and my lovers and my helpers and those who followed me in the (life of the) world.' When all of a sudden there will come a voice from inside the throne: Your prayer is granted and your intercession for your Shiites accepted.' And every Shiite of mine and everyone who loves me, helps me and fights my enemies by (his) deed or word, shall intercede for seventy thousand of his neighbors and relatives; and (there is) a gate from which shall enter all the Muslims who witness that there is no god except Allah and in whose heart there is not an iota of enmity towards us, the people of the cause.

8. Al-Kadhim (A)narrated from his father, through his forefathers, from the Prophet that he said:

"My intercession is for those of my Ummah who would have committed big sins; as for the doers of good, there shall be no difficulty for them." He was asked: "Oson of the Messenger of Allah! How can the intercession be for those who have committed big sins; while Allah says, `and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves' (21:28); and a committer of big sins cannot be approved?" He (A)said: "No believer commits a sin but he regrets it and feels ashamed. And the Prophet has said:

Enough is regret as repentance, 'and also he has said: `Whoever is pleased by a good deed and displeased by a bad deed, he is a believer.' Therefore, if there is someone who does not feel remorse for a sin he has committed, he is not a believer, and intercession will not avail him, and he will be an unjust one. And Allah says: `The unjust shall have no true friend nor any intercessor who should be obeyed' (40:18)." It was said to him: "O son of the Messenger of Allah! How is it that he who is not sorry for a sin he has committed, he does not remain a believer?" He said: 'Anyone who commits a big sin, knowing that he must be punished for it, will certainly feel remorse for what he has done. And as soon as he is sorry, he is repentant, eligible for intercession. But if he is not sorry, then he is persisting in it, and a persistent (sinner) is not forgiven; because he does not believe in the punishment of what he has done. Has he believed in that punishment he would have been sorry. And the Prophet has said: `No big sin abides with apologizing, and no small sin remains (small) with persistence.' And as for the words of Allah, "and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves, " it means that they do not intercede except for him whose religion He approves. Religion is an acknowledgement that good and bad deeds have to be recompensed. If one's religion were approved, one would feel remorse for the sins one would have committed, because he would know what their result would be on the (Day of) Resurrection." (At-Tawhid) 

9. A similar theme is found in a tradition quoted in `Ilalu-Sh-Sharaye' from Abu Ishaq al-Laythi that he said:

`O son of the Messenger of Allah! Tell me about a believer, possessing religious understanding when he reaches (a high point in) knowledge and becomes perfect, does he commit fornication?' He said `By God! No.' I said: `Then does he indulge in sodomy? He said: `By God! No.' I said: `Then does he steal?' He said: 'No.' I said: `Then does he drink intoxicant?' He said: `No.' I said: `Then does he commit any of the big sins or indulge in any of these indecencies?' He said: `No.' I said: `Then does he commit a sin?' He said: `Yes, and he is a believer, sinner, submissive.' I said: `What does submissive mean?' He said: `The submissive (servant) does not persist in it, does not keep doing it...

10. Al-Ridha (A) narrated through his forefathers that the Messenger of Allah said:

When the resurrection comes, Allah, Great and Mighty is He, will manifest himself to His believer servant, and will remind him of his sins one by one; then Allah will forgive him; Allah will not let (even) a near angel or an apostle prophet know of his (sin), and will cover it least anyone becomes aware of it. Then He will say to his bad deeds `Be good deeds." (Al-Khis?l)

11. Abu Dharr said:

"The Messenger of Allah (S) said: A man will be brought on the Day of Resurrection; and it will be said: "Show him his small sins; and keep back from him his big sins." Then it will be said to him: "You did so and so on such and such a day." And he will go on confessing, while apprehensive of his big sins. Then it will be said: "Give him a good deed in place of every bad deed." Then he will say: "I had done some which I do not see- (mentioned) here. "Abu Dhar said: 'And I saw the Messenger of Allah laughing until his teeth were shown." (Muslim)

12. As-Sadiq (A) said:

"When the Day of Resurrection comes, Allah Glorified and Sublime is He, shall spread His mercy until even Iblis will hope for His mercy." (Al-Amali, As-Saduq)

Visitation to Lady Fatima Zahra (A)

It is reported that Lady Fatima (A) said:

"My father said to me: `He who prays on your behalf, Allah, Exalted and Glorified is He, shall forgive him and make him join me wherever I may be in Paradise."

For this reason, and to benefit the dear readers of this book, we include her visitation here and accompany it with the English translation. (This is the visitation mentioned in Mafatih al-Jinan (The Keys To Paradise)):

In the name of Allah, Most Beneficent, Most Gracious

Peace be upon Muhammad and his Progeny 

O you who were tried; 

Allah Who Created you, tried 

you before He Created your (flesh);

He found you patient with that which

He tried you with. We claim that we are your followers,

believing in you, and (believing and) bearing with everything

that has been brought unto us by your father (S)

and that which his successor brought unto us.

Therefore, we beg you (now that we believe) to make us join both of them so that we may rejoice at being purified for following you.

(It is recommended to add here)

Peace be upon you O daughter of the Messenger of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the Prophet of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the beloved of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the friend of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the sincere friend of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the trusted (Messenger) of Allah;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the best of Allah's creatures;

Peace be upon you O daughter of the best of Allah's prophets, messengers and angels;

Peace be upon you O daughter of him who is the best of all creatures:

Peace be upon you O wife of the friend of Allah and the best of creatures after the Messenger of Allah;

Peace be upon you O Mother of Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain, who are the masters of the youth of Paradise;

Peace be upon you the truth-­teller (devoted one) and martyr;

Peace be upon you O gratified and accepted one;

Peace be upon you O well-­mannered and chaste one;

Peace be upon you O human huri;

Peace be upon you O pious and pure one;

Peace be upon you who is spoken to by angels, and who is knowledgeable;

Peace be upon you O oppressed and usurped one;

Peace be upon you O repressed and defeated one;

Peace be upon you O Fatima, daughter of Allah's Messenger;
and may the blessings and mercy of Allah be upon you and upon your soul and body;

I bear witness that you have perished while fully knowing your Lord.

(I also bear witness) that he who gladdens you, gladdens the Messenger of Allah (S)

he who deserts you, deserts the Messenger of Allah (S)

he who harms you, harms the Messenger of Allah (S)
he who bestows you (with a favor), bestows (a favor) upon the Messenger of Allah (S) and
he who deprive you, deprives the Messenger of Allah (S) (This is) because you are "part of him and his spirit which lies in his sides."

Allah, His Messengers and His Apostles are my witnesses that I accept him whom you accept, resent him who you resent;

I exonerate myself to Allah from him who you exonerate yourself to Allah from, him who you be friend, hold as my enemy those who you hold (as your enemies), and dislike him who you dislike.

Allah is the best Witness, the best-anticipated One, best Rewarder, and most Bountiful.

(It is recommended to pray on behalf of the Prophet and his progeny after this visitation.)

ALL PRAISE IS DUE ALLAH THE LORD OF THE WORLDS