THE LAST ARROW - THE WILL OF JANABE ZAHRA (SA)

The entire period of the short life of Lady Fatimah (PBUH) after the demise of her father (PBUH&HP) was spent in confronting the ruling government and opposing their hostile actions. During this period, Lady Fatimah (PBUH) used every means she had for this purpose. Whenever possible, she expressed her objection, and if the condition was suitable she delivered sermons; one day she publicly declared her opposition, and the other day she refused to meet with the rulers; eventually, her will was not to allow the rulers to participate in her funeral or pray on her body. Finally, by ordering to be buried secretly (and hiding her grave), she engrave an eternal sign of illegitimacy on the government.

On one of the last days of the life of Lady Fatimah (PBUH), she sent Umm Ayman after Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH). When Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) got to the bed of Lady Fatimah (PBUH), she said to him, ”O my cousin! I have been informed that my death is near, and I may join my father any moment. So I want to express whatever is in my heart, and tell you my will”.

Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) replied, ”Anything you will”. Then he sat close to the head of Lady Fatimah (PBUH) and ordered everyone else to leave the room. Then, Lady Fatimah (PBUH) started talking and said, ”O my cousin! You never found me lying or betraying in life, and I have never opposed you!”

Amir al-Mu’minin (PBUH) said, ”I seek refuge with Allah (SWT)! You are more God-knowing, righteous, pious, and God-fearing than I can attribute any unfaithfulness to you or blame you or blame you for disobeying me!” Then he continued, ”Losing you will be extremely intense and difficult on me. But what can I do; this is an event which does not have a solution. I swear to Allah (SWT) that by leaving me, you will renew the tragedy of losing the Messenger of Allah (SAWA) for me. Indeed, losing you will be very intense on me. “To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return”, this tragedy is extremely immense and painful. This is a tragedy that does not have a consolation or remedy”.

Then they both cried for a while. After that Amir al-Mu’minin (SAWA) said, ”Say whatever wills you have. I will do whatever you order me, and I will prefer your wishes over mine”.

At this moment, Lady Fatimah (PBUH) said,” May Allah (SWT) reward you”. Then she said her wills, including matters regarding her funeral and coffin. After that, she said,” My will to you is that do not let those who oppressed me and usurped my rights to participate in my funeral. They are my enemies and the enemies of the Messenger of Allah (SAWA). Do not let anyone of them or their friends pray on my body!” Then she added,” Perform my funeral at night when people are asleep” ⁽¹⁾.

And this will was the last link of Lady Fatimah’s (PBUH) chain of opposition against that situation. She made similar wills in different forms and occasions; however, the main point of all was opposition against the government of the Caliphs. This was the last arrow Lady Fatimah (PBUH) had, and she threw it at the end of her life. The difference between this link and the rest was that it became eternal, and it turned to a cause of shame for the history.

Footnotes:

1- Ilal al-Sharaei, vol. 1, pp. 187-188, Rawdah al-Wa’idhin, p. 151. Also, refer to Amaali of Mufid, p. 281; Amaali of Tusi, p. 109; Manaaqib A’al Abi Talib, vol. 3, p. 363; Book of Sulaim, vol. 2, p. 870; Kaamil of Baha’ei, p. 313.