Fatima (ع) Shunned Abu Bakr and Umar During Her Final Illness

After the death of the Messenger of Allah (ص) and the attack upon her house and her miscarriage of her third son Muhsin, the health of Fatima (ع), whose kunyah was Umm Abiha (the mother of her father), and who was given the title Al-Zahra and referred to as the chief of the women of the worlds, deteriorated. Abu Bakr and Umar realized it was not politically expedient for Fatima (ع) to die while shunning the two of them, so they decided that it was necessary, at least as a public sign of good-will, to visit Fatima (ع). According to Ibn Qutaybah:
Umar told Abu Bakr, “Let us go visit Fatima, for we have angered her.” The two went to the house of Fatima and asked for her permission to enter. She did not grant them permission, so they went to Ali and spoke to him. Ali took them to her. When they say with her, she turned her head away from them towards the wall. They greeted her but she did not respond to their greeting. Abu Bakr said, “O loved one of the Messenger of Allah! By Allah, I prefer closeness to the Messenger of Allah to closeness of my own family, and I love you more than my own daughter Aisha. I wish I had died the day your father died and that I did not live after him. How can it be that I, while cognizant of your right and your high status, would take away your rights to your inheritance? It’s just that I heard from your father, ‘We do not leave inheritance. What we leave is charity.’”
She replied, “Do you want me to tell you a tradition from the Messenger of Allah so that you may know it and act upon it?” They said, “Yes.” She said, “By Allah, did you not hear the Messenger of Allah (ص) say, ‘The satisfaction of Fatima is from my satisfaction and the anger of Fatima is from my anger. Whoever loves my daughter Fatima indeed loves me, whoever makes Fatima content has indeed made me content, and whoever makes her angry has indeed made me angry’?” They said, “Yes, we have heard this from the Messenger of Allah.”
She said, "I take Allah and the angels as witnesses that you two have angered me and have not made me content. When I meet the Messenger of Allah (ص), I will complain to him regarding both of you.” Abu Bakr said, "I seek refuge to Allah from His wrath and your wrath, O Fatima!” Abu Bakr then started weeping so loudly that his life was about to leave him. Fatima said, “By Allah, I will curse you in every prayer that I perform.” 
Abu Bakr left her house crying. The people gathered around him. Abu Bakr told them, “Each one of you goes home, embracing his wife and enjoying his family. Leave me with what I have gotten myself into. I have no need for your pledge of allegiance. Take your pledge away from me.” (Imamah wa Siyasah 23:4)
The reality was that Abu Bakr could have easily attracted the satisfaction of Fatima (ع) had he truly desired to do so. All he needed to do was return to Fatima (ع) her rightful property, restore Ali (ع) to the caliphate that was rightfully his, and sincerely repent from the sinful acts that he had performed. However, Abu Bakr’s Intention was not to step down from power, but rather appear caring and just in the eyes of people. This was not possible with making it appear that he had appeased the daughter of the Messenger of Allah (ص). However, at the end, Abu Bakr and Umar did not gain her satisfaction, and as Aisha said according to Sahih Bukhari, “Fatima became angry with Abu Bakr and kept away from him and did not talk to him until she died… When she died, her husband Ali buried her at night without informing Abu Bakr and he said the funeral prayer by himself.” (Sahih Bukhari 5.59.546) According to Sahih Bukhari, Aisha also said, “Fatima, the daughter of Allah’s Apostle got angry ans stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued assuming that attitude until she died.” (Sahih Bukhari 4.53.325) According to Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari, “Abu Bakr refused to hand over anything from the properties Fatima was demanding to Fatima, who got angry at Abu Bakr for this reason. She forsook him and did not talk to him until the end of her life.” (Sahih Muslim 19.4352, Sahih Bukhari 5.59.546)
Ibn Abi al-Hadid, after relating a number of accounts on this topic, concluded, “The truth for me is that she died upset at Abu Bakr and Umar and she stated this in her will that the two of them must not pray upon her. For our companions, this is a matter for which two of them are forgiven. It would have been better for them to have honored her and to have respected the sanctity of her house, but they feared discord.” (Ibn al-Hadid 6:50)
The problem with this is that the Prophet (ص) said that one who died without recognizing the imam or while not submissive to the command of the imam dies the death of the Days of Ignorance. It is clear that Fatima died while rejecting Abu Bakr. As such, either the chief of the women believers, the chief of the women of the worlds, and the best of the women in paradise died the death of the Days of Ignorance or Abu Bakr’s imamate was illegitimate.

Did Ameerul Momineen (a.s.) defend Fatima Zahra (s.a.) when she was attacked?

Some Muslims claim that Ameerul Momineen – Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) did not defend the Holy Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) daughter, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.) when she was attacked. Being a brave and chivalrous person demanded that he should have defended her honour.

Reply

1. Truth is with Ali and turns with Ali
2. Ameerul Momineen Ali b. Abi Talib’s (a.s.) protest
3. Controlled Retaliation
4. Choice between two options
5. Similarity with Past Divine Prophets (a.s.)
6. Usman Ibn Affaan does not defend his wife

Back to TopTruth is with Ali and turns with Ali

It is apparent from the tone and tenor that such a question can only be raised out of hostility to Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) and his Shias. The question is explicitly framed in a bid to trap the Shias. If they say that Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) defended Hazrat Fatima (s.a.) – these Muslims reply – but he was advised patience by the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). If he did not defend her, then it means he was not brave enough and all the stories about his bravery are nothing but fables. Or, in order to prove the innocence of their leaders, they suggest that the attack did not take place at all (which is the real motive behind such a question).

Our primary response to such objections against Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.) is that he (a.s.) can do no wrong. He is right under both conditions – whether he defends Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.) or not. For, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared in no uncertain words that,

‘Ali is with the truth (haqq) and the truth is with Ali. O Allah! Turn the truth wherever Ali turns.’

The authenticity and reliability of this tradition is accepted by all Muslims. So, none can question any action of Ali b. AbiTalib (a.s.) even if apparently it seems strange and unacceptable to them. Just as no Muslim can question Allah the Almighty about his order to the angels to prostrate to Prophet Adam (a.s.), although it is apparently in violation of the basic tenets of monotheism. Can anyone teach divine monotheism to Allah? Likewise, can anyone teach the truth to Ameerul Momineen Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.)?

Ziarat of Janabe Fatima Zahra (sa) to be recited on her martyrdom

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH  THE BENEFICENT THE MERCIFUL

السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ الْعَالَمِينَ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ يَا وَالِدَةَ الْحُجَجِ عَلَى النَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ‏
السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكِ أَيَّتُهَا الْمَظْلُومَةُ الْمَمْنُوعَةُ حَقَّهَا

Then say :

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى أَمَتِكَ وَ ابْنَةِ نَبِيِّكَ وَ زَوْجَةِ وَصِيِّ نَبِيِّكَ صَلاَةً تُزْلِفُهَا فَوْقَ زُلْفَى عِبَادِكَ الْمُكَرَّمِينَ مِنْ أَهْلِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ أَهْلِ الْأَرَضِين

Peace be upon you, O doyenne of the women of the world!

Peace be upon you, O mother of the Arguments on all people!

Peace be upon you, O wronged one whose right was usurped.

O Allah, send blessings to Your lady servant,

the daughter of Your Prophet, the wife of the Successor of Your Prophet—

such remarkable blessings that approach her nearer to You than the steps of Your honored servants

among the inhabitants of the heavens and the earth.

What are Ayyame Fatimiyah (sa)

Historians differ on date of wafat of Bibi Fatima Zahra. Narrations state that the date is either 75 days or 90 days after the Shahadat of Holy Prophet (saws) which occurred on 28^th Safar 11 A.H. According to Sheikh Abbas Qummi the date would either fall on 13^th /14^th /15^thJamadi al Ula or 3^rdJamadi al Thani 11A.H.

Ulama have encouraged the observance of the period of 20 days between these two dates dedicated as Ayyame Fatimiya to observing the days of this exalted lady. These days are to recall her virtues, moral and ethical examples as well as her suffering and rededicate to lead our lives guided by her as a role model.

Please click below to watch a 10 minutes clip on Ayyam e Fatimiyah 

AYYAM E FATIMIYAH

Imam Sadiq (as) said : Fatima(s.a.) has been called Zahra because the Glorified Allah created her from His Glorious Light. When it shone, all the heavens and the earth were bright with that light and the angel’s eyes were closed, and they bowed down before Allah. Then they said:”O our Lord and Master, what is this light?”

Allah revealed to them, “It is a light from My light, which is in Heaven. I took it from My Glory, and put it in the lines of one of my Messengers, who is the best. From this light, Imams will come, and who will be steadfast in obedience to My commands.” ( Bihar ul-Anwar, vol.43, p.12, 14, 15)

A Quranic proof on the inheritance of Janabe Zahra (s.a.)

Prophet Zakariyya(a.s.) prayed for a son in his old age in the following words:

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي وَهَنَ الْعَظْمُ مِنِّي وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنْ بِدُعَائِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا . وَإِنِّي خِفْتُ الْمَوَالِيَ مِنْ وَرَائِي وَكَانَتِ امْرَأَتِي عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِي مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا. يَرِثُنِي وَيَرِثُ مِنْ آلِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَاجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا

He said: My Lord! surely my bones are weakened and my head flares with hoariness, and, my Lord! I have never been unsuccessful in my prayer to Thee:And surely I fear my cousins after me, and my wife is barren, therefore grant me from Thyself an heir, Who should inherit me and inherit from the children of Yaqoub, and make him, my Lord, one in whom Thou art well pleased. (Surah Maryam (19): Verse4-6)

When the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.a.) passed away and Abu Bakr was made caliph to rule over the Muslim community he dispossessed the Holy Prophet’s daughter Fatimah(s.a.) of the agricultural land or estate known as Fadak which had been gifted to her by the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.a.)  during his life time and given in her possession. When Janabe Fatimah(s.a.) asked Abu Bakr to restore her estate as it had been gifted to her by the Holy Prophet along with possession, he demanded evidence and refused to accept the evidence of witnesses produced by Janabe Fatimah(s.a.). Then she claimed the estate as the sole heir to her father, the Holy Prophet. This request was rejected by Abu Bakr saying that he had heard the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.a.)  say that “We the messengers of Allah neither inherit nor leave inheritance.”

The above verses prove that the statement of Abu Bakr should be treated as an instantaneous excuse, he thought of, to deprive Janabe Fatimah(s.a.) from the lawful inheritance, her father left for her, otherwise the words of Allah become vague and meaningless. In reply she(s.a.) quoted these verses to prove that he had reported a false tradition because when the Quran has used the word “warith” the Holy Prophet could not say that which the caliph reported. The mention of these verses by her means that the word “warith” refers to all that which a messenger of Allah leaves as inheritance.