Is Hazrat Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) stepping out of the house like Ayesha’s coming out in Jamal?

The opponents are quick to raise objections against Shias and quicker still to attack Aal Muhammad (عليهم‏ السلام).

One of their objections against the infallibles is:

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) stepped out of her house to secure Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (عليه السلام) without permission of her husband and this is just like Ayesha coming out in Jamal.

If Ayesha was wrong in coming out without permission, then Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) was also in the wrong (God Forbid).

Reply

1. Securing the Imam vs Fighting the Imam
2. Ayesha cannot be compared to Hazrat Fatima Zahra (s.a.)
3. Wives are prohibited from coming out of the house
4. Challenging the Imam of the time in battle
5. Journey in disobedience of Allah
6. Perfect obedience of husband

1. Securing the Imam vs Fighting the Imam

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) stepped out of the house to secure her Imam and husband from oppressors.

Ayesha came out in open confrontation to fight and possibly kill the Imam and unanimously elected caliph.

We fail to see how the two instances are even remotely comparable!

2. Ayesha cannot be compared to Hazrat Fatima (s.a.)

The two personalities cannot be compared for the simple reason that there is divine text (nass) for Hazrat Fatima Zahra’s (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) purity and infallibility in Verse of Purification (Tatheer) that even Ahle Tasannun scholars like Muslim Nishapuri have documented, while there is nothing in favour of Ayesha’s infallibility and purity.

Also, there is consensus among scholars that Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) is the chief of women of paradise while there is nothing to that effect for Ayesha.

This much is enough to end the discussion in favour of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها). Given her infallible status and standing as chief of all women, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها) broke no law or moral code in this matter or any other matter, while the same assurance does not exist for Ayesha.3. Wives are prohibited from coming out of the house

There is consensus among scholars of both sects based on the Quranic verse that the wives were ordered to stay confined to their houses.

‘And stay in your houses and do not display your finery like the displaying of the ignorance of yore…’

• Surah Ahzab (33:33)

Ayesha was duty-bound like other wives (e.g. Umme Salma (r.a.)) to remain confined to her house. By venturing out of the house she has violated a clear Quranic injunction.

Those who maintain that this command was restricted to the lifetime of the Prophet (صلّى اللّه عليه و آله‏ و سلّم) are unable to furnish proof from the Quran or the Sunnah to support their claims.

Such a prohibition for stepping out of the house did not bind Hazrat Fatima Zahra (سلام‏ اللّه عليها), so comparing her with Ayesha in this context is meaningless.