Complete Life History of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha)
The Chief Princess of all Women of the Universe and Jannah
Introduction and Status
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) is the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) and his first wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA). She holds the unparalleled distinction of being the Chief Princess of all Women of the Universe and Jannah. The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) emphasized her exalted station, declaring: “O Fatimah! Indeed God is angered for your anger, and is pleased for your pleasure” . This profound statement indicates that her anger and pleasure are never mistaken, as they align perfectly with divine will.
Her spiritual position is among the highest, and she is recognized as infallible, a distinction reserved only for those chosen by God . The Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, described her as the “Imam of Imams,” stating: “She was a young woman who enjoyed such a lofty position of spirituality which was equal to saints, prophets and the like” .
Names and Titles
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) is honored with nine beautiful names and titles :
- Fatimah– The name given by divine command
- Al-Siddiqa(The Truthful One)
- Al-Mubaraka(The Blessed One)
- Al-Tahira(The Pure One)
- Al-Zakiyya(The Chaste One)
- Al-Radhiayya(The Grateful One)
- Al-Mardhiyya(The One Who Shall Be Pleased on Judgment Day)
- Al-Muhaddatha(The One to Whom an Angel Speaks)
- Al-Zahra(The Splendid One/Lady of Light)
She was called Az-Zahra because her light used to shine among those in the heavens, and her countenance glowed with divine radiance . She was moderately tall, slender, and endowed with great beauty .
Birth and Early Life
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) was born in Mecca on a Friday, the 20th of Jumada al-Thani, in the fifth year after the declaration of the prophetic message (corresponding to the year 615 CE) . Her birth was miraculous, as narrated by her mother, Hazrat Khadija (RA):
“At the time of Fatima’s birth, I sent for my neighboring Qurayshite women to assist me. They flatly refused, saying that I had betrayed them by marrying and supporting Muhammad. I was perturbed for a while when, to my great surprise, I saw four strange tall women with halos around their faces approaching me. Finding me dismayed, one of them addressed me thus, ‘O Khadija! I am Sarah, mother of Ishaq (Isaac). The other three are: Mary mother of Christ, Asiya daughter of Muzahim and Umm Kulthum sister of Moses. We have all been commanded by God to put our nursing knowledge at your disposal.’ Saying this, all of them sat around me and rendered the services of midwifery till my daughter Fatima was born” .
The motherly blessings and affection she received were only for five years, after which Hazrat Khadija (RA) passed away. The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) personally brought her up thereafter .
Relationship with Her Holy Father – The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW)
The bond between Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) and her father was one of immense love, respect, and mutual devotion. The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) declared: “Fatima is part of me” . This profound statement indicates that she was an extension of his being, and any harm to her was harm to him.
The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) would go out to receive his daughter whenever she came from her husband’s house . Every morning on his way to the Mosque, he would pass by her house and say:
“as-Salamu `alaykum ya Ahla Bayt annubuwwah wa ma’din arr-risala” – “Peace be with you, O Ahl al-Bayt (Household of the Prophet) and the Substance of the Message” .
The Prophet (SAWAW) would stand up whenever she came to him as a mark of respect . He also taught her divine knowledge and endowed her with special intellectual brilliance, enabling her to realize the true meaning of faith, piety, and the reality of Islam .
The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) also declared:
“Whoever injures (bodily or otherwise) Fatima, he injures me; and whoever injures me injures Allah; and whoever injures Allah practices unbelief. O Fatima! If your wrath is incurred, it incurs the wrath of Allah; and if you are pleased, it makes Allah pleased, too” .
Modesty and Virtues
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) was the embodiment of modesty, piety, and purity. Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized that her modesty, purity, jihad, care for her husband, and way of raising children are lessons for all humanity .
She inherited the genius, wisdom, determination, piety, generosity, forbearance, patience, knowledge, and nobility of her illustrious father, both in words and in actions . Imam Hussain (ASWS) witnessed: “I often witnessed my mother absorbed in prayer from dusk to dawn” .
Her generosity and compassion for the poor was such that no destitute or beggar ever returned from her door empty-handed. Many times she gave away all the food she had, staying without any food at all .
The Miracle – Attending a Jewish Wedding
One of the most remarkable miracles associated with Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) is the event of her attendance at the wedding of a Jewish family’s daughter. This story is documented in Islamic tradition as a powerful demonstration of her authority and role in maintaining social relations with minority populations .
A Jewish family approached the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW) and his son-in-law, Imam Ali (ASWS), requesting that the Prophet’s daughter attend and honor the wedding ceremony of their daughter with her presence. Both the father and the husband told the host that only Fatima had the authority over this matter, and the lady was instructed to first seek permission from the Prophet and Imam Ali .
Almighty Allah, in His mercy, sent a magnificent dress from Jannah (Paradise) for Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) to wear at this wedding. When she arrived at the Jewish household, all the Jewish women were astonished and wondered at her resplendent dress, which radiated divine light. They recognized that such a garment could only be from Paradise. The Jewish women were so profoundly moved by this miracle and the radiance of her character that they embraced Islam .
This event demonstrates her agency, leadership, and the high regard in which she was held by both the Prophet and Imam Ali, who deferred to her authority on this matter .
The Dower (Mahr) and Marriage to Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS)
In the second year after the Hijrah (migration to Medina), Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) was married to Hadrat Ali-ul-Murtaza (ASWS), the cousin of the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) .
When Imam Ali (ASWS) came to propose, the Holy Prophet (SAWAW) asked him: “Do you have something to give her in marriage?” Imam Ali replied: “No, O Messenger of God, I do not.” The Prophet then enquired: “What did you do with the armour I provided for you in the Badr?” Imam Ali replied: “Now I swear by Him who holds ‘Ali’s soul in His hand, it was just an armour, not worth four dirhams” .
The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) said: “Then I marry her to you for it; send it to her as her Mahr” . This simple armor from the Battle of Badr became the dower for the Chief Princess of all Women.
According to historical accounts, the Prophet fixed the dower at 500 dirhams, though some narrations mention 480 dirhams . Imam Ali sold the armor to Hazrat Uthman for 480 dirhams and presented the amount before the Prophet. The Prophet then instructed that the amount be used for perfume and arranging clothes .
The dowry given to Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) was remarkably simple, reflecting the Islamic principle that the best marriage is the easiest in terms of provision . The belongings given were:
- A simple mattress
- A leather pillow filled with tree bark
- A grinding stone
- A water skin
- Two clay pots
When Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) left for her new home, it was quite unfurnished except for a flooring of sand, a pillow of date palm bark, a pot of water, and a drinking vessel. Even the sheet she was given had to be divided in two so that one half could be spread for sleeping on and the other half could be worn .
Children and Family Life
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) was blessed with several children:
- Hadrat Imam Hasan-al-Mujtaba (ASWS)– The first grandson of the Prophet
- Hadrat Imam Hussain (ASWS)– The second grandson
- Hadrat Muhsin (ASWS)– Tragically miscarried during the attack on her house
- Hadrat Syeda Zainab (SA)– The heroine of Karbala
- Hadrat Umm Kulthum (SA)
The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) declared about her sons: “Hasan and Husain are the two leaders of the youths of Paradise” .
Political Role and Defense of Justice
After the demise of the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) played a significant political role in defending the rights of her family and the divine appointment of Imam Ali (ASWS). When the land of Fadak – which the Prophet had granted to her during his lifetime – was unjustly seized by the ruling authorities, she took a stand of principle in defense of justice .
She delivered a famous sermon in which she boldly confronted the authorities, declaring:
“The Book of God is in your midst! Its affairs are apparent. Its rulings are manifest. Its signs are dazzling. Its prohibitions are highlighted and its commands are clear… Yet, indeed you have cast it behind your backs!” .
The Attack on Her House and Martyrdom
Following the death of the Holy Prophet (SAWAW), a group of individuals came to the house of Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA) to force Imam Ali (ASWS) to pledge allegiance to the new rulers. When she refused to open the door, they threatened to burn it down .
Someone called out: “But Fatimah is in there.” The dreadful shout came in response: “So what!” .
The intruders barged in by force, squeezing her between the door and the wall. As a result of this tragic event:
- Her child, Muhsin, was aborted
- Her rib was broken
- The injuries ultimately led to her martyrdom
The exact age at which she was martyred varies in different narrations – between 18 to 25 years . She passed away only days after the death of her beloved father, in the year 11 AH .
Burial
In accordance with her wishes, Imam Ali (ASWS) buried her secretly in the darkness of night. She had expressed that she did not want the oppressors to walk in her funeral .
To this day, the exact location of her grave in Jannatul Baqi cemetery in Medina remains unknown, as no marks identifying her grave were left behind. However, she is believed to be buried somewhere in the graveyard of Jannatul-Baqi’ in Medina in an unmarked and unknown grave .
Legacy and Conclusion
Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (Salam Allah-Ho Alaiha) remains the eternal role model for women and men alike. Her life encompasses the perfect example of being a devoted daughter, a loving wife, a caring mother, and a courageous defender of justice. Her piety, modesty, generosity, and unwavering commitment to truth continue to inspire believers across the world.
The Holy Prophet (SAWAW) had prophesied that she would be the “Lady of the Worlds, the Lady of this Nation, and the Lady of the Faithful” . Her station in Paradise is unmatched, and she is the beloved of Allah and His Messenger.
As Ayatollah Khamenei beautifully summarized:
“Her piety, her modesty and purity, her jihad, her care for her husband, her way of raising children, her understanding of politics and her presence in the most important arenas of the life of an individual of those times – whether during her childhood and teenage years or after her marriage – are each a lesson. They are a lesson not only for you ladies but also for the entire humanity” .
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Huzoor Syeda Fatima-tu-Zahrah (SA), her father the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWAW), her husband Imam Ali (ASWS), and her pure progeny.