Excellence of Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.) in the Sunnah

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There are innumerable traditions highlighting the eminent position of Lady Fatima (s.a.). These traditions are reliable and documented by scholars of both schools – Sunnis and Shiah. In fact, entire books have been devoted to her status in Islam. Before proceeding with the discussion on the oppression faced by Lady Fatima (s.a.), it is worth noting some traditions that underline her stature in religion. These traditions have also been recorded by respected scholars of the Sunnis.

Lady Fatima (s.a.) is the Chief of the Women of Paradise

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:

فاطمۃ سیدۃ نساء اھل الجنۃ

‘Fatima is the chief of the women of Paradise.’

This tradition has been recorded varyingly –

The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:

فاطمۃ سیدۃ نساء ھذہ الامۃ

‘Fatima is the chief of the women of this nation.’

فاطمۃ سیدۃ نساء المومنین

‘Faatemah is the chief of all the believing women.’

فاطمہ سیدۃ نساء العالمین

‘Fatima is the chief of all the women of the world.’

This tradition with variations has been recorded by Saheeh-e-Bukhari, Musnad-e-Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Al-Khasaais of Nesaai, Musnad of Abu Dawood al-Tayaalesi, Saheeh-e-Muslim (Chapter of Virtues of Lady Fatima (s.a.)), Mustadrak of Haakim, Sunan-e-Tirmidhi, Sunan-e-Ibne Maajah and other reliable books of the Sunnis.[1]

Based on the narration of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), who only speaks on the authority of revelation, Hazrat Faatemah (s.a.) is the chief of all women from the beginning of the world till the end.

Lady Fatima (s.a.) is a part of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

Reputed scholars of both the sects have recorded the following:

فاطمۃ بضعۃ منی مَن اغضبھا أغضبنی

‘Fatima is a part of me, one who displeases her has displeased me.’

This tradition has been documented with the very words in Saheeh-e-Bukhari and other books of the Sunnis.[2]

Other traditions with similar purport have also been recorded, for example:

فاطمۃ بضعۃ منی یریبنی ماأرابھا و یؤذینی ما آذاھا

‘Fatima is a part of me, that which grieves her grieves me and whatever troubles her, troubles me.’

This tradition has been documented in Saheeh-e-Bukhari, Musnad-e-Ahmad, Sunan-e-Ibne Dawood, Saheeh-e-Muslim and other reference books of the Sunnis.[3]

This tradition has been documented in Saheeh-e-Muslim in this manner – Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said:

Surely, Fatima is a part of me, it pains me what pains her.[4]

Ahmad Ibn Hanbal records in his Musnad that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed:

انّما فاطمۃ بضعۃ منّی یؤ ذینی ماآذاھا

‘Surely Faatemah is a part of me, that pains me what pains her, that troubles me what troubles her.’[5]

This tradition has also been recorded by Tirmidhi in his Sunan.[6]

After recording this tradition, Haakim informs:

This tradition is correct (Saheeh) according to the criteria used by Bukhari and Muslim.[7]

In another place in his Musnad, Ahmad records the following tradition of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.):

انّما فاطمۃ بضعۃ منّی یو ذینی مااذاھا و ینصبنی ما انصبھا

‘Fatima is a part of me it grieves me what grieves her and it pleases me what pleases her.’[8]

This tradition is also narrated in Mustadrak and other reference books of the Sunnis. With regards to this tradition, Haakim says that the chain of narrators is correct.[9]

In Fatima’s pleasure and displeasure is Allah’s pleasure and displeasure

In one notable tradition, the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informs about his daughter:

ان اللّٰہ یغضب لغضب فاطمۃ و یرضی لرضاھا

‘Surely Allah is angry with what makes Fatima angry, and is pleased with what pleases her.’

This tradition is narrated in Mustadrak, Isaabah and Tahzeeb al-Tahzeeb. Muttaqi Hind, author of Kanz al-Ummaal has recorded it from Abu Ya’laa, Tabari and Abu Noaim. In addition to these sources, this tradition can be traced in other reference books of the Sunnis.[10]

The First Person to Meet the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

When the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was on his deathbed, he called for his daughter Fatima (s.a.). He told her something in a hushed tone. This left Fatima (s.a.) in tears. He then called for her again and whispered something to her. This time Fatima was pleased and smiled.[11]

When the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) passed away, Ayesha coaxed Lady Fatima (s.a.) to reveal what her father (s.a.w.a.) had told her. Lady Fatima (s.a.) informed –

سارنی رسول اللّٰہ (او:سارنی النبی) فاخبرنی یقبض فی وجعہٖ ھٰذافبکیت، ثم سارنی فاخبرنی انّی اول اھل بیتہ اتبعہ فضحک

‘The Prophet (s.a.w.a.)[12] first whispered to me that he would pass away from the sickness and this made me weep. Then he whispered that I would be the first among the Ahle Bait to meet him which made me happy.’

This tradition has been recorded in many reliable books of the Sunnis.[13]

The Most Truthful Person after the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.)

Lady Fatima (s.a.) enjoys an elevated status in religion in beliefs and ethics. Ayesha narrates:

مارأیت احداً کان اصدق لھجۃ منھا غیر ابیھا

‘After the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) I did not see anyone more honest in speech than her (Fatima (s.a.)).’

Haakim after recording this tradition in Mustadrak writes:

This tradition is correct according to the criteria employed by Bukhari and Muslim (for assessment of traditions). Even Zahabi has acknowledged the tradition to be correct. The tradition is also recorded in al-Isteeaab and Hilyah al-Awliyaa.[14]

The Prophet (s.a.w.a.) would rise in reverence for Faatemah (s.a.)

Ayesha narrates:

کانت اذا دخلت علیہ. علیٰ رسول اللہ ﷺ. قام الیھا فتقبلھا و رحب بھاو اخذ بیدھا فاجلسھا فی مجلسہ

‘When Fatima used to come in the presence of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.), he (s.a.w.a.) would rise to greet her, kiss her, welcome her, take her by the hand and make her sit in his place.’

Haakim after recording this tradition writes:

This tradition is correct according to the criteria laid down by Bukhari and Muslim. Zahabi also considers it to be correct.[15]

Fatima is the most beloved

Tabarani has recorded a tradition wherein the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informed Ali (a.s.):

فاطمۃ احب الیّ منک و انت اعزّ علی منھا

‘Fatima is more beloved to me than you and you are more honourable to me than her.’

After recording this tradition Haithami writes:

All the narrators of this tradition are reliable.[16]

A glance at the narrations of the Ahle Tasannun

What has been narrated so far is a preface to what will be discussed in the succeeding pages. When we analyse the events narrated then, we will refer to the traditions on the status of Lady Fatima (s.a.) and Ali (a.s.).

These traditions have been recorded by the Sunnis in their books after testifying to their correctness and veracity regarding the text and chain of narrators.

Among the undeniable inferences of these traditions is Lady Fatima’s (s.a.) infallibility. This is further reinforced by Ayat-e-Tatheer (Surah Ahzaab (33): Verse 33) and other narrations.

Moreover, many traditionalists (Muhadditheen), memorisers of Quran (Huffaaz) and reputed scholars have confessed that Fatima is superior to the first and second caliphs.

As a matter of fact, some scholars based on the aforementioned traditions, particularly – فاطمۃ بضعۃ منی – (Fatima (s.a.) is a part of me), have concluded that Fatima (s.a.) is superior to all four caliphs.

It is appropriate to mention Manaavi’s statement over here which is based on the views of reputed scholars of the Sunnis:

In his book Faiz al-Qadeer, under the tradition

استدلّ بہ السھیلی علیٰ من سبھا کفر، لأنہ یغضبہ وانھا افضل من الشیخین

he has documented the view of Saheeli – an illustrious scholar of the Sunnis, who had committed the Quran to memory (Haafiz) and who has written commentaries on various books including Seerah of Ibne Hishaam:

‘Based on the tradition (Fatima (s.a.) is a part of me), Saheeli writes – لانہ یغضبہ

It establishes the apostasy of the person who abuses Fatima (s.a.). And one who abuses Fatima (s.a.) has angered the Prophet and Fatima (s.a.) is superior to Abu Bakr and Umar.’

Thus, he considers Lady Fatima (s.a.) as a benchmark for apostasy and faith and relates her anger to the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) anger.

If one takes the Laam in لانہ یغضبہ as Laam of cause (Laam-e-Ellat) then this could denote a specific cause of her anger or a general cause. It is more likely that it denotes a general cause of anger which establishes the apostasy of the person who enrages her.

Hence, whatever causes Lady Fatima (s.a.) to be angry also causes the apostasy of the one who makes her angry. Thus, to annoy Fatima (s.a.) becomes a cause of the offending party’s apostasy because by annoying Faatemah (s.a.) he has angered the Prophet (s.a.w.a.).

Manaavi writes further:

Ibne Hajar comments – It is clear from this tradition that it is prohibited to offend a person which results in offending the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). Hence any action aimed at offending Fatima (s.a.) inevitably offends the Prophet (s.a.w.a.). And Fatima (s.a.) is not offended at anything more than a matter involving her sons. Therefore one who does such a thing will taste the ignominy of his actions in this world and the chastisement of the hereafter is far more humiliating.

Therefore this tradition prohibits one from doing anything to infuriate Fatima (s.a.) as she is a part of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and it has been already established that it proves the apostasy of the offending party.

Mannaavi writes further:[17]

قال السُبکی: الذی نختارہ وندین اللہ بہ ان فاطمہ افضل من خدیجۃ ثم عائشہ قال شھاب الدین ابن حجر :ولوضوح ما قالہ السبکی تبعہ علیہ المحققون، و ذکر العَلَم العراقی: ان فاطمۃ و اخاھا ابراہیم افضل من الخلفاء الاربعۃ باتفاق.

Al-Sobki states – What I am choosing (to conclude) and pledging near Allah is that Faatemah is superior to Ayesha and Khadijah.

Shahaab al-Deen Ibne Hajar says – Al-Sobki’s point being the evident truth, researchers after him have supported his point and adopted the same stand.

Alam al-Deen Iraaqi comments – Lady Fatima (s.a.) is superior to all four caliphs (based on the consensus of the scholars).

Based on this confession, there exists no difference between the Shia and the Sunnis – both the sects believe that Fatima (s.a.) is superior to Abu Bakr and Umar and that annoying Fatima (s.a.) is a cause for being relegated to hellfire.

It is apparent from these traditions that there is no condition or restriction and it applies to everyone and under all circumstances. At least there is no restriction evident when the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) says – Fatima’s (s.a.) displeasure leads to Allah’s displeasure. There is no rider in this statement that if she is displeased in such and such circumstance or with such and such criterion or if she is displeased for such and such reason. Rather, the tradition is categorical that if Fatima (s.a.) is displeased for whatever reason, it leads to Allah’s displeasure.

It does not matter why she is displeased, who displeases her, in which era she is displeased. The Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) tradition does not impose any condition or restriction whatsoever. It is unconditional in every aspect.

Likewise, there is no condition or criterion evident in the tradition – One who torments her has tormented me. It does not state, who torments Fatima (s.a.), when and under what condition. It is unconditional. The aforementioned traditions also establish Fatima’s (s.a.) truthfulness and it is forbidden to falsify her regardless of the matter or claim. It is forbidden to reject her claims because as Ayesha asserts in truthfulness she was next only to the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) himself.

It is obvious that the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) was aware of what was to transpire after him. He narrated numerous traditions of such nature so as to make the people aware of these issues and forewarn them.