Attack on Fatima Zehra (s.a.) – Refuting argument of companionship and Arab chivalry

Among the primary arguments advanced by the Muslims to reject the attack on Hazrat Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) house are –

• justice of companions (Adalat-e-Sahabah) and
• Arab chivalry that prevents from striking a woman

Reply

Both these arguments are baseless given the numerous instances when the companions defied divine command and treated women with disdain.

In fact, they were awaiting the first opportunity to do so, as this narration indicates:

Abdullah Ibn Umar narrates:

We used to be careful in our speech and restrained our hands from (striking) women during the time of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) for fear that a verse would be revealed against us. When the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) passed away, we relaxed our speech and hands (in dealing with women).

• Sahih al-Bukhari book 67, trad 121
• Sunan Ibn Majah book 6, trad 1,701

Given how the companions were waiting for the Prophet’s (s.a.w.a.) departure to show their true colours, there is every reason to believe the attack on Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) was orchestrated by the companions. In fact, such an attack should have been expected from them.