The respect of Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.), beloved daughter of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), is among the cornerstones of faith. Had the Muslims united on her love and respect, the nation would not have been split into divisions spewing hatred against each other.
An eye-opening incident highlights how even the ruling dynasty of the time were aware of Lady Fatima Zahra’s (s.a.) importance and at times refused to compromise on her love and dignity even at the cost of their own lives.
Siding with Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.) against one’s own father
Mutawakkil was among the most oppressive rulers of Bani Abbas. He used to insult Lady Fatima Zahra (s.s.) and this vile behavior led to his murder.
It is narrated that Muntasir used to hear his father – Mutawakkil – abuse Lady Fatima Zahra (s.a.).
He asked a local scholar: What is the punishment for the one who abuses Fatima (s.a.)?
The scholar informed: It is compulsory to kill such a person. But beware, one who kills his own father will not live for long.
Muntasir replied: I do not care if my life is shortened in the obedience of Allah.
Muntasir killed his father – Mutawakkil and himself died seven months later.
• Behar al-Anwar v 45 p 396-397
Although from the Bani Abbas dynasty that killed many of the Imams (a.s.), Muntasir paid close attention to the dignity of Fatima Zahra (s.a.) and refused to compromise even when it involved his own father and certain death for himself.
This shows that the dignity and status of Fatima Zahra (s.a.) was always considered intrinsic to Islam and its principles and even the rulers of the time were aware of it. And they dreaded the possibility of violating it, even at great personal cost.
Indeed, the Holy Quran guides Muslims to show the same uncompromising attitude when it comes to the dignity of the Prophet (s.a.w.a.) and by extension his infallible progeny (a.s.):
‘You shall not find a people who believe in Allah and the latter-day befriending those who act in opposition to Allah and His Apostle, even though they were their (own) fathers…’ (Surah Mujadilah (58): 22)
We cannot be expected to align with a group that shows disrespect to Fatima Zahra (s.a.), glosses over the atrocities inflicted on her, considers her ineligible to receive her father’s inheritance as ordained by the Quran, deems her opponents as truthful and her as untruthful.
When the Holy Quran does not even accept aligning with one’s father against Aal e Muhammad (a.s.), where is the question of aligning with others.