By: Asia Jan
Allah SWT created a daughter as a favor and special blessing for those who understand the greatness of women and have Imaan (faith in Islam). While Arab civilization mistreated girls before the arrival of Islam, the same changed drastically and we have a number of examples of exemplary women who should be followed as role models in today’s world and in all the times to come.
In Arabia, a father who had a daughter used to experience guilt and shame and we have historical records that suggest that some people in Arab societies even buried females alive to free themselves of the stigma attached to the birth of a daughter. Islam arrived and granted rights to women and elevated their status at par with men.
However, Muslim community nowadays is deeply engrossed in the autobiographies of film and television stars, people from sports and other entertainment industries and show little or no interest in the families of the Holy Prophet PBUH, his companions, or any other significant Muslim figures. It is sad and incomprehensible truth that Muslims throughout the world are not aware about the great figures in Islamic history who might serve as real role models for tailoring our lives around the teachings of Islam.
Syeda Fatima R.A. is the blessed and loving daughter of the Holy Prophet PBUH. Her position is so excellent that people who do not recognize it are just harming themselves by not learning from her teachings. It is time for Muslim women to rise above the plethora of so-called role models who, instead of promoting a modest and pure lifestyle, actually live and teach the opposite. Muslim women should take up and emulate Syeda Fatima R.A.’s lifestyle, since she was praised by Almighty for her moral character.
Apaprt from other factors, Muslim decline can also be attributed, in part, to their having abandoned genuine role models and goals in favor of false and flawed ones.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) raised four daughters and taught us that it was a holy act in Islam. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was quite fond of his daughters, especially Syeda Fatima R.A. According to reports, she was born when the Holy Prophet PBUH was 41 years old, during the second year of prophethood. Fatima was her name given by the Holy Prophet PBUH. For women everywhere, Hazrat Fatima R.A. serves as an inspiration and continues to be so and pious women of all eras emulate her and become wonderful daughters, mothers, wives, and counselors.
Allah Almighty created her as a perfect woman.She did everything, in her humble way, to safeguard and shield her father from the bad intents of the adversaries of Islam. The adversaries of Islam, including Abu Jahal, Uqba Bin Abee Moeet, and others, decided to stop the Holy Prophet PBUH during his prayer in the vicinity of the Kaaba. Uqba Bin Abee Moeet began laughing and making fun after throwing the animal tripe upon the back of the Holy Prophet PBUH. After hearing about the tragedy from someone, Hazrat Fatima R.A., who was still fairly little, hurried to the scene to assist her father in clearing the dirt.
Once, the opponents of Islam planned a surprise attack on the Prophet to subject him to severe torment, Syeda Fatima R.A, a young child at the time, learned of their heinous intentions, and informed the prophet about the same thus avoiding a tragedy. The courageous father reassures her that she should not worry at all since Allah SWT would shield him from their malicious purpose.
Hazrat Fatima R.A. lived during very difficult times when all the tribes boycotted her loving Father and those who had adopted Islam. During this time, the Holy Prophet PBUH’s uncle established the blockade of Shi`b Abi Talib, a tiny valley, to protect Muslims from the oppressions of the Makkans. The people who supported Islam were forced to deal with the blockage for over three years. Not long afterward, Hazrat Fatima R.A. had to deal with the terrible deaths of Her Mother, Hazrat Khadijah R.A., and the honorable protector of His Father, Abu Taalib.
Her health suffered severely as a result of all these awful events in her early life, yet she never wavered in her support of her adored, wonderful Father (PBUH) or in her ability to be patient and determined. Various publications have detailed numerous incidents that demonstrate her love, concern, and defense of her father. She followed the Holy Prophet to the battlefield when she had to face the enemies of Islam. She told her father after making an effort to investigate enemy plans and track their activities. She also provided water to the Islamic warriors on the battlefield, tends to their wounds, and tends to the injured.
Another quality that makes Syeda Fatima R.A. stand out is her humility. She was extremely mindful of her posture and elegance. She did all in her power to live true to the principles of Islam in every situation. Despite having little, she never complained to her husband or father about anything during her life. When she was unwell, the Holy Prophet PBUH paid her a visit at home with a few friends. Upon hearing that he had arrived at the door, she informed him that she did not have enough garments to meet them. The Holy Prophet PBUH gave her his shoulder cloth to cover herself before heading inside to see to her needs. She informed her father that she couldn’t offer guests anything from her house. The excellent news that she is the head of all women in Janat was given to her by her beloved father during this difficult time.
Her practice of giving away everything in charity is the reason that she never had enough material possessions. Her life of hardship and scarcity serves as an example for all Muslim women to be grateful in whatever circumstance they may be. She used to dress simply because she thought it was necessary for the human body to be clothed and not a luxury to spend a lot of money on. Because of all the qualities that made her so special to her father, the Holy Prophet PBUH once got up from his seat to greet her, kissed her forehead, and extends an invitation for her to sit on his lap.
Allama Muhammad Iqbal praised Syeda Fatima in a Manqabat as:
Maryam is honorable for one reason that she is the mother of Jesus,
Look at Zahra, her honor comes from three relationships;
She is the daughter of the Great personality known as Rahmat al-lil Alameen
Who is the Imam of all (the prophets) in the past and all (the leaders) in the future
He, who revived a dead society back to life,
And brought a new system of law
She is the wife of the one who was crowned with Hal Ata
He is the chosen one, solver of all problems, the lion of God
He was a king but lived in a hut,
All he owned was a sword and a coat of chain
Her son was the center of Love and devotion
He was the chief of the army of Love
He was a burning light in the gathering in the HARAM,
He was the protector of the best of the communities
He kicked the throne and the crown aside,
Only because he did not want to see the fire of killing and hatred
And the other son (of hers) is the leader of the pious
He gave strength to all the revolutionaries of the world
Hussain becomes passion to the ode of humanity
Hussain gives rise of freedom to the truthful people
The character of sons is built by their mothers
The true spirit of truthfulness and honesty come from the mothers
Crop/harvest for the farm of approbation/consent is Butool
For mothers she is a perfect guiding example
Her heart was so overwhelmed by the needs of the poor,
That she sold her own chadar to a Jew
Both angels and Jinn are in her obedience,
(Because) she was obedient to the will of her husband
She was raised with SABR and submission
Her lips would be reading Qur’an while her hands would be moving the hand mill
She wept for the fear of Almighty Allah
She shed tears during her prayers to Him
Jibreel would pick up her tears from the earth
So that he may spread dewdrops in Jannah
I am bound by the law of Islam,
I am beholden to the sayings of the Prophet
Otherwise, I would have gone round and round her gravesite,
And I would have done sajdah on her grave
Muslim women can learn valuable lessons from the seera of Syeda Fatima R.A and one has to make an honest attempt to read more about this pious lady who was praised by the Almighty and also by beloved prophet.
The writer recently completed her Post graduation from Aligarh Muslim University. asiakashmiri001@gmail.com
