In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Fatima’s Status in the Holy Prophet’s Speech

In the holy Quran, Allah (SWT) describes the holy prophet of Islam (PBUH&HP) as follows:

“Nor does he speak out of [his own] desire, it is just a revelation that is revealed [to him]”¹

Based on the holy prophet’s speech and behavior regarding Fatima (PBUH), it can be clearly inferred that his fondness towards his daughter is further than a father’s love to his daughter. This love is a result of her piety, actions and behavior. Although, the prophet (PBUH&HP) had other children, none of them were described as “part of my body”, “my soul between my sides” or “the most beloved person to me”. It is obvious that the prophet’s (PBUH&HP) intention was to reveal her great virtues and status. He also wanted to announce her as the symbol and the role model for the Muslim society.

This great love was not either out of sympathy. Some may believe that the prophet (PBUH&HP) expressed such a love to his daughter, because she had lost her mother when she was very young and her father tried to soothe her feelings. However, this love increased every day, even after she got married and had children herself. There was no change about his love towards Fatima (PBUH) until the very last moment of his life. When he was leaving this world, Fatima (PBUH) was the only woman whom the holy prophet (PBUH&HP) talked to privately and told her some secrets. Aisha said: “Whenever Fatima came to visit, the prophet would stand up, hug and kiss her and seat her in his own place.” Aisha asked him about the reason and he said:

“O Aisha, Whenever I miss the paradise, I kiss Fatima`s throat.”²

Aisha has also narrated: “No one was more desirable than Ali to the prophet amongst men and he loved no women more than Fatima.”³

She also said: “Whenever the prophet wanted to travel, Fatima was the last one whom he said farewell to and when he came back, she was the first one he used to visit.”⁴

We have variety of narrations regarding her incredible status, such as:

 “Anyone bothers Fatima, bothers me; anyone makes her angry, infuriates me; anyone makes her happy, pleases me and anyone saddens her, makes me unhappy.”

In another narration referenced by Ibn Shahrashub, from Qadhi Abu Mohammad Karkhi, from Imam Sadiq (PBUH) has narrated from lady Fatima (PBUH) that when this verse of Quran “Do not consider the Apostle’s summons amongst you to be like your summoning one another.”⁵ was revealed, Muslims were ordered not to call the prophet (PBUH&HP) by his name. They were commanded to call him by titles like “O’ the messenger of Allah” or “O’ the prophet”. Fatima (PBUH) said: “I did not dare to call him “Dear father” after this command of Allah. When I went to visit him I said “O’ the messenger of Allah” a few times when I wanted to call him; I realized that he got disappointed and told me:

 “O’ Fatima, this verse is not related to you, your family and your progeny, since you are from me and I am from you. This verse is about cruel and fierce people of Quraysh, the ones who are boastful and arrogant. You call me “father” as old time, since this title revives my heart and makes Allah more pleased.”⁶

The above is taken from “The life of lady Fatima (PBUH) and her daughters”, by Hashem Rasouli Mahallati (with minor changes)

Roshd Islamic Shia Website

Footnotes:

1-     (The holy Quran, 53:3-4)

2-     Several narrations have been quoted from Ahl al-Sunnah in the same context. “Fazayel al-Muslemin”, vol. 3, p. 127

3-     More than 50 narrations have been quoted from Ahl al-Sunnah through Ayeshe or others in the same context. “Ilhaq al-Haq”, vol. 10, p. 167-182

4-     “Fazayel al-Khamsah”, vol. 3, p. 132-133

5-     (The holy Quran, 24:63)

6-     Ibn Shahrashoob, “Manaqib”, vol. 3, p. 320