(the Guidance) parallels this notion and
says to the Prophet s.a.w:
"And we have not sent you except
as a mercy to mankind".
21 Al-Anbiya : 107.
This claim has little merit to those aware
of the existence of the most perfect
woman from the beginning until the end
of time, Lady Fatima a.s the daughter of
the Prophet Muhammed s.a.w.
Islam has given four women the status of
perfection and blessed them with the
highest honour. The Prophet Muhammed
s.a.w stated, "Four women are the
leading women of the worlds,
Mary a.s (mother of Jesus a.s),
Asiya a.s (the wife of Pharaoh),
Khadija a.s (the wife of Prophet
Muhammed s.a.w and Fatima a.s
(daughter of Prophet Muhammed
s.a.w. [And] the most excellent
one among them in the world is
Fatima a.s."
As time progresses, the sheer greatness
and personification of excellence found in
Lady Fatima a.s is better able to be
appreciated and understood. Lady Fatima
a.s was the most perfect woman and she
stands as the eternal symbol of worship,
an emblem of sincere love towards Allah
swt, and an exalted example of patience
and charity. The life of grandeur and
beauty led by Lady Fatima a.s has inspired
thousands of authors, poets, and artists
who are naturally attracted to the history
of a woman with such a sublime level of
dignity and bravery.
Lady Khadija a.s, the mother of Fatima a.s,
was a well respected businesswoman who
employed dozens of people and was
given the title "Mother of the
Orphans" due to the many orphans she
cared for with her wealth. The Prophet
Muhammed s.a.w was the last of the
Prophets pbut of Allah swt and his
character was beyond reproach. The rapid
spread of Islam was due largely to his
manners, worship, and excellent virtues.
The mission of the Prophet s.a.w was a
mercy to the world, a world filled with
hatred, mistrust and ignorance. The Quran
The marriage of the Prophet Muhammed
s.a.w and Lady Khadija a.s was a blessed
and unique marriage because unlike many
marriages at the time it did not serve a
political or financial purpose. It was simply
the union of two God-fearing and pious
individuals. In a more profound level, it can
be said, who can be a suitable spouse for
the most perfect man other than the
most perfect woman of the time?
Five years after the Prophetic Revelation,
a daughter was born to the household a.s
of the Prophet s.a.w of Islam on the 20th
of Jumada Al-Thaniya. The blessed
newborn was named Fatima a.s and when
the companions of the Prophet s.a.w
asked for the meaning of this blessed
name, he s.a.w responded, "My
daughter a.s was named Fatima
a.s because Allah s.w.t
safeguarded her and [her
followers] from the hell-fire."
As Lady Fatima a.s grew up in the house
of the revelation and the home that
established Islam, she was nurtured by
gracious and believing parents. She
became well-versed in the matters of
religion, learning, culture, social issues, and
generosity towards the less unfortunate.
The character of Lady Fatima a.s has
always been beyond reproach and an
example for all individuals regardless or
religion and creed.
The virtues of Lady Fatima a.s were
countless and are an undeniable
manifestation of devotion towards Allah
swt, patience, kindness, love, bravery, and
justice found in a single human being.
Imam Sadiq a.s, the sixth Imam (Divinely
sent Guide) explains that the personality
and grandeur of Lady Fatima a.s could not
be realistically explained in one title and
therefore, in the eyes of Allah swt, she has
nine titles. These titles are:
"Siddiqah (the honest), AlMubarakah (the blessed one), AtTahirah (virtous), Az-Zakiyah (the
chaste), At-Radhiya Al-Mardhiah
(she who is gratified and who shall
be satisfied), Al-Muhaddathah (a
person, other than a Prophet a.s,
that the angels speak to), and AzZahra (the splendid)."
Just as the marriage of her parents had
challenged the status quo, the marriage of
Lady Fatima a.s too would challenge the
closely held traditions of the time.
She married Ali a.s, son of Abu Talib a.s,
despite the fact he was neither rich nor
from an aristocratic family. Instead she
valued his worship, bravery, piety,
manners, and devotion to Allah swt. Who
else is suitable for the most perfect
woman of all times save for Imam Ali a.s?
Through her marriage to Imam Ali a.s,
Lady Fatima a.s deconstructed countless
misguided marriage customs. The
marriage of Fatima a.s to Ali a.s achieved
the actual standards of the Prophetic
mission and allowed women to see that
marriage was not a business like
transaction where they were forced to
settle on a husband based on his
materialistic possessions. Had it not be for
Lady Fatima a.s, a vast amount of
complexes and weaknesses that brought
disgrace to women would have
continued.
Allahumma Salle Ala Muhammad
wa Ale Muhammad al Aima'ti wal
Mehdiyeen wa Sallim Tasleeman
Katheera