FATIMA AL-ZAHRA IN THE QURAN

FATIMA (AS) IN SURAT AL-KAWTHAR

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Verily, We granted you Kawthar (the Abundant Blessing). So, turn to your Lord in Prayer and make a sacrifice. Surely, your enemy (and not you) is the one who shall be without posterity.

Kawthar means Abundant Blessing, and it may include a broad range of concepts; however, many great Shiite scholars believe that ‘Fatima Al-Zahra (s.a.)’ is the personality who best fits the concept of ‘Kawthar’.

Before Holy Fatima was born, the enemies of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) repeatedly annoyed him by saying that he was the one who should be without posterity (as all his children had died due to different reasons). Here, in this verse, Almighty Allah (S.W.T) negates the claims of His prophet’s enemies and says: “We granted you the Kawthar”. So, we can conclude that Fatima (s.a.) is the same Kawthar (the Abundant Blessing) mentioned in the Holy Koran; as all later offspring of the Holy Prophet descended from Fatima Al-Zahra, who were (and are) the guardians of Islam. Besides the twelve Infallible Imams (a.s.) – who have an exceptional standing – if we have a look at the past history of Islam, we come across innumerable Sayyids (the offspring of the Holy Prophet and Fatima), among whom we can trace countless Islamic scholars, authors, jurisprudents, narrators, interpreters, and devoted commanders, who struggled hard to safeguard the teachings and precepts of Islam, ideologically and physically.

FATIMA (AS) IN SURAT AL-INSAN VERSES 7-11

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"...They fulfill vows and fear a day, the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food - out of love for Him (Allah) - to the poor and the orphan and the captive (and say): We only feed you for Allah's sake; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Lord a stern, distressful day. Therefore Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness”

These verses of the Holy Koran speak of the Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.), eulogizing their selflessness and piety. These verses are good evidence for their merits and virtues. The historical occasion to which these blessed verses refer was, once Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein were at their childhood age, they fell sick and the Holy Prophet together with some of his companions visited them. He (s.a.) suggested that Ali (a.s.) should make a vow to Allah for his sons' health. Heeding the Prophet's suggestion, Imam Ali, Holy Fatima, along with their maid, Fizza, took a vow that if the boys recovered, they would fast for three consecutive days. Eventually Hasan and Hussein (a.s.) recovered, and to fulfill the vow, they also fasted along with their parents and the maid.

They all fasted for three consecutive days, but each day - at the time of breaking the fast - some needy person (as verse No. 8 indicates) appeared, and the Ahlul-Bayt gladly fed him, and themselves passed the nights without food and broke their fasting with water only. On the fourth day, Imam Ali (a.s.) took his dear sons - Hasan and Hussein -with himself to see the Holy Prophet. When the Prophet (s.a.) observed them - trembling with hunger - he said, “It grieves me to see you in this condition”. Then, he stood up and accompanied them to their house. On entering the house, he was shocked to see the sight of his daughter Fatima, sitting hollow-eyed on her prayer mat, her stomach stuck to her back. It was then that the Archangel Gabriel came down with this Surah, saying:

"0 Muhammad, Allah congratulates you for having such a (devoted) household”, and then recited the verses of Surah Al-Insan. All Shiite scholars unanimously agree that at least 18 verses of this Surah (Chapter) are revealed on the abovementioned occasion. These verses are considered as a great badge of honor for the Holy Ahlul-Bayt (a.s.).
 

FATIMA (AS) IN AYAT AL-TATHEER, SURAT AL-AHZAB VERSE 33

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"Verily, Allah desires to keep away the uncleanness (impurities) from you, O people of the House! And to purify you, a (thorough) purifying...

This is actually a genetic purification of the Ahlul-Bayt (as); that is, the Ahlul-Bayt (including Hazrat Fatima) are not only infallible (far from any kind of uncleanness, disobedience, error, sin, or personal whim) but also away from ‘the thought of sin’.
 

FATIMA (AS) IN AYAT AL-MUBAHALA, SURAT AL UMRAN VERSE 61

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"If anyone disputes with you in this matter - after what has come to you of knowledge - then say: Come let us call our sons and your sons, our women and your women, our souls and your souls; then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah upon the liars"

This verse points towards an epoch-making event, narrated by all historians and commentators; an event that revealed to the Muslims how near and dear the progeny of the Prophet are to Allah, the Exalted. This event that clearly marked out the distinct status of the Ahlul-Bayt, is known in the annals of Islamic history as Mubahala, that is, invoking Allah's curse on the liars. Historians and exegetes of the Holy Koran have narrated the event as follows: A deputation (the deputation comprised three prominent Christian leaders of Arabia) from the Christians of Najran region in Arabian Peninsula came to the Prophet of Islam to argue the merits of their faith. The Holy Prophet advanced to them arguments showing that Jesus the son of Mary was a human-being and a Prophet, and it was blasphemy to regard him as a son of God, because Allah the Exalted is high above all such human characteristics.

Although the Holy Prophet argued to the point fully and convincingly, the Christian leaders deliberately persisted in their false belief in the deity of Prophet Jesus. So Allah (S.WT.) revealed this verse. It was a challenge to the Christians, to pray and invoke Allah that the curse may overtake the party that insisted upon falsehood. Early the next morning on the 24th of the Arabic lunar month of Dhul-Hijja, the Holy Prophet - in accordance with Allah's command - came out to the meeting grounds. The Holy Prophet (s.a.) carried Hussein in his arms and led Hasan (our sons) by his hand; they were followed by Holy Fatima (our women), behind whom came Ali (our souls) carrying the banner of Islam.

Seeing the Prophet accompanied by his immediate family, Christians were convinced that Muhammad (s.a.w.) was truthful; otherwise he would not have dared to bring his dearest of kin along. So they refrained from Mubahala (Mutual Cursing) and agreed to pay Jizya (tax) instead. In this story, we perceive that Imam Hasan and Imam Hussein are the sons of the Holy Prophet, Fatima is his selected lady, and Imam Ali is actually his soul. These are the members of Prophet’s household, the nearest ones to him, and those who are the symbols of truth to prove the superiority and truthfulness of the great religion of Islam.
 

FATIMA (AS) IN THE VERSE OF RELATIONSHIP, SURAT AL-SHURA VERSE 23

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

"Say: `No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin. 'And if anyone earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect there of for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service)."

This verse is a clear command from Allah to His noble Prophet. It is as follows:

(Say) O Muhammad, to your nation: (no reward do I ask of you for this) the message of Islam (except the love of those near of kin) to me. (i.e.) Ahlul-Bayt (A).

It is unanimously agreed upon that the kin mentioned in this verse are Ahlul-Bayt (A). There are many traditions narrated by both Shiite and Sunni Scholars, which not only specify the kin mentioned in this verse, but also state their names. Among the narrations mentioned in this regard by Sunni scholars, are the following:

When this verse was revealed, someone said: "Messenger of Allah, who are the kin whose love is obligatory for us?"

The Prophet (S) replied: "Ali, Fatima, and her two children."

This narration has been reported by the following Sunni scholars

1. Ibn Hajar in his al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah.
2. al-Thalabi.
3. Al-Suyuti in al-Durr al-Manthur.
4. Abu Nu'aym in Hilyat al-'awliya
5. al-Hamawayni al-Shafi'i in Fara'id al-Samtayn

Another narration similar to the one stated above, is reported by Tabari and Ibn Hajar; according to this narration the Messenger of Allah (S) is reported to have said:

"Surely Allah made it incumbent on you to love my kin, and I will ask you about them in the hereafter."

Moreover, the following narrations mentioned on the account of Ahlul-Bayt are a few of the many saying of the Imams (A) in which they recite this verse as proof of the fact that loving them is a religious duty:

A. It is written in al-Sawa'iq al-Muhriqah by Ibn Hajar that Imam Ali (A) said:

"It is stated in the (Quranic chapter) Ha Mim that no one upholds our love save the faithful ones."

He then read:

"Say: `No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin, and if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most ready to appreciate (service). " (42: 23)

B. It has also been reported in the same book that Imam Hassan (A) gave a speech in which he said:

"Surely we are among the Ahlul-Bayt whose love and support were made incumbent (upon the faithful) by Allah, the Exalted. He­-- Glory be to Him, said:

"Say: `No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin, and if arty one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof. For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most ready to appreciate (service).'" (42: 23)

C. Imam Ali Ibn Al-Hussain (Zain Al-Abedeen (A)) replied to the Syrian who said to him while he was a prisoner of the Umayyads in Damascus:

"Praise be to Allah Who killed you..etc. "

Then he (A) said: "Haven't you read the verse:

'Say: `No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin, and if any-one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof; For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most ready to appreciate (service). "' (42: 23)

D. Jabir Ibn Abdullah said:

"A beduin came to the Prophet (S) and said: 'Muhammad, present Islam to me.'

'The Prophet replied: `Bear witness that there is no God but Allah, to whom an associate does not exist; and that Muhammad is the slave and Messenger of Allah. '

The beduin said: `Do you require any reward from me (for bringing me to Islam)?'

He (S) answered: `No, save loving the nearest of kin.'

The beduin then asked: `Mine or yours?'

The Prophet (S) said: `My kin.'

The beduin said: `Let me pay allegiance to you, and may the curse of Allah be on those who do not love you and your kin.'

Thus he (S) said: 'Amen.'"

This narration has been reported by Al-Kinji in Kefayat At-Talib p.31.

Sheikh Amini (may Allah bless his soul) listed forty-five (45) sources in v.3 of Al-Ghadeer which state that the verse was revealed regarding Ali, Fatima, Al-Hassan and Al-Hussain (A). They are: Imam Ahmad, Ibn al-Mundir, Ibn Abu Hatim, Tabari, Ibn Mardawaih, Tha'labi, Abu Abdullah al-Mula, Abu Sheikh Nisaee, Wahidi, Abu Nu'aym, Bagawi, Bazaz, Ibn Maghazili, Hasakani, Muhib al-Deen, Zamakhshari, Ibn Asaker, Abu al-Faraj, Hamueeni, Nishabouri, Ibn Talhe, Razi, Abu al-Saoud, Abu Hayan, Ibn Abu al-Hadeed, Baidhawi, Nasfi, Haithami, Ibn Sabagh, Ganji, Manawi, Qastalani, Zarandi, Khazin, Zargani, Ibn Hajar, Samhoudi, Suyuti, Safuri, Saban, Shab Lanje, Handhrami, and Nabhawi.


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