Biography of A'isha Siddiqa (RA) Bint Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA)

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

Brief Biography of III^rd-Ummul-Mumineen A'isha Siddiqa (RA) Bint Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA)

 
 

• Ummul-Mumineen A'isha Siddiqa (RA) was the daughter of Caliph Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA).
• She is popular in the Islamic history as her father.
• She was married to our Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the 10th year of Prophet-Hood when she was at six.
• Her marriage was effected by "Divine Inspiration".
• All the Ummul-Mumineen was widowed before their marriages to Muhammad (pbuh) except A'isha Siddiqa (RA).
• Prophet (pbuh) never thought of marrying another woman as long as Khadijatul-Kubra (RA) was alive.

A'isha Siddiqa (RA) herself reported that Allah's Apostle said (to me), "You have been shown to me twice in (my) dreams. A man was carrying you in a silken cloth and said to me, 'This is your wife'. I uncovered it; and behold, it was you. I said to myself, 'If this dream is from Allah, He will cause it to come true.' " (Bukhari)

 

The initiative of A'isha's (RA) marriage was taken by Khaulah bint Hakeem, One day after the death of Khadijah (RA) Khaulah came to the Prophet (pbuh) and asked him to have second marriage. She said that there are two women, one is widowed and the another is bachelor girl. The widowed one is Umme-Sauda bint Zama (RA) & bachelor one is A'isha bint Abu Bakr Sidiq (RA). The Prophet (pbuh) agreed to marry A'isha (RA). Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) solemnised the marriage ceremony.

A'isha's (RA) marriage was very simple it is said that her "Mehar" was 500 Dirhams. Her marriage was consummated after Hijrat to Madina Munawara when she was at 9 years. She remained with the Prophet (pbuh) for 9 years. Her marriage is an example for us. We can only avoid the useless and extravagent traditions which are now existing in our society. Here a point is very much emphasized that the marriage was consummated only after the payment of Mehar.

Three important things took place in this marriage as:

1. The Arabs never agreed to have marriage in the month of "Shawal". A'isha's (RA) marriage and its consummation took place in the month of "Shawal".
2. The Arabs never used to have their marriage with the daughters of their "Adopted Brothers". Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) was "Adopted Brother" of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) but he was agreed to marry A'isha (RA) as per "Divine Inspiration".
3. The Arabs used to burn fire while taking the bride to their home and also there used to be various superstitious traditions etc.

This was not done in A'isha's (RA) marriage.

The meaning of "Education" is generally considered to read and write, but this is not so. The real meaning of "Education" is to try to know the things which we don not know. A'isha (RA) was very intelligible and gained knowledge of multifarious problems from Prophet (pbuh). She was the mean of spreading the knowledge of "Quran" and the practices of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). She was very young and therefore she used to pick up everything. She saw and learned form the Prophet (pbuh). 

 

A'isha (RA) imparted knowledge to the famous scholors through her discourses on the Holy Quran and Hadith. She used to solve and gave correct answers to the complicated problems of "Fiqah" jurisprudence. She was far ahead in knowledge. Imam Zahri in "Tabqat Vol.II" says, "A'isha (RA) was the greatest scholor among all the people and very eminent scholors used to enquire from her".

In the opinion of Uru bin Zubair was that he did not find any great scholor than A'isha (RA) in the knowledge of "Quran", about "Halal & Harram", poetry, medicine, Arabic History & Genealogy. She was used to give "Fatwa" during the time of Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) & Othman (RA). She narrated about 2210 Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh). These qualities of A'isha (RA) which made her very dear to the Prophet (pbuh). The Prophet (pbuh) perfectly trained and educate her in his (pbuh) company.

A'isha Siddiqa (RA) narrates that there are 9 characteristic properties in me which were not awarded by Allah (S.T.) to any other woman except Maryam bint Imran as below:

1. Angel Jibrael has brougt my picture wrapped in a green silky cloth and given to the Prophet (pbuh) and said "This is your wife here in this world as well as in hereafter.
2. All those women who had married with Prophet (pbuh) were widowed except me.
3. The Prophet (pbuh) breathed his last breath on my lap and in my room.
4. Sometimes the angels used to come and surrounded my home.
5. "Wahi" Revelation used to come to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) when I was sleeping with him (pbuh).
6. Allah (S.T.) sent verses in the "Quran" in my favour.
7. I am the daughter of the Caliph and Siddiq of the Prophet (pbuh).
8. I was born in a very pure and religious family and had the honour to spend my lifetime in the company of the Holy Prophet (pbuh).
9. Allah (S.T.) was kind enough to forgive me and rewarded me with the plenty of wealth.

She had achieved the aspect of intellectual, literary and religious teachings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). She had superiority over all the wives of Prophet (pbuh) except Khadijatul-Kubra (RA).

Every member of her family had the honour to be "Sahabi or Sahabia" i.e. companion of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). To be "Sahabi or Sahabia" is the greatest honour and opportunity to the human beings.

1. The grand father of A'isha (RA) was Abu Khahafa (RA) who was the "Sahabi"
2. The father Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) was the nearest friend & later became Caliph.
3. Umme-Rumaan (RA) was her mother was a "Sahabia" and when she was laid down in the grave the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said "Anyone who likes to see a 'Hoor' of Paradise should see Umme-Rumaan (RA)".
4. Abdur Rahman (RA) was her brother who was also a "Sahabi".
5. Asma bint Abu Bakr (RA) was her sister and who was also a great "Sahabia".

A'isha (RA) was very fond of playing with the dolls and with her playmates when she was a child. She was also fond of "Swinging". Once the Prophet (pbuh) came to her house when she was playing with the dolls. He (pbuh) found a play-horse with beautiful wings. The Prophet (pbuh) enquired A'isha (RA), "how is this? meaning the horses do not have wings". She abruptly replied that "Sulaiman (pbuh) had such horses". The Prophet (pbuh) was very much pleased with her answer.

A'isha (RA) had terrible memory, she used to remember things as she saw though she was of 8 at the time of Hijrat, but she used to mention all the details and events of Hijrat. She used remember everything the Prophet (pbuh) said and whatever Prophet (pbuh) taught. She narrated about 2210 Hadith. The great and famous scholors and companions of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to approach her for guidance. We are really proud of our mother A'isha Siddiqa (RA) for contribution in "Fiqah" specially the problems associated with the women.

Here we quote a few incidents which speak her sagacity and understanding of Islamic concepts in her proper perspectives.

1. She advocated the Prophet (pbuh) to accept the "Quitness" of the virgin as "Acceptance" at the time of enquiry when mariage is taken place. Being cute & shy, "The virgin may not open her mouth for accepting the offer of the marriage". This is accepted by the Prophet (pbuh).
2. She asked the Prophet (pbuh) as t whom we should prefer in arranging and meeting, the rights of the neighbour?. the Prophet (pbuh) explained that preference be shown to the neighbour whose door is near to yours.
3. Once the Prophet (pbuh) vowed not to meet and visit his wives for a month this is known as "Iela". Naturally, A'isha (RA) was feeling very sorry and she was upset and grieved by this separation. She was counting each day anxiously and impartiently. Allah's (ST) messenger came to A'isha's (RA) house, she said to him "O Allah's (ST) messenger you swore that you would visit after a month but now only 29 days have passed. Th Prophet (pbuh) said "The present month is of 29 days". (Bukhari)

   A'isha (RA) learnt a lesson from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) even in such anxiety and grief. Thus she got authority on various aspects of "Deen" from the Prophet (pbuh) and therefore the great companions such as Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA), Umer (RA), Othman (RA) and Abu Moosa Ashri (RA) consulted with her. 

Once Amire-Maviya (RA) asked his courtier to tell him as to who was the greatest scholor of that day. He replied, "Amire-Maviya(RA) was the greatest scholor". Again Amire-Maviya (RA) asked him to say by oath. Then he said, "Ummul-Mumineen A'isha Siddiqa (RA)".

Once the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said, "Learn a part of "Deen" from the fair lady i.e. A'isha (RA)".The scholors says that this part of "Deen" is that pertains to the women. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) led a very simple life and he (pbuh) liked and desired that the "Ummul-Mumineen" should be perfect models. He (pbuh) paid special attention in teaching to A'isha (RA) as she was very young and extraordinarily intelligent with sharp memory.

She used to live with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in a the small room which was adjacent to the mosque. This room was about 2 to 2.5 Mts. long. The walls were of mud. The roof was of dried 2 leaves of the palm tree and about 1.5 Mts. high. A blanket used to hang as a curtain. She had a cot, a stool and a pillow which were filled with the coir. She also had two pots which were meant to store "Dates" and other provisions but they were often remained empty. If at all they were full at any time she never hesitate to give all this in charity. She said very often she did not even have the oil to lit the lamp. After the conquerrance of "Khaiber" she was granted some pension but she used to give it in charity within a short time. She used to get many presentations and gifts from the companions but as per her nature and habit she never kept them with her but gave them to the needy and poor. She used to do all these things as she had heard from the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and She (RA) saying that: "O Allah (S.T.) make me live as a "Miskeen" i.e. very poor who always is in need of help" and give me death while as "Miskeen".

I may getup at the day of resurrection along with the "Masakeen". When she died there was nothing in her house which can be considered as wealth. It is said that she used to take loans to meet the needs of the poor people when people asked her as to why she took loans for others. She replied that "If someone has sincere intention to pay back the loan then Allah (S.T.) helps him and provides funds". 

 

Once Amire-Maviya (RA) had sent one lakh (1,00,000) Dirhams from Syria. She gave all this money before the night came. Imagine, how huge is this amount may be it's value near about a Billion Dollar now. The maid servant reminded her that she (RA) did not keep anything even to purchase things to "Break the Fast". A'isha (RA) told her why did not tell this earlier.
Once she was observing Fast, a beggar came and asked for "Bread" A'isha (RA) asked the maid servant to give the bread which was meant for her "Breaking the Fast". In the evening there came plenty of "Meat & Bread" as a gift. A'isha (RA) asked the maid servant if that was not a better gift than the bread.

• Umar (RA) used to give 10,000 Dirhams to al the Ummul-Momineen but he used to give 12,000 Dirhams to A'isha Siddiqa (RA).

• Abdullah bin Zubair (RA) wo was her nephew also, used to give huge amount of Dirhams to her but she used to spend them all in charity and helping the needy person and it is reported that on the same day she had to starve.

The Prophet (pbuh) loved A'isha (RA) very much and therefore the companions used to send the gifts and presents to A'isha's Siddiqa (RA) house when on turn the Holy Prophet (pbuh) stayed with her. The 'Ummul-Mumineen' requested to Fatima (RA) to bring this to the notice of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that the presents come only when he (pbuh) was with A'isha (RA) and Fatima (RA) told to the Prophet (pbuh). The Holy Prophet (pbuh) asked to Fatima (RA) "Would you not like the person, whom I (pbuh) like?", Fatima (RA) did not say anything by agreeing her fater. Then Umme-Salma (RA) came and represented the same issue. The Prophet (pbuh) told her not to discuss this issue and annoy him. He told her that he (pbuh) receives "Wahi" even when A'isha (RA) was asleep beside him and tis has not happened with any other 'Ummul-Mumineen'. This was great honour to A'isha Siddiqa (RA) from Allah (S.T.). 

 

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to show gestures to please A'isha (RA). He (pbuh) once asked A'isha (RA) to take up a race on foot. First time A'isha (RA) won the race because of her light body constitution but the secnd time he (pbuh) won the race as she was a little bit heavy. The Prophet (pbuh) said "now the competition is settled", first she won and then he (pbuh) won.

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) & A'isha Siddiqa (RA) was very often used to eat from the same plate and drink from the same pot. Once the Prophet (pbuh) told her that he (pbuh) knew at once whenever she was an angry with him. She enquired "How?" Muhammad (pbuh) said that when she was pleased with him she would invoke by saying "By Muhammad's (pbuh) Allah" but when she was an angry with him would say, "By Ibrahim's (pbuh) Allah".

Thus our beloved Prophet (pbuh) had set a perfect example for mankind to follow.

• Even though he (pbuh) used to spend his time with A'isha (RA), this did not distract his attention or did not lessen his endeavour towards the main object i.e. the path of Allah (S.T.).

• The Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to spend his time with A'isha (RA) in talking & playing, he used to stand up & walked off for prayers as soon as he heard the "Azaan" as if he had nothing to do with her.

I stuffed for the Prophet a pillow decorated with pictures (of animals) which looked like a Namruqa (i.e. a small cushion). He came and stood among the people with excitement apparent on his face. I said, "O Allah's Apostle! What is wrong?" He said, "What is this pillow?" I said, "I have prepared this pillow for you, so that you may recline on it." He said, "Don't you know that angels do not enter a house wherein there are pictures; and whoever makes a picture will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be asked to give life to (what he has created)?" (Bukhari).

 

A'isha's (RA) love and devotion to Muhammad (pbuh) and his cause made her excel over his other wives in many ways. Abu Musa reported Allah's (ST) Messenger as saying, "A'isha's (RA) superiority over the other women is like the superiority of "Tharid (a food)" over other foods.

A'isha (RA) led a very simple life as was desired & taught by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) though she had a maid servant in her house, she used to do the work herself. She used to grind and make paste of flour, cook food and prepare for his (pbuh). She used to comb and scented though the use of gold and silk is permissible for woman in Islam. Muhammad (pbh) did not like the members of his family to wear the "Gold". Once A'isha (RA) wore gold bangles and he (pbuh) said "Shall I tell you a better plan?", take off these bangles and got two silver bangles and put safforn colour on them i.e. "Nasai".
A'isha (RA) narrated that on one of the Prophet's (pbuh) journey she was with the Holy Prophet (pbuh) along with the other companions. 

 

They had to stay at "Al-Baida" where her necklace got broken and fell off. So, Allah's (ST) Messenger asked the companions to search for it. There was no water at that place. After a long search also they could not find out the necklace. The people reported the matter to Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) that due to A'isha (RA) they were detained at that place where there was no water for ablution and the time for the dawn prayer was getting exhausted. Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) then went to the tent of A'isha (RA) where Prophet (pbuh) was asleep with his head on her thigh. He (RA) was angry and admonished his daughter for this. 

 

However the Prophet (pbuh) got up for the prayer. Then Allah (S.T.) revealed the divine verse of "Tayyammum" (dry ablution). Everybody performed "Tayyammum" and offered the prayer. The famous and eminent companion Usaid bin Huddair said "O family of Abu Bakr (RA)! This is not the first blessing of yours". Abu Bakr (RA) was very much pleased having heard the above verses of "Tayyammum". This is really a gift of Allah (S.T.) to the whole "Ummah". The deep and true love between the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and A'isha (RA) was comented as their marriage was based on spritual power and on Allah's (ST) Will. The incident of "Slander" which is knows as "Ifik" is very famous which the 'Munafiqeen' took up to defame the mother of the believers: A'isha Siddiqa (RA) herself narrates: "Whenever the Holy Prophet (pbuh) went out on a journey, he (pbuh) decided by lots as to which of his wives would accompany him (pbuh). 

 

Accordingly, it was turn to accompany him (pbuh) during the expedition to "Banu Mustelaq" on the return juourney, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) halted for the night which was the last stage to Madina Munawara. After taking rest when still it was night they began to make preparations for the departure. So, I went outside the camp to ease myself. When I returned and I was about to reach my camp then I noticed that my necklace had fallen down somewhere. I went back in search of it, but in the meantime, the caravan moved off and I was left behind all alone. The four carriers of the litter had placed it on my camel without noticing that it was an empty because of my light weight which was due to lack of food in those days. 

 

I wrapped myself in my sheet and lay down in the hope that when they did not find me, they would send search party to pick me up. In the meantime, I feel asleep. In the morning when Safwan bin Muttal passed that way, he recognized me for he had seen me several times before the commandment about "Purdah" was sent down. No sooner did he see me then he stopped his camel and cried out spontaneously, "How sad! The wife of Holy Prophet (pbuh) has been left here". As this I uttering another word. I climbed the camel which was with Safwan bin Muattal. He led the camel and we reached at about noon and took the caravan. Nobody had noticed that I had been left behind. Afterwards I came to know that this incident had been used to slander me. Abdullah bin Ubey was the foremost among the slanderers. When I reached Madina I felt ill and stayed in bed for more than a month.

 

 I was quite unaware of the events that were taking place. The news of slander was spreading like a scandal, in the city and had also reached the Holy Prophet (pbuh). I noticed that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was not so keen and concerned about my illness as he used to be. He would come but without addressing me directly. He (pbuh) would enquire from others about my health and leave the house. Therefore it troubled my mind that something had gone wrong somewhere. So, I took leave of him and went to my mother's house for better nursing. While I was there, one night I went out to ease myself in the company of Mistab's mother who was a first cousin of my father. As she was walking, she stumbled over something and cried out spontaneously, "May Mistab perish!" to this I retorted, what a good mother you are that you curse your own son", the son who took part in "Badar" battle. She replied, "My dear daughter, are you not aware of his scandel-Mongering? Then she told me everything about the campaign of slander. 

 

 Hearing this horrible story, my blood curdled and I immediately returned home and passed the rest of the night by crying over it. During my absence, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) took counsel with Ali bin Talib (RA) & Usamah bin Zaid (RA) about this matter. Usamah (RA) said good words about me to this effect. Ali bin Talib (RA) told to the Prophet (pbuh) that "There was no dearth of women and if you liked he(pbuh) could marry another woman, he further said if you would like to further investigate the matter send for her maid servant and enquire. On enquiry, the maid servant replied, " I declare on oath that (By Allah (S.T.) who was sent you with the Truth that I have never seen any evil thing in her, except that she falls asleep when I asked her to look after the kneaded dough in my absence the goat comes and eat. 

 

 This slander caused me great agony, and distress. I used to cry day & night. My parents were sicked with mental agony. At last, one day the Holy Prophet (pbuh) visited us and he (pbuh) sat near me, which he (pbuh) had not done since the slanderness started. My parents were also near us. The Prophet (pbuh) told me "A'isha (RA)! if you are innocent, I expect that Allah (S.T.) will declare it, but if you have committed a sin, you should offer repentance and ask for Allah's (ST) forgiveness. When a servant of Allah (S.T.) confesses his guilt and repents, Allah (S.T.) forgives him". By hearing these words, the tears dried in my eyes, I looked up to my father expecting that he would reply to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) but he said "Daughter, I do not know what I should say". 

 

The same thing was from my mother also. I said that you have all heard something about me and believed it. Now if I say that "I am innocent" you will not beleive me and if I confess something which I never did it. At that time I tried to call to my memory the name of Prophet Yakub (pbuh) but could not recall it. I said "I cannot but repeat words which the father of Prophet Yousuf (pbuh) had spoken. I will bear this patiently with good grace". By saying this I lay down and turned to the other side but in the meantime, suddenly the state of receiving Revelation appeared on the Prophet (pbuh). When pearl like drops of sweat used to gather on his (pbuh) face even in severe winter weather. We all held our breath and sat silent.

 

 As for me I was fearless but my parents seemed to be fear striken. When the Revelation was over the Prophet (pbuh) was very much pleased over. Joyed with happiness the first words he spoke were, "Congratulations A'isha Siddiqa (RA)! Allah (S.T.) sent down proof of your innocence" and then he (pbuh) recited the ten verses of (Surah 24 "An-Noor", Ayahs 11-21)".So, I like to mention atleat 2 Ayahs because this occur became a law against the blame on an innocent woman. If anyone fail to present four witnesses then he will be punished because of false blame.

Why did they not bring four witnesses to prove it? When they have not brought the witnesses such men in the sight of Allah (stand forth) themselves as liars!

And why did ye not when ye heard it say "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah! this is a most serious slander!"

(Surah 24 "An-Noor", Ayahs 11-21)

At this, my mother said to me "Get up and thank the Prophet (pbuh)", I said "I shall neither thank him (pbuh) nor you too but thank to Allah (S.T.) who has sent down my absolution, even you did not contradict the charge against me".

The incident of slander has been taken from various books of Hadith and Encyclopedia of "Seerah".
The hypocrites took up mean and immoral tactices to dishonour the Prophet (pbuh) & his (pbuh) household. Allah (S.T.) defeated all their designs & plans. A'isha's Siddiqa (RA) stature and character as a great honoured and dignified lady and as a mother of the Believers.

Ummul-Mumineen A'isha Siddiqa (RA) died on 17th Ramadan-ul-Mubarak in 58 Hijri at the age of 66 years. Abu Huraira (RA) performed her funeral prayer and she was burried in "Jannatul-Baqi" (Graveyard).

Biography of Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu

 Khadijah bint Khuwaylid

Narrated Abu Hurairah: Jibril (Gabriel) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Allah's Messenger! This is Khadijah, coming to you with a dish having meat soup (or some food or drink). When she reaches you, greet her on behalf of her Lord (Allah) and on my behalf, and give her the glad tidings of having a palace made of Qasab in Paradise, wherein there will be neither any noise nor any toil, (fatigue, trouble, etc.)." [Al-Bukhari]

'Abdullah bin 'Abbas narrated that one day the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) drew four lines on the earth and asked his Companions if they understood what these lines stood for. They respectfully replied that he knew better. He then told them that these lines stood for the four foremost ladies of the universe. They were Khadijah bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint Imran, the mother of the Prophet Issa and 'Asia bint Muzahim (the wife of the Pharaoh).

She was the first person to have an abiding faith in the utterances of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and to accept Islam as her religion and her way of life. She was blessed with the distinction of having been greeted with Salam (greetings) by Allah and the Angel Jibril.
Khadijah was born in Makkah in the year 556 CE. Her mother's name was Fatimah bint Zayd, and her father's name was Khuwaylid bin Asad. He was a very popular leader among the tribe of Quraysh, and a very prosperous businessman who died while fighting in the famous battle of Fujjar. Khadijah thus grew up in the lap of luxury. She married Abu Halah Malak bin Nabash bin Zarrarah bin At-Tamimi and bore him two children, Halah and Hind. She wanted to see her husband prosper and financed him in setting up a big business. But unfortunately he passed away. Some time later the young widow married 'Atique bin 'Aith bin 'Abdullah Al-Makhzumi, and she had a daughter by him as well named Hindah, but the marriage soon broke up on grounds of incompatibility. After this all her attention was devoted to the upbringing of her children, and building up the business she inherited from her father. Her astuteness and business ability made her business one of the most widespread businesses among the Quraysh.

Her policy was to employ hard working, honest and distinguished managers to deal on her behalf as a lot depended on the integrity of the employees who traveled far and wide on her behalf. She exported her goods to far away markets like Syria, and her managers bought goods from those markets to be sold at home.

Khadijah had heard of the integrity, honesty and principled behavior of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and sent a job offer to him to head her trading caravans. He gladly accepted the offer and started working for her. Khadijah sent him on a business trip; her old and trusted slave Maysarah being delegated to accompany and serve him.

Maysarah was impressed by the Prophet's integrity, strength of character, adherence to principles, his amicable dealings and his business abilities. On the way back from Syria, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) lay down under a tree to rest for a while. Nestora, a Jewish monk, noted for his knowledge of religion and for his insight saw him and asked Maysarah who he was. Maysarah told him all about Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his reputation for honesty and intelligence. Nestora then told him that this man would be elevated to Prophet hood in the future, as no man had ever rested under that particular tree but Prophets.

Tradition has it that Maysarah also saw two angels bearing a cloud over Prophet's head to protect him from the glare and heat of the sun.

When he returned home Maysarah reported to Khadijah all that had taken place on the trip to Syria. She was deeply moved and impressed, and started thinking of proposing marriage to Muhammad. But how could she express her thoughts to him? She already rejected several proposals of marriage from men belonging to some of the noblest families of the Quraysh. How would her tribe react? What would her family say? And what was more, would her proposal be acceptable to this young, yet unmarried man of the tribe of Quraysh?

As she pondered over these questions and debated within herself, one night she dreamt that the shining sun had descended from the heavens into her courtyard, radiating her home. When she woke up she went for the interpretation of this wonderful dream to her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, a blind man noted for his skill in interpreting dreams, and for his depth of knowledge, particularly of the Torah and the Injil. When he heard her dream, he gave a serene smile, and told her not to worry, as this was a very promising dream. The glorious sun she saw descending into her courtyard indicated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) whose advent had been predicted in the Torah and the Injil was to grace her home and she would gain from his presence in her life.

After this meeting with Waraqah she became stronger in her desire to marry Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). One of her very close friends, Nafisah bint Manbah knew of her inclination and she went to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and requested his permission to ask him a very personal question. When he said he had no objection, she asked why he had not yet got married. He said he did not have the financial resources. Then she asked him if he would be willing to marry a beautiful lady from a noble and wealthy family, who was inclined towards marriage with him. He asked whom she was referring to; when he learnt her identity he said that he was willing, provided she was willing to marry him. Khadijah' was overjoyed.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was then twenty-five years of age and Khadijah was forty years old. (According to one tradition, she was twenty-eight). The two uncles of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Hamzah and Abu Talib approached her uncle, 'Umar bin Asad, with the formal proposal. It was accepted and the two families began preparing for the wedding. Halimah As-Sa'diyyah who nursed the Prophet in his infancy was specially invited for the wedding and traveled to Makkah from her village. When she left after the festivities, Khadijah presented her with household goods, a camel and forty goats as an expression of gratitude to the lady who had taken such good care of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in his infancy.

Khadijah was very blessed in the marriage, and had six children. First two sons, Qasim and 'Abdullah; then followed the daughters, Zaynab, Ruqayyah, Umm Kulthum and Fatimah. It was a very happy, peaceful and content household, but Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) felt something was missing, and he was extremely restless. He would retire for a month once a year to the cave of Hira to dedicate himself entirely to prayer and meditation. One day he felt the presence of another being who held him in his arms in a tight embrace. Then he loosened his hold and asked him to read; Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) answered that he was illiterate. But the person repeated the same act and the phrase again and again.

 Then finally he read these Ayat which are the first revelation of the Quran. They are from Surah Iqra or Al-'Alaq.

"Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists). He has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not." [Noble Quran 96:1-5]

Then the being disappeared. This was such an awesome experience that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returned home sweating and shaking. He called out to Khadijah asking her to cover him with a sheet or a blanket. When he had calmed down to some extent, he told his wife that he feared for his life, and narrated the whole incident to her. Khadijah, a picture of loyalty and serenity consoled him saying that Allah would surely protect him from any danger, and would never allow anyone to revile him as he was a of man of peace and reconciliation and always extended the hand of friendship to all. He never lied, always hospitable, carried the burdens of others and helped those who were in trouble. These soothing and encouraging words of sympathy and understanding from Khadijah gave him immeasurable strength and confidence. She then took him to meet her cousin, Waraqah bin Nawfal, who immediately guessed the identity of the being in the Cave of Hira as the Angel Jibril the Messenger of Allah who had visited Moses as well. Waraqah who was very old wished that he could live to see the time when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) would be forced into exile by his people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was very surprised and asked if his people would really do this to him. Waraqah assured him that it was typical of human beings that they would never appreciate or follow a Prophet who rose among them. Waraqah added that he wished he were alive at that time and be able to help him. He added that if what he had been told were true then surely it meant that her husband was the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) whose advent had been mentioned in the scriptures.

The four daughters grew up to be faithful and courageous daughters of Islam. They all migrated to Al-Madinah, with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Zaynab was married to Abu 'Aas bin Rabi'ah, Ruqayyah was married to 'Uthman. When she passed away he married her sister Umm Kulthum; Fatimah was married to 'Ali bin Abi Talib. The first three daughters died during the lifetime of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his beloved daughter Fatimah lived just six months after he passed away.

When the disbelievers saw that Islam was attracting more and more followers in spite of all their tactics, they decided to declare an open and total political and economic boycott of the tribe of Banu Hashim. This took place in the seventh year after the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared himself the Messenger of Allah. This is also known in Islamic history as the Shi'ab Abi Talib.

It was so severe that innocent children faced starvation and hunger, and adults survived eating the leaves of trees. Yet the firm followers of Muhammad did not turn away from their true religion and they came out of the ordeal stronger and purer than before.

Khadijah who had been brought up in luxury in her wealthy father's home now faced the economic hardships with patience and courage, which are a necessary part of any siege. Khadijah's nobility of character and conduct pleased Allah, so much that He sent special greetings for her.

Khadijah was the ideal wife and mother. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) lived in her house which became a blessed place due to his presence and the fact that Jibril (peace and blessings be upon him) came often to visit him there with Quranic revelations. It became the centre of Islam, where all the Companions male and female visited often to partake of the hospitality of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his wife.

After the Hijrah (migration) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to Al-Madinah, the house was occupied by the brother of 'Ali. Later Mu'awiyah bin Abu Sufyan who transcribed some of the Divine Revelations purchased this house and built a mosque. Thus the site of the house of Khadijah became a place of prayer and worship for all time. She had been used to praying two Rak'as of Salat (prayer), mornings and evenings with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), even before prayers were made compulsory by Allah. After accepting Islam she became more contemplative and inclined towards worship; she found a blessed feeling of peace in prayer.

Afif Kindi relates that 'Abbas bin 'Abdul Muttalib was a great friend of his and he used to visit him often in Yemen in connection with his business in perfumes. On one occasion when they were standing and chatting in Mina, they saw a handsome young man approach. He carefully washed his hands and feet and then stood respectfully with his arms crossed on his breast. Soon a dignified lady of noble bearing and a young handsome young lad joined him. 'Afif asked 'Abbas what they were doing and whether this was a new form of exercise. 'Abbas replied that the youth was his brother 'Abdullah's son, and the lady was his wife. She was a woman of great wealth and virtue, and an ideal wife and mother. The lad was his brother Abu Talib's son. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) had announced that he was a Messenger of Allah and had started preaching a new religion called Islam. In due course 'Afif accepted Islam, but he always regretted the fact that he had not joined the Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions in their prayers and supplication on that memorable day in Mina, when he had first heard of Islam.

Khadijah passed away just three years before the Hijrah, or the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) migration to Al-Madinah. She died at the age of sixty-five, having given almost twenty-five years to Muhammad and the cause of Islam. When Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) saw her in the throes of death he consoled her saying Allah had so ordained it, and that the thing she was dreading, would prove favorable for her. Her eyes lit up and as she gazed at her beloved husband, her soul left its earthly body.

Her grave was prepared at a place called Hujjun, near Makkah. Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stepped into it to see that everything was as it should be, and with his own hands lowered her gently into it. Thus passed away the 'Mother' of all Muslims, the one who had sacrificed her all for Islam, the lady who was the greatest supporter of Islam in its earliest days. She who was the mother of Fatimah, the First Lady of Paradise, the grandmother of the beloved grandchildren of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Hasan and Hussein who are to be the foremost of the youths in Paradise.

When she passed away, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was heartbroken at the loss of a dedicated companion who stood by him during the most difficult period of his life.
One of the ladies of the Quraysh, Khawlah bint Hakim, visited the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to console him, and saw his state of depression and grief and remarked on it. He replied it was only natural that he should be touched by her absence, as she had been a loving mother to his now neglected children; she had been a loyal and sympathetic wife who shared his secrets. It was only human and natural that he should feel her loss as she was there for him during his most difficult times. Whenever he was abused by the disbelievers she had provided moral support and unflagging faith.

A Companion of the Prophet narrates that whenever any gift was brought to him he would immediately send it to some lady who had been a friend of Khadijah. Ayshah, a favorite wife of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) says that whenever a goat was slaughtered the Prophet it would send some meat to Khadijah's friends; when she remarked about this on one occasion he told her, 'I have great regard for her friends, as she has a special place in my heart.' Ayshah said she never experienced such a feeling of natural feminine jealousy for any other wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as she did for Khadijah. She also narrates that whenever Muhammad spoke of her he would talk at great length and praise her qualities, and pray for her forgiveness.

Ayshah narrates that whenever the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) talked about Khadijah, it was in terms of the highest praise. One day her innate feminine envy overtook her sense of decorum and she spoke in disparaging terms of her, wondering why the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) missed her when he was blessed with a better, younger wife by Allah. This displeased him, but forbearing as he was, he just sighed and answered,

"I have not yet found a better wife than her. She had faith in me when everyone, even members of my own family and tribe did not believe me, and accepted that I was truly a Prophet and a Messenger of Allah. She converted to Islam, spent all her wealth and worldly goods to help me spread this faith, and this too at a time when the entire world seemed to have turned against me and persecuted me. And it is through her that Allah blessed me with children."

As Allah says in Surah Al-Fajr in the Noble Quran that it will be said to the pious believers:

"O the one in complete rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord — well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)! Enter you then among My (honored) servants, and enter you My Paradise." [Noble Quran 89:27-30]

Biography of Fatimah bint Muhammad (PBUH)

Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
Fatimah Bint Muhammad, The Spiritual Heroine Of Islam

"I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God ﷺ," Fatimah az-Zahra's last words. 

Fatimah, radhi'Allah `anha, may God be pleased with her, was the fifth child of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Khadijah. She was born at a time when her noble father had begun to spend long periods in the solitude of mountains around Makkah, meditating and reflecting on the great mysteries of creation.

This was the time, before the revelation to Islam (Bi'thah), when her eldest sister Zaynab was married to her cousin, al-Aas ibn ar Rabiah. Then followed the marriage of her two other sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum, to the sons of Abu Lahab, a paternal uncle of the Prophet ﷺ. Both Abu Lahab and his wife Umm Jamil turned out to be flaming enemies of the Prophet ﷺ from the very beginning of his public mission.

The little Fatimah thus saw her sisters leave home one after the other to live with their husbands. She was too young to understand the meaning of marriage and the reasons why her sisters had to leave home. She loved them dearly and was sad and lonely when they left. It is said that a certain silence and painful sadness came over her then.

Of course, even after the marriage of her sisters, she was not alone in the house of her parents. Barakah, the maid-servant of Aminah, the Prophet's mother, who had been with the Prophet ﷺ since his birth, Zayd ibn Thabit wa Harithah (ra), and `Ali (ra), the young son of Abu Ta'lib were all part of Muhammad's household at this time. And of course there was her loving mother, the noble Khadijah, radhi'Allah `anha.

In her mother and in Barakah, Fatimah found a great deal of solace and comfort. In `Ali (ra), who was about two years older than she, she found a "brother" and a friend who somehow took the place of her own brother al-Qasim who had passed away in his infancy. Her other brother `Abdullah, known as the Good and the Pure, who was born after her, also passed away in his infancy. However in none of the people in her father's household did Fatimah find the carefree joy and happiness which she enjoyed with her sisters. She was an unusually sensitive child for her age.

When she was five, she heard that her father had become the Rasul-Allah, the Messenger of God. His first task was to convey the good news of Islam to his family and close relations. They were to worship God Almighty alone. Her mother, who was a tower of strength and support, explained to Fatimah what her father had to do.

From this time on, she became more closely attached to him and felt a deep and abiding love for him. Often she would be at his side walking through the narrow streets and alleys of Makkah, visiting the Kabah or attending secret gatherings off, the early Muslims who had accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ.

One day, when she was not yet ten, she accompanied her father to the Masjid al-Haram. He stood in the place known as al-Hijr facing the Kabah and began to pray. Fatimah stood at his side. A group of Quraysh, by no means well-disposed to the Prophet, gathered around him. They included Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, the Prophet's uncle, Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Shaybah and Utbah, sons of Rabi`ah. Menacingly, the group went up to the Prophet and Abu Jahl, the ringleader, asked:

"Which of you can bring the entrails of a slaughtered animal and throw it on Muhammad?"

Uqbah ibn Abi Muayt, one of the vilest of the lot, volunteered and hurried off. He returned with the obnoxious filth and threw it on the shoulders of the Prophet ﷺ, may God bless him and grant him peace, while he was still prostrating. `Abdullah ibn Masud, a companion of the Prophet, was present but he was powerless to do or say anything.

Imagine the feelings of Fatimah as she saw her father being treated in this fashion. What could she, a girl barely ten years old, do? She went up to her father and removed the offensive matter and then stood firmly and angrily before the group of Quraysh thugs and lashed out against them. Not a single word did they say to her. The noble Prophet ﷺ raised his head on completion of the prostration and went on to complete the Salat. He then said: "O Lord, may you punish the Quraysh!" and repeated this imprecate on three times. Then he continued:

"May You punish Utbah, Uqbah, Abu Jahl and Shaybah." (These whom he named were all killed many years later at the Battle of Badr)

On another occasion, Fatimah was with the Prophet ﷺ as he made circumambulation (tawaf) around the Kabah. A Quraysh mob gathered around him. They seized him and tried to strangle him with his own clothes. Fatimah screamed and shouted for help. Abu Bakr (ra) rushed to the scene and managed to free the Prophet. While he was doing so, he pleaded:

"Would you kill a man who says, 'My Lord is God?'" Far from giving up, the mob turned on Abu Bakr (ra) and began beating him until blood flowed from his head and face.

Such scenes of vicious opposition and harassment against her father and the early Muslims were witnessed by the young Fatimah. She did not meekly stand aside but joined in the struggle in defence of her father and his noble mission. She was still a young girl and instead of the cheerful romping, the gaiety and liveliness which children of her age are and should normally be accustomed to, Fatimah had to witness and participate in such ordeals.

Of course, she was not alone in this. The whole of the Prophet's family suffered from the violent and mindless Quraysh. Her sisters, Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum also suffered. They were living at this time in the very nest of hatred and intrigue against the Prophet ﷺ. Their husbands were Utbah and Utaybah, sons of Abu Lahab and Umm Jamil.

Umm Jamil was known to be a hard and harsh woman who had a sharp and evil tongue. It was mainly because of her that Khadijah (ra) was not pleased with the marriages of her daught ers to Umm Jamil's sons in the first place. It must have been painful for Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum to be living in the household of such inveterate enemies who not only joined but led the campaign against theft father.

As a mark of disgrace to Muhammad ﷺ and his family, Utbah and Utaybah were prevailed upon by their parents to divorce their wives. This was part of the process of ostracizing the Prophet ﷺ totally. The Prophet in fact welcomed his daughters back to his home with joy, happiness and relief.

Fatimah, no doubt, must have been happy to be with her sisters once again. They all wished that their eldest sister, Zaynab, would also be divorced by her husband. In fact, the Quraysh brought pressure on Abu al-Aas to do so but he refused. When the Quraysh leaders came up to him and promised him the richest and most beautiful woman as a wife should he divorce Zaynab, he replied:

"I love my wife deeply and passionately and I have a great and high esteem for her father even though I have not entered the religion of Islam." - Abu al-Aas on Zaynab, his wife

Both Ruqayyah and Umm Kulthum were happy to be back with their loving parents and to be rid of the unbearable mental torture to which they had been subjected in the house of Umm Jamil. Shortly afterwards, Ruqayyah married again, to the young and shy Uthman ibn Affan who was among the first to have accepted Islam. They both left for Abyssinia among the first travellers (muhajirin) who sought refuge in that land and stayed there for several years. Fatimah was not to see Ruqayyah again until after their mother had passed.

The persecution of the Prophet ﷺ, his family and his followers continued and even became worse after the migration of the first Muslims to Abyssinia. In about the seventh year of his mission, the Prophet and his family were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in a rugged little valley enclosed by hills on all sides, which could only be entered from Makkah by a narrow path.

To this arid valley, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the clans of Banu Hashim and al-Muttalib were forced to retire with limited supplies of food. Fatimah (ra) was one of the youngest members of the clans—just about twelve years old—and had to undergo months of hardship and suffering. The wailing of hungry children and women in the valley could be heard from Makkah. The Quraysh allowed no food and contact with the Muslims whose hardship was only relieved somewhat during the season of pilgrimage. The boycott lasted for three years.

When it was lifted, the Prophet ﷺ had to face even more trials and difficulties. Khadijah (ra), the faithful and loving, passed away shortly afterwards. With her demise, the Prophet and his family lost one of the greatest sources of comfort and strength which had sustained them through the difficult period. The year in which the noble Khadijah (ra), and later Abu Talib, passed away is known as the 'Year of Sadness'. Fatimah, now a young lady, was greatly distressed by her mother's death. She wept bitterly and for some time was so grief-striken that her health deteriorated. It was even feared she might die of grief.

Although her older sister, Umm Kulthum (ra), stayed in the same household, Fatimah realized that she now had a greater responsibility with the passing away of her mother. She felt that she had to give even greater support to her father. With loving tenderness, she devoted herself to looking after his needs. So concerned was she for his welfare that she came to be called "Umm Abi-ha": the mother of her father. She also provided him with solace and comfort during times of trial, difficulty and crisis.

Often the trials were too much for her. Once, about this time, an insolent mob heaped dust and earth upon the Prophet's gracious head. As he entered his home, Fatimah wept profusely as she wiped the dust from her father's head.

"Do not cry, my daughter," he ﷺ said, "for God shall protect your father."

The Prophet ﷺ had a special love for Fatimah. He once said:

"Whoever pleased Fatimah has indeed pleased God and whoever has caused her to be angry has indeed angered God. Fatimah is a part of me. Whatever pleases her pleases me and whatever angers her angers me."

He also said:

"The best women in all the world are four: the Virgin Mary, `Asiyaa the wife of Pharoah, Khadijah-Mother of the Believers, and Fatimah, daughter of Muhammad ﷺ."

Fatimah thus acquired a place of love and esteem in the Prophet's heart that was only occupied by his wife Khadijah.

Fatimah, may God be pleased with her, was given the title of "az-Zahra" which means "the Resplendent One". That was because of her beaming face which seemed to radiate light.

It is said that when she stood for Prayer, the mihrab would reflect the light of her countenance. She was also called "al-Batool" because of her asceticism. Instead of spending her time in the company of women, much of her time would be spent in Salat, in reading the Qur'an and in other acts of `ibadah.

Fatimah had a strong resemblance to her father ﷺ, the Messenger of God. Aishah. the wife of the Prophet, said of her:

"I have not seen any one of God's creation resemble the Messenger of God more in speech, conversation and manner of sitting than Fatimah, may God be pleased with her. When the Prophet ﷺ saw her approaching, he would welcome her, stand up and kiss her, take her by the hand and sit her down in the place where he was sitting." 

She would do the same when the Prophet came to her. She would stand up and welcome him with joy and kiss him.

Fatimah's fine manners and gentle speech were part of her lovely and endearing personality. She was especially kind to poor and indigent folk and would often give all the food she had to those in need even if she herself remained hungry. She had no craving for the ornaments of this world nor the luxury and comforts of life. She lived simply, although on occasion as we shall see circumstances seemed to be too much and too difficult for her.

She inherited from her father a persuasive eloquence that was rooted in wisdom. When she spoke, people would often be moved to tears. She had the ability and the sincerity to stir the emotions, move people to tears and fill their hearts with praise and gratitude to God for His grace and His inestimable bounties.

Fatimah (ra) migrated to Madinah a few weeks after the Prophet ﷺ did. She went with Zayd ibn Harithah (ra) who was sent by the Prophet ﷺ back to Makkah to bring the rest of his family. The party included Fatimah and Umm Kulthum (ra), Sawdah (ra), the Prophet's wife, Zayd's wife Barakah (ra) and her son Usamah (ra). Travelling with the group also were `Abdullah (ra) the son of Abu Bakr (ra) who accompanied his mother and his sisters, `Aishah (ra) and Asma (ra).

In Madinah, Fatimah lived with her father in the simple dwelling he had built adjoining the mosque. In the second year after the Hijrah, she received proposals of marriage through her father, two of which were turned down. Then `Ali (ra), the son of Abu Talib, plucked up courage and went to the Prophet ﷺ to ask for her hand in marriage. In the presence of the Prophet, however, Ali became over-awed and tongue-tied. He stared at the ground and could not say anything. The Prophet then asked: "Why have you come? Do you need something?" Ali still could not speak and then the Prophet ﷺ suggested: "Perhaps you have come to propose marriage to Fatimah."

"Yes," replied Ali. At this, according to one report, the Prophet ﷺ said simply: "Marhaban wa ahlan—Welcome into the family," and this was taken by `Ali and a group of Ansar who were waiting outside for him as indicating the Prophet's approval. Another report indicated that the Prophet approved and went on to ask `Ali if he had anything to give as dowry (mahr). `Ali replied that he didn't. The Prophet reminded him that he had a shield which could be sold.

`Ali sold the shield to Uthman (ra) for four hundred dirhams and as he was hurrying back to the Prophet to hand over the sum as mahr, Uthman stopped him and said:

"I am returning your shield to you as a present from me on your marriage to Fatimah." 

Fatimah and `Ali were thus married most probably at the beginning of the second year after the Hijrah. She was about nineteen years old at the time and Ali was about twenty-one. The Prophet ﷺ himself performed the marriage ceremony. At the walimah, the guests were served with dates, figs and hais (a mixture of dates and butter fat). A leading member of the Ansar donated a ram and others made offerings of grain. All of Madinah rejoiced.

On her marriage. the Prophet is said to have presented Fatimah and `Ali with a wooden bed intertwined with palm leaves, a velvet coverlet. a leather cushion filled with palm fibre, a sheepskin, a pot, a waterskin and a quern for grinding grain.

Fatimah left the home of her beloved father for the first time to begin life with her husband. The Prophet ﷺ was clearly anxious on her account and sent Barakah with her should she be in need of any help. And no doubt Barakah was a source of comfort and solace to her. The Prophet prayed for them:

"O Lord, bless them both, bless their house and bless their offspring." 

In `Ali's humble dwelling, there was only a sheepskin for a bed. In the morning after the wedding night, the Prophet went to `Ali's house and knocked on the door.

Barakah came out and the Prophet ﷺ said to her: "O Umm Ayman, call my brother for me."

"Your brother? That's the one who married your daughter?" asked Barakah somewhat incredulously as if to say: Why should the Prophet call Ali his "brother"? (He referred to `Ali as his brother because just as pairs of Muslims were joined in brotherhood aft er the Hijrah, so the Prophet ﷺ and Ali were linked as "brothers".)

The Prophet ﷺ repeated what he had said in a louder voice. `Ali came and the Prophet made a du`a, invoking the blessings of God on him. Then he asked for Fatimah (ra). She came almost cringing with a mixture of awe and shyness and the Prophet ﷺ said to her: "I have married you to the dearest of my family to me." In this way, he sought to reassure her. She was not starting life with a complete stranger but with one who had grown up in the same household, who was among the first to become a Muslim at a tender age, who was known for his courage, bravery and virtue, and whom the Prophet described as his "brother in this world and the hereafter".

Fatimah's life with `Ali was as simple and frugal as it was in her father's household. In fact, so far as material comforts were concerned, it was a life of hardship and deprivation. Throughout their life together, `Ali remained poor because he did not set great store by material wealth. Fatimah was the only one of her sisters who was not married to a wealthy man.

In fact, it could be said that Fatimah's life with `Ali was even more rigorous than life in her father's home. At least before marriage, there were always a number of ready helping hands in the Prophet's household. But now she had to cope virtually on her own. To relieve theft extreme poverty, Ali worked as a drawer and carrier of water and she as a grinder of corn. One day she said to Ali: "I have ground until my hands are blistered."

"I have drawn water until I have pains in my chest," said Ali and went on to suggest to Fatimah: "God has given your father some captives of war, so go and ask him to give you a servant."

Reluctantly, she went to the Prophet ﷺ who said: "What has brought you here, my little daughter?"

"I came to give you greetings of peace," she said, for in awe of him she could not bring herself to ask what she had intended.

"What did you do?" asked Ali when she returned alone.

"I was ashamed to ask him," she said. So the two of them went together but the Prophet ﷺ felt they were less in need than others.

"I will not give to you," he said, "and let the Ahl as-Suffah (poor Muslims who stayed in the mosque) be tormented with hunger. I have not enough for their keep..."

`Ali and Fatimah returned home feeling somewhat dejected but that night, after they had gone to bed, they heard the voice of the Prophet ﷺ asking permission to enter. Welcoming him, they both rose to their feet, but he told them:

"Stay where you are," and sat down beside them.

"Shall I not tell you of something better than that which you asked of me?" he asked and when they said yes he said: "Words which Jibril taught me, that you should say "Subhan-Allah: Glory be to God", ten times after every Prayer, and ten times "AIhamdulillah: Praise be to God," and ten times "Allahu-Akbar: God is Greater." And that when you go to bed you should say them thirty-three times each."

`Ali used to say in later years: "I have never once failed to say them since the Messenger of God taught them to us."

There are many reports of the hard and difficult times which Fatimah had to face. Often there was no food in her house. Once the Prophet ﷺ was hungry. He went to one after another of his wives' apartments but there was no food. He then went to Fatimah's ho use and she had no food either. When he eventually got some food, he sent two loaves and a piece of meat to Fatimah. At another time, he went to the house of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari and from the food he was given, he saved some for her. Fatimah also knew that the Prophet ﷺ was without food for long periods and she in turn would take food to him when she could. Once she took a piece of barley bread and he, said to her: "This is the first food your father has eaten for three days."

Through these acts of kindness she showed how much she loved her father; and he loved her, really loved her in return.

Once he returned from a journey outside Madinah. He went to the mosque first of all and prayed two rakat as was his custom. Then, as he often did, he went to Fatimah's house before going to his wives. Fatimah welcomed him and kissed his face, his mouth and his eyes and cried.

"Why do you cry?" the Prophet ﷺ asked.

"I see you, O Rasul-Allah," she said, "Your color is pale and sallow and your clothes have become worn and shabby."

"O Fatimah," the Prophet ﷺ replied tenderly, "Don't cry for Allah has sent your father with a mission which He would cause to affect every house on the face of the earth whether it be in towns, villages or tents (in the desert) bringing either glory or humiliation until this mission is fulfilled just as night (inevitably) comes."

With such comments Fatimah was often taken from the harsh realities of daily life to get a glimpse of the vast and far-reaching vistas opened up by the mission entrusted to her noble father.

Fatimah eventually returned to live in a house close to that of the Prophet ﷺ. The place was donated by an Ansari who knew that the Prophet would rejoice in having his daughter as his neighbour. Together they shared in the joys and the triumphs, the sorrows and the hardships of the crowded and momentous Madinah days and years.

In the middle of the second year after the Hijrah, her sister Ruqayyah fell ill with fever and measles. This was shortly before the great campaign of Badr. `Uthman, her husband, stayed by her bedside and missed the campaign. Ruqayyah passed away just before her father returned. On his return to Madinah, one of the first acts of the Prophet ﷺ was to visit her grave.

Fatimah went with him. This was the first bereavement they had suffered within their closest family since the death of Khadijah. Fatimah was greatly distressed by the loss of her sister. The tears poured from her eyes as she sat beside her father at the edge of the grave, and he comforted her and sought to dry her tears with the corner of his cloak.

The Prophet ﷺ had previously spoken against lamentations for the dead, but this had lead to a misunderstanding, and when they returned from the cemetery the voice of `Umar (ra) was heard raised in anger against the women who were weeping for the martyrs of Badr and for Ruqayyah.

"Umar, let them weep," he said and then added:

"What comes from the heart and from the eye, that is from God and His mercy, but what comes from the hand and from the tongue, that is from Satan." - Prophet Muhammad on grief

By the hand he meant the beating of breasts and the smiting of cheeks, and by the tongue he meant the loud clamor in which women often joined as a mark of public sympathy.

`Uthman later married the other daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Umm Kulthum, and on this account came to be known as Dhu'n Noorayn, Possessor of the Two Lights.

The bereavement which the family suffered by the death of Ruqayyah was followed by happiness when to the great joy of all the believers Fatimah gave birth to a boy in Ramadan of the third year after the Hijrah. The Prophet ﷺ spoke the words of the Adhan int o the ear of the new-born baby and called him al-Hasan which means the Beautiful One.

One year later, she gave birth to another son who was called al-Husayn, which means "little Hasan" or the little beautiful one. Fatimah would often bring her two sons to see their grandfather who was exceedingly fond of them. Later he would take them to the Mosque and they would climb onto his back when he prostrated. He did the same with his little granddaughter Umamah, the daughter of Zaynab.

In the eighth year after the Hijrah, Fatimah gave birth to a third child, a girl whom she named after her eldest sister Zaynab, who had passed away shortly before her birth. This Zaynab was to grow up and become famous as the "Heroine of Karbala". Fatimah's fourth child was born in the year after the Hijrah. The child was also a girl and Fatimah named her Umm Kulthum after her sister who had passed away the year before after an illness.

It was only through Fatimah that the progeny of the Prophet ﷺ was perpetuated. All the Prophet's male children had passed in their infancy and the two children of Zaynab named `Ali and Umamah died young. Ruqayyah's child `Abdullah also passed away when he was not yet two years old. This is an added reason for the reverence which is accorded to Fatimah.

Although Fatimah was so often busy with pregnancies and giving birth and rearing children, she took as much part as she could in the affairs of the growing Muslim community of Madinah. Before her marriage, she acted as a sort of hostess to the poor and destitute Ahl as-Suffah.

As soon as the Battle of Uhud was over, she went with other women to the battlefield and wept over the dead martyrs and took time to dress her father's wounds.

At the Battle of al-Khandaq (the Ditch), she played a major supportive role together with other women in preparing food during the long and difficult siege. In her camp, she led the Muslim women in prayer and on that place there stands a mosque named Masjid Fatimah, one of seven mosques where the Muslims stood guard and performed their devotions.

Fatimah also accompanied the Prophet ﷺ when he made Umrah in the sixth year after the Hijrah after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. In the following year, she and her sister Umm Kulthum were among the mighty throng of Muslims who took part with the Prophet ﷺ in the liberation of Makkah. It is said that on this occasion, both Fatimah and Umm Kulthum visited the home of their mother Khadijah and recalled memories of their childhood and memories of jihad, of long struggles in the early years of the Prophet's mission .

In Ramadan of the tenth year just before he went on his Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ confided to Fatimah, as a secret not yet to be told to others:

"Angel Jibril recited the Qur'an to me and I to him once every year, but this year he has recited it with me twice. I cannot but think that my time has come."

On his return from the Farewell Pilgrimage, the Prophet ﷺ did become seriously ill. His final days were spent in the apartment of his wife `Aishah (ra). When Fatimah came to visit him, `Aishah would leave father and daughter together.

One day he summoned Fatimah (ra). When she came, he kissed her and whispered some words in her ear. She wept. Then again he whispered in her ear and she smiled. `Aishah saw and asked:

"You cry and you laugh at the same time, Fatimah? What did the Messenger of God say to you?"

Fatima replied: "He first told me that he would meet his Lord after a short while and so I cried. Then he said to me: 'Don't cry for you will be the first of my household to join me.' So I laughed."

Not long afterwards the noble Prophet ﷺ passed away, may Allah send peace, Mercy and salutations upon him. Fatimah was grief-striken and she would often be seen weeping profusely. One of the companions noted that he did not see Fatimah laugh, may God be pleased with her, after the death of her father.

One morning, early in the month of Ramadan, just less than five month after her blessed father had passed away, Fatimah woke up looking unusually happy and full of mirth. In the afternoon of that day, it is said that she called Salma bint Umays who was looking after her. She asked for some water and had a bath. She then put on new clothes and perfumed herself. She then asked Salma to put her bed in the courtyard of the house.

With her face looking to the heavens above, she asked for her husband `Ali (ra).

He was taken aback when he saw her lying in the middle of the courtyard and asked her what was wrong. She smiled and said:

"I have an appointment today with the Messenger of God ﷺ."

`Ali cried and she tried to console him. She told him to look after their sons al-Hasan and al-Husayn and advised that she should be buried without ceremony. She gazed upwards again, then closed her eyes and surrendered her soul to the Mighty Creator.

She, Fatimah the Resplendent One, was just twenty nine years old.