In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Sayyida Fatima [AS]; Personality and Names (for teens)

   

 

Sayyida Fatima [AS] was created by Allah to be a perfect example of a human being for us to follow. She was noble, kind, generous and always truthful.

Lady Fatima [AS] belongs to the noblest family ever existing throughout the whole history of mankind. She is the only daughter of the holy Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] and lady Khadija [AS]. Fatima Zahra [AS] is the wife of our first Imam, Amir al-mu’menin Ali [AS]. She is the mother of Imam Hasan and Imam Hussain [AS] and grandmother of the other nine Imams.

She is named Fatima because her followers are separated from the Hell because of her.

Sayyida Fatima [AS] is also known by other names and titles like:

-    Zahra (luminoys)

-    Seddiqah (someone who says nothing except the truth)

-    Tahira (pure and clean)

-    Mubarakah (full of favour and blessing)

-    Batool (separated from uncleanness)

-    Radiah (satisfied with Allah’s fate and destiny)

-    Mardiah (laudable)

-    Muhaddathah (the one spoken to by angels)

-    Insiah (heavenly lady)

-    Haniah (sympathetic)

-    Ma’sumah (infallible)

-  Umme Abiha (mother of her father!; This title has been given her by the Prophet and this shows that lady Fatima treated Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] as his mother. This fact was proved throughout the history as she cured her father.)

   

Rasulullah loved her daughter very much and used to say “Fatima is part of me.” The behaviour of Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] toward his daughter was special. Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] showed unique respect to his dear daughter; whenever Fatima al-Zahra [AS] came to see him, he welcomed her, stood up to show respect and even kissed her hand and made her sit at his own place. On every occasion that Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] decided to go on a journey, lady Fatima [AS] was the last one to whom he [PBUH] bade farewell, and as soon as he came back from his trip, lady Fatima [AS] was the first one whom Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] visited.

One day when a person asked Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] why he showed such respect to his daughter, he was told:

"You do not know Fatima. She has the fragrance of paradise. Do you know that Allah [SWT] is pleased when Fatima is pleased and Allah [SWT] is displeased if Fatima is displeased?"

   

Fatima al-Zahra [AS] was very intelligent, accomplished and cheerful. She had inherited the genius and wisdom, determination and willpower, the piety and sanctity, the generosity and benevolence, the devotion and worship of Allah [SWT] as well as other great qualities like self-sacrifice and hospitality, forbearance and patience, and the knowledge and nobility of disposition from her illustrious father, Prophet Muhammad [PBUH], both in words and deeds. Her generosity and compassion for the poor was such that no destitute or beggar ever returned from her door unattended.

We, Muslims believe that sayyida Fatima [AS] is the most superior woman through all the centuries and eras. This belief is inferred from Prophetic narratives. In one of these statements - on which both Shiites and Sunnites agree - the Great Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] says:

"Fatima is the master of all the women of the worlds (Sayyidati Nisa il Aalameen)"

Although it is mentioned in the Holy Qur'an that Maryam (Mary, mother of Prophet Jesus [PBUH]) is the best woman in the world and has high position and is considered to be chaste and continence and is one of the four greatest women, she was the best woman of her life's period, but sayyida Fatima [AS] superiority is not restricted to her life's period and is history time. That is why Prophet Muhammad [PBUH] named her as the greatest women of all the women from the first to the last in another saying.

Another point that can be inferred from these narratives is that because Fatima al-Zahra [AS] is the greatest woman and no other has competence with her, knowing and recognizing all her life and every moment of her life is extremely valuable, as we can reach high spiritual states by deliberating it.

Furthermore, by referring to the Holy Qur'an we find out that several verses are descended to state her position, such as:

-    Ayah Tatheer or the Verse of Purification: Surah al-Ahzab; 33:33

-    Ayah Mubahila: Surah Aali Imran; 3:61

-    Surah al-Isra; 17:26

-    the beginning verses of Surah al-Insan (76)

-    Surah al-Kawthar (108)