Birth of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (RA)

Hazrat Fatima Zahra رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا (فَاطِمَة ٱلزَّهْرَاء) was the most beloved daughter of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Her birth was a moment of great blessing and joy, not only for the Prophet but also in Islamic history. She was born to Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the first wife of the Prophet. It is widely believed that she was born about five years prior to the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Some historians, especially the followers of Shia Islam, believe that she was born five years after the first revelation. Regardless of the exact year of her birth, she is remembered as one of the most honored women.

She was given the title Sayyidat Nisa Al-Jannah (Mistress of the Women of Paradise). She is also remembered as Sayyidat Nisa Al-Alamin, which translates to “Mistress of the Women of the world”. Her birth also signifies the continuation of the noble lineage of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. However, her most famous and popular title is Az-Zahra (ٱلزَّهْرَاء), which translates to “the Radiant” or “the one that Shines”. This title is attributed to her piety and extreme regularity in prayers.

She was married to Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. She is the mother of Hazrat Hussan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا. In that context, she is often called Ummul Aima (the mother of Imams), because eleven out of the twelve Shia Imams descended from her. 

Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is among the four women in the entire history of mankind who were guaranteed a place in Paradise. The other three are Hazrat Maryam, the mother of the Prophet Isa عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, Asia, the wife of Pharaoh, and Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the first wife of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. The Prophet said that Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is dearest of all for me. He also said that she is the best of all the women in the world.

She is known for her piety and strict adherence to Islamic teachings. It is reported that she never missed a prayer. She used to pray for long hours at night. She is also known for her unique affiliation with her father, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. When he sustained injuries during the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Fatima took great care of his wounds. The Prophet taught her a special worship in the form of a tasbih, which is often remembered as the Tasbih Fatima. It comprises recitation of Subhan Allah, 33 times, Alhamdu Lillah, 33 times, and Allah Akbar, 34 times. This is one of the most popular tasbihs, followed by the Muslims across the world, often after every Fard Salah.

During her very early life, she sustained the hardship of social boycott of her family and tribe by the Quraysh, when she spent a long time in Shib-e-Abi Talib, along with her parents. She also suffered the loss of her mother in 619 CE when she was hardly five years old.

Date and Place of Birth

• Date of Birth – The exact year of her birth cannot be ascertained due to differences of opinion among historians. It is widely believed that her date of birth was the 28^th of March (20^th of Jamadi at-Thani), 605 CE. Some others believe that she was born in either 612 or 615 CE.
• Place of Birth – She was born in Mecca, present-day Saudi Arabia.

Family Lineage

• Father – The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ
• Mother – Hazrat Khadija Bint Khuwaylid رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا
• Husband – Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the fourth Rashidun Caliph
• Children – She had four children:
  1. Hazrat Hassan رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ
  2. Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ
  3. Hazrat Zaynab رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا
  4. Hazrat Umm Kulthum رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا

Some historians also believe that she had another son, namely Mohsin, who died in infancy, whereas others disagree with this. They are of the view that her fifth child was never born due to her miscarriage during an alleged raid on her house after the passing of the Prophet.

Significance of Her Birth

The birth of Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is profoundly significant in Islam. In the first instance, it was a source of great joy and personal happiness for her parents, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, and Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. On the other hand, her birth was also highly important in the history of Islam. She was born and grew up during a time of great hardship for the Prophet and his followers, in the early days of Islam. Her birth was a moment of immense pleasure and blessing for the Prophet, who deeply loved her.

She is remembered as “the Mistress of the Women of Paradise” (Ummat Nisa Al-Jannah), as narrated in Hadith 3623 and 3624 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. It is also specifically mentioned in this Hadith that the Prophet told her that the time of his passing is approaching and that she will be the first from his family to follow him. It reflects how important she was to the Prophet. It also signifies her status as the leader of the women of paradise, in the context of her piety and purity. Her birth is also significant as she was destined for the continuation of the Prophet's Household, commonly referred to as "Ahl al-Bayt". She was the mother of Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, through whom the continuation of the blessed lineage of the Prophet in the form of Ahl al-Bayt was made to happen. In this context, she is sometimes also remembered as "Ummul Aima”, the mother of Imams, especially in Shia Islam.

Her birth is also seen as a symbol of the elevated role and status of women in Islam. Her unwavering faith, sacrifice, modesty, piety, and devotion serve as a role model for Muslim women worldwide.

Early Life and Upbringing

The early life of Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is marked by a phase of hardship in the life of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ and his followers in Mecca. Despite that, she grew up under the blessed patronage of her father and mother. She grew up a pious woman in the blessed household of the Prophet. She was the most beloved daughter of the Prophet, hence she also developed deep love and affection for her father. She is known for her deep compassion and service not only to her father but also to the Muslim community in general.

She looked after her father like a mother, especially after the passing of her mother and the beloved wife of her father, Hazrat Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا. Due to her extraordinary love, care, and support for her father, she is lovingly referred to as Umm Abiha (أم أبيها), which translates to "Mother of her Father". From a very early age, she gave full support to her father in the toughest times of his Prophethood. When he was persecuted by the disbelievers, Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا used to comfort him by cleaning the dust and dirt thrown at him by the Quraysh. The Prophet often acknowledged her compassion and closeness to him by saying, "Fatima is a part of me. Whoever angers her, angers me”, as mentioned in Hadith 3767 of Sahih Al-Bukhari. Hence, her title “Umm Abiha” is a beautiful reflection of her role as a great source of strength, comfort, and emotional support for her father, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

Her Role in Islam

Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا played a critical role in the early days of Islam in Mecca. Her role was focused on providing physical, moral, and emotional support not only to her father but to the Muslims as well, through her sacrifice, unwavering faith, devotion, and piety.

• Moral Support to Her Father – Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا provided full and solid support to her father, as a pillar of comfort during the persecutions by the Quraysh. It was a difficult time for him as well as for his followers. She took great care of her father in this phase of hardship, earning the title "Umm Abiha”, the mother of her father. Her role in this context is unparalleled in the history of Islam.
• Women’s Status in Islam – She symbolized the elevated status of women in Islam, in her role as a devoted daughter, loyal wife, and caring mother. She is followed by the Muslim women as a role model in all walks of their lives. She was pivotal in earning a higher status for women in the Islamic society.
• Continuation of Prophet’s Household – Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا holds a central status in Islam, in the context of continuation of Prophet’s Household, commonly referred to as “Ahl al-Bayt”. It is her sons, Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, through whom the blessed family lineage of the Prophet continued. She played a pivotal role in maintaining the sanctity of the Ahl al-Bayt.

So, she is remembered not only as the beloved daughter of the Prophet but also as a model of modesty, piety, patience, service to the poor, humility, and devotion. Her role in Islamic history continues to inspire the Muslim World.  

Legacy

Hazrat Fatima رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا is remembered as a role model for Muslim women for generations to come. Her birth and life are not only a personal joy for her family but also a legacy of sacrifice, devotion, and faith through her descendants. 

Her legacy is marked by piety and spiritual greatness. Her title as the "Mistress of the Women of the Paradise" is a continuous source of inspiration for the young Muslim girls across the generations. Her life reflected devotion, dedication, and modesty. Her role towards her family responsibilities is exemplary, which she fulfilled to the highest standards by any means.

As the responsible wife of Hazrat Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and a loving and caring mother of Hazrat Hassan and Hazrat Hussayn رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا, she played a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of the leaders of Islam, who continued the mission of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ. Its impact is strongly reflected in the tragic incident of Karbala. For Muslims, she symbolizes the ideal Muslim woman.

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