How come a lady who lived barely for 20 years was declared The Best by none other than the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) himself? We all know that prophets, in general, don’t exaggerate nor do they bestow any undue favours, let alone Prophet of Islam about whom Quran has testified “he does not speak out of his desire” (53:2-4).
So at the moment we have the verification of Lady Fatima’s AS status as the best of all Ladies, but no supporting logic. A question keeps arising, WHY?
Is it due to her support to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), her father, during testing times especially after the demise of Lady Khadija? OR
Is it due to her support to Imam Ali AS, the standard bearer of Islam? OR
Is it due to her stature as a mother, who nurtured Imam Hasan, Imam Hussain, Lady Zainab & Lady Kulsoom?
As Dr. Shariati pointed out in “Fatima is Fatima” that all above points are valid but are not enough. Lady Fatima AS did all that but her prominence is not limited to them. So what is it then..? What else a lady can do..?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has informed us that FOUR women lead womanhood.
Lady Aasia, wife of Pharoah. The one who supported Prophet Moosa (PBUH) against her own husband despite his power.
Lady Marium (Marry), mother of Jesus (PBUH). Considered to be one of the most pious personalities.
Lady Khadija, Prophet Muhammad’s first wife and Lady Fatima’s mother. One of the earliest supporters of Islam and its Prophet.
Lady Fatima.
Lady Aasia and Lady Khadija are notable more so because they sacrificed so much in the way of Allah. Both were prominent personalities of their respective societies; if Lady Aasia was wife of the ruler of Egypt, Lady Khadija was one of Hejaz’s wealthiest individuals. Everyone used to look up to them; in simpler terms they were ruling the roost. Still, when the representative of Allah came calling both replied in affirmative. Their power and wealth didn’t make them deviant. Consequently both had to face the backlash. Lady Aasia was murdered by the pharaoh whereas Lady Khadija died due to harsh conditions in Shaib-e-Abi Talib.
Yet both are not considered The Best. Lady Aasia and Lady Khadija are in that selective group which leads all other women but not THE LEADER. Again we are confronted with the same question, WHY FATIMA..? What else is required- both of them left their power and wealth for Allah and ultimately laid down their lives. Still? Search continues!
11 Hijra
Prophet of Islam (PBUH) had left for heavenly abode. Madina as a whole was in a state of grief and shock. Everyone was mourning the passing away of Muhammad, the leader, the messiah. People were getting ready for last rituals when suddenly a group started talking about the new leader, Khalifah!
“What? Was not Ali chosen?”
“But he is too young for the position. Plus some people might not accept him!”
“So what? He is the chosen one and we should obey him come what may?”
“SILENCE! Oh people your Khalifah has been chosen come forward and pay your allegiance.”
“But mine is Ali! He was appointed by the Prophet himself.”
“Enough! Either surrender to the chosen Khalifah or face the wrath.”
“Let’s wait and see!”
And that’s what they did. Whole Madina adopted the safety first approach but ONE soul. The most depressed person, at that very moment, upon seeing the righteous Khalifah being sidelined raised the dissenting voice. The very concept of Amar bil Maaruf wa Nahi Anil Munkar forced that individual to come forward, despite being aggrieved, and say the truth. Rather remind people of Madina the truth.
Dr. Ali Shariati in “Ummat and Imamat” mentioned that Allah’s representative, either Prophet or Imam, does not fight for his own right. He educates the people about right and wrong. It is then their, the people, responsibility to protect that Allah’s representative and make sure that he gets his rightful place as a leader of an Islamic government. And also the main reason behind any revolution’s downfall is the fact that second generation after assuming control, either intentionally or unintentionally, inculcates the same practices against which the revolution initially started. Main reason is casual approach towards enemy. Most of the time after being beaten up in the battle field, revolution’s enemy tries its tricks in the garb of friendship. Enemy may not necessarily be an individual; it can be a mindset too. This is where the new leaders have to be mindful and watchful.
And that’s what happened in Madina of 11 Hijri! After the demise of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) same old Arabic traditions raised their heads but this time in the guise of religion. Islam was utilized, for its own good, by the very mindset which the divine religion was supposed to eradicate. Majority of the Muslims fell for the trick. They could not recognize their duty of supporting their Imam, the rightful Khalifah- representative of Allah. Hence Imam Ali was forced to take the back seat.
Imam Ali served his Leader, Prophet, with full might and after assuming leadership of the Ummah was expecting the same. However none showed up bar ONE! A grieving lady, despite the sorrow, took the mantle of helping her Imam out. Acknowledging masses’ slackness in not recognizing enemy’s tricks she came out to reveal or rather remind the truth. To lift the veils of the faces of hypocrites, she started her own campaign. A media campaign of sorts where she delivered sermons and addressed the gatherings. The aim was to make the situation clearer and show true faces to the people. Those who had taken advantages due to uncertainty at the time of Prophet’s death need to be unmasked. So that parity could be restored and the rightful get his right.
But!
“Why is Ali not paying allegiance?”
“Fatima is shielding him.”
“FATIMA..! Ask them to surrender else burn her house.”
None of the three Ladies had to face what YOU went through. They faced hardships in supporting their respective prophets but they didn’t undergo the agony of coming up against the hypocrites. You fought on both the fronts, first in helping Islam get a stronghold when it was threatened by external enemies. And then had to fight against internal enemies as well. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once said that Fatima was named as such because she would distinguish right from wrong. You did exactly that O’ Lady Fatima. Then again Prophet can’t be wrong!