The lofty status and esteemed position of her eminence Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him and his progeny) is not a matter of any debate or disagreement between Muslim sects. All Muslims are unanimous in acknowledging the rank granted to her by the Almighty Allah.
One of its proofs is a tradition narrated by Aisha that the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) informed Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her):
أَمَا تَرْضَيْنَ أَنْ تَكُونِي سَيِّدَةَ نِسَاءِ أَهْلِ الْجَنَّةِ
“Are you not satisfied that you are the chief of the women of Paradise?”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book 61, Hadith 129]
In another famous tradition, the Holy Prophet is is quoted to have said:
فَاطِمَةُ بَضْعَةٌ مِنِّي، فَمَنْ أَغْضَبَهَا أَغْضَبَنِی
“Fatima is a part of me, whoever angers her has angered me.”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book 62, Hadith 64]
From the above two traditions, one can derive the following inferences about Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her):
- This position is an assurance given to her by her father, who is none other than the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him and his progeny) himself
- The Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) never spoke a word out of his own will and whatever he conveyed was as per divine command
- It means it is a guarantee from the side of Allah the High that she will not just be in Paradise but she will be the chief of the women of Paradise
- Her respect and honour is the same as that of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)
- Anyone who harms, troubles or angers her has in fact done the same to the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)
- The anger of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) is, in turn, the anger of Allah the Almighty, which will inevitably invite His wrath
- Paradise can never be attained if a person makes Allah the High angry
- It means anyone who has troubled Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) cannot be in Paradise and there is no doubt in it
Few questions which all Muslims must answer for themselves individually
- Have I done anything which causes the wrath of Allah the High and the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) and will make me ineligible for Paradise?
- Do I support the actions of those who have angered Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)?
- What can I do to please Allah the Almighty and the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)?
Answers to all these questions lie in how we honour and show respect for her eminence Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her), the only daughter of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) and this holds true for Muslims in every era – past, present and future. This is the ultimate reality and test for every Muslim. Our thoughts, beliefs and actions should be such that they do not cause the anger of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her). Simultaneously, it is also important that we make our stance clear with regards to those who troubled her, oppressed her, burnt her door, caused her unborn son Mohsin (peace be on him) to be martyred in her womb and those who usurped the land of Fadak from her which was her right. Supporting such people would mean opposing Fatima Zahra (peace be on her). Those who support her oppressors must be prepared to face divine wrath in the Hereafter and a painful chastisement in the Hell-fire. Hence, it is important for us to know who she was angry with.
Who was Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) angry with?
In a famous tradition, Aisha narrates: “After the death of Allah’s Apostle, (peace be on him and his progeny) Fatima (peace be on her), the daughter of Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him and his progeny) asked Abu Bakr to give her, her share of inheritance from what Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him and his progeny) had left of the Fayy (i.e. booty gained without fighting) which Allah had given him. Abu Bakr said to her, ‘Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Our property will not be inherited; whatever we (i.e. Prophets) leave is Sadaqah (to be used for charity)’. Fatima (peace be on her), the daughter of Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him and his progeny) got angry and stopped speaking to Abu Bakr, and continued with that attitude till she died.”
[Sahih Bukhari, Book 57, Hadith 2]
What does one understand from this narration?
- Fadak was a part of the inheritance of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)
- It was granted to him by Allah the Almighty as a war booty (Fayy)
- Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) rightfully demanded that her share be given to her but she was denied
- A fabricated and imaginary tradition was quoted that Prophets (peace be on them) do not leave behind any inheritance although this is absolutely contradictory to the Holy Quran
- There are quite a few verses in the Holy Quran which clearly state that Prophets (peace be on them) inherited from one another
- The most critical and destiny-defining aspect is the last sentence of the above narration that Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) was angry and remained in that state till she left this world
Conclusion
If any Muslim, even with an iota of intellect, were to combine all the above three traditions from Sahih Bukhari and reconcile them with each other, it will lead to the following conclusions:
- Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) is angry with the one who makes his beloved daughter Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) angry
- Wrath of the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny) would definitely not make a person eligible for Paradise
- Success on the Day of Judgment and being eligible for Paradise is completely dependent on the pleasure and satisfaction of Allah the High and the Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his progeny)
- One thing is certain – Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) will surely be in Paradise because she is the chief of all the women in Paradise
- Another thing which is even more certain – Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) and those who troubled her, both cannot be in Paradise at the same time
- So, as a Muslim, where do you wish to see yourself in the Hereafter – with Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) or with those who troubled her?
As the Holy Quran clearly states in Surah Muhammad (peace be on him and his progeny) (47): Verse 33
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ آمَنُوْا أَطِيْعُوْا اللهَ وَ أَطِيْعُوْا الرَّسُوْلَ وَ لَا تُبْطِلُوْا أَعْمَالَكُمْ
“O those who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and do not invalidate your actions.”
The anger of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) will surely invalidate all good actions. Think for yourself and act accordingly. You have time only till the angel of death appears.
May Allah the High include us among those who are a cause of the pleasure of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be on her) and not her anger! Aameen, O Lord of the worlds!