If the companionship with the Prophet could...

If the companionship with the Prophet could, in itself, provide the means for his intercession on the day of resurrection, and protect the companion from criticism, and keep him immune from hardships and upheaval of time, and prevent the issuance of a verdict by the Muslims for or against him, the Prophet would never have uttered these historical and everlasting words to his dearest child: "O Fatimah, daughter of the Prophet of God!

Ask me whatever you wish, for before the threshold of divine justice, the fact of your being the daughter of the Prophet will be of no avail to you."9 This historical statement was uttered by the Prophet to his daughter on the day when the following verse descended to him: "Inform your close relations."…