After you...

After you, O’ father, so much suffering has fallen upon me that, if they were to fall upon bright Jays, they would turn into dark, gloomy nights.” Why does Fatimah (s.a.) shed tears in this way? Why is she so restless? Why is she as wild rue on fire, without stability? Why?! The answer to these whys must be heard from her own words.

Umm Salamah says: “When I went to see the Lady of Islam Fatimah (s.a.) after the death of the prophet, and asked her how she was, in reply these meaningful sentences were spoken by her: أصبحت بين كمد و كرب فقد النبىِّ و ظلم الوصي هُتكَ و الله حجابه... ولكنها أحقاد بدرية وثارات أحدية كانت عليها قلوب النفاق مكتمنة Why are you asking me how I am Umm Salamah, when I am caught in the middle of much sadness and suffering?

On the one hand I have lost my father, the Prophet (S) and on the other hand (I see with my own eyes that) there has been injustice done to his successor, (Ali ibn Abi Talib). I swear to God that they have torn the curtain of his inviolability (reverence).

But I know that these are the grudges of Badr and the revenges of Uhud, that were hidden in the hearts of the hypocrites (non-believers).” [^3] All of her defences of the boundaries of the holiness of everything noble and her support of Ali (s.a.) right during this time of pain and suffering are not hidden from anyone.

Even though her life after the Prophet of Islam was as brief as she had begged God to be, being not more than two or three months before she rushed to the Holy Presence of God and met her father. However, in this Period of time she didn’t omit any self-sacrificing, generous effort in Ali’s right or for the defence of Islam. “Peace be upon you, O’ daughter of the Messenger of God.” [^1]: المناقب، ج3، ص362 “Al Manaqeb”, vol. 3 pg. 362 [^2]: “المناقب، ج3، ص362 “Al-Manaqeb” vol.3 pg.

362 [^3]: مناقب ابن شهر آشوب، ج2، ص225 “Manaqeb Ibn Shahr Ashoob”; vol. 2 pg. 225…