And “Khadijah” left her daughter “Fatimah” as a memorial...

And “Khadijah” left her daughter “Fatimah” as a memorial, a girl who was kind, generous, brave and self - sacrificing and who was always at the side of her “father”, cleaning away the dust and dirt of suffering and hardship from the pure heart of her father. “The commander of the Faithful” Ali (a.s.) according to well known hadith had not aged more than five years in her blessed life. It is interesting here to note that both lived in the house of the prophet.

And were his companions in his hours of loneliness. There were still three years left before the Hejira, three years full of unpleasant incidents and severe storms of life, full of suffering and weariness, persecutions and contempt and the continued efforts of the enemy for the elimination of Islam and the Muslims. Sometimes a hard-hearted enemy would throw dirt or ashes on the head of the Prophet (S).

when he returned home Fatimah would clean away the dirt or ashes from his head and face while tears filled her eyes. The Holy Prophet (S) would then say: “ My daughter, don’t be sad and don’t shed tears, God is the Protector and Guardian of your father! ”[^2] Sometimes enemies would gather at the Stone of Isma’il and swear to the idols that wherever they find “Muhammad” they will kill him. Fatimah (s.a.) would hear of this and inform her father so that he would be more careful.

And this shows us that not only inside the home but also outside, Fatimah (s.a.) thought of her father’s defence and salutation. In one of these very years, Abu Jahl encouraged a group of Makkan ruffians to throw the paunch of a sheep on the Prophets head while he was bowing in prayer at the “Masjid al-Haram”. When this was done Abu Jahl and his companions began laughing, ridiculing and mocking the Prophet.

Some of the Prophet’s supporters saw this scene but the ruthless enemy was so prepared that they did not have the power for defence. When this news reached the ears of his little girl Fatimah (s.a.), she rushed to the “Masjid al-Haram” and took the paunch and with bravery particular to her, punished Abu Jahl and his supporters with the sword of her tongue, and cursed them.

Yes, in that place where some of the courageous men did not have the nerve of defending the Prophet (S); this brave young girl was present and went to the defence of her father. This period of time, whatever it was, passed. The Holy Prophet (S) set out on his hejira to Medina.