Tabari, the popular Sunni historian, reports that once Imam Ali (A.

Tabari, the popular Sunni historian, reports that once Imam Ali (A.S) asked the Prophet (S.A.W.W), "Oh Messenger of Allah! Who in your family is most dear to you?" "Fatima, my daughter", he replied. The famous Sunni scholar Imam Bukhari says the Prophet (S.A.W.W) used to say, "Fatima is part of me. Whoever harms her harms me." Aisha is also reported to have said, "I have never seen anyone more similar to the Prophet (S.A.W.W) than Fatima (S.A) in speech and in manners.

Whenever she entered the house, he would stand to greet her, kiss her hands and ask her to sit next to him...". Sheikh Kundusi says, in his Yanad Al Muwaddah.

On the authority of Aisha that: "Whenever the Prophet (S.A.W.W) returned from < trip he would kiss Fatima (S.A) and say, Trom her do I smi 'I the sweet smell of Paradise'." The famous Sunni scholar Hakim says in his book Mustadraq that the Prophet (S.A.W.W) said to Hazrat Fatima (A.S) "Are you not satisfied that you are the leader of the women of the world, the 'Ummah' and believing women?".

The same author quotes Buraida saying: "The most beloved to the Messenger of Allah from among women is Fatima (S.A) and from among men is AH." Did the Prophet (S.A.W.W) show so much love, respect and honour to Hazrat Fatima (S.A) only because she was his daughter? Hazrat Fatima (S.A) was honoured so highly by the Prophet not just because she was his daughter but more so because Allah had given her special qualities which required the Prophet (S.A.W.W) to give her a special attention.

It was also very necessary for Muslims to know of Hazrat Fatima's special position in the presence of Allah. The only person who could tell Muslims do so was the Prophet (S.A.W.W). And the Prophet (S.A.W.W) did so very well as has been explained by the examples given above. HAZRAT FATIMA'S POSITIION IN THE EYE OF IMAM ALI (A.S) One of the greatest honours he gave her was: In her lifetime he never married any other woman.

Just before her death when she was about to tell him of her last wishes, she said to him out of modesty, “Cousin, was I ever untruthful and ill-devoted or disobedient to you from the first day I started living with you. The reply Imam AH (A.S) gave tells us how highly he valued her Imam AH said: "Allah Forbid! You are so knowledgeable about Allah, so devoted, so pious and honourable, so Allah-fearing, that you could never disobey me.

It pains me to part with you and to lose you, but it is something that cannot be avoided.