Now Muhammad has lost his protector...

Now Muhammad has lost his protector, his compas­sionate, fellow sufferer, the first person who believed him, the greatest giver of sympathy and finally, the mother of his Fatima and Fatima has lost her mother. Difficulties and tortures increase. Abu Talib has gone. The Prophet is left defenseless in respect to the hatred. The hatred and enmity become violent when they witness the patience, perseverance and faith of Muhammad and his . Their roots become firmer and more merciless.

The Prophet is very much alone. Abu Talib is no longer in the. city and Khadijah is no longer at home. Fatima now more than ever senses the heavy burden of the unfortunate hatreds and grudges, because she is called 'the mother of her father'. At the time that her sisters go to their husband's homes, she is still tied to her mother's skirts. 'Mother, I never want to replace this home with another one.

Mother, I will never leave you.' Khadijah smiling, answers, 'They all say that and we say, 'My daughter, the time will come'.' Fatima, imploringly continues, 'No. I will never leave my father. No one will separate me from him.' Her mother remains silent. Fatima senses she has such a mandate. Her message is not a child's desires. Her faith in her mandate gains strength when she hears her father begin his invitation in the following way. 'Oh, Quraish, take yourselves back.

In relationship to your God, I cannot implore anything for you: Oh child­ren of Abd Manaf, in relationship to your god, I cannot implore anything for you. Abbas, ibn Abdul Muttalib, in relationship to your god, I...oh, Safiyeh, daughter of Abdul Muttalib...Oh, Fatima, take whatever you want of my wealth but in relationship to thy God, I cannot im­plore anything for you.' Fatima, full of understanding, spiritual desire and perseverance, answers, 'Yes.

Yes, dearest of fathers, the most respected of Prophets.' How surprising that the Prophet calls upon her in the presence of the leaders of the Quraish, as well as with the leaders of the Hashimi tribe and the Abd Manafs. Her? A young girl? She alone, and only she from among her family?

The child‑like feelings and loving kindness of the young girl, who hundreds of times re‑iterated that she would never marry and that she would never leave her father, is growing into a serious covenant and takes on the color of a responsibility and a commandment.