She would share her pains and sorrows with her as if she was...

She would share her pains and sorrows with her as if she was a sister and the most beloved of people who was closest to her heart. During the last days of her life, al-Sayyida Fatimah said to her: “What can I do when I have become emaciated and my skin has dried up on my bones?” And in al-Tahdhib, in a narration from Abu Abdillah [al-Sadiq] (‘a), she (Fatimah) said to Asma’: “I have become emaciated and all the flesh has gone from my body. Will you not make me something that will cover me?” Asma’ said, “When I was in Abyssinia, I saw the people making something [beautiful] – should I not make it for you? If you like, I can make it for you.” She said, “Yes.” So, Asma’ called for a bedstead and turned it upside down. Then she asked for some palm branches and fastened them to its supports and then draped it with a cloth saying, “This is what I saw them doing.” She (‘a) said, “Make me something like this and cover me with it, may Allah keep you hidden from the fire [of Hell].”

In the narration of al-Isti’ab, Fatimah (‘a) said: “How beautiful this is – [when covered by it] the body of a woman cannot be distinguished from that of a man.” It is also narrated that when she (‘a) saw what Asma’ had made, she smiled; and she was never seen smiling after the death of her father except at that moment. The Reasons For Her Failing Health

The news of al-Sayyida Fatimah’s illness spread in Madinah, and people heard about her failing health. Al-Sayyida Fatimah al-Zahra was not suffering from any chronic ailment; rather, it was the painful tragedy and grief that had caused her to be overcome by weakness and emaciation. Her incessant weeping for her father and for what had befallen her aided in the dissipation of freshness and vigour from her face. The injustice, hard-heartedness and disrespect that she had witnessed from some of the Muslims, along with the turn of events and the changes in the political and social climates, had a profound effect on her. The tragedy that befell her between the wall and door of her house had led to her miscarriage. Lashes had scarred her pure body and left deep marks. The violent assault had hurt her body, mind and soul. All these events played a part in her failing health and her inability to carry out her regular chores in the home.