House of Sorrows is the first ever book in English to detail the last six months of the life of the only daughter of, Fatimah az-Zahra. This book focuses on the status of Lady Fatimah from Qur’anic verses and traditions and delves into the events immediately preceding the death of. There are a number of events discussed in this text such as saqifah, the taking of Fadak, and then, in vivid words, goes through the last months of her life. Be prepared to shed tears as you read the heart-wrenching events of what happened to az-Zahra as recounted and narrated in the major books of the Ahlul Sunnah and the Shi’a. Aejaz Ali T Bhujwala (Al Husaynee) The Islamic Publishing House (IPH) House of Sorrows, The life of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra and her grief A Translation of Baytul Ahzan Fi Masaib Sayyedatun Niswan Written by al-Haj Shaykh ‘Abbas al-Qummi Aejaz Ali Turab Husain (al-Husainee) © by the Islamic Publishing House Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, N2K 2Y8. 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Printed by Friesens Corporation – www.friesens.com House of Sorrows, The life of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra and her grief Excerpts from Ziyaratul Jami’atul Kabirah Some notes as you read this work Chapter 1: The Birth of Sayyidah Fatimah az-Zahra An Account from Sayyidah Khadijah An Example of Her Kindness Towards her Husband A Dream of Ibn ‘Unayn - A Seventh Century Poet Chapter 2: Some Virtues of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra Friendship for the Sake of Allah The Status of Fatimah in Paradise Words of Fatimah - A Delight for the Prophet’s Heart Hunger of Sayyidah Fatimah and the Prophet’s Prayer Her Modesty Towards her Husband Division of Labour in the House and Outside Angels in the Service of Sayyidah Zahra Affluence of the Food of Fatimah Service in Her Husband’s House and Request for a Maid The Knowledge and Excellence of Fidhdhah - Her Maid Fatimah’s Virtues and Status in Paradise and Her Followers to a Question from Salman Devoutness of Sayyidah Zahra and of the Prophet Veneration of Zahra Towards Remembrance of the Prophet Prophet’s Praise of Fatimah and Predictions Regarding Her Her Bethrotal and the Marriage Feast The Prophet Blesses the Bride and Groom Recommendations of the Prophet to Fatimah Recommendations of the Prophet to Imam ‘Ali Request for a Maid & a Lesson for Better than a Maid Chapter 3: State of Affairs in Saqifah after the Death of the Prophet Disappearence of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar and the Discourse of Abu Bakr The Command of Abu Bakr and Allegiance to Him Stern Words of Sa’ad with ‘Umar and His Refusal to Swear Allegiance The Forged Tale of Assassination of Sa’ad by a Group of the Jinn Narration of Ibn Abil Hadid Regarding the Saqifah Another Angle and Groundwork of Saqifah: Absence of Imam ‘Ali and the Bani Hashim Rejection of Abu Sufyan’s Proposal An Astonishing Report of Abu Dhuaib al-Hudhali Verses of Poetry Regarding Saqifah The Ansar Side with Imam ‘Ali and Verses of Poetry of Hisan A Letter from Abu Bakr to Usamah and his Scrutiny of the Incident of Saqifah: Absence of a Majority of Muslims in the Burial of the Prophet Saqifah in the Eyes of Bura’ b. Azib Circumstances of the Allegiance by Bani Hashim Assault at the House of Imam ‘Ali and the speech of Sayyidah Zahra The Incident of Forcing the Allegiance From Imam ‘Ali in the Words of the Scholars of Ahlus Sunnah Allegiance in the Eyes of Ibn Qutaybah al-Daynuri Abu Bakr’s Discourse with Fatimah The Discourse of Ibn ‘Abd al-Rabbah al-Andalusi A Discourse of al-Mas’udi - the Renowned Historian Discourse of Some of the Eminent Shi’a Scholars The Period of the Caliphate of Imam ‘Ali Discourse of Jalib, the Tutor of Ibn Abil Hadid The Heart-Ache of Imam ‘Ali Expressed to Ibn ‘Abbas Decision by Twelve Men to Protest Against Abu Bakr Seeking an Opinion from Imam ‘Ali and his Discourse of Salman and his Intense Involvement Trial of Friends and their Lack of Acceptance ‘Ali’s Request for Aid from the Muhajirin and Ansar and the Scoffing by Mu’awiyah Strong Protest of Malik b. Nuwayrah Assasination of Malik by Khalid b. al-Walid Elegy of Imam ‘Ali Mourning Malik Complaint of Abu Qutadah and the Silence of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar Compilation and Arrangement of the Qur’an Testimony of the Prophet and its Denial by ‘Umar Messages of Abu Bakr to Imam ‘Ali and his Kindling Fire at the Door of the House of Zahra Cry of Fatimah and her Decision to Pray Against the Attackers An Account of Ibn Abil Hadid on the Skirmishes to Extract the Pledge of Allegiance from Imam ‘Ali Fatimah Crushed Between the Door and the Wall Imam Hasan’s to Mughirah b. Shu’bah Another Viewpoint on the Circumstances to Extract the Pledge of Allegiance from Imam ‘Ali and the Support of Sayyidah Fatimah How the Hand of Abu Bakr was Placed on the Hand of Imam ‘Ali An Account from ‘Umar on Burning the House of Zahra The Prophet was Informed Regarding the Oppression on Fatimah on the Night of Ascension (Me’raj) Punishment for Those who Hurt Fatimah The Property of Imam ‘Ali on the Resurrection Discourse of al-Nazzam - a Tutor and Scholar of the Ahlus Sunnah The Prophet’s Order Permitting the Killing of Hubar Sorrow of the Imams Over the Sufferings of Fatimah Sorrow of Imam al-Baqir and Imam as-Sadiq An Incident with Bashshar al-Makari Comparison with the Event of Karbala An Elegy Expressing Grief Upon Zahra An Account From al-Mas’udi Regarding the Episode of the Allegiance Similitude of the Duties of Imam ‘Ali with Five Prophets Protest of Sayyidah Fatimah and the Testimony of Witnesses Logical Reasoning of Imam ‘Ali with Abu Bakr A Drafted Conspiracy to Kill ‘Ali by the Tutor of Ibn Abil Hadid to his Questions A Pounding Letter from Imam ‘Ali to Abu Bakr Reaction of Abu Bakr upon the Letter of Imam ‘Ali Strong Protest of ‘Umar Against Abu Bakr Glance at the Sermon of Fatimah Praise and Eulogy for the Lord and Witness of the Unity of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad Focus upon Memorizing the Qur’an, an Exalted Trust of Allah Concentration upon the Philosophy and Aim of Divine Ordinances The Decisiveness of the Prophet in Strengthening the Path of Guidance Role of Imam ‘Ali in the Defense of Islam Criticism Against the Treachery of Men Verses of Poetry of Shaykh Azari Fatimah Criticizes the Deceit of the People Present Poetry of Fatimah Zahra Addressing the Prophet A Heart-Rendering Discussion Between Fatimah and ‘Ali Audacious Speech of Abu Bakr after the Sermon of Fatimah Conversation Between Fatimah and Abu Bakr A Precise Statement of al-Jahiz Regarding the Matters of Inheritance An Interesting of ‘Uthman to ‘Ayeshah First False Testimony (given) in Islam Testimony of Imam ‘Ali and Umme Ayman Tearing the Document of Fadak in Disapproval Returning the Ransom Back to Zaynab Beautiful Verses by Sayyed Jazu’i Chapter 4: Intense Grief and Lamentation of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra in Separation of her Father Heart-Rendering Sigh of Fatimah by the Grave of her Father Lamentation of Zahra During the Day and Night and the Complaining of the People of Madinah Touching Verses of Poetry by Fatimah Beside her Father’s Grave Call to Prayer by Bilal al-Habashi and the Lamentation of Fatimah Fatimah Beside the Grave of the Martyrs of Uhud Last Days of Fatimah, Her Age and Her Speeches and the Discourse Between Fatimah, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar Visit of the Women of the Muhajirin and Ansar to Fatimah and Her Speech Conveying the Message of Zahra via the Women of the Muhajirin and Ansar from Fatimah Upon the Enquiry of Umme Salama The Testimony of Fatimah to ‘Ali Suggestion of ‘Abbas - Uncle of the Prophet Martyrdom of Zahra and Her Burial Tragic Moment of the Martyrdom of Fatimah An Account from Asma’ b. ‘Umays Regarding the Death of Fatimah Hasan and Husayn Beside their Mother’s Sacred Corpse ‘Ali is Informed about Fatimah’s Death ‘Ali Beside the Sacred Corpse of Fatimah People in Intense Mourning over Fatimah Ceremonial Washing of the Body, Shrouding, and the Prayer upon Her Sacred Corpse Hasan and Husayn in a Last Embrace with their Mother ‘Ali Greets the Prophet after the Burial of Fatimah Imam ‘Ali’s Words Beside the Grave of Fatimah Strong Presence of Imam ‘Ali Against Exhuming the Grave of Fatimah ‘Ali’s Explanation to Abu Bakr and ‘Umar Verses of Poetry by Qadhi Abu Bakr Testimony of Fatimah from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq Fatimah after the Death of the Prophet Ziyarah for Lady Fatimah al-Zahra Ziyarah of Lady Fatimah on the third of Jumadi al-Akhir Ziyarah of Lady Fatimah on Sunday