one to speak with when her beloved husband was away, preaching and propagating the message. At this time, as a miracle from God, He gave the foetus in her womb – meaning Fatima al-Zahra – the ability to speak and console her. As the time of delivery began to draw near, the pains of labour started. Hoping that now they would change their minds, Khadijah sent a message to the women of the Quraysh, her previous friends, seeking their assistance in delivering her However when approached, unanimously, the women retorted saying that because she had ignored their suggestions not to marry Muhammad, they would not help her. Not only was the Prophet sidelined, but in such difficult times, his wife was also being given the cold shoulder! Khadijah became restless after hearing their, however just as she had never forsaken God, so too her Lord At this instant, she saw four women enter her room. Looking at them, Khadijah was confused, and so one of them said, “O Khadijah, do not be grieved! We have come to your aide by the command of God. We are your sisters: I am Sarah [the wife of Prophet Ibrahim]; this is Asiyah, the daughter of Mazahim [the believing wife of the Pharaoh] who shall be your companion in Paradise; this is Maryam, the daughter of Imran [the mother of Prophet Isa]; and the fourth is Kulthum, the sister of Prophet Musa. God has sent us to assist you at the time of your delivery.” One of them sat at the right side of Khadijah, the second on her left, the third facing her and the fourth behind her head to support her during delivery. As Fatima al-Zahra came into this world, God ordered ten damsels of paradise to descend – carrying trays and pitchers filled with water from the fountain of al-Kawthar. The woman standing in front of Khadijah lifted the new born infant, Fatima, and washed her with the heavenly water. Then, two white pieces of cloth, described as being whiter than milk and emitting a fragrance better than musk and Fatima al-Zahra: The Spring of Inspiration amber, were brought and she was wrapped in one of them, while the second one was used as a scarf around her head. They then asked Fatima to speak and she did so by bearing witness to the oneness of God and the prophethood The women then turned towards Khadijah and said, “Take hold of your child – a chaste, virtuous, prosperous and auspicious infant – one from whom a blessed progeny will The birth of Fatima al-Zahra heralds in yet another significant spiritual milestone in the life of this great In this event, we see how God facilitated her delivery into the world by splitting the spiritual veils which separate this world from the intermediary realm of the barzakh. With such a noble birth, is it any wonder that she is so revered in Islam and that millions look to her as a guide and Fatima al-Zahra, even as a young child, was cons