Lady Fatimah’s Martyrdom

The Suffering of Lady Fatima al-Zahra after Holy Prophet

One of the undeniable historical facts that all Muslim historians, regardless of their school of thought, unanimously agree upon is that the beloved daughter of the Prophet, Lady Fatima al-Zahra died within three months after him; as a result of the great pain and suffering she endured during the incident of the attack on her house. Lady Fatima’s martyrdom took place at the age of 18 years and 7 months. When she died, her husband Imam ‘Ali buried her in the night. Only a handful of sincere companions participated in her funeral and he performed the prayers over her.[1]
On the night of her burial, Imam ‘Ali addressed the Prophet at his grave and said:

“O Prophet of Allah! Peace be upon you from me and from your daughter who has come to you and who has hastened to meet you. O Prophet of Allah! My patience about your chosen daughter has been exhausted, and my power of endurance has weakened, except that I have ground for consolation in having endured the great hardship and heart-rending event of your separation. I laid you down in your grave when your last breath had passed, when your head was between my neck and chest.
Verily, we are Allah’s and verily, unto Him shall we return. Now the trust has been returned, and what has been given has been taken back. As to my grief, it knows no bounds, and as to my nights, they will remain sleepless until Allah chooses for me the house in which you are now residing. Certainly, your daughter will apprise you of the joining together of your people for oppressing her. You ask her in detail, and get all the news about the matter.
This has happened when a long time had not elapsed, and your remembrance had not disappeared. My salaam be upon you both, and the salaam of a grief-stricken, not a disgusted or hateful person, for if I go away it is not because I am weary of you, and if I stay it is not due to lack of belief in what Allah has promised the ones who endure.”[2]

She was also denied her inheritance from the Prophet Muhammad— mainly, a land outside Madina called Fadak.
These incidents happened even though the Messenger of Allah had said, “Lady Fatima is a part of me. Whoever angers her, angers me.”[3] Ibn Qutaybah records that Lady Fatima al-Zahra said to some of the companions who had oppressed her that, “I take Allah as a witness, and His angels, that you have angered me and did not please me, and when I meet with the Prophet, I will raise my grievances about you to him.”[4]

During the days that preceded the anniversary of Fatima’s (a) martyrdom, -known as the Fatimiyya Days- the Shi’a hold mourning ceremonies in different countries and perform their special rituals to show their great sorrow for what has happened to the beloved daughter of their holy Prophet.

[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 5, 177

[2] Nahj al-Balaghah, Sermon 202

[3] Sahih al- Bukhari, Vol. 5, 35

[4] Ibn Qutaybah, Al-Imamah wal-Siyasah, Vol. 1, 14‎