Then, Fatima Was Born!

Lady Fatima az-Zahra (sa) opened her eyes to the world to enjoy prophetic fatherly love, and to suckle Lady Khadija's (as) milk, which was mixed with excellent morals, and perfection.

Growing in the house of revelation, gave her the chance to achieve the highest degree of perfection and excellence. The Prophet (S) taught her divine knowledge, and endowed her with special intelligence, so that she realized the true meaning of faith, piety, and the reality of Islam.

The virtuous upbringing of Fatima az-Zahra (sa) by Allah's Messenger coupled with her capability to perceive divine facts and her spiritual brilliance, and preparedness to ascend to the highest levels of perfection.

Parallel to this, was Allah's (SwT) will that Fatima az-Zahra (sa) should face many sorrows, and live in anguish from the very beginning of her life. She opened her eyes to see her father being fought by his relatives, and strangers, and treated with hostility by the infidels and polytheists. For instance, Fatima might have entered the Sacred Mosque, and seen her father was reading Qur’an in the private chamber of Ismael (around Kaaba), while polytheists were harming him and waging a psychological war against him. One day, Fatima az-Zahra (sa) saw the infidels pour camel placenta on her father while he was prostrating to Allah; so she cleaned his back and while bitterly crying, cursed the unbelievers, and supplicated to Allah to punish them. But, the infidels were sarcastic, in the same respect as any lowly people, and rubble would be.

Fatima might have entered the Sacred Mosque, and seen her father was reading Qur’an in the private chamber of Ismael (around Kaaba), while polytheists were harming him and waging a psychological war against him. One day, Fatima az-Zahra (sa) saw the infidels pour camel placenta on her father while he was prostrating to Allah; so she cleaned his back and while bitterly crying, supplicated to Allah to punish them.

Ibn Abbas reported that the Quraishians once held a meeting in the Sacred Mosque and vowed by their Idols that as soon as they saw Prophet Muhammad (S), they would all participate in killing him; upon hearing this, Fatima (sa) went crying to her father, and informed him of their conspiracy.

The crisis became more intense when the Messenger of Allah was forcefully confined to Abu Talib's trail (valley) along with his family, and all the members of Abu Talib's family. They lived in an atmosphere overtaken by fear, and anxiety of the constantly expected attack by the infidels at night. The situation grew even worse when the polytheists drew up a treaty to besiege Bani Hashim and impose economic sanctions against them; this treaty allowed no one to sell, or, buy anything from them, including food supplies.

The crisis became more intense when the Messenger of Allah was forcefully confined to Abu Talib's trail (valley) along with his family, and all the members of Abu Talib's family. They lived in an atmosphere overtaken by fear, and anxiety of the constantly expected attack by the infidels at night. The situation grew even worse when the polytheists drew up a treaty to besiege Bani Hashim and impose economic sanctions against them; this treaty allowed no one to sell, or, buy anything from them, including food supplies.

Therefore, the cries of starving children reached the ears of all Meccan inhabitants. The people of Mecca were divided into two groups: One who was enjoying the misfortunes of the Bani Hashim, and the other was deeply affected with their misery.

This situation continued for more than three years. Fatima az-Zahra (sa) was one of those who suffered from this siege, which resulted in awakening the spirit of struggle, honesty and endurance in her; it was as if she was spending a period of training, and exercise, preparing for the near future.

Nevertheless, their ordeal was made easier when Fatima az-Zahra (sa) saw the courageous hero, Abu Talib, aided by Hamza keeping steadfast, and helping her father in every way against the infidels' aggression. Abu Talib's honourable stands in protecting the Prophet were numerous. Had it not been for his faith and strong adherence to Islam, he would not have been steadfast in defending the Messenger and his divine faith. Contrary to Abu Talib, another uncle of the Prophet (S), Abu Lahab-fought fiercely and opposed the Prophet. His shameful conduct was recorded in various history books, and in the Holy Qur’an.

Lady Khadija's (as) Death

Fatima's life was passing by with years full of sorrow, and infliction. When she reached her seventh, or, eighth year, another tragedy clouded her life. The death of Fatima’s (sa) mother, Lady Khadija (as), brought sadness, and grief to her heart; for Lady Khadija (as) was an affectionate mother, who had predicted the tough life her darling daughter would live.

Lady Khadija (as) died at the age of sixty-three (according to some historians). Her death brought deep sorrow to the Holy Prophet (S), especially since it was followed by the death of Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, who died several days (or months) after that. Hence, the year in which the deaths of Lady Khadija (A,S), and Abu Talib occurred, was called "the year of sorrow" by the Prophet (S).

Lady Khadija (as) died at the age of sixty-three (according to some historians). Her death brought deep sorrow to the Holy Prophet (S), especially since it was followed by the death of Abu Talib, the Prophet's uncle, who died several days (or months) after that. Hence, the year in which the deaths of Lady Khadija (A,S), and Abu Talib occurred, was called "the year of sorrow" by the Prophet (S).

Lady Khadija's (as) death was a disaster for the Prophet; not only because she was his wife, but because she was the first one to console him in his Prophethood. Lady Khadija (as) supported her husband with abundant shares of her property for the sake of Islam. She held a unique calibre in Mecca, and between all Arab women.

Another mournful event that inflicted the Prophet (S) was his uncle's death; Abu Talib had adopted Prophet Muhammad (S) when he was eight years old. Upon the death of his [Prophet Muhammad (S)] father, Abu Talib was the Prophet 's guardian until he reached Fifty three years of age.

Abu Talib's crucial services and support for Islam, and the Prophet never ceased throughout those years. Had it not been for Abu Talib possibly Islam could not have passed the stage of its prime days of propagation.

These two tragic events had a great effect on the messenger's life; the death of Abu Talib caused the Prophet (S) to immigrate to Medina, for he had lost the strongest supporter and advocate of the religion from among his uncles.

And this is a brief account of how with difficulty the childhood of Fatima was spent, but the saints of God do not perceive trials and hardships as afflictions and barriers that may hold them down, rather they see them as opportunities through which they are trained and spiritually improved so that they would be ready to undertake the responsibilities assigned to them by God almighty, and that is what makes them stand out among God's creatures .