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Commiserations to the Muslims ummah on the death anniversary of Bibi Fatima (sa). Bibi Fatima (sa) was a lady like no other in Islam. She was a lady of many virtues. Through a deep study of the life of Bibi Fatima Zehra (sa), one can slightly understand her exalted human personality. She is similar to her father, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in terms of her divine and humane character. Her similarity to her father is a truth that can be easily understood through her father's sayings about her. As the narrator quotes, Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came out while holding the hand of Lady Fatimah Zahra (pbuh) in his hand. He said: "(For) him, who does not know her, she is Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad, she is a part of me, she is my soul, which is (located) between my two sides. Certainly, him who harms her has harmed me; and him who harms me has indeed harmed Allah." It is no denying that the Prophet loved Bibi Fatima (sa) and she held a very special place for him. The behavior of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) toward his daughter Bibi Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) was special. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) showed unique respect to his dear daughter; whenever Fatima Al-Zahra (sa) came to see him. For instance, there is a famous hadith from Aisha which reads: “I didn’t see a person more similar to the Prophet (pbuh) than Fatima (as) who looked like him in appearance, face, brightness, behavior and manners. When Fatima (as) came to see the Prophet (pbuh), he got to his feet and advanced toward her enthusiastically.” In some hadiths from the same narrator [Aisha] we read: “He kissed Hazrat Fatima (as), took her hand, and invited her to sit in his place.” This reveals the high status of Hazrat Fatima (as). The treatment of Bibi Fatima (sa) by the first 2 caliphs is a very shameful event in the history of Islam. Now, let us see how the Muslim caliphs treated her just days after the death of the Prophet (pbuh). 1st Caliph: Fadak which was in Bibi Fatima Zehra's (sa) possession was taken away from her and she had to fight for her right which again was denied to her. When she went to ask for Fadak which was rightfully hers to be returned to her; she had to wait among-st the people to be heard and when heard, she was insulted. Compare this to the respect she had during the time of the Prophet makes you wonder if these so called protectors of Islam really had been following the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). What should surprise any Muslim the most is the following statement by Abu Bakr: “After the death (of Rasulullah), Fatima raised the issue of Fadak that he (the Prophet) had granted it to her, Abu Bakr said: ‘…I don’t know if you are telling the truth, and I can’t judge according to it (your claim).’ Then Umm Ayman and a male servant testified for her. Abu Bakr said: ‘bring forth another witness whose word is acceptable’. Tafseer Kabeer, Volume 10 page 506 Abdullah bin Zubair narrated from his father that whenever Ayesha mentioned Fatima the daughter of the Prophet, she used to say: ‘I never saw someone more truthful than her apart from the one that produced her (her father).’ Al-Mustadrak al-Hakim, Vol. 3, page 160 & 161 [Imam Al-HakIm said: ‘Sahih according to Muslim’s condition’ while Imam Dhahabi stated: ‘According to Muslim’s condition’.] Given that the lady, whose truthfulness is being vouched for in the Quran and hadith, was told that her words were not credible and she was asked to produce witnesses. It is safe to conclude that doubting Bibi Zehra's (sa) words is no less than doubting the Quran. What becomes of a person who doubts the Quran? 2nd Caliph: Now let's look at how Umar treated Bibi Zehra after the death of Prophet (pbuh). Umar went to Bibi Fatimah's house and said: "O’ daughter of the Prophet! I didn’t love anyone as much as I loved your father, nor anyone after him is more loving to me as you are. But I swear by Allah that if these people assemble here with you, then this love of mine would not prevent me from setting your house on fire." Sunni references: - History of Tabari, in the events of the year 11 AH - al-Imamah wa al-Siyasah by Ibn Qutaybah, v1, beginning of the book, and pp 19-20 - Izalatul Khilafa, by Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dehlavi, v2, p362 - Iqd al-Farid, by Ibn Abd Rabbah al-Malik, v2, chapter of Saqifah Also it is reported that: Umar said to Fatimah (who was behind the door of her house): "I know that the Prophet of God did not love any one more than you, but this will not stop me to carry out my decision. If these people stay in your house, I will burn the door in front of you." Sunni reference: Kanz al-Ummal, v3, p140 In fact Shibli Numani himself testifies the above event in the following words: "From Umar’s irritable and peevish temperament such an action on his part was not improbable." Sunni reference: al-Faruq, by Shibli Numani, p44 It is also reported that: Abu Bakr said (on his death bed): "I wish I had not searched for Fatimah’s house, and had not sent men to harass her, though it would have caused a war if her house would have continued to be used as a shelter." Sunni references: - History of Ya’qubi, v2, pp 115-116 - Ansab Ashraf, by al-Baladhuri, v1, pp 582,586 The revered Sunni scholar, Abu Muhammad Abdullah Ibn Muslim Ibn Qutaybah Daynuri in his history of Caliphs known as "al-Imamah wa al- Siyasah”reported: Umar asked for wood, and told those people inside the house: "I swear by Allah who has my soul in his hand, that if you do not come out, I will burn the house.” Someone told Umar that Fatimah was inside the house. Umar said: "So what! It doesn’t matter to me who is in the house.” Sunni reference: al-Imamah wa al-Siyasah by Ibn Qutaybah, v1, pp 3,19-20 Another Sunni historian, al-Baladhuri, reported that: Abu Bakr asked ‘Ali to support him, but ‘Ali refused, then Umar went toward the ‘Ali’s house with a burning torch. At the door he met Fatimah who said to him: "Do you intend to burn the door of my house?”Umar said: "Yes, because this act will strengthen the faith brought to us by your father." Sunni reference: al-Ansab Ashraf, by al-Baladhuri, v1, pp 582,586 Also Jouhari in his book said: "Umar and a few Muslims went to the house of Fatimah to burn it down and to burn those who were in opposition.” Ibn Shahna said the same statement adding "to burn the house and inhabitants". Conclusion: Remember, the famous hadith of the Prophet about whoever hurts Bibi Fatima (sa): "Fatimah is a part of me. Whoever makes her angry, makes me angry." Sunni references: - Sahih al-Bukhari, Arabic-English, v5, Traditions #61 and #111 - Sahih Muslim, section of virtues of Fatimah, v4, pp 1904-5 Ibn Qutaybah in al Imamah wa al Siyasa page 14 records that: “Fatima said ‘When I meet my father the Prophet (s), then I shall complain about the both of you (Abu Bakr and Umar), and said to Abu Bakr ‘By Allah I shall curse you after every Salat”. Al-Imamah wa al-Siyasa, Vol. 1, Page 14 So logical conclusion from the above traditions is that Bibi Fatima (sa) was treated unjustly, and that she was angry at Abu Bakr and Umar, which follows Allah and His prophet are angry at them according the above tradition in Sahih al-Bukhari.