FATIMA BINTE ASAD
Fatima binte Asad was the mother of Hazrat Ali (a.s). Asad was the son of Hazrat Hashim born to Qeela binte Aamir. Because of this relationship she was a grand daughter of Hazrat Hashim and an aunt of The Prophet (s.a.). When the Prophet (s.a.) came under the guardianship of Abu Talib it was Fatima binte Asad who was providing to him the maternal care and love that is very essential for the upbringing of any child. If Abu Talib gave to Mohammed (s.a.) the paternal affection, she was deputizing as the foster mother. She used to care for him more than she did for her own children and at times she would not bother about her own children if Mohammed (s.a.) required attention. She loved him so much that during the season of the ripening of the dates, she would get up early in the morning, pick the choicest fruits and reserve them for Mohammed (s.a.). Before serving the food, she would reserve small quantities for him just in case he felt hungry before the next meal.
The Prophet (s.a.) loved her as he would his own mother. Acknowledging her love and affection he once said:
“After Abu Talib, there was none more affectionate
and kind to me than her.
Ref: Iste-aab Vol 2, Page 774
The Prophet (s.a.) was so much influenced by her love and affection that he invariably took out time from his busy schedule to call on her and pay his respects. Ibn e Saad writes:
“The Prophet (s.a) used to visit her and generally
had his siesta at her place.”
Ref: Tabaqaat, Vol 8, Page 222
Fatima Binte Asad mothered seven children of Abu Talib. She had three daughters (Rita, Jamana and Faqta who was known as Umm Hani) and four sons (Talib, Aqeel, Jafar and Ali). Talib was ten years older than Aqeel, Aqeel was ten years older than Jafar, Jafar was ten years senior to Hazrat Ali (a.s.). These children had the unique privilege that both their parents were of Hashemite Descent. They were the first to have such a distinction. Ibne Qatiba writes:
“Fatima binte Asad was the first Hashemite lady
who gave birth to Hashemite offspring!”
Ref: Al Ma-arif, Page 88
Fatima binte Asad was from the Hashemite clan that was known for its high character, life style, culture and was different from the other rustic tribes of Arabia. She was perfect in the manners and etiquette for which her family was well known. She was a follower of the Faith of Ibrahim (a.s.) like her ancestors did and was free from the aberration of idolatory and polytheism. Therefore the Prophet (s.a.) has talked about his relation of descent and ancestry with Hazrat Ali (a.s.):
“Allah has created us from the seed of Hazrat Adam (a.s.transfered through pure loins (salb) and pure wombs. Ali had his descent from the same loins as did I, till Allah gave me birth through Amina’s womb
and Ali through Fatima binte Asad.”
Ref: Kifayat al Matalib, Page 26
Fatima binte Asad not only was privileged in her descent, but she was among the first ladies to embrace Islam and also to migrate to Madina when writes:
the Prophet (s.a.) decided to migrate.Ibne Sabag Maliki “Fatima binte Asad embraced Islam, migrated with the Prophet (s.a.) and was one of the earliest converts to Islam.” Ref: Fusool al Mahimma, Page 13. Abul Faraj Isfahani writes: “Zubair ibne Awam says that when the Verse ‘Ya ayyuhan Nabi iza ja-ak al mominaat’ Was revealed, I heard the Prophet (s.a.) inviting The women to join the Fold and Fatima binte Asad Was the first lady who responded to the call and swore allegiance to the Prophet (s.a.)” Ref: Maqatil al Talebeen, Page 4
She was one of the ladies in the Battle of Badr who were serving water to the troops and taking care of the injured. She was an organized housekeeper as should be a lady with Islamic spirit and took care of all the household affairs efficiently. But when Fatimat az Zehra came to her home as a bride, the duties of the household were divided. All the tasks indoors were assigned to Fatima Zehra and the outdoor tasks connected with the home were done by Fatima binte Asad. Therefore Hazrat Ali (a.s.) told her:
“Fatima bint e Rasool will relieve you of
grinding and kneading and going
Out to fetch water and other outdoor
Tasks will remain with you.’
Ref: Asaba, Vol 4, Page 399
They also had a slave girl to assist in the indoor and outdoor tasks of the home. But Fatima binte Asad wished to relieve her of the chains of slavery. Therefore she told to the Prophet (s.a.) one day that she wanted to free the girl. The Prophet (s.a.) said, “If you free her, Allah will protect every part of your body from the Hellfire!” When she was about to declare the girl free, she fell seriously ill. She wanted to make a will to the Prophet (s.a.) about freeing of the girl, but was unable to modulate the words on account of the effect of the illness. She made gestures to the Prophet (s.a.) about it and he affirmed that he would comply with her wish.
She was a person of high piety. Whenever she heard of Fishaar e Qabr (the Pressure in the Grave) and the Day of Reckoning, she used to shake wit fear of Allah. Once she heard from the Prophet (s.a.) that people will be raised on the Day of Judgement in naked state. She expressed that it would be a matter to be ashamed of. The Prophet (s.a.) said that he would pray to Allah that she was not raised naked. Once when she heard about the Fishaar e Qabr she expressed how she would be able to bear that pressure when her body was so weak. The Prophet (s.a.) said, “I shall plead with Allah that He relieved you of the Fishaar e Qabr!” When Fatima bint e Asad expired, Hazrat Ali (a.s) went crying to the Prophet (s.a.) and gave him the sad tiding. Te Prophet (s.a.), seeing tears in the eyes of Ali (a.s.), asked, “Why
are you crying?” He replied, “Just now my mother passed away!” The Prophet’s eyes watered and he said, “By Allah! She was my mother too!” He got up immediately and all the companions too rose to follow him. When he reached her house, the Prophet (s.a.) removed his cloak and said, “It should be used as the shroud for her interment!” When the bier emerged out after the last bath and shrouding of the body, he gave his shoulder for carrying it to the graveside.. Sometimes he was carrying the bier from the front and at others he would move to the back. He thus walked barefoot to, Jannat al Baqih, the graveyard. He had briefed some men for the digging of the grave. When digging was done, he entered the pit. He widened its sides with his own hands and removed the excess soil that fell into it from the sides. He lay down in the grave for a while and glanced to the right and the left. Then he came out of the pit, and said crying:
“O revered mother! May Allah bless you..
You were the best of mothers!”
Ref: Tareeq e Qamees, Vol 2, Page 526
Noticing this preferential treatment, some of the companions asked the Prophet (s.a.) that they had never seen him give such importance to any other person. He replied that, after his uncle, Abu Talib, she was the kindest person to him. She used to remain hungry and feed him properly. She used old clothes and always provided him good raiment. She took more care of him than of her own children. He had given his cloak as a shroud so that she was raised clad in it on the Day of Reckoning. He said that he lay down in her grave for a while that she didn’t experience the Fishaar e Qabr..A scholar of Ahl al Sunnat, Sheik Ali al Marzooqi writes:
“The Prophet (s.a.) himself interred Fatima bint e Asad and gave his own dress as a shroud. At the moment
He was heard saying,
‘Your son!’
When she was asked about her God, she said:
‘Allah!’
When asked about her Prophet
she replied correctly.
When asked about her Imam, words
Failed her.
At this moment the Prophet
Prompted her:
‘Your son!””
Ref: Kitab al azman wa amkanat, vol 2, Page 280 She died in 4 H and has been buried at Jannat al Baqih. But the compound wall of Jannat al Baqih has been raised and the grave is now in a neglected passage out side the wall. When the Hajis pass that way, they offer Fateha there.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 