BIBI FATIMA (AS) - HADITH E KISAA
(HER ROLE AS A WIFE AND MOTHER - SANCTITY OF HER HOME)
[N] Narrator
[PM] Prophet Muhammad S.A.W
[BF] Bibi Fatema (A.S)
[IA] Imam Ali (A.S)
[IHA] Imam Hassan (A.S)
[IHU] Imam Hussein (A.S)
[V] Voice
Narrator:
In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate
As we have already seen Bibi Fatima (AS) as a loving and caring daughter in the previous visual narration, we will now see her status as a wife and a mother. Allah gifted Bibi Fatima (AS) with cleverness, together with beauty, grace and elegance. And when the time neared for her marriage, it is no wonder that Allah chose Imam Ali (AS) himself on the night of ascension. For this reason the Holy Prophet (SAW) told Mawla Ali (AS) on the wedding, "Verily Allah gave you my daughter in heaven before I give her to you in this world".
Bibi Fatima Zahra (A) moved from the home of Prophethood to the house of Imamat. As days passed, Fatima's life became more beautiful and splendid, for she lived in an atmosphere of sanctity and chaste, surrounded by modesty and humbleness. Bibi Fatima (AS) was the most perfect and highest example in purity, worship, and morals. Throughout their lives, we see the respect and modesty that Fatima and Ali offer each other. It was for this reason, that Imam Ali vouched that Bibi Fatima was his best companion in worship. It was due to their qualities, that they helped each other achieve their exalted missions of becoming closer to Allah.
Fatima's house was surrounded by sanctity, holiness and exaltation. It was built on respect, honor and righteousness. It was because of this, that Allah raised the status of her house. If we look at history, on two major occasions, the Holy Prophet chose Bibi Fatimas house: the event of HK and during his last moments, when he was nearing death. If we ask why, we see because it was an honoured home in Allah's eyes, as mentioned in the Holy Qur'an: "In houses, which Allah hath permitted to be raised to honor; for the celebration in the, of His name: In them is He glorified in the mornings and in the evenings." (24: 36)
As time goes by, Bibi Fatima and Imam Ali are blessed with the birth of their children. We see that what Allah had promised the Holy Prophet when Surah Al Kawthar was revealed, was fulfilled through Bibi Fatima upon the birth of Imam Hassan and Hussain, through whom the other 9 Imams were born.
Bibi Fatima is a perfect example of how to lead a balanced life as a daughter, a wife and a mother, as well as a leading role for the Muslim women in the society, within the limits of religion and virtue. She achieved all this whilst still keeping her piety and pure character. It is for this reason, she was address as Sayyidatun Nisaa al Aalameen - the Mistress of of all women of the worlds.
Allah chose her home to be a precious place that provided sanctity, calm and peace to the members of the Household (the Ahlul Bayt). The training provided by Bibi Fatima in the upbringing of her children is a perfect example of how members of a family should respect each other. The environment within her home was an example of harmony, peace, tranquility, and modesty.
Hadith-e-Kisa, the event of the cloak, was narrated to us by Bibi Fatima ('a). We recite this at every occasion, be it a wedding or a funeral. But do we really know what this hadith is about? It was a day when Muhammad, the messenger of Allah, (s.a.w) went to the house of his beloved daughter, Fatima (a.s). And when he went in, he greeted Fatima and explained about the weakness he felt. This weakness was not due to ill health, but it was his need to feel close to the warmth of Fatima. Today we will portray the Akhlaq of each individual in the dialogue to follow, and the love of the Holy Prophet with his household...
SCENE 1
PM: [enters behind silhouette] Assalamu Alaiki ya Fatematu
"Peace be on you, Fatimah"
BF: Alaikassalam
"And upon you be peace"
PM: Inni ajidu fee badani dho’fan
"I feel weakness in my body"
BF: u’idhuka billahi yaa abataahu minaddhu’f
"Allah protects you from weakness, father"
PM: Ya Fatematu, eeteenee bil kisaa’il yamaani faghattini bih
"Fatimah, please bring the Yemeni cloak and cover me with it" [exits]
N: Lady Fatema brought the Yemeni cloak to her father who then covered himself with it. She then looked at her father, and saw that his face was shining like a full moon with its glory and splendor. After a little while, Hassan, son of Ali came into the house
IHA: [enters] Assalamu alaiki yaa ummahu
"Peace be on you, mother"
BF: wa alaikassalam yaa qurrata ayni wa thamarata fuwaadee
"And upon you peace, O light of my eyes, and the delight of my heart"
IHA: Inni ashummu indaki raa’ihatu jaddi rasulillahi
"Mother! I smell a fragrance so sweet and so pure as that of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah"
BF: na’am inna jaddaka tahtal kisaa.
"Yes. Your grandfather is lying underneath the cloak"
[IHA exits]
N: Hassan ibne Ali went to the prophet and seeked his grandfather's permission to enter the cloak. Soon after that, Hussein ibne Ali, entered into the house.
IHU: Asslamu aliki yaa ummahu
"Peace be on you, mother"
BF: wa alaikassalam ya waladi wa yaa qurrata ayni wa thamarata fuwaadee
"And upon you be peace, O light of my eyes, and the delight of my heart"
IHU: Yaa ummahu, Inni ashummu indaki raa’ihatan tayyibatan ka anna raa’ihatu jaddi rasulillahi
"Mother! I smell a sweet fragrance like that of my grandfather, the Prophet of Allah"
BF: na’am inna jaddaka wa akhaaka tahtal kisaa.
"Yes. Your grandfather and your brother are lying underneath the cloak"
[IHU exits]
N: Our 3rd holy Imam also went and joined them under the cloak. After a little while, our first holy Imam, the father of Hassan, entered the house.
IA: Assalamu alaiki ya binte rasulullah
"Peace be on you, O daughter of the Prophet of Allah"
BF: wa alaikas salam, yaa abal Hassan wa Yaa amir-al-mu’mineen.
"And upon you be peace, O father of Hasan, and the Commander of the faithful"
IA: Yaa fatematu, Inni ashummu indaki raa’ihatan tayyibatan ka anna raa’ihatu akhee wabni ammi rasulillahi
"Fatimah! I smell a sweet fragrance like that of my brother, (my cousin), the Prophet of Allah"
BF: na’am haa huwa ma’a waladaika tahtal kisaa.
"Yes. He is underneath the cloak with your two sons"
[IA exits]
N: Imam Ali (AS) proceeds and permission is sought to enter the cloak. Soon thereafter, Bibi Fatema (AS) steps forward and seeks permission to enter the cloak.
[BF exits]
SCENE 2
BF: AS-SALAAMU A'LAY-KA YAAA ABATAAH. YAA RASOOLAL-LAAHI ATA-D'ANU LEEE AN AKOO-NA MAA'KUM TAH'-TAL-KISAAA
"Peace be on you, my father, O Prophet of Allah; May I enter the cloak with you?"
PM: WA A'LAY-KIS-SALAAMU YAA BINTEE YAA BAZ'-ATEE QAD AD'INTU LAKI FADAKHAL-TU TAH'-TAL-KISAAA
"And upon you be peace, my daughter, O part of my self; you are given the permission to enter"
[BF enters the cloak]
PM: [raises his right hand towards the heavens and prays]
"O Allah, these are the people of my Household (Ahlul-Bayt). They are my confidants and my supporters.
Their flesh is my flesh and their blood is my blood.
Whoever hurts them, hurts me too.
Whoever displeases them, displeased me too.
I am at war with those at war with them.
I am at peace with those at peace with them.
I am the enemy of their enemies and
I am the friend of their friends.
They are from me and I am from them.
O Allah! Bestow Your Blessings, Benevolence, Forgiveness and Your pleasure upon me and upon them. And remove impurity from them and keep them thoroughly pure"
V: "O My angels! O Residents of My Heavens, verily, I have not created the erected Sky, the stretched earth, the illuminated moon, the bright sun, the rotating planets, the flowing seas and the sailing ships, but for the love of these Five lying underneath the cloak"
“hum ahlu baytinnubuwa, wa ma’dinurrisaala, hum faatimatu wa abuha, wa ba’luha, wa banuha”
Narrator:
It is in this very narration that when asked, our prophet has said that “when any of our shi’ah and supporters will assemble in a gathering of the inmates of this earth and narrate this hadith, Allah will bestow on them His blessings and mercy”.
From this narration, we see Bibi Fatima (AS) portrayed as a purified and infallible woman, granted with divine knowledge, bestowed with wisdom, reasoning, intellect and Grace. Her merits are unmatched by any woman known in history and Allah (swt) Himself testifies in the Qur'an about her purity and piety.
We see the Akhlaq portrayed of all members of the Ahlul Bayt - the training which they underwent - even a simple thing as seeking permission before entering, was not only done by the children, but even the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked for his daughter's permission before entering the house.
This blessed narration is so precious to us and a powerful du’a, and why would it not be? Afterall, it is not a story about just any ordinary people! In this hadith, we take the names of those grand pure personalities who have no equal. These personalities belong to the purified household, for whom Allah revealed a Verse in the Holy Qur'an (42:23) "Say: `No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin (Ahlul Bayt)."
This verse commands the Muslims to love the Ahl ul Bayt because they have been thoroughly purified by Allah Himself, because they are the truthful, because they are the custodians of the word of Allah, because they alone know the true interpretation of the guidance sent for all mankind.
[Munajat]