Jewels from History

By Yahya Mubashar

Biographies of significant personalities in history are important for one's self learning and character building. People can learn from the mistakes in history and also can connect to their past and their roots. These inspiring stories not only introduce but also pass down Islamic values and accounts to our future generations in order to build their character on the footsteps of the noble, virtuous and exemplary characters of these great Muslim personalities in the history of Islamic civilization. They remain the best role models for us and while bringing up children in the west, it is hard to find such information in the curriculum of schools. These stories are spread over the eight hundred years of the Golden Age of Islam and Muslim civilization. They are chosen for their contribution to either their own people or their significant role in stabilizing their empire hence providing periods of prosperity, growth and development for Muslim society. The articles are not meant to be a full account of the biographies of these great Muslim leaders. They simply highlight good and inspiring aspects of their personalities.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Legend Press
• Release date: Sep 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781787191426

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Commons

Fatima Al-Zahra (RA)

Abbreviation – RA – Razi Allah – o – Unha (May Allah Pleased with her)

She was a pious daughter, a patient wife, a simple and generous lady. She had great respect for her husband. Read about Fatima Al-Zahra (RA) who, with her great virtues, converted her house into an enriched, caring and loving home.

Birth place/room of Fatima (RA) in the house of Prophet in Mecca

He was an elderly man. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Saleem. He was present among the gathering of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his companions. He expressed his wish to embrace Islam. One more Muslim was being added to a new, small religious community in the world.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) asked him to recite the Shahada and then embraced him into Islam. After teaching him the basic principles and important issues, he then asked him, Do you have any support for living. The elderly man replied, I bear witness to Allah that among the 3000 people of Banu Saleem, I am the poorest and most needy.

The Prophet looked towards his companions and said, Who would like to help him? The leader of the Khazraj Tribe stood up and offered his camel. This was Saad bin Ibada (RA). The prophet said further, Who would like to cover his head? Another companion stood up and placed his own turban on the elderly man’s head. This was Ali Ibn Talib (RA). The prophet then asked, Who would like to arrange for his food? Salman Farsi (RA) took the person with him and knocked at various houses. However, from the doors of every companion’s house they found disappointment. It was not long that Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his companions had migrated from Mecca and the Islamic state in Medina was in its infancy. The financial state of the Muslims was not stable at that time. The majority of them were poor and helpless themselves and those who came from Mecca had left their properties and money for migration.

Tomb of Ali (RA) in Najf Iraq

Salman (RA) knocked on one more door and described the whole situation. A lady’s voice came from inside, Salman, I bear witness on Allah, today is the third day of our starvation. Both of my children went to bed with empty stomachs, but I would not let this person down. Please take my rug to Shimon (who was a Jewish merchant at that time) and sell it for anything. Salman (RA) took the rug and the elderly person to Shimon and told him the whole story. He also told him to consider about who had sent the rug for selling. Shimon was gob smacked. He could not comprehend the attitude of the followers of this new religion, who sacrifice their own self for the needy and poor. His heart was enlightened already. He exclaimed, O Salman, these are the people prophesised in Torah, who will truly inherit the earth. You bear witness I embrace Islam.

Shimon donated some food items and grain for the elderly person as well as the household from where he was sent the rug. Salman (RA) brought the rug and food back to the house. The lady of that house promptly prepared some food and bread from the grain for the elderly person. Salman (RA) asked the lady to keep some food for her children. The lady replied, It is not permissible for my children to take from anything that I donated for Allah’s cause.

Mantle/Cloak of Fatima (RA) kept at Topkapi Museum Istanbul-Turkey

This lady of great character was Fatima binte Mohammad, whose great generosity and sacrifice not only prevented the elderly new convert from starvation, but also inspired another non-Muslim to convert to Islam. Fatima (RA) was the dearest daughter of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). She had the privilege of continuing the progeny of the prophet to the next generation. Among her various beautiful titles, she is mostly remembered as Al-Zahra – a beautiful flower and Sayyed-ul-Nisa, leader of the ladies

Fatima (RA) was born five years before her father Mohammad was enlightened with prophet-hood in Mecca. He (PBUH) was thirty-five years old and at that the time Quresh were reconstructing and repairing the walls of Kaaba. Fatima (RA) was the youngest of four sisters. She was blessed as being brought up by both of her parents, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and her mother Khadeejah (RA).

Karbla the tomb of Hussein (RA)

Generally children are fond of play and mischief. On the contrary, Fatima (RA) was not only serious and simple from childhood, but also was not fond of expensive clothing or jewellery. Once, Khadeejah (RA) prepared new jewellery and expensive clothing for all her daughters in view of an upcoming wedding of one of the relatives. But Fatima (RA) did not wear them and attended the ceremony in simple clothes. Fatima (RA) was like her father in appearance. She was inspired by her parents and loved them very much. Whenever Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) used to return home, he usually said Assalaam-o-Alaikum aloud. On hearing her father’s voice, little Fatima used to run up to him. Prophet Mohammad then used to pick her up, sit her on his lap and kiss her on the forehead with love. She was very inquisitive about religion and used to ask questions from her parents about Islam.

When the prophet migrated to Medina, he then asked his adopted son, Zayed (RA) to go back to Mecca and bring his family safely to Medina. Among others, Fatima (RA) accompanied Sauda (RA) (wife of the prophet), her sister Ume Kulsoom (RA), Ume Aiman (RA) (wife of Zayed) and Usama bin Zayed (RA) (Zayed’s infant son). The Islamic state of Medina was gradually establishing and the number of people converting to Islam was slowly increasing. It was during those times that many proposals for marriage came for Fatima (RA). Prophet Mohammad remained silent. According to some scholars, he was waiting for divine guidance. When Ali Ibn Talib (RA) proposed, the prophet agreed to discuss it with Fatima. He (PBUH) came home and as he did with his other daughters, asked aloud to Fatima (RA) about the marriage proposal from Ali. Fatima (RA) stayed silent, which was the signal of affirmation from her (as was the rule at that