Lady Fatima: The Manifestation of Kawthar (Part 2)
In some degree or another, according to the grade of their submission, all the believing men and women receive some portion from the abundance given to the Holy Prophet; therefore, they are commanded to offer Salat regularly and sacrifice whatever they have in the cause of Allah whenever necessary. As indicated in verse 2 of this Surah: "Therefore pray to your Lord and make a sacrifice." If we analyze the two verbs of this verse, we will realize a deeper meaning is implied, one beyond merely praying or giving up the materials of this world. Rather, according to some exegetes, to perform Salat in the context of this verse means to send blessings upon the Prophet and his progeny in the form of Salawaat as an expression of Mowadda (reciprocal devotion) to the Ahl-ul-Bayt (peace be upon them). And the biggest sacrifice that was offered in gratitude of the grant of abundance was the sacrifice of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) in Karbala, as described in the words "Dhibh 'Adheem" (the Great Slaughter) (37:107). The Holy Prophet and his Ahl-ul-Bayt demonstrated the highest standard of devotion in prayers and in giving everything they had in the cause of Allah.
At the same time, it is implied in the last verse of this Surah that those who go against the Prophet and hurt him or deny the treasure of Kawthar personified in the immaculate character of Fatima, their progeny is cut off and is non-existent in Allah's eyes, even if the progeny exists physically.
Surely it is not a coincidence that we spend the months of Rabi al-Awwal and Rabi al-Thani commemorating the birth of the Holy Prophet and appreciating his pure autobiography to the point of realizing how much divine reward he deserves. Then we embark on the months of Jamadi al-Awwal and Jamadi al-Thaani to appreciate the bestowal of Kawthar as the divine gift to the Holy Prophet which is manifested in his daughter, the Lady of the Universe! It is not possible to value Kawthar without valuing Lady Fatima, and one cannot appreciate Lady Fatima without appreciating her father.
Allah has granted Prophet Muhammad many gifts including knowledge, clemency, prophethood, courage, eloquence, and love in the hearts of believers. However, the most significant and valuable of gifts which Allah gave to him is Lady Fatima, the apple of his eyes.
Lady Fatima is the one who preserved the light of prophethood, and she became the extension to the message of Islam via her sons – the Infallible Imams who kept the message on track according to the Sunnah of the Prophet. They sacrificed themselves in this path of truth, justice, and liberty. Lady Fatima left behind a great legacy which is passed on by her sons and grandsons who represent the closest and shortest route towards Divine proximity.
Do you know when Allah presented Lady Fatima to His Prophet? According to Shaikh Muhajir in volume 1 of his book Know that I am Fatima, this divine bestowal was granted to Prophet at the highest point of this universe as indicated in this verse: "Near the Lote-tree beyond which none may pass. Near it is the Garden of Abode. When that which covers covered the lote-tree. The eye did not turn aside, nor did it exceed the limit." (53:14-16) In fact, let us hear the words of the Prophet himself on the event of Ascension, when he describes how Lady Fatima was gifted to him: "When I experienced Ascension to the heavens, Jibra'il took my hands and made me enter Paradise and gave me some dates which I ate. At that night Fatima was gifted to me. Fatima is a human Hoori; whenever I yearned for the scent of Paradise, I smelled the fragrance of my daughter Fatima."
This extraordinary event urges us to reflect on this unique virtue of Lady Fatima, the only human being whose origin was created from the light of the best of creations – Prophet Muhammad – which was mixed with the clay or fruit of Paradise from the holiest of places where even Archangel Jibra'il is not permitted to cross! According to the Infallible Imams, Lady Fatima is the Hujjah (Proof) over the Imams themselves! Her origins were initiated in the highest abode which clearly implies that her status is also at a very high stage. From here we begin to understand the secret behind the Prophet's extraordinary care towards Lady Fatima. He used to rise from his seat out of respect for her, he would embrace her hands and he would say, "Welcome, Umme Abiha!" addressing her by the loving title of "Mother of Her Father".
In light of the fact that she was created from the clay of Paradise, it is no wonder then that the Prophet comments that when he yearned for Paradise, he would smell the fragrance of Lady Fatima!
The association of Lady Fatima with Paradise further proves to us that whoever yearns for the pleasure of Paradise should please Lady Fatima, love her and be an obedient servant who follows her path and that of her purified sons! After all, if the Prophet himself yearns for Paradise through his daughter, then surely we should also seek salvation via Fatima – the manifestation of Kawthar!
Source: shiastudies.net
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