The Sermon of Fatima Az-Zahra

This is a sermon of Fatima which is considered to be one of the best sermons and which deals also with the importance of the prophethood of Muhammad. It has been copied both by friends and foes alike from the book Saqifa, Omar, son of Shaiba, compiled by Abu Bakar Ahmed, son of Abdul Azeez Jauhari. It must be noted the Imam Jauhari copied from and old manuscript and then he read it to Omar, son of Shaiba, in 322 AH and he has described it in many ways on the authority of the reporters:

When Fatima came to know that Caliph Abu Bakar had refused to give her inheritance, she covered herself in a sheet of cloth and started for the mosque with her relations, friends and slave-girls. Her sheet was wavering and her legs were trembling and stumbling. Her gait at that time resembled that of the Prophet very closely. She reached Abu Bakar. He was sitting with the Muhajireen and the Ansar. A sheet of cloth was hung between the audience and Fatima by a Copt. Fatima heaved a deep sigh. All the audience began to weep. She kept quiet. When all became quiet, she said:

"I begin with the name of Allah who deserves all praise. He is charitable. He deserves all praise for the blessings He has conferred upon us. The good we do is due to Him. He has done much good to us for which He is praised. We cannot even think of His kindness. It is beyond our power to give Him due praise. He is infinite. We are quite helpless. Allah bestows upon us His blessings both individually and collectively.

I tell you truly and sincerely that there is but one God. He is matchless and has no equal. He has ordered us to have faith in one God. He has willingly taken upon Himself the responsibility of rewarding or punishing us in the next world according to our actions good or bad we do here. His arguments are very convincing. Non can see Him. None can properly praise Him He is beyond imagination. Allah has made everything. He stands unique in the creation of this world. He has not created anything for His own use except for the manifestation of His power, so that when people see them, they may become obedient and submissive and thus increase their honour. He has promised to reward those who obey Him implicitly and unflinchingly and to punish those who disobey Him. He has made Heaven and Hell for this purpose.

I also witness that my father, Muhammad, was his Messenger and Prophet. He had selected him for the prophethood right from the very beginning of the creation of this world. Before making him a Prophet, He said that he was the best of men and he had been nominated for the prophetship long before making him a Prophet.

My father came into this world. He found the followers of the preceding Prophets worshippers of idols, fire, etc. They had forgotten God. He enlightened this world through Muhammad. Darkness, ignorance, and corruption were removed. When my father got tired of this world, he was called back to Him and was made to sit amongst good angels. His position was highly exalted. O followers of the Prophet! You are the champions who invite to good and forbid the wrong and you are the persons who have accepted His revelations. You are the people who have made convenant with Allah. It is amongst you the He has placed Prophet's renmants. It is the same revealed book of Allah in which He has illuminated the right way and the secrets of the verses therein are apparent with which we, the progeny of the Holy Prophet, possess open guidance. The contents of this book are explanatory. iIts broad injunctions are quite evident, the miracle of which is always being performed and which leads us to the highest heaven. Its acceptance guides us to salvation. Every reason that is contained in the Book is quite evident. It is filled with admonitions. We are afraid of the forbidden things that are contained in the book. Its every ordinance is sufficient and pertinent. The light of those orders enlightens the hearts. The blessings of the Quran cured every invalid. Its standard is stationary. Its orders are sanctioned by Allah. Therefore Allah made the belief obligatory. He has mad Zakat obligatory to save you from pride and arrogance. In order to multiply the sources of you income He ordained pilgrimage upon you. He has also made the obedience of the Ahlul-Bayt obligatory upon you. You have to accept our guidance to increase the prestige of Islam and to sink your differences. You are ordered to have patience so that your prayer may be accepted. Allah has ordered you to serve your parents so that you may escape the chastisement of Allah. You are ordered to support your family so that you, your nation and tribe may prosper. To fulfil one's duty has been ordained by Allah so that your steps may proceed towards self-sacrifice and blessing. To measure fully has been ordered so that corruption deception may come to an end. Women are ordained to observe purdah to save their chastity. Theft has been prohibited to maintain honesty. The property of the orphans has been made unlawful to save them from oppressioin and cruelty. Monotheism has been ordained to save people from polytheism. O Muslims! fear Allah. Obey His orders. I am the daughter of the Prophet. I let you know that I do not talk in vain. The Prophet was very kind and sympathetic. He told you the message of Allah. He fought with the non-beleivers. He broke the idols and the temples. He beheaded the heads of the arrogants with swords. He consoled and satisfied the people with admonitions. The darkness of the infidelity was replaced by the light of Islam.

The infidels and non-believers had to hold their tongues. O Arabs! Before the advent of Islam in Arabia, you condition was very pitiable and miserable. Every one was greedy to rule over you. You were leading a very bad life. You were always in danger of some foreign attacks. My father through the blessing of Allah, relieved you of all these difficulties and troubles. Then some brave Arabs and savage Jews and Christians attacked you but Ali endangering his life saved you from their destructive and ruinours attacks every time. Later on they had to yeild. The companions of the Prophet were always with him and were prepared to sacrifice their lives for Islam. They always acted upon the injunctions of the Quran and they accompanied the Prophet in every war without fail. They bore all sorts of difficulties and troubles patiently.

What about you now? Your hearts are not clear. They are filled with evil and mischievous intentions. Satan has overtaken you. You are now again under his firm control. You obey his orders without any 'ifs' and 'buts'. No sooner did the Prophet diethan you again began to follow those evils practices prevalent in Arabia before the advent of Islam. I do not know where Satan is misleading you although the Quran is amongst you. It seems that you have ceased to take interest in this Holy Book. But believe me that if you forget the Quran, you shall reap the consequences of your folly in the next world. You are bringing ruin and destruction to Islam.

You injuring the family members of the Prophet. We are patiently bearing these troubles. You think that I have no share in the inheritance of my father. Do you not recognise my worth? You know my rights.

O Muhajireen, can you tolerate the injustice done to me? O sone of Abu Quhafa, is it written in the book of Allah that you should get the property of your father and I must be deprived of this privilege? Allah says: "Solomon got inheritance from David."
Yahya, son of Zakariya said: " O God! Give me a child who may inherit my and Jacob's property."
She said: "Do you think that I am an exception to the above verses of the Quran and hence you deprive me of enjoying this priviliege?"
She found none taking up her cause and then she said: "O Abu Bakar! You may perforce take the property of the Fadak from me but you shall have to answer for it on the Day of Judgment."

She then turned to the ansar and said: "O brave persons! You are the supporters of Islam but you are lazy in my affairs. Injustice is done to me and you are silent. Are you giving up Islam? You can help me if you wish. The death of my father has brought about untold and incalculable loss. O Ansar! Do you want to see me deprived of the inheritance of my father? You have power enough to protect me. You were noted for your bravery, courage and manliness. You fought great wars and took leading part in them. You rendered meritorious services to the cause of Islam. But now you are perplexed and going astray."

Fatima saw that her stirring and heart-rending speech fell flat upon the audience. She then said: "I do not care for these worldly gains or losses. You are doing much harm to me. You shall be punished for it on the Day of Judgment. Wait and see."