Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

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Famous Epic Prose

Author(s): Ayatullah Naser Makarem Shirazi

Publisher(s): Naba Organization

www.alhassanain.org/english

Notice:

This version is published on behalf of www.alhassanain.org/english

The composing errors are not corrected.

Table of Contents

Dedication 6

Poem 7

Notes 9

Introduction 10

The Historic Sermon of the Lady of Islam, Fatimah Zahra (s.a.) 10

Documents and Records of the Sermon 12

The Seven Focal Points of Fatimah Zahra’s Sermon 13

Notes 14

Part 1: Tawhid, Gods’ Attributes, and the Aim of Creation 15

Sermon 15

English Rendering 16

Interpretation 17

Notes 18

Part 2: The Prophet of Islam’s Exalted Position and His Distinctions 19

Sermon 19

English Rendering 20

Interpretation 21

Part 3: The Importance of God’s Book, and the Mysteries and Philosophy of Religious Commandments 23

Sermon 23

English Rendering 24

Interpretation 26

Part 4: A Statement of Her Position with Regard to the Governing System 28

Sermon 28

English Rendering 29

Interpretation 30

1. Who Am I? 30

2. Unusual Compassion 30

3. The Prophet’s Tiresome Efforts 30

4. You Were Like This! 30

5. The Service of Ali (a.s) 31

Part 5: The Storm that Arose After the Holy Prophet’s Death 32

Sermon 32

English Rendering 33

Interpretation 34

1. Suspicious Moves and Deviating Routes 34

2. A group said “Labbaik” to Satan’s call 34

3. Take Refuge in the Quran 34

Notes 36

Part 6: The Story of the Usurpation of Fadak 37

Sermon 37

English Rendering 38

Interpretation 40

1. Bringing the Pagan Religion to Life 40

2. A Reference to the Enemies’ Reasons 40

3. Fatimah (s.a.) Closes All of Their Ways of Escape 40

4. Are you more familiar with the Quran than the family of its voice (S)? 40

5. Now that it is such, it is all yours 41

Notes 42

Part 7 43

Sermon 43

English Rendering 45

Interpretation 47

1. The effective role of the Ansars in the advance of Islamic objectives 47

2. Fatimah places them under the shower of her censures 47

3. With the death of the Prophet (S) Islam does not die 47

4. Why do you sit silently in the face of the violation of Islamic commandments? 48

5. The prevalence of the spirit of “welfare-seeking” 48

6. With this spirit I know you are unable to do anything! 48

7. Be ready for painful events 48

8. He gave a prognosis and I also given a prognosis! 49

Notes 50

Dedication

In the Name of Allah

اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein a lamp is. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides unto His light whom He will. And Allah speakes to man in allegories and Allah is Knower of all things.” (24:35) 1

Dedicated to the Holy Presence of “Vali Asr” (Guardian of the Age). Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his appearance):

اَللّهُمَّ عَرِّفْنى نَفْسَكَ فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنى نَفْسَكَ لَمْ اَعْرِف نَبِيَّكَ اَللّهُمَّ عَرِّفْنى رَسُولَكَ فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنى رَسُولَكَ لَمْ اَعْرِفْ حُجَّتَكَ اَللّهُمَّ عَرِّفْنى حُجَّتَكَ فَاِنَّكَ اِنْ لَمْ تُعَرِّفْنى حُجَّتَكَ ضَلَلْتُ عَنْ دينى2

Imam Sadiq (a.s) commanded Zarareh to continue this Prayer during the time of the “Gheiybat” (Occultation of the twelfth Imam).

My Lord! Introduce yourself to me, because if I don’t recognize You, I will not recognize Your Prophet. My Lord! Make Your Prophet known to me, because if I haven’t recognized Your Prophet, I will be unable to recognize Your “Hojjat2 ”

My Lord! Introduce Your Hojjat to me, because if I haven’t recognized Your Hojjat, I will be lost.3

Poem

منم که عصمتُ الّه و به ساق عرش زیورم حبیبه خدا منم حجاب نُور داورم

رضای من رضای او ولای من ولای او که من ولیه الّه و ز هر بدی مطهّرم

علی است نفس احمد و حقیقت محمّدی منم که بضعة النبی و با علی برابرم

به تخت اقتدارشان نشسته ام کنارشان به تاج افتخارشان یگانه است گوهرم

بجز محمّد و علی که نُور ما بود یکی ز انبیا و اولیا خدا نموده برترم

نبی چو گفت بر ملا : اگر نبود مرتضی ز اوّلین و آخرین کسی نبود همسرم

علی شهاب ثاقب و منم فروغ زُهروی به اوج عصمت و حیاء به هر زمان متوّرم

نهال عشق ایزدی بهار حُسن سرمدی شکوفه محمدی عطای ربّ و کوثرم

حُسین با حسن مرا دو گوشوار زینتند علی است طوق گردنم محّمد است افرسم

محمّد و علی و من چو اصل و امّ خلقتیم منم که باب خویش را درین مقام مادرم

فدک چه جلوهای کند به پیشگاه دولتم که مالکیت جنان به کف بود چو حیدرم

علیه غاصب فدک از آن قیام کرده ام که راه پر جهاد حق نشان دهم به دخترم

حسان بود مودّت رسول و آل مصطفی اُمید برزخ من و پناه روز محشرم

It’s I, Gods’ immaculate, and the ornamentation of the thrones’ front leg. The beloved of God, is I; I’m the intermediator of His light.

Pleasing me is pleasing Him; friendship with me is friendship with Him for I am Gods’ elect and purified of every wrong.

Ali is the blood and essence of Mohammad, It’s I, the Prophets’ flesh, and commensurate with Ali.

Upon their’ throne of Power I have sat, at their’ side. On their’ crown of glory, I am the single gem.

Except for Mohammad and Ali, of which our light was one, I am superior to the Prophets and Saints of God.

The Prophet said publicly: If there was not Morteza (Ali); no-one else could be my husband.

Ali is a shooting star and I am the evening stars’ brightness. By the culmination of purity and modesty in every era, I am illuminated.

A sapling of divine love, in the spring of eternal virtue, Mohammad’s flower bud, a gift of the Lord and the abundant fountain (Kowsar).

Hossein and Hassan adorn me as two earrings, Ali is the necklace upon my neck, and Mohammad is my crown.

Mohammad and Ali and I are the essence and source of creation, it’s I, in this regard, who is mother.

What display was (Fadak) of my wealth? When the ownership of Paradise was in my Hand, just as my father was.

I rose against the usurpers of Fadak, to show the Jihad-filled way of God to my daughter.

“Hessan” The Prophet’s love and the Progeny of Mostafa was My hope in Purgatory and refuge on the day of Judgment.

I am hope in Purgatory, and refuge on the judgment day.4

Notes

1. Translation from: ‘The meaning of the Glorious Koran’ by: Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall Surah # 24 ‘Light’-verse 35

2. “Hojjat” literally means the proof; but also a name for the twelfth Imam.

3. Rendering into English from the Farsi by the translator.

4. English rendering of poem done as closely as possible to a word to word translation so that it would not be distorted. (Translator)

Introduction

The Historic Sermon of the Lady of Islam, Fatimah Zahra (s.a.)

After the death of the Prophet of Islam, a strange storm covered the entire Islamic world.

The eye of this storm was the center of the Caliphate, and from there it spread and encompassed anything that was connected with the Caliphate. One aspect of this storm included the requisition of the land called Fadak by the governing system of that time. This land had been given to Fatimah (s.a.) by the Prophet of Islam (a.s) based on important interests.1

Fatimah (s.a.) saw that this apparent transgression, together with a disregard for most of the Islamic laws on this subject, was involving the Islamic community in a severe deviation from Islamic teachings and the Sunnah of the Prophet, creating an inclination towards the customs of paganism. She also on the other hand saw it as being a preliminary step for the retirement of Ali and economic sanctions against Ali’s companions, and thus went to the defense of her rights against the usurpers of Fadak and with all of her being demanded the return of this usurped right.

But the ruling government, by excuse of a false tradition:

نَحْنُ مَعاشِرَ الْأَنْبِیاءِ لا نُوَرِّثُ

meaning; “We Prophets leave no inheritance”! refrained from granting her this right.

The lady of Islam (a.s) being the “Lady of the worlds’ women,” accompanied by a group of the Women of Bani Hashem, came to the mosque to speak her words before the groups of Muslims and the leaders of the “Mohajers” and “Ansars”; to deliver her ultimatum and in order to take away all excuses for the continuance of this strange usurpation and cruel requisition from the governing organization of the time. And thus in doing so, revealing the true ranks of those loyal to Islam from the supporter of the policies of transgression.

She, without regard for the special “atmosphere building” that had been seen to in this respect, and the possible backlashes of this great divulgence, went ahead with her plan. She delivered a brilliant Sermon in the Prophet’s Mosque under the pretext of “the usurpation of Fadak”, in which many realities were brought to light.

This sermon was a ‘pounding warning’ for those who endeavored to divert the Prophet’s Caliphate and Islamic government from its original route undoing his twenty-three years of toil.

It was a ‘wake-up alarm’ for those whose hearts beat with the love of Islam, and who were fearful for the future of this pure religion.

It was ‘An Effective Notification’ for those who were oblivious to the expansion of the group of hypocrites, and their influence in the political organization after the Messenger of God (S), and who ignored their secret activities.

It was a ‘Painful Cry’ in support of the “Commander of the Faithful” Imam Ali (a.s), the successor and administrator of the Holy Prophet, of which a group of the political Players ignored the Quranic verses and the emphatic recommendations of the Prophet of Allah in his regard.

It was an ‘Innocent Administration of Justice’ for the awakening of those whose rights were usurped but preferred a peaceful silence to the pounding, awakening exclamation.

It was a ‘Frightening Thunder’, whose vibrations spread everywhere and of which traces were left in all ages and eras.

It was a ‘Severe Storm’, of which its breaking waves awoke sleeping souls - however briefly showing them the way of God.

At last it was a ‘Deadly Thunderbolt’ that came down upon the heads of Islam’s enemies, attacking them unaware.

The ‘Lady of Islam’s’ deep analyses in this sermon speaks of her precise insight into the most complicated matters pertaining to ‘Tawhid’, the creator ‘Mabda’ and resurrection ‘Maad’.

The interpretation given in this sermon by the honorable daughter of the Prophet, of important ideological, political and social matters, is evidence that Fatimah daughter of the Prophet of Islam didn’t belong to any particular era.

The emotional courage that flows from the well-spoken words of Fatimah in this sermon shows that she is a devoted lady, fighter in God’s way, hero, and worthy leader for the defenders of God’s way and fighters in His right.

The effective tone of the Lady of Islam in this sermon, which penetrates to the depths of man’s heart and soul, speaks of the fact that she was an eloquent speaker and undefeatable orator the equal of her husband, “The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali.” In such a way that this brilliant sermon challenges the sermons of Ali in the ‘Nahjul Balagha’, moving forward with them head to head. It also shows that her daughter Zainab received this inheritance (eloquent speech) from both father and mother, in that with her fiery sermons in the Kufa market, and Yazid’s Assembly she threw tremors into the limbs of the criminals of Bani Umayah, weakening the foundation of their usurping government’s palace planting the seeds of revolution in the hearts of the people of Kufa and Sham against this tyrannical, oppressive government.

Fatimah’s meticulousness in this sermon in the background of the philosophy and mysteries of Religious law, and her analysis of the political history of Islam and comparison of the pagan age of the Arabs with their life after the rise of Islam gives great lessons to the wayfarer in the way of God, giving them education and training in their struggles.

Most important of all is that Fatimah with this sermon, clarified the position of the Prophets’ descendants with regard to the ruling regime; revealing the exemption of the holy area of Islam from the cruelties that were performed in its name. Really, if the only benefit of this great sermon, which contains so much were just this, it would have been enough!

Documents and Records of the Sermon

This sermon is one of the well-known sermons narrated with a series of supporting documents by both Shia and Sunni. Contrary to what some may believe, a report is never from a single source. Among the sources in which this sermon may be found are the following:

1) Ibn Abi Alhadid Motazaly, the famous Sunni Scholar in ‘Explanation of the Nahjul Balagha’ in the first chapter of the account of Othman Ibn Honai’s letter, he has narrated various documents for the sermon of the Lady of Islam, Fatimah (s.a.) He explains that; the documents I have presented here for this sermon have not been taken from any of the books of the Shia.

He then mentions the famous book ‘Saqifa’ by Abubakr Ahmad ibn Abdul Aziz Jowhari. One of the famous Sunni narrators of traditions, who has narrated this sermon in numerous ways in this book Ibn Abi Alhadid has explained all these ways in his book, but for brevity we will refrain from mentioning them here.

He then adds that when the ruling government of the time decided to usurp ‘Fadak’, Fatimah came to the Mosque accompanied by a group of the women of Qureysh, in such a way that her gait was exactly like the Prophet’s (S), and delivered a lengthy sermon.

The above mentioned then narrated that very celebrated, famous sermon - even though the contents of this sermon, in various narration, has slight differences.

2) Ali ibn Isa Arbali also in the book ‘Kashful Ghamma’ has narrated this sermon as taken from the book ‘Saqifa’ by Abubakr Ahmad ibn Abdul Aziz Jowhari.

3) Masoudy, in ‘Muravvaj ul-Dhahab’ briefly mentions the aforesaid sermon.

4) Sayyed Murtedha the great Shia scholar and Mujahid in the book ‘Shafi’ has narrated this sermon from ‘Aisha’ the wife of the Prophet.

5) The famous narrator of traditions, the late Sadduq has mentioned some of its high points in the book ‘Elal ul-Shar’ea’.

6) The famous jurisconsult and narrator of traditions by the name of the late Shaikh Mofid has also narrated a part of this sermon.

7) Sayyad ibn Tavoos in the book ‘Tara’ef’ has quoted a part of it from the book ‘Al-Manaqib’ of Ahmad ibn Musa ibn Marduya Isfahani who being one of the famous Sunni personalities, quotes it from ‘Aisha’.

8) The late Tabrassi author of ‘Ihtijaj’ relates it in his book as an ‘apostle’.2 At any rate, this historical sermon is one of the famous sermons of Ahl-al-bait (a.s) (the Prophet’s descendants). From what they have quoted, the Shia always recommended their children to memorize this sermon so that with the passing of time it would not be forgotten, or be questioned by spiteful enemies.

It is even now worthwhile that the fruitful young should memorize these celebrated epic verses and relay it to future generations.

The Seven Focal Points of Fatimah Zahra’s Sermon

This brilliant, unparalleled sermon is in reality made up of seven parts and revolves around seven focal points of which each pursues a clear objective, and each must be studied separately.

The Sermon:

Part One: A deep condensed analysis around the questions of ‘Tawhid’ and the qualities of God, the most beautiful of God’s attributes and the aim of creation.

Part Two: The exalted position, duties, special distinctions and aims of the Prophet (S) are discussed.

Part Three: She speaks of the importance of the Holy Quran, the depth of Islamic teachings, the philosophy and secrets of religious commandments, and advice and counsels in this respect.

Part Four: After introducing herself, the Lady of Islam describes her father’s service to this people. And it was here that the Lady of Islam took their hand and led them back to their not too distant pagan past, for an admonitory look, and Comparison to their situation after the rise of Islam to receive a lesson from this metamorphosis.

Part Five: She discusses the incidents and events that occurred after the death of the Prophet, and the movements and strivings of the Hypocrites for the annihilation of Islam.

Part Six: She speaks of the usurpation of ‘Fadak’, their vain excuses in this respect, and her reply to these excuses.

Part Seven: And finally in this part as deliverance of her ultimatum, she requests aid from the true helpers and friends of the Prophet, and bringing her speech to an end she threatens them with God’s Punishment.

Notes

1. “Fadak” was one of the flourishing villages on the outskirts of Medina populated by Jews, who like the Jews of Medina and “Khaybar”, constantly plotted against Islam.

In the seventh year of the Hejrat when the fortresses of Khaybar fell one after another to the Islamic combatants, and the center of Jewish power was crushed, the inhabitants of Fadak came to the Prophet of Islam in peace and surrender. They gave half of their land and gardens to the Holy Prophet, and kept the other half for themselves.

The Prophet of Islam (S) according to numerous transmissions by both Shi’a and Sunni commentators and historians - presented Fadak as a gift to his daughter Fatimah during his own lifetime. However, after the death of Prophet of Islam, the usurpers of Islamic rule, seeing this economic power in the hands of Ali’s wife as a threat to their own political power, and deciding to exclude the companions of Ali from every aspect, by vain excuses requisitioned these lands for the public treasury, and in reality to their own benefit.

The story of Fadak and the various incidents that occurred in relation to it in the first part of Islam and in the following eras, are of the most painful, sorrowful and warning high points in the first period of Islam’s history which with God’s will must be studied separately in greater depth.

2. Bihar ul-Anwar, Allama Majlisi, Volume viii, Pg. 108; Old Print.

Part 1: Tawhid, Gods’ Attributes, and the Aim of Creation

Sermon

اَلْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ عَلی ما اَنْعَمَ، وَ لَهُ الشُّكْرُ عَلی ما اَلْهَمَ، وَ الثَّناءُ بِما قَدَّمَ، مِنْ عُمُومِ نِعَمٍ اِبْتَدَاَها، وَ سُبُوغِ الاءٍ اَسْداها، وَ تَمامِ مِنَنٍ اَوْلاها، جَمَّ عَنِ الْاِحْصاءِ عَدَدُها، وَ نَأى عَنِ الْجَزاءِ اَمَدُها، وَ تَفاوَتَ عَنِ الْاِدْراكِ اَبَدُها، وَ نَدَبَهُمْ لاِسْتِزادَتِها بِالشُّكْرِ لاِتِّصالِها، وَ اسْتَحْمَدَ اِلَى الْخَلائِقِ بِاِجْزالِها، وَ ثَنی بِالنَّدْبِ اِلى اَمْثالِها

وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلهَ اِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَریكَ لَهُ، كَلِمَةٌ جَعَلَ الْاِخْلاصَ تَأْویلَها، وَ ضَمَّنَ الْقُلُوبَ مَوْصُولَها، وَ اَنارَ فِی التَّفَكُّرِ مَعْقُولَها، الْمُمْتَنِعُ عَنِ الْاَبْصارِ رُویَتُهُ، وَ مِنَ الْاَلْسُنِ صِفَتُهُ، وَ مِنَ الْاَوْهامِ كَیْفِیَّتُهُ

اِبْتَدَعَ الْاَشْیاءَ لا مِنْ شَىْ‏ءٍ كانَ قَبْلَها، وَ اَنْشَاَها بِلاَاحْتِذاءِ اَمْثِلَةٍ اِمْتَثَلَها، كَوَّنَها بِقُدْرَتِهِ وَ ذَرَأَها بِمَشِیَّتِهِ، مِنْ غَیْرِ حاجَةٍ مِنْهُ اِلى تَكْوینِها، وَ لا فائِدَةٍ لَهُ فی تَصْویرِها، اِلاَّ تَثْبیتاً لِحِكْمَتِهِ وَ تَنْبیهاً عَلی طاعَتِهِ، وَ اِظْهاراً لِقُدْرَتِهِ وَ تَعَبُّداً لِبَرِیَّتِهِ، وَ اِعْزازاً لِدَعْوَتِهِ، ثُمَّ جَعَلَ الثَّوابَ عَلی طاعَتِهِ، وَ وَضَعَ الْعِقابَ عَلی مَعْصِیَتِهِ، ذِیادَةً لِعِبادِهِ مِنْ نِقْمَتِهِ وَ حِیاشَةً لَهُمْ اِلى جَنَّتِهِ

English Rendering

English Rendering1

I thank God because of His blessings, and I am grateful for His graces, and because of the gifts He has granted, I speak His Praise.

For the extensive blessings He has given us from the beginning. And for the countless gifts by which He has favored us.

And for the continuous gifts that always envelop us. Blessings that are out of the realm of number or statistics.

And because of their extent, are incapable of being compensated in the limits of time and their termination being out of the realm of Man’s understanding. He has called his servants to his thanksgiving for the continuation and increase of these gifts.

And he has called creatures to his Praise, for their perfection.

And He has encouraged them to gain their like, and I give witness that there is no God except the one God.

He is without likeness, and has no partner or semblance.

This is a saying of which its’ essence is sincerity in itself and the hearts of the eager are entangled with it. And its traces have radiated in contemplation.

A God whose beholdance is impossible with the eyes, and to speak of His qualities with this tongue, absurd.

And the perception of His holy being is impossible for the intellect and contemplation.

He innovated the being of the living world without anything having been existent before that.

And he originated all, without there previously having been existent a pattern or model.

He brought them into existence by His power, and created them by His will, without being needy of their creation, or any benefit returning to His pure being out of their conceivance.

Except that in this way He wished to make manifest His wisdom, call the people to His obedience, in this way, by showing His never ending power, leading the creature to His servitude.

He strengthened the invitation of His Prophets by way of harmony in creation and religious law.

Then ascertaining rewards for His obedience, and punishments for sin, in this way giving His servants deliverance from his anger, revenge and punishment, urging them towards the direction of the gardens of heaven and the heart of His mercy.

Interpretation

In this opening section of the sermon we see matters that are all worthy of careful attention:

1) A regard to the fact that God’s blessings encircle our entire existence, and we are submerged in them from head to toe. It is this very matter which brings to life our sense of thanksgiving, calling us to the knowledge of his pure being. This is the very thing the scholars of scholastic theology rely on, and that is in the name of “the necessity of thanking Him for His bounties” in the matters of theism and the necessity of knowing God and thanking Him.

2) If God has called His Servants to thanksgiving for His blessings, it is not because of His need, but it is so that in this way they will gain greater worthiness, and become subject to more blessings (pay close attention).

3) His servants are unable to pay Him His due thanks, this being because the grace of offering Him thanks is in itself another blessing, and the instruments of His praise: mind, hand and tongue all are of His blessings. Therefore other than admitting inability, they can do nothing else. The Poet Says:

ﺑﻨﺪه ﻫﻤﺎن ﺑﻪ ﻛﻪ ز ﺗﻘﺼﻴﺮ ﺧﻮﻳﺶ ﻋﺬر ﺑﻪ درﮔﺎه ﺧﺪاي آورد

ورنه سزاوار خداوندیش کس نتواند که به حای آورد

"It is better for a person because of his short-coming, to apologize to God because no-one can perform what God is deserving of."2

4) The spirit of Tawhid is Sincerity, cleansing the Spirit of all other than God, and giving heart to the security of His love, accepting His commands, and in short forgetting all that is opposed to Him, forgetting all except Him.

5) In truth, Tawhid is hidden is man’s nature from the very beginning, and this holy light shines in the depths of all human souls, and each person hears the cry of “Allahu Akbar” in his inner self.

For this very reason, when the severe storms of life rage, and when the veils of dereliction and ignorance are torn away it shines more clearly. Every person is involuntarily attracted by it saying « لا اِله اِلّا هُوَ » “There is no god except Allah”.

6) The essence of His being is not even perceptible by deep thought, that:

کُلَّمَا مَيَّزْتُمُوهُ بِأَوْهَامِکُمْ فِي أَدَقِّ الْمَعَانِي فَهُوَ مَخْلُوقٌ مَصْنُوعٌ مِثْلُکُمْ مَرْدُودٌ إِلَيْکُمْ

And no one can even find way to the essence of His attributes: Therefore, all of us must admit that:3

وَ مَا عَرَفْنَاكَ حَقَّ مَعْرِفَتِك

“We haven’t recognized you, such as you are worthy of recognition”.4

وَ مَا عَبَدْنَاكَ حَقَّ عِبَادَتِكَ

“And we haven’t worshiped you in the way that is worthy of Your devotion”.5

7) One of the important things in the matter of creation is that in the beginning no material existed of which God could use, in order to create this world with pre-made materials.

Rather, the creation of this world was accomplished after mere non-existence. This creation is peculiar to the pure being of God, and even its imagination is difficult for most of us.

8) Another important matter of creation is this: Portraitists always get inspiration for the creation of paintings and drawings, from nature. Sometimes they blend different forms and innovate a new form. But God is a Creator who conceived and depicted a world without any previously-existing pattern or model.

9) Another important discussion brought up in this section of the Lady of Islam’s historical sermon, is God’s not needing anything. It is clear that a being that is in every respect unending and eternal can have no need in his pure being. This is because ‘need’ is reason for ‘Deficiency’, and deficiency is only conceivable in the ‘contingent being’ and not in the eternal being of God.

10) And lastly another important matter brought up in this section is the ‘Aim of creation’ of which the Lady of Islam (a.s) summed up in a few meaningful sentences:

A) Revealing the never-ending wisdom of God.

B) Calling of the servants to His subservience.

C) Showing His unlimited power.

D) Summoning His servants to worship of Him.

E) Giving strength to His Prophets.

These are the various aims for creation spoken of by Fatimah Zahra (s.a.). Here it is worthy to bring to our attention that these aims are interdependent of one another. When God’s servants see the traces of His wisdom and power in the confines of the living world, they are drawn to worship of Him; turn to His spiritual servitude; and traverse the degrees of perfection. Another point is that the harmony that the Prophets emphasize in their speeches about the order of the living world finds greater influence in the hearts of human beings. Thus, the matters of guidance become simplified and easier for them. (Pay close attention)

So, therefore, God did not create the world to receive some benefit, rather His aim was munificence to His servants. He determined to advance them on the road of guidance, calling them to the vicinity of His esteem, to always continue in His way, and along with the acquisition of merits, obtain a greater portion of His never-ending graces.

Notes

1. All English renderings of the text of this sermon were translated from the Persian text by the translator.

2. Translation of the Persian Poem by Sa’adi. (Translator)

3. اربعین شیخ بهائی و بحار الانوار Allamah Majlisi, Volume 69, Pg. 293

4. اربعین شیخ بهائی و بحار الانوار Allamah Majlisi, Volume 69, Pg. 292

5. محدث نوری مستدرک الوسائل Volume 1; Pg. 16

Part 2: The Prophet of Islam’s Exalted Position and His Distinctions

Sermon

وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ اَبی‏مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ، اِخْتارَهُ قَبْلَ اَنْ اَرْسَلَهُ، وَ سَمَّاهُ قَبْلَ اَنْ اِجْتَباهُ، وَ اصْطَفاهُ قَبْلَ اَنْ اِبْتَعَثَهُ، اِذ الْخَلائِقُ بِالْغَیْبِ مَكْنُونَةٌ، وَ بِسَتْرِ الْاَهاویلِ مَصُونَةٌ، وَ بِنِهایَةِ الْعَدَمِ مَقْرُونَةٌ، عِلْماً مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعالی بِمائِلِ الْاُمُورِ، وَ اِحاطَةً بِحَوادِثِ الدُّهُورِ، وَ مَعْرِفَةً بِمَواقِعِ الْاُمُورِ .

اِبْتَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ اِتْماماً لِاَمْرِهِ، وَ عَزیمَةً عَلى اِمْضاءِ حُكْمِهِ، وَ اِنْفاذاً لِمَقادیرِ رَحْمَتِهِ، فَرَأَى الْاُمَمَ فِرَقاً فی اَدْیانِها، عُكَّفاً عَلی نیرانِها، عابِدَةً لِاَوْثانِها، مُنْكِرَةً لِلَّهِ مَعَ عِرْفانِها .

فَاَنارَ اللَّهُ بِاَبی‏مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ و الِهِ ظُلَمَها، وَ كَشَفَ عَنِ الْقُلُوبِ بُهَمَها، وَ جَلى عَنِ الْاَبْصارِ غُمَمَها، وَ قامَ فِی النَّاسِ بِالْهِدایَةِ، فَاَنْقَذَهُمْ مِنَ الْغِوایَةِ، وَ بَصَّرَهُمْ مِنَ الْعِمایَةِ، وَ هَداهُمْ اِلَى الدّینِ الْقَویمِ، وَ دَعاهُمْ اِلَى الطَّریقِ الْمُسْتَقیمِ .

ثُمَّ قَبَضَهُ اللَّهُ اِلَیْهِ قَبْضَ رَأْفَةٍ وَ اخْتِیارٍ، وَ رَغْبَةٍ وَ ایثارٍ، فَمُحَمَّدٌ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ و الِهِ مِنْ تَعَبِ هذِهِ الدَّارِ فی راحَةٍ، قَدْ حُفَّ بِالْمَلائِكَةِ الْاَبْرارِ وَ رِضْوانِ الرَّبِّ الْغَفَّارِ، وَ مُجاوَرَةِ الْمَلِكِ الْجَبَّارِ، صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلی أَبی نَبِیِّهِ وَ اَمینِهِ وَ خِیَرَتِهِ مِنَ الْخَلْقِ وَ صَفِیِّهِ، وَ السَّلامُ عَلَیْهِ وَ رَحْمَةُاللَّهِ وَ بَرَكاتُهُ .

English Rendering

And I give witness that my father Mohammad (S) is His servant and messenger, and he was appointed by Him before He created him, and He chose him before he was sent on his mission.

And this was at the time when His servants were hidden in the invisible world, covered by the frightening veil of non-existence, connected to the utmost limit of non-being.

This came to be because God was aware of the future, and He was familiar with the events of the world, and He knew well all destinies.

He was appointed to complete His commands, and to execute His order, and give authority to His absolute decrees.

When he was appointed, he saw people who had chosen dispersed religions. A group circumambulates fire, and a group bows before idols; and though they recognize God with their heart, they renounce Him.

God, by the radiance of Mohammad removed darkness, and pulled back the veils of darkness from hearts, and cleared away the dark, turbid clouds from before eyes.

He rose for the guidance of the people, and gave them freedom from perversion and abominations, giving sight to their eyes; guiding them to the firm, established religion of Islam, summoning them to the Right Way.

Then, God, out of His extreme love and authority, and out of fondness and excessive generosity took his soul, thus easing him of worldly sufferings. And right now he is settled among the Angels and the Merciful God’s Pleasure, and in the vicinity of the Mighty Gods’ esteem.

May Gods’ benediction be upon my father the Prophet (S), the honest revealer of revelations and elect among His creatures. And may the peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon him.

Interpretation

In this part of the Lady of Islam’s discourse, there are also meaningful references made to one series of important matters related to the Holy Prophet, among them:

1) In her opening explanations, she refers to the extraordinary intrinsic make-up of the Prophet, something that has been referred to in other Islamic narrations, and is here an important discussion, and this being: was the structure of the Prophet’s existence completely different from that of others? If so, then his infallibility is necessary according to this pure intrinsic make-up, and then naturally cannot be counted as honorary.

And if his intrinsic make-up is not different, then these explanations in the Lady of Islam’s speech follow which aim?

The truth is that the honors and gifts of the Prophets and Imams are one part inherent and one part acquired. With regard to this combination, many questions are answered.

According to another explanation the wise God who charges the Prophets with these immense duties also gives them inherent preparedness; and extraordinary intrinsic make-up, enormous intelligence, iron will, firm resolution, abundant knowledge and correct discernment. If this was not so, a weak individual could never perform such an enormous mission, and this aim will be laid waste.

And this matter is in no way unjust. Just as the muscles of the upper arm are extremely different from the delicate muscles of the eyelids, because the responsibility of one, the moving of one eyelid is small, while the responsibility of the other is the lifting of heavy loads and hard work. If other than this were true it would be opposing equity.

However, even with this, it is not such that the intrinsic make-up of the Prophet deprives him of all will and choice. He also has the capability for sin, even though he never sins.

Don’t be surprised, many ordinary people have this same condition in relation to some transgressions. For example: everyone has the ability to appear naked in public, or has the ability to sleep naked in the snow on a cold winter night, but even so no one does this except crazy persons. The Prophets and Imams have this same condition in relation to all sins.

It is also important to note that the impeccable ones (Prophets, Imams) because of their pure substance have heavier responsibilities, and even the first, trivial relinquishment of theirs’ is not acceptable.

And this interpretation is given by Hazrat Fatimah (s.a.).

عِلْماً مِنَ اللَّهِ تَعالی بِمائِلِ الْاُمُورِ، وَ اِحاطَةً بِحَوادِثِ الدُّهُورِ

A reference to this very point, that because God knew of the Prophets’ future heavy mission, He created his intrinsic make-up this eminent.

2) He was ready for carrying out divine commands, and for the execution of His orders regarding creation. This meaningful explanation could be a reference to his being the last prophet, and also a reference to the matter of the completion of the gifts of creation by way of “Divine Religious Laws” and commandments.

3) The honorable Daughter of the Prophet in this high point of her speech makes a reference to the pitiful situation of the nations before the prophets’ mission.

She speaks of how they were caught in the darkness of superstitions, the magi bowing before their fire temples, and the Arabs before the temples of idols, while all of the other nations were in a way caught up in perversion and deviation.

And how interesting that she says; “And they in their recognition of God, were His renounces.”

Which is a meaningful reference to the matter of if ‘intrinsic Tawhid’ which is in the nature of all human beings.

4) In another part of this speech a reference is made to the blessings of the Holy Prophet’s existence, and the signs of this rising, how he cleared away the dark, dull clouds of apprehension from the horizon of contemplation, cleansed the rust of paganism and superstition from the mirror of hearts, tore away the veils which had fallen before eyes preventing them from seeing God, and calling them to the religion which is the ‘Right path’, and the median between excesses and dissipation.

For a thorough understanding of this discourse we must make a careful comparison of the peoples’ situation in pagan times, with that after the rise of Islam. This is so that this reality will become clearer, and the Lady of Islam (a.s) has done so in her sermon.

5) The dignified death of the prophet is another one of the noteworthy matters that have been dealt with in the high points of the Lady of Islam’s historical sermon.

He, being a high-flying bird, had his spirit caught and imprisoned for many years in the mortal world. After the performance of his mission and responsibility, he broke the cage and flew towards God and he was placed among the exalted angels.

Part 3: The Importance of God’s Book, and the Mysteries and Philosophy of Religious Commandments

Sermon

ثم التفت الى اهل المجلس و قالت :

اَنْتُمْ عِبادَ اللَّهِ نُصُبُ اَمْرِهِ وَ نَهْیِهِ، وَ حَمَلَةُ دینِهِ وَ وَحْیِهِ، وَ اُمَناءُ اللَّهِ عَلى اَنْفُسِكُمْ، وَ بُلَغاوهُ اِلَى الْاُمَمِ، زَعیمُ حَقٍّ لَهُ فیكُمْ، وَ عَهْدٍ قَدَّمَهُ اِلَیْكُمْ، وَ بَقِیَّةٍ اِسْتَخْلَفَها عَلَیْكُمْ: كِتابُ اللَّهِ النَّاطِقُ وَ الْقُرْانُ الصَّادِقُ، و النُّورُ السَّاطِعُ وَ الضِّیاءُ اللاَّمِعُ، بَیِّنَةً بَصائِرُهُ، مُنْكَشِفَةً سَرائِرُهُ، مُنْجَلِیَةً ظَواهِرُهُ، مُغْتَبِطَةً بِهِ اَشْیاعُهُ، قائِداً اِلَى الرِّضْوانِ اِتِّباعُهُ، مُودٍّ اِلَى النَّجاةِ اسْتِماعُهُ

بِهِ تُنالُ حُجَجُ اللَّهِ الْمُنَوَّرَةُ، وَ عَزائِمُهُ الْمُفَسَّرَةُ، وَ مَحارِمُهُ الْمُحَذَّرَةُ، وَ بَیِّناتُهُ الْجالِیَةُ، وَ بَراهینُهُ الْكافِیَةُ، وَ فَضائِلُهُ الْمَنْدُوبَةُ، وَ رُخَصُهُ الْمَوْهُوبَةُ، وَ شَرائِعُهُ الْمَكْتُوبَةُ

فَجَعَلَ اللَّهُ الْایمانَ تَطْهیراً لَكُمْ مِنَ الشِّرْكِ، وَ الصَّلاةَ تَنْزیهاً لَكُمْ عَنِ الْكِبْرِ، وَ الزَّكاةَ تَزْكِیَةً لِلنَّفْسِ وَ نِماءً فِی الرِّزْقِ، وَ الصِّیامَ تَثْبیتاً لِلْاِخْلاصِ، وَ الْحَجَّ تَشْییداً لِلدّینِ، وَ الْعَدْلَ تَنْسیقاً لِلْقُلُوبِ، وَ طاعَتَنا نِظاماً لِلْمِلَّةِ، وَ اِما مَتَنا اَماناً لِلْفُرْقَةِ، وَ الْجِهادَ عِزّاً لِلْاِسْلامِ، وَ الصَّبْرَ مَعُونَةً عَلَی اسْتیجابِ الْاَجْرِ

وَ الْاَمْرَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ مَصْلِحَةً لِلْعامَّةِ، وَ بِرَّ الْوالِدَیْنِ وِقایَةً مِنَ السَّخَطِ، وَ صِلَةَ الْاَرْحامِ مَنْساءً فِی الْعُمْرِ وَ مَنْماةً لِلْعَدَدِ، وَ الْقِصاصَ حِقْناً لِلدِّماءِ، وَ الْوَفاءَ بِالنَّذْرِ تَعْریضاً لِلْمَغْفِرَةِ، وَ تَوْفِیَةَ الْمَكائیلِ وَ الْمَوازینِ تَغْییراً لِلْبَخْسِ

وَ النَّهْىَ عَنْ شُرْبِ الْخَمْرِ تَنْزیهاً عَنِ الرِّجْسِ، وَ اجْتِنابَ الْقَذْفِ حِجاباً عَنِ اللَّعْنَةِ، وَ تَرْكَ السِّرْقَةِ ایجاباً لِلْعِصْمَةِ، وَ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ الشِّرْكَ اِخْلاصاً لَهُ بِالرُّبوُبِیَّةِ

فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقاتِهِ، وَ لا تَمُوتُنَّ اِلاَّ وَ اَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ، وَ اَطیعُوا اللَّهَ فیما اَمَرَكُمْ بِهِ وَ نَهاكُمْ عَنْهُ، فَاِنَّهُ اِنَّما یَخْشَی اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبادِهِ الْعُلَماءُ

English Rendering

Then she turned to the members of the audience and enumerated the heavy responsibilities of the ‘Mohajereen’ and ‘Ansar’ saying:

Oh you servants of God! You are the trustees of God’s command and prohibition, and the bearers of His religion and revelation, and God’s representatives of yourselves and you are His missionaries to other nations.

The guardian of Divine truth among you, and the protector of God’s covenant that is within all of your reach, and that which the Holy Prophet (S) left for his nation as a memorial, is ‘Ketaballah’, God’s Enlightened Scripture and the truthful Qur’an, His manifest illumination and bright light.

A book of which its guidance are plain, its interior manifest, its appearances radiant and its disciples are honorable.

A book which summons its followers to heaven, and those who seek from it assistance, to the shores of salvation.

By means of it we may arrive at God’s clear guidances, and perceive the interpretation of His obligations (required from us), and read in it a description of His prohibitions, and study clear adequate reasons, and find written there moral instructions and that which is allowable and lawful.

Then she added:

God made ‘Faith’ your means for purification from polytheism;

And ‘Prayer’ your instrument for purity from haughtiness and vanity;

‘Zakat’ (Obligatory alms), the cause for purification of the soul and daily growth;

‘Fasting’ the agent for the stabilization of devotion.

‘Pilgrimage’ the means for strengthening the Islamic religion

‘Justice’, the substance for the harmony of hearts.

Our ‘obedience’ results in order in the Islamic nation.

And ‘Imamat’, securing us against division and dispersion.

‘Jihad’ brings about the glory of Islam.

‘Patience’ and ‘tolerance’, the means for the procuration of God’s reward.

‘Directing others to do what is lawful’ (Amr be ma’roof), the channel for the improvement of various groups of people.

‘Beneficence to one’s parents’, for prevention of the wrath of God.

‘Strengthening the ties of Kinship’, the means for an increase in the population and power.

‘Avengence for blood’, the instrument for safeguarding souls.

‘Fidelity in one’s solemn vows to God’, bringing about forgiveness.

‘Prevention of stingy sales’, a means for campaigning against shortages.

‘Prohibition of the consuming of alcoholic beverages’, causing a purification from abomination.

‘Abstinence from unjust accusations and charges’, a veil before the wrath of the Lord.

‘Foresaking Theft’, for safeguarding purity of the soul, and

‘Prohibition of Polytheism’, for sincerity in devotion, and God’s divinity.

Now that this is so, follow divine virtue and such that is worthy of his position, abstain from opposing His command, and strive to leave this world a Muslim.

Obey God in that which He commanded and prohibited, and take up the way of knowledge and enlightenment. This is because:

From among God’s servants only the informed and learned fear him, and feel a sense of responsibility.

Interpretation

In this part of the Lady of Islam’s sermon there has also been references made to some important points, among them:

1) The Muslims’ heavy responsibility in the communication of the prophetic message, and the spread of Islam throughout the world, and also the guarding of Islamic laws, teachings and values. Important responsibilities of which, if these are forgotten by them, they must await divine punishment and penalties, and isolation from His eternal mercy.

2) She gave an exact report of the greatness of the enlightened Qur’an as an enlightened scripture, manifest light and bright illumination that rises to campaign against the murkiness of ignorance, fanaticism and superstition.

That very book which has a beautiful, radiant appearance, its interior distinct and prolific, its reasoning convincible and redeeming.

That very guide which has guaranteed its followers salvation, and has taken on the responsibility of inviting them to eternal heaven.

That very guardian angel which has clarified the proofs of Tawhid with its eloquent speech, and gave firmness to the foundations of faith with its clear logical reasons, and has explained the practical programs that are necessary to man in the course of human development. Making clear the distinction between ‘Lawful’ and ‘unlawful’ ‘good’ and ‘bad’, and ‘right’ and ‘wrong’.

3) In her speech, in regard to the Philosophy of religious commandments, after a short passage she gave an explanation from ‘Faith’, to ‘Fidelity to one’s solemn vows’, and from ‘Tawhid’ to ‘prevention of stingy sales’, each being described by a rational statement.

What an interesting interpretation;

“God appointed ‘Faith’ for your purification from the contamination of polytheism.”

This interpretation distinctly shows that the reality of ‘Tawhid’ and “intuitive knowledge of God” exists in man’s intrinsic self. Islam has come, to wash away the impurities that occur as a result of polytheism, just as a white piece of clothing is washed after being soiled, so that its original Color will manifest itself.

God legislated ‘Prayer’ for the infusion of the spirit of humility in men, and for the pulling down of the unruly from the mount of vanity, by way of bowing and prostrating.

‘Zakat’ causes man to find deliverance from the captivity of attachment to worldly possessions and attractions. Also causing a rise in the wealth of the community, by way of strengthening the economic condition of the deprived.

‘Fasting’ made man gain rule over the soul’s desires, giving to him a spirit of devotion, causing blossoms of ‘righteousness’ - Taqwa - to appear on the branches of his being.

The magnificent Islamic congress ‘Hajj’ has strengthened the foundations of Islam, and has increased the strength and ability of the Muslims in various backgrounds, intellectual, cultural political and military.

Social Justice washes spite from hearts, and gives order to disorderliness. God gives the Muslims a healthy social order by way of the acceptance of the pure Imams’ leadership causing them to move in the direction of Tawhid, far from all sorts of discord and dispersion.

She also put her finger on the points of concern and described the true meaning of ‘Jihad’ ‘Patience and perseverance’, and the ‘Calling of people to goodness’ and the matters related to punishment, being bound to one’s commitments, campaigning against stingy sales, purity from immodesties, and forsaking wine and liquor drinking.

5) The Lady of Islam (a.s) once again returns to the matter of the Muslims’ responsibility regarding the Quran and Islam inviting them to ‘Taqwa’ (righteousness), in particular leaning on the matter of the end and consequence of his duty. She also insists on the principle that you be careful you leave the world a Muslim.

Illuminate your heart and soul by the light of knowledge and erudition, because only the informed feels responsible, fears God, and takes steps in the way of “Taqwa”.

Part 4: A Statement of Her Position with Regard to the Governing System

Sermon

ثم قالت :

اَیُّهَا النَّاسُ! اِعْلَمُوا اَنّی فاطِمَةُ وَ اَبی‏مُحَمَّدٌ، اَقُولُ عَوْداً وَ بَدْءاً، وَ لا اَقُولُ ما اَقُولُ غَلَطاً، وَ لا اَفْعَلُ ما اَفْعَلُ شَطَطاً، لَقَدْ جاءَكُمْ رَسُولٌ مِنْ اَنْفُسِكُمْ عَزیزٌ عَلَیْهِ ما عَنِتُّمْ حَریصٌ عَلَیْكُمْ بِالْمُومِنینَ رَووفٌ رَحیمٌ

فَاِنْ تَعْزُوهُ وَتَعْرِفُوهُ تَجِدُوهُ اَبی دُونَ نِسائِكُمْ،وَ اَخَا ابْنِ عَمّی دُونَ رِجالِكُمْ،

وَ لَنِعْمَ الْمَعْزِىُّ اِلَیْهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ الِهِ، فَبَلَّغَ الرِّسالَةَ صادِعاً بِالنَّذارَةِ، مائِلاً عَنْ مَدْرَجَةِ الْمُشْرِكینَ، ضارِباً ثَبَجَهُمْ، اخِذاً بِاَكْظامِهِمْ، داعِیاً اِلى سَبیلِ رَبِّهِ بِالْحِكْمَةِ و الْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ، یَجُفُّ الْاَصْنامَ وَ یَنْكُثُ الْهامَّ، حَتَّى انْهَزَمَ الْجَمْعُ وَ وَ لَّوُا الدُّبُرَ

وَ كُنْتُمْ عَلى شَفا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ، مُذْقَةَ الشَّارِبِ، وَ نُهْزَةَ الطَّامِعِ، وَ قُبْسَةَ الْعِجْلانِ، وَ مَوْطِی‏ءَ الْاَقْدامِ، تَشْرَبُونَ الطَّرْقَ، وَ تَقْتاتُونَ الْقِدَّ، اَذِلَّةً خاسِئینَ، تَخافُونَ اَنْ یَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ النَّاسُ مِنْ حَوْلِكُمْ، فَاَنْقَذَكُمُ اللَّهُ تَبارَكَ وَ تَعالی بِمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَیْهِ وَ الِهِ بَعْدَ اللَّتَیَّا وَ الَّتی، وَ بَعْدَ اَنْ مُنِیَ بِبُهَمِ الرِّجالِ، وَ ذُوبانِ الْعَرَبِ، وَ مَرَدَةِ اَهْلِ الْكِتابِ

كُلَّما اَوْقَدُوا ناراً لِلْحَرْبِ اَطْفَأَهَا اللَّهُ، اَوْ نَجَمَ قَرْنُ الشَّیْطانِ، اَوْ فَغَرَتْ فاغِرَةٌ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكینَ، قَذَفَ اَخاهُ فی لَهَواتِها، فَلا یَنْكَفِی‏ءُ حَتَّى یَطَأَ جِناحَها بِأَخْمَصِهِ، وَ یَخْمِدَ لَهَبَها بِسَیْفِهِ، مَكْدُوداً فی ذاتِ اللَّهِ، مُجْتَهِداً فی اَمْرِ اللَّهِ، قَریباً مِنْ رَسُولِ‏اللَّهِ، سَیِّداً فی اَوْلِیاءِ اللَّهِ، مُشَمِّراً ناصِحاً مُجِدّاً كادِحاً، لا تَأْخُذُهُ فِی اللَّهِ لَوْمَةَ لائِمٍ

وَ اَنْتُمَ فی رَفاهِیَّةٍ مِنَ الْعَیْشِ، و ادِعُونَ فاكِهُونَ آمِنُونَ، تَتَرَبَّصُونَ بِنَا الدَّوائِرَ، وَ تَتَوَكَّفُونَ الْاَخْبارَ، وَ تَنْكُصُونَ عِنْدَ النِّزالِ، وَ تَفِرُّونَ مِنَ الْقِتالِ

English Rendering

Then she said: O’ people!

Know that I am Fatimah! And my father is Mohammad (May peace be upon him and his progeny)

What I say is the same in its beginning and its end - and contrariness and contradiction are never allowed to enter it - and that which I say, I don’t say incorrectly, and I don’t run after the incorrect course in my actions.

A prophet arose from among you, and came to you, who suffered because of your sufferings, and who had concern and faith in your guidance, and was kind and merciful to the believers.

Whenever you search for his lineage, you will see that he was my father, not your women’s father! And he was my paternal cousins’ brother, not the brother of your men! How honorable is this lineage, may God bless him and his progeny!

Yes, he came and successfully completed his mission, and counseled the people understandably. He turned his face on the manners of the pagans jumping on their necks and squeezing their throats so that they would refrain from idolatry and move along the path of “Tawhid”.

He continually called the people to the way of God with useful proofs, and logical reasons and counsel.

He broke up the idols, and hammered at the brains of the haughty until their company became scattered. Darkness were eliminated, the dawn appeared and God became manifest. The representative of religion began to speak and satanic rumors were silenced.

The officer of earthly discord fell, the knots of idolatry and diversity were loosened, and you began speaking by the words of devotion while you were nothing more than a small, indigent group.

Yes, in those days you were on the edge of the cliff hanging over the fires of hell. Because of your modest number, you were as a sip is for a thirsty person or a bite for a hungry person, or a spark for someone running in search of fire, and you were being squashed under hand and foot.

At that time your drinking water was putrid and foul and your food the leaves of trees! You were contemptible and despicable, constantly afraid that the mighty enemy might abduct and swallow you!

But the Blessed God by the grace of Mohammad (S) saved you after all that contempt, abjectness, and weakness. He fought with the brave and confronted the Arab wolves and mutinous Jews and Christians. But every time they lit the fires of war, God would extinguish it.

And every time the horns of Satan would appear and the revolts of the idolaters began, my father would send his brother Ali (a.s) to shut them up, and by him would suppress them. And he would never return from these dangerous duties until he had trampled the enemies’ heads, and rubbed their noses in the ground!

Interpretation

Again in this section noteworthy realities are concealed:

1. Who Am I?

She, before anything, introduces herself to the crowd, and takes all excuses and apologies from them, so that no-one could say:

I was uninformed and I didn’t recognize the Prophets’ daughter, or I would have rushed to her defense.

She particularly leans on her relationship with the Prophet, and repeats her relation to Ali. Then she emphasizes the point: “That which I say is truth itself” and I don’t say anything without reckoning. See and hear what I say correctly, and realize your enormous responsibility in relation to this incident.

2. Unusual Compassion

Then the Messenger of God’s great concern for them is reminded; of how he suffered because of their sufferings, and how he was partner to their sorrows. She especially leans on five of the Prophets’ attributes, which are emphasized in one Quranic verse:

“There hath come unto you a messenger, (one) of yourselves, unto whom aught that ye are overburdened is grievous, full of Concern for you, for the believers full of pity, merciful.” (9:128)

Qualities that all of the Prophet’s companions saw and recognized in him.

3. The Prophet’s Tiresome Efforts

Then the cumbersome difficulties of the Prophet are reminded, how he rose alone for the communication of that great message, while the smallest deviation never found its way in him, rubbing the noses of rebels on the ground and breaking the heads of the haughty, his armor being used for the desires and seekers of right, logic and reason, preaching and profound sayings, until the infidels’ power was broken up, and temples fell down. The enemies of God dispersed, darkness were eliminated, and dawn appeared. The Bats flew away, and a group was able to clearly begin the melody of لا اله الا الله , and hum the tune of Tawheed in the land of the infidels.

4. You Were Like This!

Fatimah reminds them that in those days they were a small group of believers caught in a severe, frightening storm. “On one side the temptations of the pagan, idol worshiping era, would at times come to you pulling you to the edge of the fires of hell. And on the other side the powerful, merciless enemies had surrounded you from all sides, in such a way that in a wink it was possible for them to trample you under their hands and feet. You were also under such pressure that nothing was available to you except putrid water and unfit, unrefined food, and you were constantly afraid for your future.

However God wished to break the teeth of those bloodthirsty wolves, and beat the heads of those vipers against stone, and in doing so make this small group dominant over them.

Not long after that the fires of mutiny were extinguished, and the storms calmed, demons took flight, and with the rise of the world-illuminating light of Islam, the thieves and bandits who took advantage of the darkness of those penumbral nights of paganism, hid in caves.”

Yes, Fatimah reminded them of those critical moments, of which each day seemed like a century on the shoulders of believers. She did this so that they would not forget God’s great blessings, and not be ungrateful for divine gifts, so that they would strive in the way of maintaining this divine way and great message, and not submit themselves to being overawed by mutinies.

5. The Service of Ali (a.s)

The Prophets’ daughter, at this time reminds people of the great service of Ali. She tells of how during dangerous situations, the Prophet would send him for the confrontation. And with extraordinary altruism and complete self-sacrifice and devotion, he would rise to confront the enemy. He would go to the source of these revolts and extinguish them, returning victoriously. He would sever the heads of the mutinous with his sword, and rub the noses of demons in the dirt, everywhere being the friend, supporter, and defender of the Holy Prophet (S).

Yes, such a person could be the advancer of the course of this great revolution, and prevent deviation from it.

Part 5: The Storm that Arose After the Holy Prophet’s Death

Sermon

فَلَمَّا اِختارَ اللَّهُ لِنَبِیِّهِ دارَ اَنْبِیائِهِ وَ مَأْوى اَصْفِیائِهِ، ظَهَرَ فیكُمْ حَسْكَةُ النِّفاقِ، وَ سَمَلَ جِلْبابُ الدّینِ، وَ نَطَقَ كاظِمُ الْغاوینَ، وَ نَبَغَ خامِلُ الْاَقَلّینَ، وَ هَدَرَ فَنیقُ الْمُبْطِلینَ، فَخَطَرَ فی عَرَصاتِكُمْ، وَ اَطْلَعَ الشَّیْطانُ رَأْسَهُ مِنْ مَغْرَزِهِ، هاتِفاً بِكُمْ، فَأَلْفاكُمْ لِدَعْوَتِهِ مُسْتَجیبینَ، وَ لِلْغِرَّةِ فیهِ مُلاحِظینَ، ثُمَّ اسْتَنْهَضَكُمْ فَوَجَدَكُمْ خِفافاً، وَ اَحْمَشَكُمْ فَاَلْفاكُمْ غِضاباً، فَوَسَمْتُمْ غَیْرَ اِبِلِكُمْ، وَ وَرَدْتُمْ غَیْرَ مَشْرَبِكُمْ

هذا، وَ الْعَهْدُ قَریبٌ، وَالْكَلْمُ رَحیبٌ، وَ الْجُرْحُ لَمَّا یَنْدَمِلُ، وَ الرَّسُولُ لَمَّا یُقْبَرُ، اِبْتِداراً زَعَمْتُمْ خَوْفَ الْفِتْنَةِ، اَلا فِی الْفِتْنَةِ سَقَطُوا، وَ اِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمُحیطَةٌ بِالْكافِرینَ

فَهَیْهاتَ مِنْكُمْ، وَ كَیْفَ بِكُمْ، وَ اَنَّى تُوفَكُونَ، وَ كِتابُ اللَّهِ بَیْنَ اَظْهُرِكُمْ، اُمُورُهُ ظاهِرَةٌ، وَ اَحْكامُهُ زاهِرَةٌ، وَ اَعْلامُهُ باهِرَةٌ، و زَواجِرُهُ لائِحَةٌ، وَ اَوامِرُهُ واضِحَةٌ، وَ قَدْ خَلَّفْتُمُوهُ وَراءَ ظُهُورِكُمْ، أَرَغْبَةً عَنْهُ تُریدُونَ؟ اَمْ بِغَیْرِهِ تَحْكُمُونَ؟ بِئْسَ لِلظَّالمینَ بَدَلاً، وَ مَنْ یَبْتَغِ غَیْرَ الْاِسْلامِ دیناً فَلَنْ یُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ، وَ هُوَ فِی الْاخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخاسِرینِ

English Rendering

But at the time when God chose the house of the Prophets for his Prophet, and as his home the place of His elect,1 suddenly the internal hatreds and the traces of discord among you appeared. The veil of religion was withdrawn the misled began complaining, and forgotten obscurities were honored by them. False cries arose and began to move in the midst of your society.

Satan stuck his head out from its hiding place, calling you towards him and he found you ready to accept his call and waiting for his deceit!

Then he called you to insurrection, finding you passively waiting to set out! He kindled the flames of anger and vengeance in your hearts, and the vestiges of wrath appeared in you.

And this very matter caused you to place a mark on other than your own camel, and enter other than your own watering trough - and you went after something that was not your own and in which you had no right, and as a result you proceeded in usurping the government.

This was while at that time the prophet (S) had only recently died, the wounds of our suffering were vast and the affliction of our hearts had not yet been buried.

Your excuse was, “we are afraid that trouble will arise!” or “we are afraid a revolt will be started” and:

“Surely it is into temptation that they (thus) have fallen. Lo! Hell is all around the disbelievers.” (9:49)

How removed are these deeds from you!? Really, what are you doing? And where are you going?

With the fact that God’s book, the Quran, is among you, everything in it radiant, its indications resplendent, its prohibitions unquestionable, its commands distinct, but you have discarded it.

Could it be that you have turned your face away from it in displeasure? Or do you command by other than it?

It is a shame that the oppressors have chosen an inferior replacement for the Quran.

“And whoso seeketh as religion other than the Surrender to Allah (al-Islam), it will not be accepted from him, and he will be a loser in the Hereafter.” (3:85)

Interpretation

1. Suspicious Moves and Deviating Routes

In this part of her speech, the Lady of Islam (a.s) refers to the survivors of the pagan sects and the hypocrites. In the Prophet’s lifetime their space had been narrowed and they had pulled their heads into their shells, and were crouching in their dens.

However, suddenly with the death of the Prophet of Islam, these terrestrial insects lifted their heads up out of their dens, and the bats that lacked the fortitude to show themselves in the face of the Prophet’s luminous love, became the players in the arena! Suspicious movements began and deviating routes became visible, and then the political players entered the conflict!

2. A group said “Labbaik” to Satan’s call

2. A group said “Labbaik”2 to Satan’s call

The deep grief of the Prophet’s daughter begins here, in that how a great number said yes to the invitation of Satan, and began moving to the sinister call of owls, becoming the instruments of the inwardly blind hypocrites and Satan’s sect. While they began their reactionary acts, the shroud of the prophet was still damp, the sound of the call to prayer of his Muezzin, and his exclamation of “Takbir” was still ringing in their hearts.

Other than the simple-minded and the sick-at-heart another group placed the seal of silence on their lips with the excuse: We are afraid that if we say something, dispute and discord will result; thus becoming the onlookers of this scene, or becoming concordant with it so that discord would be prevented, while this in itself was the greatest discord and deviation.

3. Take Refuge in the Quran

Fatimah (s.a.), this divine herald, then cries to them "Where are you, and where are you going you lost ones?” One would say she was reminding them of her father, the Prophet’s speech:

« اِذَا التَبَسَت عَلَیکُمُ الفِتنُ کَقِطَعِ اللیلِ المُظلِمِ فَعَلَیکُم بِالقُرآنِ فَمَن جَعَلَهُ اَمامَهُ قادَهُ اِلَی الجَنّةِ وَ مَن تَرَکَهُ خَلفَهُ ساقَهُ اِلَی النّار ! »

“When seditions like the veils of gloomy nights proceed towards you take refuge in the Qur’an’s shadow. That person who places the Qur’an before him - and follows it - will be led to his heaven - and that person who has thrown it behind him will be driven to his hell.”3

She shouts out to them to, “not let the Qur’an go” and warns them that if they abandon the great memorial of the Prophet (the Qur’an), and appeal to other that it, giving preference to your invalid opinions over Islamic teachings, and knowing yourselves as authorities over it on excuses of thinking of what is best or preventing sedition, not being adjudged of its command, you will be encompassed by a great loss.

The fire of sedition will never be extinguished in your community, and you will become located in the very thing you fear. The spirit of Islam will pack off from your midst, and nothing will remain except a brainless shell and an exterior empty of contents.

Notes

1. Meaning: when the Prophet (S) died and was called to his heavenly abode. (Translator’s note)

2. Meaning: “Yes, we accept” (translator’s note)

3. English rendering by the translator

Part 6: The Story of the Usurpation of Fadak

Sermon

ثُمَّ لَمْ تَلْبَثُوا اِلى رَیْثَ اَنْ تَسْكُنَ نَفْرَتَها، وَ یَسْلَسَ قِیادَها،ثُمَّ اَخَذْتُمْ تُورُونَ وَ قْدَتَها، وَ تُهَیِّجُونَ جَمْرَتَها، وَ تَسْتَجیبُونَ لِهِتافِ الشَّیْطانِ الْغَوِىِّ، وَ اِطْفاءِ اَنْوارِالدّینِ الْجَلِیِّ، وَ اِهْمالِ سُنَنِ النَّبِیِّ الصَّفِیِّ، تُسِرُّونَ حَسْواً فِی ارْتِغاءٍ، وَ تَمْشُونَ لِاَهْلِهِ وَ وَلَدِهِ فِی الْخَمَرِ وَ الضَّرَّاءِ، وَ نَصْبِرُ مِنْكُمْ عَلى مِثْلِ حَزِّ الْمَدى، وَ وَخْزِالسنان‏فى‏الحشا

وَ اَنْتُمُ الانَ تَزَْعُمُونَ اَنْ لا اِرْثَ لَنا أَفَحُكْمَ الْجاهِلِیَّةِ تَبْغُونَ، وَ مَنْ اَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْماً لِقَومٍ یُوقِنُونَ، أَفَلا تَعْلَمُونَ؟ بَلى، قَدْ تَجَلَّى لَكُمْ كَالشَّمْسِ الضَّاحِیَةِ أَنّی اِبْنَتُهُ

اَیُّهَا الْمُسْلِمُونَ! أَاُغْلَبُ عَلى اِرْثی؟ یَابْنَ اَبی‏قُحافَةَ! اَفی كِتابِ اللَّهِ تَرِثُ اَباكَ وَ لا اَرِثُ اَبی؟ لَقَدْ جِئْتَ شَیْئاً فَرِیّاً، اَفَعَلى عَمْدٍ تَرَكْتُمْ كِتابَ اللَّهِ وَ نَبَذْتُمُوهُ وَراءَ ظُهُورِكُمْ، إذْ یَقُولُ

« وَ وَرِثَ سُلَیْمانُ داوُدَ »

وَ قالَ فیما اقْتَصَّ مِنْ خَبَرِ زَكَرِیَّا اِذْ قالَ :

« فَهَبْ لی مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِیّاً یَرِثُنی وَ یَرِثُ مِنْ الِ‏یَعْقُوبَ » ،

وَ قالَ: «وَ اوُلُوا الْاَرْحامِ بَعْضُهُمْ اَوْلی بِبَعْضٍ فی كِتابِ اللَّهِ » ،

وَ قالَ «یُوصیكُمُ اللَّهُ فی اَوْلادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْاُنْثَیَیْنِ » ،

وَ قالَ «اِنْ تَرَكَ خَیْراً الْوَصِیَّةَ لِلْوالِدَیْنِ وَالْاَقْرَبَیْنِ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَقّاً عَلَى الْمُتَّقینَ »

وَ زَعَمْتُمْ اَنْ لا حَظْوَةَ لی، وَ لا اَرِثُ مِنْ اَبی، وَ لا رَحِمَ بَیْنَنا، اَفَخَصَّكُمُ اللَّهُ بِایَةٍ اَخْرَجَ اَبی مِنْها؟ اَمْ هَلْ تَقُولُونَ: اِنَّ اَهْلَ مِلَّتَیْنِ لا یَتَوارَثانِ؟ اَوَ لَسْتُ اَنَا وَ اَبی مِنْ اَهْلِ مِلَّةٍ واحِدَةٍ؟ اَمْ اَنْتُمْ اَعْلَمُ بِخُصُوصِ الْقُرْانِ وَ عُمُومِهِ مِنْ اَبی

وَابْنِ عَمّی؟ فَدُونَكَها مَخْطُومَةً مَرْحُولَةً تَلْقاكَ یَوْمَ حَشْرِكَ

فَنِعْمَ الْحَكَمُ اللَّهُ، وَ الزَّعیمُ مُحَمَّدٌ، وَ الْمَوْعِدُ الْقِیامَةُ، وَ عِنْدَ السَّاعَةِ یَخْسِرُ الْمُبْطِلُونَ، وَ لا یَنْفَعُكُمْ اِذْ تَنْدِمُونَ، وَ لِكُلِّ نَبَأٍ مُسْتَقَرٌّ، وَ لَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ یَأْتیهِ عَذابٌ یُخْزیهِ، وَ یَحِلُّ عَلَیْهِ عَذابٌ مُقیمٌ

English Rendering

Yes, you took possession of the she-camel of the Caliphate, you didn’t even wait long enough for it to be tamed and surrender to you.

You abruptly enkindled the fires of sedition and fanned its flames. You heard favorably the tempter Satan’s proclamation, and you proceeded to extinguish the luminous light of the religion of God, while destroying the Sunnah of the pure, divine Prophet (S). With the excuse of skimming milk you secretly drank it to the last drop. In appearance you seemed to be doing what was best for others, but internally you were strengthening your own interests.

You crouched for the oustering of his household and children, and we saw no other resort except fortitude, just like someone who has a dagger at his neck and a spear aimed at his heart!

It’s strange that you imagined God did not fix an inheritance for us - and we don’t receive inheritance from the prophet.

“Do you observe the rules of the previous pagan state?”1 Which person’s commandment is better for those who are possessed of certitude?! Do you know of these matters?

Yes, you know. It is as clear as the light of day for you that I am his daughter. O’ you Muslims! Must my inheritance be taken by force? O’ son of Abi Gohafeh answer me! Is it stated in the Quran that you inherit from your father and I don’t inherit from my Father? What an unjust statement?!

Have you purposefully abandoned the Quran, and thrown it away, even while it says:

“Solomon inherited from his father David.” (27:16)

And in the story of John, Zachariah’s son,

“Oh God give me a child so that it may inherit from me and the descendants of Jacob.” (19:5-6)

And also states:

“Relatives have preference over strangers in inheritance from each other.” (8:75)

And also says:

“God has advised you regarding your children, that the share of the sons is twice that of the daughters.” (4:11)

And also commanded:

“If someone leaves behind wealth he should bequeath it in a decent manner among father and mother and relatives, this is better for the virtuous.” (2:180)

You thought that I have no share and inheritance from my father, and there is no relationship or kinship between us?

Did God reveal a special Quranic verse to you and keep it from my father?

Or do you say that the followers of two different religions don’t inherit from one another, and my father and I are not the followers of one religion?!

Or are you more informed than my father or cousin of the generalities and particulars of the Quran?!

Now that it is such, take it - my inheritance - which just like a prepared, haltered steed is ready for use, and mounts it. But you should know that in Qiamat he will see you and we will request its return. On that day how interesting that God is the judge and the plaintiff is Muhammad (S) and the fixed time for the judgment is resurrection day, and on that day the wrong will incur loss, but then regret will have no benefit for your situation.

Know that:

“So shall you know who it is on whom will come a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement come down.” (11:39) 2

Which person will have a contemptible torment come to him, and eternal punishment encircles him!?