Fatimah Masoomah (A.S.) similar to Hadrat Fatimah (A.S.)

On the first of Dhi al-Qa’dah in 173 AH, the city of Medina was enlightened by the birth of Hadrat Fatimah Ma’soomah (A.S.)(1). She was born to Imam Moosa ibn Ja’far (A.S.) and her mother, Najmah.

Hadrat Fatimah Masumah (A.S.) was the second and last child of Najmah, after her older brother, Imam Ali ibn Moosa al-Reza (A.S.). In fact, after Imam Reza (A.S.), she has the highest status and position amongst the children of Imam Moosa al-Kadhim (A.S.). (2)

One year after Imam Reza (A.S.)was forcibly taken to Khurasan (in year 201 AH) by the orders of Ma’moon, Hadrat Masumah (A.S.), along with her brothers and some of her relatives, left Medina for Marw in order to visit her brother, Imam Reza (A.S.).

On their way, when they reached the city of Saweh, the enemies of Ahl al-Bait attacked them. After a serious struggle, many of her relatives were martyred, and a woman in Saweh poisoned her. (3)

Grief over the loss of her relatives and the effects of the poison put Hadrat Masumah (A.S.)into a severe illness. She asked her companions to take her to the city of Qum, for she had heard her father say, “Qum is the center of our Shiites.”

When she arrived in Qum, the people of the city welcomed her. Moosa ibn Khazraj, who was amongst the great people of Qum, respectfully invited her to his house.

17 days later, on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani of the year 201 AH, after 28 years of sufferance and difficulty, Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.)no longer could endure her sickness and the effects of the poison. She left this world with a broken heart, while she had not been able to see her brother. She was buried in Qum and her shrine became the beauty of this city since then.

From amongst the narrators, we come across to narrators who happen to be women. One of these virtuous women is Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.), who has narrated many Hadiths from Lady Fatimah (A.S.)and the other Infallibles (PBUT). Actually, because of her prominence, both Shia and Sunni narrators have considered the Hadith narrated by her as authentic.

The Hadiths narrated about Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.)reveal her superiority in knowledge and virtue (6). From the point of view of Ahl al-Bait (PBUT), Hadrat Ma’soomah possesses a high status. In regards to her particular status, Imam Reza (A.S.)has said:

“One who visits the shrine of Ma’soomah {PBUH} in Qum is like one who has visited my shrine.” (7)

As this Hadith illustrates, not only the Ziarat of Hazrat Ma’soomah is stated to be similar to doing the Ziarat of an Infallible Imam, but also she has been given the title of a Ma’soomah (infallible woman) by an Imam. Considering the fact that an infallible does not exaggerate, one can come to this conclusion that Hazrat Ma’soomah owns some sort of infallibility.

Also in regards to her particular status, Imam Sadiq (A.S.) has said:

“… A lady from my children, named Fatimah daughter of Mousa, will pass away there (Qum), which all our Shiites will enter paradise with her intercession”. (8)

Imam Sadiq (A.S.) said this Hadith at a time when neither Hadrat Ma’soomah (A.S.)nor her father was born yet, and this expresses her high status.

One of her virtues is that she has a special script for Ziarat dictated by an Infallible Imam. She is the only women after Lady Fatimah (A.S.)- who is the most superior lady in the two worlds - to have a script for Ziarat dictated by an Infallible Imam. (9)

Now on the occasion of her demise let us go over on a phrase from her Ziarat:

“O Fatimah! Intercede for me in heaven, as you have an outstanding position from Allah {SWT} for intercession.”

(Selection taken from “The Generous Lady of Ahl al-Bait”, by Ali Akbar Mahdipour, and some other sources)

Footnotes:

1- No other days or months have been narrated regarding her birthday, but two have been mentioned for the year she was born:

a)173 AH (according to Mustadrak al-Saqifah) b) 183 AH (according to Nuzhat al-Abrar - Lawaqih al-Anwar)

Considering the date of martyrdom of Imam Moosa ibn Ja’far (A.S.), the first date seems more likely to be true.

2- Tawarikh al-Nabi Wal’al, p. 65

3- Wasilah al-Ma’soomiah, by Mirza Aboutalib Byouk, p. 68; Al-Hayat al-Siasiah lel Imam al-Reza (A.S.), by Ja’far Mortaza Ameli, p. 428

4- Nothing else has been narrated for the year of her martyrdom; however, 3 have been narrated for the day and month:

a) 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani (according to Nuzhat al-Abrar and Lavaqih al-Anwar) (which coincides with the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Reza (A.S.))

b) 12th of Rabi’ al-Thani (according to Mustadrak al-Saqifah)

c) 8th of Sha’ban (according to Hayat al-Sitt)

The first one seems more likely to be true

5- Kashf al-Le’ali, Salih ibn Arandas Helli

6- Nasikh al-Tawarikh, vol. 3, p. 68; Mustadrak Wasael al-Shia, vol. 10, p. 368

7- Al-Naqd, p. 196; Majalis al-Mu’minin, vol. 1, p. 83; Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 60, p. 216

8- Allamah Majlisi has narrated this Ziarat from Imam Reza (A.S.)in his valuable book of “Tuhfah al-Za’ir” in addition to Bihar al-Anwar. He has stated in the introduction of Tuhfah al-Za’ir that he had only narrated the Ziarat which were proved to be authentic in that book.

In the holy city of Medina, the holy household was awaiting the arrival of a new born.

In the house of Imam Kadhim (A.S.), Najma, the wife of the honorable Imam was eagerly looking forward to the arrival of the child; she was counting days and nights for that day. The Imam's house was overwhelmed with happiness.

Finally, the day arrived, on the 1st of Dhil-Qa'dah 173 (A.H.) when Allah blessed the 7th Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) with a daughter. The child's appearance was brilliant and cheerful and she opened her pure bright eyes to this world in the house of Imam.

All the members of the Holy Household were in utter happiness for the newborn and after the Imam, may be there was not anybody as happy as his wife Najma. This was because this was the second child that was granted by the grace of Allah to Najma after 25years. 25years ago, in the same month of Dhil-Qa'dah, Najma had given birth to a baby boy who after his father was to become the Imam and was to shoulder the responsibility of Imamate and guiding the Muslims.

Yes! That was 148 (A.H.), when the eight Imam, Ali (A.S.) was born and who was given the title of Ridha. Najma got immense pleasure in her first child and after years God blessed her and her husband Musa Kadhim (A.S.) with a daughter and a sister to Imam Ridha (A.S.).

Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) named his daughter Fatimah, for the sake of love and special attachment he had with his grandmother Fatimah Zahra (S.A.). Fatimah's purity, modesty, and piety were such that after sometime she was referred as "Ma'soomah" (the infallible). This was because like her honorable Father, she used to keep away from all evils and sins.

Fatemah, was a name that was remembered among the Ahlul bayt who had hundreds of sad and sweet memories of the life of Bibi Fatimah (S.A.).

If anybody chose the name Fatimah for their daughters, they used to give the same respect as the prophet (S.A.W.) used to give his daughter. She was never neglected. Imam Musa Kadhim (A.S.) also followed this tradition and used to love the new girl very much and never failed to show and express his kindness to and love for her.

Fatimah Ma'soomah was growing under the shelter of her father and dear mother and was day by day learning new things from both of them. If the father of Fatemah was the Imam of the Muslims and was matchless in his piety and chastity, then her mother was also pious and faithful who had accomplished her essential studies of Islam in the school of the wife of Imam Ja'far Sadiq (A.S.). In those days she was the most intelligent amongst all women and it was for reason that the mother of Imam Kadhim (Hamideh) asked him to propose and marry her.

Hazrat Fatimah Ma'soomah took advantage of studying in the presence of her father, brother and pious mother. All her young life was full of Islamic education. Every Friday Muslims would come to Medina with their religious questions. After getting their questions answered by Imam Kadhim (A.S.), they would return to their town. Incidentally, once Imam Kadhim was away and Imam Ridha (A.S.) was also not around. The Muslims without getting their question answered were returning home very sad.

Fatimah Ma'soomah noticed the sadness and took the papers from them and answered their questions. The Muslims became happy and left. On the outskirts of Medina they met Imam Kadhim (A.S.) and they informed him of all that had transpired in his house. The Imam asked to read his daughter's answers and after reading expressed his happiness, praised her and in a short sentence said, "May her father be sacrificed for her."

The Learned Divine Lady from the Holy Ahlul Bayt (A.S.)

Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) was brought up in a very noble family. She was daughter of the Holy Imam [Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.)], the sister of the Holy Imam [Imam Reza (A.S.)] and the aunt of the Holy Imam [Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S.)]. She was taught all the Islamic sciences by Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.) and Imam Reza (A.S.) and she transmitted Ahadith (traditions) from them. She became famous as Aalimah (the Learned Lady) and Muhaddithah (the Learned Lady who transmitted Ahadith).

The traditions quoted by Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) are among the most authentic traditions which are present in various books of traditions.

She was Masumah (the Immaculate)

Hadrat Fatima bint Musa al-Kazim (A.S.) was most pious, noble and reverend lady. Like her holy grandmother Hadrat Fatima Zahra (S.A.) she was always busy in performing Salaat (prayers) and kept fast most of the days. She was greatly respected and revered by her holy father Imam Musa al-Kazim (A.S.) and her elder brother Imam Reza (A.S.). She becomes famous as Masumah (the Immaculate) during her lifetime. Imam Reza (A.S.) has said about Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.) "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of 'Fatima Masumah' in Qum is like the person who has performed my Ziyarah".

Karimah-i Ahlul Bayt (A.S.)

Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.) is also considered as Karimah-i Ahlul Bayt (A.S.) because she was very kind and gracious. Thousands of miracles have been recorded at the holy grave of her and she fulfills the rightful wishes of the believers and she miraculously heals incurable patients. Imam Jafar Sadiq (A.S.) has quoted "By the intercession of Fatima Masumah (S.A.) all my Shias will enter the paradise".

Demise of Hadrat Masumah (S.A.)

In the year 200 A.H. a year after the forced migration of Imam Reza (A.S.) from Medina to Marw in Khurasan by the reigning Abbasid caliph Mamun, Hadrat Masumah accompanied by her brothers left Medina for Khurasan to meet her elder brother Imam Reza (A.S.). When they reached Saveh in central Iran they were attacked by the Abbasid army and many of his brothers were mercilessly martyred. A lady servant on the orders of the Abbasid commander poisoned Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) during her stay in Saveh.

Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) became severely ill and in this condition she migrated to Qum where the Shias of the city warmly welcomed her. The effect of poisoning increased during her short stay in Qum and she attained martyrdom on 10th of Rabi al-Thani 201 A.H. Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) had great longing to meet her brother Imam Reza (A.S.) but due to her sudden death she could not meet him. Imam Reza (A.S.) was deeply grieved when he came to know about the demise of her beloved sister Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.).

The Merits of the Ziyarah of Hadrat Fatima Masumah (S.A.)

There are many traditions from the Holy Imams (A.S.) recommending the Shias to perform the Ziyarah of the holy grave of Hadrat Masumah (S.A.) in the holy city of Qum.

Imam Ali-e-Reza (A.S.) said: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of Fatima Masumah (S.A.) will be awarded heaven". Also: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of 'Fatima Masumah' with the knowledge of her status will attain paradise".

Imam Muhammad Taqi al-Jawad (A.S.) said: "Whoever performs the Ziyarah of my aunt [Fatima Masumah (S.A.)] in Qum will enter paradise".