One day, during the time when Hazrat Fatima (A.S) was ill in bed. Imam Ali (A.S) returned home and he found very busy, cooking and cleaning her children, Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husain (A.S). Imam Ali (A.S) asked her as to why she was so hard working.
Tears started flowing from her eyes. She told him that on the previous night she had seen her father in a dream. She told him about the troubles that she had to go through after his death and that she found life without him very difficult. Her father, the Prophet (S.A.W.W.) consoled her and told her not to worry any more because after one day she would be with him.
By this dream Hazrat Fatima (A.S) knew that it was her last day. So she wanted to do all that she could for her beloved children before she was separated from them by death.
This news made Imam Ali (A.S) very sad.
Hazrat Fatima (S.A) then made her final wishes know to him. Her first wish was that those who had oppressed her and her husband should not be allowed to attend her burial.
To make this possible, she wished that she be buried in the darkness of night. Secondly, she recommended Imam Ali (A.S) to many Amana, the daughter of Zainab, as she would take good care of the children. Thirdly, she requested Imam Ali (A.S) to be extra careful with
Imam Hasan (A.S) and Imam Husain (A.S) as they would be very sad after their mother’s death.
With tears in his eyes Imam Ali (A.S) said goodbye to her and went to the Mosque together with Imam Hasan (A.S) and Imam Husain (A.S).
Hazrat Fatima (S.A) was now left home alone with Asma Bint Umays. Asma reports that when alone, Hazrat Fatima (A.S) put on a new garment and perfumed herself. She then retired to the place where she used to pray daily. She asked Asma to leave her alone as she wished to carry out some special prayers in remembrance of Allah, the Almighty. She requested Asma to come back to her after sometime and check if she was still alive or not.
Asma says, “I did as I was told. When left alone, Hazrat Fatima (A.S) started addressing Allah and praying for the well being of her followers. After sometime there was silence. I rushed to see what she was doing and saw that she was lying straight on her back. Her face was covered with a piece of cloth.
When I removed the cloth from her face, I found her not breathing any more. She had left this world to join her father.”
As per her wishes, Imam Ali (A.S) buried her in the darkness of the night. Besides Imam Ali (A.S) and his two sons, very few others such as Ammar, Salman, Mikdad and Abu Zar attended her funeral.
Source:
A Brief Biography of Hazrat Fatima (A.S.), [Pg. 36-37].
By: M.M. Dungersi Ph.D.
