Chapter 3: Section 1 – Theme Three
February 7, 2019Chapter 3: Section 1 – Theme Five
February 7, 2019BACK⇒ Return to Table of contents
Theme Four
Fourthly, after the demise of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam Sayyidina Fatimah radiya Llahu ‘anha was grief stricken and sorrowful. She passed away in the year 11 A.H. approximately 6 months after her father’s demise. The Shia scholars have reported that Sayyidina Abu Bakr and Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhuma would visit her during her illness. However, they darken the narrations with concocted additions to transform it into a tale of hatred as is their habit. An incident of such a nature is recorded in Kitab Sulaim ibn Qais which was painted with the colours of hatred. They have painted friendly incidents with colours of animosity.
We then wish to present the narration proving the participation of Sayyidina ‘Umar radiya Llahu ‘anhu in the janazah of Sayyidah Fatimah radiya Llahu ‘anha. This has been reported from Zayn al ‘Abidin and Muhammad al Baqir in various books. The forthcoming narrations will prove this point. This aspect has been dealt with in the Siddiqi section where we proved Sayyidina Abu Bakr’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu participation. Here, we aspire to prove Sayyidina ‘Umar’s radiya Llahu ‘anhu participation.
The Report of Zayn al ‘Abidin ‘Ali ibn al Hussain
Muhibb al Tabari reports on the authority of Ibn al Samman:
عن مالك عن جعفر بن محمد عن أبيه عن جده علي بن الحسين قال ماتت فاطمة بين المغرب و العشاء فحضرها أبو بكر و عمر و عثمان و الزبير و عبد الرحمن بن عوف فلما وضعت ليصلي عليها قال علي تقدم يا أبا بكر قال و أنت شاهد يا أبا الحسن قال نعم تقدم فوالله لا يصلي عليها غيرك فصلى عليها أبو بكر رضي الله عنهم أجمعين و دفنت ليلا خرجه البصري و خرجه السمان في الموافقة
From Malik ibn Jafar Muhammad―from his father―from his grandfather ‘Ali ibn al Hussain who reports:
Fatimah passed away between Maghrib and ‘Isha’. Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, Zubair, and ‘Abdul Rahman ibn ‘Awf attended her burial. When her bier was placed for Salat al Janazah, ‘Ali said, “Step ahead (and lead the salah), O Abu Bakr.”
“In your presence, O Abu al Hassan?” objected Abu Bakr.
“Yes,” re-joined ‘Ali, “Step ahead because by Allah, no one besides you will perform salah over her.”
Hence, Abu Bakr performed her Salat al Janazah. May Allah be pleased with them all. And she was buried at night.
Al Basri documented it and al Samman in al Muwafaqah.[1]
The Report of Muhammad al Baqir
عن جعفر بن محمد عن أبيه قال ماتت فاطمة بنت رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فجاء أبو بكر و عمر ليصلوا فقال أبو بكر لعلي بن أبي طالب تقدم فقال ما كنت لأتقدم و أنت خليفة رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فتقدم أبو بكر و صلى عليها
From Jafar ibn Muhammad―from his father who said:
Fatimah, the daughter of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam passed away. Abu Bakr and ‘Umar came to attend her Salat al Janazah. Abu Bakr told ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, “Go ahead.”
He said, “It is not befitting for me to go ahead when you are the khalifah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.”
Thus, Abu Bakr went forward and led her Salat al Janazah.[2]
[1] Al Riyad al Nadirah, vol. 1 pg. 156, chapter on Fatimah’s demise.
[2] Kanz al ‘Ummal, vol. 6 pg. 318, chapter on the virtues of the Sahabah, section on them giving superiority, the virtue of Siddiq, with reference to al Khatib among Malik’s narrators.