Preface

The fable of the noble Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum attacking the daughter of the Prophet, Fatimah radiya Llahu ‘anha, resulting in the breaking of her rib and the miscarriage of her unborn child is one of the fabricated stories that has become, for some people today, a historical certainty. This myth has no basis in authenticity, whether from the perspective of the chain of transmission, the text, historical context, or the overwhelmingly legendary nature of its details. Moreover, this fabricated story entails severe defamation of both the Ahlul Bayt (the Prophet’s family) and the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

The implication of this legend is that the elite of this Ummah, the righteous Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum, dared to attack the Prophet’s daughter publicly, set her house on fire, struck her, broke her rib, and caused her to miscarry. Then, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib radiya Llahu ‘anhu, the brave and heroic lion, along with the rest of the Banu Hashim, the leaders of the Quraysh, and its foremost champions, remained silent without seeking retribution. This included the rest of the Prophet’s Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

Such an incident could not happen to a small group of less than ten people, let alone a nation of thousands, without anyone speaking out against this alleged assault. As Imam al Dhahabi said regarding the claim that the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum concealed the designation of ‘Ali radiya Llahu ‘anhu:

لو جاز هذا على واحد لما جاز على جماعة ولو جاز وقوعه من جماعة لاستحال وقوعه والحالة هذه من ألوف من سادة المهاجرين والأنصار

If it were possible for one, it would not be possible for a group, and if it were possible for a group, it would be impossible for it to occur among thousands of the leading Muhajirin and Ansar.^[1]

There is no doubt that any sensible and perceptive person would not be deceived by such lies and myths. However, it is astonishing how this story has spread among many common people to the extent that it is recited in certain gatherings every year. Speakers narrate this story with fabricated and concocted details to inflame the emotions of the masses, leading them to cry and wail, thereby embedding enmity in their hearts towards the Companions radiya Llahu ‘anhum.

For this reason, it is necessary to investigate this matter, examine its origins, and verify the truth by studying its narrations, both in terms of the chain of transmission and the text. This is what we will attempt to do in this study, with the help of Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala. And with Allah subhanahu wa ta ‘ala lies success.

NEXT⇒ The Myth of the Broken Rib and Clarification of the Dispute

^[1] Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, 1/141.