TEHRAN Fatima al-Zahra (SA) possessed a rare and dignified wisdom in her knowledge and understanding of God.
Traces of such divine wisdom were manifest in all her thoughts and deeds; day and night were spent in unrelenting devotion to the perfection of her soul. Imam Hussein (AS) thus cited an example of he countless, noble characteristics of his revered mother: My mother was so highly endowed in spiritual maturity that in all her prayers and supplications she used to always give preference to other before herself.
Fatima (SA) had a multidimensional character. Although the worship of God constituted the basis and foundation of her life, she never tried to confine Islam to mere worship and tradition.
Rather she attached paramount importance to all social and political matters affecting the Muslim community. In a word, it can be said that Hazrat Fatima (SA) like her holy father and virtuous husband always demonstrated an active role in all areas of Islamic issues, including jurisprudence, politics and intellectual discourse.
Her level of perception and understanding attained such spiritual evolvement that this reflected in her personal responsibility toward all social and political affairs within the community where she always played an active role in this regard. Fatima (SA) was still very young when she set out to migrate from Mecca to Medina in a small caravan headed by Ali (AS), with the aim of preserving the religion of God (Islam). She was in fact the Great Lady of Islam who migrated in the way of God, perpetuating her name beside that of Ali (AS) and all other revered souls.
As an integral past of the family structure, a woman/mother plays a sensitive and fateful role in running the various aspects of family life. One of the most effective roles for a woman is to purify the home environment; to harmonize family problems and to manage family affairs. Hazrat Fatima (SA) (the Prophet's (S) daughter) paid special heed to this role, making several sacrifices to the extent that her untiring selflessness prompted the following words of praise by Imam Ali (AS): Although she is the honorable daughter of the Holy Prophet of Islam (S) she performs her housework so meticulously that her hands are always blistered.
A part of her valued time had been purposely set aside to visiting the poor. Other times were devoted to helping solve the religious problems of the Muslim community. It has been narrated that once a woman approached Hazrat Fatima (SA) on a question about prayers. She responded in a genuinely warm manner and in unwearied detail, the woman raised another question to which Fatima (SA) responded with equal warmth and sincerity. The woman asked a further question, which was again met with the same unflagging patience.
Yet a fourth and fifth question were put to Fatima (SA) both of which received the same untiring and enthusiastic attention.
The Enquirer at the point realized that she may have inconvenienced Fatima (SA) by her persistent questioning and apologized accordingly.
But the daughter of the Prophet of Islam (S) replied with the same kindness, offering to answer yet a further question had it been so desired. Fatima (SA) Throughout her fruitful life observed a spiritual balance and discipline in all the intricate aspects of daily routine, ranging from domestic tasks to intellectual, cultural and social activities a perfect example for other Muslim women to follow!