Bibi Fatima's Persecution

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

“There is no Sunni and Wahabi. All are Muslims only Shias are outside Islam. To understand it, we need to understand Prophet SAW and his companions. There was no Shia during Rasul SAW’s period hence, how Shias have come to exist now. The brain of Jews and Shias work alike. Jews are enemies of Nasranis and Shias are enemies of Rasul SAW and his momin Musalman Umar.”.

This is the English translation of a post sent in Hindi by a regular viewer. There is nothing new in it. For centuries, there has been difference between Imamis and non-Imamis over the position of Companions (Sahabas). Imamis say that the companions of the Holy Prophet are just like Sahabas of previous Prophets  among whom pious believers are to be respected, and no respect should be shown to  hypocrites. In contrast, other Muslim sects insist on not studying the history of the companions. Their plea is that they were sincere people and true believers, and believers should remain silent and turn a blind eye to their life story, for what Mortal Sins and heinous crimes they committed in their career have all been forgiven. Whereas Imamis are open to history and to studying renowned individuals with scientific impartiality to find truth, hardliners prohibit digging up the past and closing their minds with faith that propels them to respect all companions without looking into their merits and demerits.

The second Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab can be cited as an example in this context. Considered to be a great political leader and companion of Holy Prophet, Imamis accuse him of hatching a conspiracy to assassinate the Messenger of Allah. They also blame him for  his direct involvement in killing his only daughter  Bibi Fatima. However, scholars of majority of non-Imamis deny historical facts. They reject that  that the second Caliph carried out a brutal attack on  Lady Fatima  that  led to the miscarriage of her baby Mohsin. They deny even though many of their historical sources make specific mention of it. All three of Shahristani, Safadi and al-Natham report: "On the day of allegiance, Umar struck Fatima's stomach causing her to lose her baby! He shouted: “Burn the house no matter who is inside! There was in the house no other than Hassan, Hussain, Ali and Fatima. On that day, Second Caliph  attacked the House of Prophecy where  Ali Ibn Abi Talib  was engaged in worship and compilation of the Quran while Bibi Fatima  was behind the door of the house because she had tried to confront the attackers and remind them that what they were doing was unlawful. Nevertheless, second Caliph took advantage of the opportunity once the door had been set alight. He stormed the house and beat the Greatest Lady of All Worlds, whom the Prophet had praised time and again and given repeated warnings against doing her wrong.”

The leaders of the anti-Ahle-Bait sect sow seeds of doubt in the narration of  al-Natham, alleging that he had been influenced by Imami culture. The truth is that he was one of  staunchest opponents of Shias. His pupil Aljahidh says : "He was one of the fiercest people in condemning the Rafidis (Shiites) because of their vilification of the companions!....al-Natham believed that Abu Bakr was superior to Ali, and that the correct order of succession for the four was as follows: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali"!

The anti-Imami elements from the very beginning always sought to justify Caliph’s actions no matter how repugnant they were with various excuses. They defend him by  saying that such extremism was essential  to protect Islam and maintain unity between Muslims. Hence, al-Natham did not feel any shame in narrating the harsh treatment meted out  to Bibi Fatima. Similarly, Bukhari also derived pride in  mentioning in his Sahih  account of Second Caliph hitting Umme Farwa and other  women who wanted to mourn Hazrat Abu Bakr. al-Natham was also like Bukhari. He related the account of  attack on Bibi Fatima  without feeling any embarrassment nor he tried to cover up as he thought the action of second Caliph fully justified being an opponent of Imamis. Now, the anti-Imami scholars tried to cover the incident Because Bibi Fatima is not like any other woman. Attacking her is one of the biggest sins. Moreover, it is Kufr and abandonment of the religion of Islam.

(The blogger has no intention of showing any disrespect to Second Caliph or hurting sentiments of any sect. He has posted the article in response to the post of a fanatic who has also been hurling filthy abuses at the blogger even though he never criticized any companion. The blogger has given version of both the sects and narrated the persecution of Bibi Fatima on the basis of narration given by a staunch opponent of Shias. If anyone can refute, he can do so with liberty. His version will also be incorporated in the article that aims at only portraying the correct history and reveal truth. The blogger urge Muslims to research the issue and enlighten if they chance upon anything contradicting the contents.May Allah give right guidance to the writer as well readers?On request,more references of Non-Imami scholars can also be given.The blogger is a historian and writes without any prejudice or bias.)