The Lady of Paradise

By: Seyyed Ali Shahbaz

    "Paradise lies at the feet of the mother”, says a famous statement from Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) to emphasize the mother’s position in Islam, which as is evident by the words of God Almighty in the holy Qur’an, deserves, along with that of the father, the highest respect from the children, to the extent that Prophet Jesus (AS) says: "And (God has commanded me) to be good to my mother.” (19:32)

    The Words of the Exalted Creator are Manifest Truth without an iota of doubt, and so are the words of His Last and Greatest Messenger, one of whose famous epithets is "as-Sadeq” (the Truthful or Truth Personified). 

    And if the Prophet of Peace "who never goes astray and neither errs nor speaks of his own desire, but (whatever he says) it is revelation revealed” (53:2-4), were to hail his lone daughter and only surviving child as "Omm-e Abiha” (Mother of her [own] father), then what would be the position in the whole universe of that Lady, whom God Himself has called "Kowthar” or the Perennial Spring of Abundant Munificence. 

    "Indeed, We have granted you Kowthar; So pray to your Lord and offer sacrifice [a camel]; Indeed, it is your enemy who is without posterity."

     Now we understand why the Islamic Republic has designated the blessed 20th of Jamadi al-Akher, the auspicious birth anniversary of Hazrat Fatema Zahra (SA) as "Mother’s Day” and "Women’s Week”. 

     For Iran and for countries or communities striving to instill in the society the proper values for grooming devout daughters, virtuous wives, and model mothers, the paragon-par-excellence of feminine merits is the one and only Flawless Fatema (SA), and not any ordinary woman or an insignificant day the UN has chosen to supposedly honour mothers and women, without taking into consideration virtue, ethical perfection, chastity and feminine dignity. 

     Hadhrat Fatema (SA) needs no introduction. Thanks to the lofty status of the loyal wife of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS) and the dedicated mother of Four Immaculate children – sons Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husain (AS) and daughters Hazrat Zainab (SA) and Hazrat Omm Kolthoum (SA) – all negative notions regarding daughters were changed for good.

     For the first time in history, women found themselves placed on the pedestal of dignity and honour, since the laws of Islam neither allow the abuse and commercialization of women as objects of carnal desire, nor do they impose excessive burden on the parents regarding dowry. At the same time, women have the right to education, own property, and chose the spouse.

     The Hijab grants women freedom and liberty in the real sense of these terms, and with it dignity and respect in society that gives meaning to life. As the other half of mankind, it is the virtuous wife, who in addition to providing peace and solace to her husband, plays the fundamental role of mother in building a sound and healthy society by bringing up children in the proper manner on the basis of faith and moral values – factors that rule out immorality and with it any agonizing thoughts for parents.
     In view of these undeniable facts, it was the habit of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) as the "Excellent Exemplar” to all mankind, to salute Hazrat Fatema (SA) every morning at the time of the Fajr Prayer. He practically demonstrated the lofty position of women in Islam. He used to stand to his feet whenever his Immaculate Daughter entered his presence, and in order to show her prime position, he would make her sit in his own place.

     This was not the doting of a middle aged father, but the commandment of God Almighty to make manifest the unique position of Hazrat Fatema (SA), the Pride of the Virgin Mary.

     No wonder, the famous philosopher-poet of the Subcontinent, Mohammad Eqbal Lahori, in his ode in Persian to the Lady of Paradise who will lead the virtuous into heaven on the Day of Resurrection, says:

"Maryam az yek nisbat-e-Eisa azeez; Az seh nisbat Hazrat-e Zahra azeez.”
(Mary is honoured for being Jesus’s mother; while Zahra’s honour is threefold).
"Noor-e chashm-e Rahmat-al-lil alamin; Aan Imam-e awwalin va-akherin.
(Daughter of Mercy unto the Creation; The Leader of the first to the last).
Banu-e aan tajdar-e Hal Ata; Murtaza, Mushkil kusha Sher-e Khoda.”
(Wife of the one crowned with Surah Hal Ata; The Chosen one, Panacea of all problems, Lion of God)
"Madar-e aan markaz-e parkaar-e ishq; Madar-e aan Karwan Salaar-e ishq.”
(Mother of that centre of devotion; Mother of chief of the caravan of devotion)
"Ta nashinad atash-e paykaar-o keen; Pusht-e pa zad bar sar-e taj-o nagin.”
(To snuff out the hatred of strife; He kicked the throne and the crown aside)
"Wa aan digar mowla-e abraar-e jahaan; Quwwat-e bazu-e ahraar-e-jahan
(The other (son) is leader of the pious; Strength of revolutionaries of the world)
Dar nawa-e zindagi soz az Husain; Ahl-e haq hurriyat amoz az Husain
Husain gives passion to ode of life; Teaching truthful the lessons of freedom)
"Seerat-e farzandaha az ummahaat; Jawhar-e sidq-o safa az ummahaat
(Mothers mold characters of sons; Mothers give essence of truth and honesty)
"Mazra-e tasleem ra hasel Batoul; Madaraan ra uswa-e kamel Batoul
(Batoul is the epitome of devotion; For mothers she is the perfect example).