From the day the Prophet (S.A.W) died nobody saw Fatema (S.A.) smile. The attitude of Abu Bakr and Umar saddened her more. The harassment of Aisha was also ever increasing. She cried day and night. Her crying disturbed the neighbours so much that they came to Ali (A.S.) to complain about it. They said that because of her crying they could not concentrate on their work. Ali (A.S.) then erected a hut behind the graveyard (Jannatul Baqi) outside the city of Madina, where Fatema (S.A.) taking her children with her used to stay there weeping for her father and in the night returned home and again wept for her father. The falling of the burning door on her which led to the miscarriage of third son (prenamed Mohsin), the breaking of the ribs and hand had made her very weak and sick. She always tied a band round her head and often asked her sons Hasan (A.S.) and Husain (A.S.), "Where is your grandfather who respected you and carried you in his arms, who loved you and never allowed you to walk on the ground. I will never see him entering my house again and I will never see him carrying you on his shoulders."

These sufferings developed into sickness and she died within three months of her father’s death. Ali (A.S.) washed her body shrouded it and buried her at the dead of night at Jannatul Baqi as per her wish. Very few people attended her funeral notably Hasan (A.S.), Husain (A.S.), Ammar-e-Yasir, Miqdad, Aqueel, Zubair, Abu Zar, Salma, Buraida and a few members of Bani Hashim, and they offered Namaz—Janaza. As Fatema (S.A.) had willed Ali (A.S.) did not inform Abu Bakr, Umar and Aisha about her death [Sahih Bukhari, Vol 3, page 38; Tareekhe Khamees, vol. 2, page 313] But when Aisha learnt of her death, she came to the doors of Fatema (S.A.) but was stopped by Asma who informed her about Fatema (S.A.)’s will. Aisha went back and complained about it to Abu Bakr [Isteeaab, vol .2, Part 2].

Ali (A.S.) recited two lines on the grave, "When two friends meet they are bound to part. That period before separation is always short. Losing my both friends Ahmed and Fatema indicates that friends never live long."

Then addressing the Prophet (S.A.W) Ali (A.S.) said, "O Prophet of Allah please accept my greetings and those of your daughter who is being buried not very far from you and who has hastened to meet you. O the chosen Messenger of Allah the death of your dear daughter has left me without patience or solace. I have lost my self restraint and power of endurance. After having endured the separation from you I shall have to bear this catastrophe patiently. O Prophet of Allah, I laid you down in the grave with my own hands, your soul departed from your body wile you were resting upon my chest and your head was lying between my neck and my heart `Surely we belong to Allah and to him is our return'. Your trust (Fatema) which was entrusted to me is taken away from me. Sorrow now abide with me and happiness has taken leave. This grief is so over bearing that it engulfs and swallows other sorrows. and it has left me with sleepless nights and joyless days. From now onwards my life will be continued heartache until Allah gathers me with you both in the realm of His favour and peace....."

When the Muslims learnt about Fatema (S.A.)’s death they all rushed to Jannatul Baqi to pray on her grave. But were shocked to see forty fresh graves at the spot and could not recognize which one was hers. They began cursing themselves and blaming each other for neglecting her, the Prophet (S.A.W)’s only daughter. She died and even got buried and they did not know. They could not participate in her funeral nor could they offer Namaz-e- Janaza, and now they do not know even her grave?

When the government learnt about the tragedy it sent ladies to dig the graves to find out which one was hers, so that the Muslims could offer Namaz-e-Janaza and have her last glimpse. When Ali (A.S.) learnt about it he rushed in anger to Jannatul Baqi wearing his yellow dress which he always wore in the battlefield and with his sword Zulfiqar in his hand he warned the people gathered there, that if a single stone is touched from any of the graves he will severe the head of that person. Hearing this warning from Ali (A.S.) the government’s people cooled down and one of them said, "O Abul Hasan what is the harm if we dig the grave to find out Fatema’s grave so that we may offer our Namaz." Ali (A.S.) in anger replied, "If I have forsaken my rights and nor used my swords for securing it, it is because the Muslims would have gone back from Islam. But I swear by the Lord who is the master of Ali’s life that if you or any of your companions dare to touch a stone from these graves I will cover this land with your blood. And if you feel like testing it come forward." Another man who was soft and polite swore by the Almighty and assured Ali (A.S.) that they will not touch the grave and then all dispersed.

On the death of Fatema (S.A.) all the wives went to the house of Ali (A.S.) to pay condolence to him except Aisha. She not only did not visit the house nor gave condolence but rejoiced at getting the news of her death. The Confiscation of Fadak and other earnings of Fatema (S.A.) was not the only action of Abu Bakr and Umar taken against the family of the Prophet (S.A.W), but they also stopped the distribution of Khums to Bani Hashim and sons of Abdul Muttalib and gave it to Abi Abdul Shams and Bani Naafil. Though he, Abu Bakr saw the Prophet (S.A.W) in his life time distributing Khums to Bani Hashim and the sons of Abdul Muttalib and never gave to Bani Abdul Shams and Bani Naafil.

We had a look at the people whom Ali (A.S.) had to face after the death of the Prophet (S.A.W), who were they? And how did they become so very important, and how and why did they opposed Ali (A.S.) knowing the relationship between Ali (A.S.) and the Prophet (S.A.W), knowing the sacrifices of Ali (A.S.) and knowledge of Quran and Islam. Prophet (S.A.W) gave him the title of Haroon the heir and brother of Moosa. Right from the meeting of Zul Asheera the only person whom the Prophet (S.A.W) relied was Ali (A.S.), Ali (A.S.) was the shadow of the Prophet (S.A.W) on the streets of Mecca during the darkest days of the Prophet (S.A.W) life. Wherever the Prophet (S.A.W) went Ali (A.S.) went, It was Ali (A.S.) who slept in the Prophet (S.A.W)’s bed to make possible the Prophet (S.A.W)’s migration to Madina risking his own life. When it came to war the only person to answer the Prophet (S.A.W)’s call was Ali (A.S.). He was the flag bearer of the Muslim army in all the wars that the Prophet (S.A.W) fought. He was the only killer of the mightiest enemies of Islam. He was the only preacher the Prophet (S.A.W) relied upon and deputed him to various places with his revelation and his traditions in his place. The Prophet (S.A.W) kept on announcing and declaring on all occasions that Ali (A.S.) is his heir in this world and hereafter, be it in Mecca or Ghadeer Khum or Khaiber or Khandaq or Tabuk or Masjid-e- Nabawi the only name on the Prophet (S.A.W)’s lips was Ali (A.S.)’s. Whenever and wherever the occasion arose the Prophet (S.A.W) unhesitatingly and without missing words the Prophet (S.A.W) declared that Ali (A.S.) was his heir and successor. Many of the relatives and descendants of such killed persons had now surrounded the Prophet (S.A.W) and today they called themselves as the companions of the Prophet (S.A.W). And it was they who felt that so long as this person is not removed from the scene they cannot achieve anything. They knew that they are no match for him in learning, in the battlefield, in honesty, in integrity, in sacrifices, in giving judgements, in knowing the Quran and its meanings. He was the only person who was aware of all the revelations, from Mecca to Madina. The only person who could tell which revelation the Prophet (S.A.W) received in his house, and which in journey, and which revelation was received in the battlefront, and the background of each revelation. No other Muslim was as pure and as full of knowledge as Ali (A.S.). The rest of the Muslims could not acquire that knowledge as some had embraced Islam in Madina after the migration of the Prophet (S.A.W) and those who embraced Islam in Mecca too had done very late. Many of the Muslims who had migrated to Ethopia, Yemen, Syria and other places too were not aware of all the revelations. The traders too who were generally out of Mecca or Madina found very little time to know things from the Prophet (S.A.W) about the revelations or follow his traditions. Therefore conspiracies started as soon as they felt that they will not be able to achieve their goal if Ali (A.S.) became the Caliph. Many a time they did venture to complain against Ali (A.S.), but the Prophet (S.A.W) immediately rebutted them and warned them that, Ali (A.S.) is from him Ali (A.S.)’s sorrows are his sorrows, and whoever hurts Ali (A.S.) hurts him. Such traditions are a plenty where the Prophet (S.A.W) had predicted the behaviour of so called companions and warned them about their misbehaviour against Ali (A.S.).

The greed for power led to its confinement in a few hands and the people being led away from the Ahle Bait and consequently, the Quran. For, none knew it’s real interpretation except them and they were those whom Allah guaranteed purification (Ahzab: 33). The Quran was interpreted by each one as he liked, to suit his own purpose and as a result, seventy-three sects broke out among the Muslims within a couple of centuries after the Prophet (S.A.W)’s demise.

The whole tragedy of dethroning Ali (A.S.) climaxed in 61 Hijri when the horrific event of Kerbala took place where Yazeed, the son of Moaviya Bin Abu Sufian, massacred the innocent grandson of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), alongwith his friends and relatives and took his children and women as prisoners. But Islam was saved.

                                                                                                            Editor