The Prophet Muhammad (s) in the Supplication of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a)
Sayed Mahmoud Al-Mosawi
Supplication is one of the treasures of the Ahl al-Bayt (a). It is an encyclopedia of knowledge and an intellectual system, manifold in its fields and in the subjects it addresses. Supplication, in the approach of the Ahl al-Bayt (a), is a request and an entreaty to Allah the Exalted in the manner of which He is worthy, as they praise and glorify Allah the Exalted as He is worthy, for they are the ones who know Allah the Exalted best,
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and who know best the way of addressing Him, Almighty. Supplication also encompasses all the details of the human being, and everything in which a person needs Allah the Exalted, drawing from Him resolve and right guidance. For this reason the supplications of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) have included various subjects: in theology, in cosmology, in the self and its inner depths, in society and its movement, in building the human being and what relates to his conduct, his morals and his needs, in politics and the movement of the various forces in society, and likewise in the Message, its paths, its challenges and the human being’s relationship to it.
Hence supplication is a unit of worship, as the Exalted said: “Your Lord has said, ‘Call Me, and I will hear you!’ Indeed those who are disdainful of My worship will enter hell in utter humiliation.” (Qurʾan 40:60) Islam lays the foundation of the Islamic educational system through the various acts of worship that a person practices in his hours and his days.
The Importance of Studying the Supplications of the Ahl al-Bayt (a)
Supplication, then, is an important educational and cognitive message from which we can draw out various kinds of knowledge. Whoever is acquainted with the transmitted supplications of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) notices with complete clarity the lofty knowledge, ordered and sequenced, all of it for the betterment of the human being and for the clarification of the truths. The importance of studying the supplications of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) stems from their being supplications of the utmost precision in reaching what is sought, in style and in the manner of speaking with the Lord, Majestic and Exalted is He, and likewise from their containing various kinds of knowledge from which we can draw and benefit in our lives. Indeed, through studying them we can arrive at cognitive truths in doctrine, in history, in thought, in conduct and in other areas.
In our study of the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a), and specifically the study of how she treats (the Prophet) (s) in her supplications, this can provide us with important findings that reveal to us truths in which history may not have done her justice—indeed, that is the case—for the history that was overseen by the enemies of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) tried to marginalize their role in the Message and in building the human being and Islamic civilization.
When truths are revealed to us through our study of the transmitted supplications, considered as narrations issued from the Ahl al-Bayt (a), this means that those truths ought to be added to the history of al-Zahraʾ (a) and to the great history of her mission.
It has been narrated from the Prophet (s): (One who supplicates without action is like one who shoots without a bowstring). Al-Zahraʾ (a) could not possibly breach this rule; rather, she is at the summit of applying everything that has come from the Prophet (s) and from them (a). So everything that has come in the supplication of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) will have a shadow in reality and an effort that took place in her history, whether the books of history transmitted it or did not transmit it.
So when al-Zahraʾ (a) prays that the Message spread to all people, she undoubtedly has a role in working to spread the Message to all people; and when she prays that Allah raise the ranks of the Prophet (s) in this world, she strives to raise the banner of exalting the standing of the Prophet (s) in reality. Thus every supplication of hers (a) indicates an impact in the reality of her mission.
Taking a general look at the supplications of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a), we draw attention to the following:
A/ Her great concern with supplication, for she would sit on her prayer mat for long periods occupied with supplication, in the depths of the night and in the hours of the day; for this reason many varied supplications have been narrated from her.
B/ The supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) show a deep knowledge of theology, of the details of the norms throughout all of life and the system of life built upon religious knowledge, and of matters of legislation and society.
D/ Some of the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) are narrated from her directly, some of them the Prophet (s) taught her, and some were taught by the angels.
The Prophet (s) in the Supplication of al-Zahraʾ (a)
We take up the subject of the Prophet (s) in the supplications of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) as a unit of knowledge and a subject of study, for several reasons:
1/ That the Prophet (s) represents prophethood, which is a unit of knowledge in which lies the challenge of the new faith in the new Prophet.
2/ That the Prophet (s) has a mission role that represents the challenge of conveying the Message and spreading it.
3/ That the Prophet (s) has a call that represents the challenge of the new knowledge, which requires establishing it, dealing according to its approach and proceeding along its new path.
So how did Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) treat the Prophet (s) as a subject in supplication?
We present twelve points, which are aspects that the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) contained concerning the Prophet (s). They are important aspects that are directly connected with the Message; they show the extent of al-Zahraʾ’s (a) attachment to the Prophet as a prophet sent by Allah the Exalted, and they clarify the pioneering mission role of al-Zahraʾ (a) in building up the religion, conveying the Message, strengthening its position and exalting its standing.
Here now are the points, with an illustration from the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) for each topic:
1/ Affirming Prophethood
The new call of the Prophet (s) needed individuals who would carry this new faith and proclaim it openly across the horizons, as one of the factors in spreading the religion and affirming prophethood. Among her supplications in that regard was:
And I call those in the heavens and those on the earth to witness that You are Allah; there is no god except You, alone, without any partner; and that Muhammad is Your servant and Your Messenger (s).
2/ Affirming the Finality of Prophethood
Among the foundations of the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad (s) is the idea of finality in his prophethood, as there is no prophet after him; he is the Seal of the Prophets and his Message is the final Message. The Exalted has said: “Muhammad is not the father of any man among you, but he is the Apostle of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets, and Allah has knowledge of all things.” (Qurʾan 33:40)
Among her supplications (a) in affirming finality:
O Allah, bless Muhammad, the Seal of the Prophets, and all the prophets and messengers.
3/ Affirming the Inseparability of the Prophet (s) and His Household
The inseparability of the Prophet (s) and any person means that this person has an extreme importance and centrality in the Message. When our lady al-Zahraʾ (a) emphasizes the inseparability of the Prophet (s) and the Ahl al-Bayt (a), she emphasizes the centrality of the Ahl al-Bayt (a) and shows support for this everlasting centrality. Examples of this inseparability are the following supplications:
And may Allah bless Muhammad and his Family, and grant them peace abundantly.
In the supplication known as al-Hariq.. which the Prophet taught to ʿAli and Fatimah..
O Allah, bless Muhammad and his blessed Household.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and his good Household.
4/ Affirming the Saving Role of the Prophet (s) for Humanity
In her supplications al-Zahraʾ (a) emphasizes the role of the Message in rescuing the community and delivering it, and that it is the cause of elevation, standing and might in this world and of deliverance in the Hereafter.
Among her supplications (a) in that regard:
O Allah, bless Muhammad as You have guided us through him; and bless Muhammad as You have had mercy on us through him; and bless Muhammad as You have made us mighty through him; and bless Muhammad as You have favored us through him; and bless Muhammad as You have ennobled us through him; and bless Muhammad as You have granted us victory through him; and bless Muhammad as You have saved us through him from the brink of a pit of Fire.
5/ Supporting the Mission Role of the Prophet (s)
Praying for the Prophet (s) that Allah the Exalted grant him success in conveying his Message means that she stands behind that Message and adopts the role of encouragement; and encouragement has a great psychological role in the performance of work and affects its launch. Among her supplications in that regard was:
O Allah, brighten his face, raise his standing, make his argument prevail, complete his light, make his scale heavy, magnify his proof, make ample room for him until he is pleased, bring him to the degree and the means (wasila) in Paradise, raise him to the praiseworthy station that You promised him, and make him the most excellent of the prophets and messengers before You in rank and in means.
6/ Exalting the Standing of the Prophet (s) and Showing His Station with Allah
Among the duties of those who believe in the Message of the Prophet (s) is to make manifest to people his station, the loftiness of his standing and his favor with Allah the Exalted; and it is upon them to acknowledge that he is the best of creation and the most honored of them before Allah the Exalted. Among the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) in that regard was:
O Allah, Possessor of all-embracing mercy and of beneficial, elevating, pure blessing: bless the most honored of Your creatures in Your sight, the most beloved of them to You and the most eminent of them before You, Muhammad, Your servant and Your Messenger, singled out for the excellences of the means, with the noblest, most honorable, loftiest, greatest and most perfect of what You have bestowed in blessing upon one who conveyed from You and was entrusted with Your revelation.
Among the examples of exalting the standing of the Prophet (s) is that she made him (s) the reference point of all good; indeed, he is the mine of excellence that is acquired by everyone who sincerely belongs to him in any respect whatsoever. So al-Zahraʾ (a) prays for mercy for everyone who has attained the honor of connection with the Prophet (s) through any aspect of excellence. Her supplication was:
O Allah, bless Muhammad and his good Household, and his select Companions and his purified wives, and the progeny of Muhammad, and every prophet who gave glad tidings of Muhammad, and every prophet who begot Muhammad, and every righteous woman who cared for Muhammad, and everyone upon whom Your blessing is good pleasure for You and good pleasure for Your Prophet Muhammad (s). Bless them, O Allah, until You bring them to good pleasure, and increase them, after good pleasure, with that of which You are worthy, O Most Merciful of the merciful..
7/ The Historical Testimony to the Prophet’s Steadfastness
Allah the Exalted called the Prophet (s) to steadfastness in performing his role, saying: “So be steadfast, just as you have been commanded—[you] and whoever has turned [to Allah] with you—and do not overstep the bounds. Indeed, He watches what you do.” (Qurʾan 11:112). A person’s station lies in the extent to which his claim corresponds with his practical reality, and this represents an aspect of truthfulness and an aspect of infallibility. Allah the Exalted has testified to His Prophet’s steadfastness in various fields, as in His saying, Almighty: “and indeed you possess a great character.” (Qurʾan 68:4), and His saying, Exalted: “Nor does he speak out of [his own] desire: it is just a revelation that is revealed [to him],” (Qurʾan 53:3–4) and other verses. Among the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) in that regard was:
(… Place the noblest of Your blessings, the ever-growing of Your benedictions and the most gracious of Your greetings upon Muhammad, Your servant, Your Messenger and Your trustee over Your revelation, who upheld Your proof, defended Your sanctuary, openly proclaimed Your command, extolled Your signs and fulfilled Your vow. O Allah, grant him, then, for every virtue among his virtues, every merit among his merits, every state among his states and every station among his stations in which You saw Muhammad a helper to You, patient in the face of the hardships of Your trial, hostile to whoever showed enmity to You, loyal to whoever was loyal to You, remote from what You dislike and a caller to what You love: excellences from Your reward and special favors from Your giving and Your gifts, by which You make his affair resplendent and raise his rank, along with those who uphold Your justice and defend Your sanctuary, until there remains no eminence, no splendor, no mercy and no honor but that You have singled out Muhammad for it, given him its summits and brought him to the loftiest stations. Amen, Lord of the worlds).
8/ The Call to Follow His Footsteps and His Way.
The call of the Qurʾan is: “There is certainly a good exemplar for you in the Apostle of Allah—for those who look forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much.” (Qurʾan 33:21). The Prophet (s) is the model that must be emulated and the way whose footsteps ought to be followed; and al-Zahraʾ (a), in her supplication, called to taking the Messenger of Allah (s) as an exemplar. Among her supplications in that regard was:
And make us follow his footsteps, give us to drink from his cup, bring us to his Pool, raise us among his company, cause us to die upon his creed, lead us along his paths and make us act by his Sunna.
And among her supplications (a)..
O Allah, just as You blocked blindness through him and opened up guidance through him, so make the courses of his paths a way for us, and the arguments of his proof a means for us which we follow until we come before You.
And among her supplications (a)
And that You grant me certainty, guidance, light, knowledge and understanding, so that I may uphold Your Book, hold lawful what You have made lawful, hold forbidden what You have made forbidden, fulfill Your obligations and uphold the Sunna of Your Prophet Muhammad (s).
9/ The Centrality of Invoking Blessings on the Prophet (s) and Praying for Him
The Exalted said: “Indeed Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who have faith! Invoke blessings on him and invoke Peace upon him in a worthy manner.” (Qurʾan 33:56). Invoking blessings on the Prophet (s) and on his Family (a) has an important centrality in the station of prophethood and Imamate together. Allah the Exalted commanded the faithful to invoke blessings on the Prophet (s), just as He, the Exalted, blesses him, and likewise His angels. Each blessing has a meaning and a role: the blessing of Allah is His mercy, the blessing of the angels is their purifying [of him], and the blessing of the faithful is supplication for him (s), as the noble narrations have stated. For this reason invoking blessings on the Prophet (s) is the best remembrance; through it supplication is answered, needs are fulfilled and deeds are completed, and it has great blessings in this world and the Hereafter. Al-Zahraʾ (a) emphasized invoking blessings on the Prophet (s) in her supplications and mentioned it in several forms that affirm its centrality and its importance:
O Allah, place Your blessings, Your benedictions, Your favor, Your forgiveness, Your mercy, Your good pleasure, Your bounty, Your peace, Your remembrance, Your light, Your honor, Your grace and Your choicest good upon Muhammad and upon the Family of Muhammad, as You blessed, bestowed benediction upon and had mercy on Abraham and the Family of Abraham; indeed You are all-laudable, all-glorious. O Allah, grant Muhammad the supreme means and Your generous reward in the Hereafter, so that You honor him on the Day of Resurrection, O God of guidance.
And among her invocations of blessings on the Prophet (s):
O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad, bestow benediction upon Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad, and have mercy on Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad, as You blessed, bestowed benediction upon and had mercy on Abraham and the Family of Abraham; indeed You are all-laudable, all-glorious. O Allah, grant Muhammad the means, the bounty, the excellence and the lofty rank. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad as You have commanded us to invoke blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of those who have invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of every blessing You have bestowed on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of every letter in a blessing You have bestowed on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the hairs of those who have invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the hairs of those who have not invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the breaths of those who have invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the breaths of those who have not invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the stillnesses of those who have invoked blessings on him.
Among her invocations of blessings on the Prophet (s) is the lofty aspiration in the number of blessings, reaching to that in which there is no gap, such as the stillness of one who has not invoked blessings on him and the movement of one who has invoked blessings on him. It is known that people are either invoking blessings on the Prophet (s), and so have movement, or not invoking blessings on him, and so are still. So she asks for blessings on the Prophet (s) to the number of that stillness and that movement..
Bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the stillnesses of those who have not invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of the movements of those who have invoked blessings on him. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad to the number of their movements, their attributes, their minutes and their hours, and to the number of the atom-weights of what they have done or not done, or what has come from them or will come, until the Day of Resurrection.
10/ Seeking Intercession (Tawassul) through the Prophet (s)
In emphasis and affirmation of the doctrine of tawassul, about which Allah, Almighty, said: “O you who have faith! Be wary of Allah, and seek the means of recourse to Him, and wage jihad in His way, so that you may be felicitous.” (Qurʾan 5:35), Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) sought intercession through the Prophet (s) as one of the most important means to Allah the Exalted, in her supplication:
So I ask You by the right of Abraham, Your Friend, Moses, the one to whom You spoke, Jesus, Your Spirit, and Muhammad, Your chosen one and Your Prophet (s), not to turn Your noble Face away from me until You accept my repentance and forgive me my sin, O Most Merciful of the merciful.
11/ Missing the Prophet, and Showing the Effect of His Departure and What Befell His Community and His Kindred after His Loss
Some of the supplications of al-Zahraʾ (a) were after the passing of the Prophet (s), and in these supplications she treated the Prophet (s) by mentioning what befell the community, as being the community of the Prophet (s) whose pillars he founded and whose civilization he built. Among the wretched were those who turned back on their heels, as in His saying, Exalted: “Muhammad is but an apostle; [other] apostles have passed before him. If he dies or is slain, will you turn back on your heels? Anyone who turns back on his heels, will not harm Allah in the least, and soon Allah will reward the grateful.” (Qurʾan 3:144)
Among her supplications in that regard:
(O Allah, to You we complain of the loss of Your Prophet, Your Messenger and Your chosen one, and of the apostasy of his community, and of their withholding from us our right which You assigned to us in Your Book sent down upon Your Prophet by his tongue).
(O Allah, these two have wrongfully deprived the daughter of Muhammad, Your Prophet, of her right, so make Your tread heavy upon them both).
12/ Holding Fast to His Way after His Passing, and Wishing to Be Resurrected with Him (s)
The Prophet (s) was a way; whoever believed in him and followed him must continue upon the way and remain steadfast in applying it, for the mission is not cut off; rather, it continues. Among the supplications of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) were those on holding fast to the way of the Prophet (s) after his passing, and the supplication requesting that she be resurrected with him; this indicates the mission role of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a) after the martyrdom of the Prophet (s). Among her supplications was:
And that You grant me thereby the companionship of Muhammad the Prophet, Your servant and Your Messenger, in the highest of Paradise in rank, the most far-reaching of it in excellence, the most generous of it in gifts and the loftiest of it in spaciousness, with those whom You have blessed, including the prophets and the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous, and excellent companions are they!-
Among the instances of holding fast to his way is greeting him (s) with peace, because greeting the Infallible with peace after his passing is a bond of faith that renews the covenant with him. Among the supplications of our lady Fatimah (upon her be the most excellent blessings and peace) was:
—O Lord— convey to the spirit of Muhammad our greeting and peace: Peace be upon you, O Messenger of Allah; peace be upon you, O Trustee of Allah; peace be upon you, O Muhammad son of ʿAbd Allah; peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. For he is, as You have described him, most kind and merciful to the faithful. O Allah, grant him the best of what he asked of You, the best of what You have been asked for him and the best of what You will be asked for him until the Day of Resurrection. Amen, O Lord of the worlds.
1 May 2013 CE
On the occasion of the birth of Fatimah al-Zahraʾ (a)
