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Secret burial - Part 1

Secret burial

Part 1

 

Why Hadrat Fatemah Zahra (PBUH) was buried at night and why the location of her grave is unknown?!

 

If the founder or the director of an international company dies, how will his funeral be held? 

 

Let us guess who will be present at his funeral!

 

We think his assistants, employees and all the significant people of that company, even the lowest-in-rank employees, will be certainly present.

 

And we also think that his memorial services and anniversaries will be held at his graveside … .

 

Every year on the Day of Ashura, Imam Hosain (PBUH)'s holy shrine is full of millions of pilgrims. At the anniversary of Imam Reza (PBUH)’s martyrdom his holy shrine is overcrowded, because everyone wants to show his/her respect and love to his/her Imam.

 

Now, at the time of the martyrdom anniversary of the only daughter of the Prophet of Islam, where should we go to hold the mourning rituals?

 

Why the people of Medina of about 1420 years ago were not present at the funeral of the only daughter of their Prophet? For, surely if they were present, they would have known the location of the grave!

 

Why were those who had introduced themselves as the successors of the Prophet, not present at this funeral?

 

Truly, WHY did they not participate at this funeral?!

 

This is a question which must be asked of history.

 

Some people nowadays claim that in the early years of the history of Islam, no one had any disagreements with others, and all the people of that time lived in peace and harmony with one another. They claim that conflicts between the Sunni and the Shi'a began later. But if this is so, then why no one, except the AhlolBayt and a few friends of Hadrat Ali (PBUT), was present at the funeral of the only daughter of the Prophet?

 

The Shi'a have no doubts whatsoever regarding the martyrdom of Hadrat Fatemah Zahra (PBUH); regarding the events leading to, and the men causing her martyrdom.

 

I.e. in the authoritative Shi'a books and the belief of the authoritative Shi'a scholars, it is certain that hypocrites (monaafeqeen) attacked the house of Hadrat Ali and Hadrat Zahra (PBUT) and actually killed Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) and their unborn son, Hadrat Mohsen (PBUH).

 

But do the Sunni- those who are constantly facing their scholars' denial of this fact that Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) was killed by Hypocrites- can also accept this reality?

 

This was the question which prompted us to search and find the answer in Sunni books; those books which are considered authoritative by them. In fact, we tried to find whether or not an impartial researcher, in other than Imamiyah (Shi’a) documents, can find some clues directing to the martyrdom of Hadrat Fatemah Zahra (PBUH).

 

The first step was to find some clues about the way Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) was buried and the manner her funeral was held.

 

Sahih Bokhaari (Bukhari) is a book which is considered as the most authoritative hadith book by the Sunni. Bukhari in his book in hadith 3913 and also in vol. 4, hadith 3998 narrates:

 

… When she [Hadrat Zahra (PBUH)] died, her husband Ali, buried her at night and did not inform Abubakr …

 

But, why the Prophet's daughter was buried secretly and at night, and why Abubakr and ‘Omar (Umar) did not perform prayer at her remains?

 

To find the answer, we referred to the book of the Sunni ibn Abi Al-Hadid. In his Explanation of Nahj-al-Balaaghah vol. 6, p. 50, he says:

 

What is true by me [in my opinion] is that she [Hadrat Fatemah Zahra (PBUH)] died while she was angry with Abubakr and ‘Omar, and she requested that they would not perform Prayer at her remains …

 

The Sunni ibn Qotaybah Dinewari in the book Ta'wil Mokhtalef Al Hadith, has written:

 

She [Fatemah (PBUH)] swore to never speak with him [Abubakr] and made her will to be buried at night so he [Abubakr] would not be present at her funeral. (vol. 1, p. 300)

 

So this secret and night burial was Hadrat zahra's (PBUH) will herself. But why?

 

Bukhari in hadith 2862 of his Sahih provides the answer:

 

Fatemah the daughter of the Rasool of Allah was angry and cast him [Abubakr] off and did not discontinue the casting off until she died. (1)

 

So, according to Bukhari Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) died while she was extremely angry with Abubakr and had cast him off; this means that she never forgave him.

 

It is interesting to know that Bukhari in the next pages of this book in hadiths 3437 and 3483 narrates that the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) has said:

 

Fatemah is a part of me, whoever makes her angry, has made me angry.

 

And when we searched further in Sunni documents, we found traditions that emphasized on this principle:

 

Verily Allah, Honored and Glorified, becomes angry with Fatemah's anger and becomes pleased with her pleasedness. (2)

 

This means that any anger presented by Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) was actually an act approved by Allah and far from individual and worldly drives.

 

This basic principle is many times repeated in meaning (Motawaater Ma’nawi); i.e. in authoritative books several traditions including from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) exist that all have this very same meaning and content.

 

The people who annoyed the daughter of the Prophet of Allah so much so that she never forgave them and never discontinued her anger until she died, certainly have annoyed the Rasool of Allah; and what is the fate of those who annoy the Rasool of Allah?

 

Allah (SWT) in Qur’an has said:

 

Verily those who annoy Allah and His Rasool, Allah La’ns them (keeps them away from His Mercy) in the world and the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a disgraceful torment.

(Qur’an, Surah Ahzaab (33), verse 57)

 

Therefore, even the non-Shi'a actually believe that Hadrat Zahra's (PBUH) anger is Allah's anger, and whoever has annoyed her, has annoyed the Prophet (PBUH&HP); and Allah in Qur’an has said that whoever annoys Allah and the Prophet is La’ned by Allah in this world and the other world, and a disgraceful torment is prepared for him.

 

Thus according to Sunni documents, the fate of the first caliph of the Sunnis is extremely terrible!!!

 

Then we thought that the Sunnis may think that Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) had not shown her anger to Abubakr and thus he was not aware of her anger, to make amends.

 

We got the answer from ibn Qotaybah, one of the greats of Sunnis.

 

In his book, Al-Imamat wa Al-Siyaasat (vol. 1, p. 12-13), he narrates that Abubakr and 'Omar went to visit Hadrat Zahra (PBUH):

 

When they [Abubakr and Omar] went to her, she [Hadrat Fatemah (PBUH)] turned her face to the wall;

They [Abubakr and ‘Omar] said Salaam to her but she did not reply their Salaam;

She [Fatemah (PBUH)] said: I call Allah and the angels as witnesses that you two made me angry and did not cause my pleasedness;

… And she said [to Abubakr]: By Allah, I will La’n you in every Salaat I pray.

 

Why Hadrat Zahra (PBUH) was so angry with them? What had they done?

 

In Faraa’ed-al-semtayn (vol. 2, p. 34 and 35) compiled by Joweyni, one of the great scholars of Sunnis, there is a tradition by the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH&HP) in which the Prophet (PBUH&HP) had prophesied regarding the future of Hadrat Fatemah Zahra(PBUH):

 

… Whenever I see her, I remember what is going to happen to her after me, as if I am with her seeing her while disrespect has entered her house, and her honor violated, and her right usurped, and she has been deprived of her inheritance, and her side has been broken, and her fetus has been aborted while she cries: Yaa Mohammadah! But no one answers her … So she will be the first one of the Ahl-al-Bayt who will join me; she will come to me while she is sad, suffered, sorrowful, usurped and KILLED. And at that moment I shall say: O Allah! La’n (Keep your Mercy away from) whoever oppressed her, and torment whoever usurped her right, and debase whoever insulted her, and keep in the Fire forevermore whosoever stroke her side till it caused her son to be aborted. Then the angels will say: Aameen.

 

As we know, it is a Qur’anic fact that the Prophet (PBUH&HP) does not say any thing out of worldly human desire, rather all he has ever said have been Divine revelation (Qur’an, Surah Najm (53), verses 3&4). So whatever he (PBUH&HP) had prophesied was certainly going to happen; i.e. the offenses and crimes he predicted, surely did happen to Hadrat Zahra (PBUH). Undoubtedly some one did murder her, i.e. She was martyred; for, the exact word “MAQTOOL, KILLED” has been used even in the Sunni hadiths.

 

_____

Notes:

(1) Sahih Al-Bukhari, hadith 2862; similar narration in Mosnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, hadith 25

 

Other Sunni documents narrating: “Hadrat Zahra (PBUH)'s anger at Abubakr”:

 

Sahih Bukhari (Bukhari died at 256 A.H) hadith 6230; similar narration in The History of Medina (written by ibn Shobbeh), vol. 1 p. 197; Mosnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal who died in 241 A.H.) hadith 52; Jaame' al-Osool (written by ibn Athir), vol. 10, p. 386; Taarikh-al-Islam (written by Dhahabi who died in 748 A.H.), p. 21; Taarikh-al-Khamis (written by Bakri),vol. 2, p. 173; Moshkel-al-Aathar (written by Tahaawi who died in 321 AH.), vol. 1, p. 47-48; Sonan Beyhaqi (written by Beyhaqi who died in 458), vol. 6, p. 300; similar narration in Sahih ibn Habban, vol. 11, p. 152-153; Sonan Beyhaqi, vol. 6, P300; similar narrations in Al-Mosannaf (written by San'aani), vol. 5, p. 472; Mosnad-Abi-Awane, vol. 4, p. 251; Sirat-al-Nabawiyat (written by ibn Kathir who died in774), V4 P567; Fi Maktabate-al-shamela, vol. 4, p. 567; al- Bedayat-wa-al-Nehayat (written by ibn Kathir who died in 774), printed by Dar Ihya al Torath al Arabi Beirut, vol. 5, p. 306; Fath-al- Bari (written by ibn Hajar Asqalaani who died in 852), printed by Dar al Ma'roof lel Taba' al Nashr Beirut, vol. 6 p. 139 and Fi Al-maktabat –al- shamelat, vol. 9, p. 345 …

 

Some Shi'a documents narrating "Hadrat Zahra (PBUH)'s anger at Abubakr":

 

Al-Omda (written by ibn al Batriq Heli who died in 600 A.H.), printed by society of instructors, p. 391; Al-Tara'ef (written by Sayyed ibn Taawoos who died in 664), printed by al-Khayyaam, p. 258; Nahj-al-Haq wa Kashf-al-Sedq (written by Allaameh Helli who died in 726),p. 360; Wosool-al-Akhyaar-ela-Osool-al-Akhbaar (written by Abd al Samad al Amali, the father of Shaikh Bahaa'I, died in 982),p. 69; Ihqaaq-al-Haq (written by al Tostari, died 1019), p. 299; Explanation of Osool Kafi (written by Mawla Mohammad Saaleh Maazandaraani, 1081), 12 volumes, vol. 7, p. 218; Behaar-al-Anwaar (written by Allaameh Majlesi, died 1110), vol. 29, p. 112; Majma'- al-Noorayn (written by AbolHasan-al-Marandi, 1349), p. 238; A'yaan-al-Shi'a (written by Sayyed Mohsen Amin, died 1371), vol. 1, p. 314; Al-Nas-wa- al-Ijtehaad (written by Sayyed Sharaf al Din Aamoli, 1377), p. 51 and 59; Al-Ghadir (written by Allaameh Amini), vol. 7, p. 227; Ketab-al-Arba'in-fi-Imamat-al-A'emat-al- Taaherin (written by Mohammad Taher Qomi Shirazi), p. 522; Al Imam Ali (written by Rahmani Hamedani), p. 740; Abu-Horayreh (written by Sayyed Abd al Hosain Sharaf al Din); The Summary of Abaqaat-al-Anwaar (written by Sayyed Ali Milani), vol. 1, p. 86 ,138; …

(2) Some renowned Sunni scholars narrating such traditions:

 

Ibn Mothana Basari (died 252), Zakhaa'er-al-‘Oqba, p. 82, 83; Abubakr ibn Abi Asem (Died 287), Al-Esabat, vol. 8, p. 57,Sharh-al-Mavaheb, vol. 4, p. 330; Abu Ya'li Museli (died 307), Kanz-al-Ommaal, vol. 12, p. 111, hadith 34238, Mosnad Abi Ya'li, vol. 1, p. 190; Abu al Qasem Tabarani (died 360), Mo'jam-al-Kabir, vol. 1, p. 108 hadith 182, vol. 22, p. 401 hadith 1001; Hakem Neyshaburi (died 405), Al-Mostadrak-alaa- al- Sahihayn, vol. 3, p. 167, hadith 4730 (since Hakem Neyshaboori in his book has gathered so called Sahih (true) traditions according to the conditions specified by Bukhari and Moslem, then it is valid to say that according to the principles of Bukhari and Moslem this tradition is Sahih); Abu Sa'd Khargooshi(died 406), Dhakhaa'er-al-‘Oqba p. 82, 83; Abu Na'im Esfahani (died 430), kanz-al-Ommaal, vol. 12, p. 111, hadith 34238; Ibn Athir (died 630), Osd-al-Ghaba, vol. 6, p. 224; Ibn Najjaar Baghdadi (died 643), Kanz-al-Ommaal, vol. 13, p. 674, hadith 37725; Sebtibn Jozi (died 654), Tadhkerat- Khavas-al-omat, p. 279; Moheb al Din Tabari (died 694), Dhakha’er-al-Oqba, p. 82, 83; Abu Hajjaj Mazzi (died 742), Tahdhib-al-Kamal, vol. 22, p. 379; Ibn Hajar Asqalani (died 852), Al-Esabat, vol. 8, p. 56, Tahdhib-al-Tahdhib, vol. 12, p. 442; Ibn Hajar Makki [Heytami], (died 954), Al-Sawa'eq- al-Mohraqah, p. 105; Mottaqi Hendi (died 975), Kanz-al-Ommaal, vol. 12, p. 11, hadith 34238, vol. 13, p. 674, hadith 37725; Qondoozi al Hanafi (died 1294), Yanabi-al-Mawadat, vol. 2, p. 56; …

 

Some renowned Shi'a scholars narrating such traditions:

 

Zeyd Ibn Ali (died 122), Mosnad Zeyd Ibn Ali (Printed by Daar al Hayaat Beirut), p. 459; Shaikh Sadooq (died 381), Amaali Sadooq, (printed Mo'aseseh Al Be'thah),p. 467; Shaikh Sadooq (died 381), ‘Oyoon Akhbar Al Reza (printed by Mo’asesat al A'lami Beirut), vol. 1, p. 51; Alkarajaki (died 449), Al-Ta'ajob (Tahqiq fars Hosoon), p. 134 and (printed by Maktab al Mostafa), p. 55; Shaikh Tabresi (560), Al Ehtejaaj (Behaar-al-Anwaar has narrated from this book); Abu al fath al Erbeli (died 693), Kashf-al-Ghommah-fi-Ma'refat-al-a'emah (printed Dar al Azva Beirut), vol. 2, p. 95; Allameh Majlessi (died 1110), Behaar-al-Anwaar, vol. 43, p. 19, 22; Allaameh Amini, Al-Ghadir, vol. 7, p. 235; …

 

 

To be continued …