In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Seyed Hashem Moosavi
This week’s article is dedicated to examining the noble character and high status of Lady Fatima Masoumeh (as) among the Infallible Imams and also among scholars and great figures of religion, on the occasion of the anniversary of her martyrdom.
Her blessed name was “Fatima Kubra,” and because her honourable father, Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), had three daughters named Fatima, she, being the eldest, was called by this name. She was born in the city of Medina on the 1st of Dhu al-Qa’dah, in the year 173 AH, and she was martyred in the city of Qom at the age of 28 on the 10th of Rabi’ al-Thani, in the year 201 AH[1].
Among the children of Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as), Lady Masoumeh (as) and Imam Ali al-Ridha (as) shared the same mother, whose name was Najma Khatun. The most famous title given to her is “Masoumeh,” which according to Allama Majlisi, was derived from a narration attributed to Imam Ali al-Ridha (as).
After the martyrdom of her father, Lady Masoumeh (as) lived for 17 years in the city of Medina alongside her brother, Imam Ali al-Ridha (as). One year after Imam Ridha’s forced departure to Marv, in response to his invitation, she left Medina with some of her brothers and nephews to join him.
On the way, they reached the city of Saveh, where the enemies of the Ahl Al Bayt (as) attacked and killed her companions, including all her brothers and nephews. Upon seeing the bodies of her 23 loved ones, Lady Masoumeh was overcome with grief and fell severely ill. According to Sayyid Ja’far Murtaza Amili, she was poisoned by food.
Given her illness and emotional distress, and feeling unsafe in Saveh, she said, “Take me to Qom, for I heard from my father that Qom is the centre of our Shia.”
When the people of Qom learned of her intention to come to their city, they all went to greet her, and their leader, Musa ibn Khazraj, took the reins of her camel and respectfully brought her to his house, which was illuminated by her presence.
Today, Musa ibn Khazraj’s house, where Lady Masoumeh stayed for 17 days, has been transformed into a religious school known as the “Sittiyeh School.” The place where she worshipped is called “Bayt al-Nur” and remains a place of devotion for the public.
Allama Majlisi narrates from a group of people from Ray who visited Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (as). They told him they were from Ray, but the Imam replied, “Welcome, O brothers from Qom.” They corrected him, saying they were from Ray, but he repeated, “Welcome, O brothers from Qom.” Then the Imam said, «اِنَّ لِلَّهِ حَرَماً و هو مکة، و لِرَسولِهِ حرماً و هو المدینة، و لامیرالمؤمنین حرماً و هو الکوفة، و لَنا حرماً و هو قُمّ، وَ سَتُدفَنُ فیها اِمْرأةٌ مِن وُلدی تُسَمَّی فاطِمة، مَن زارَها وَجَبَتْ لَهُ الجنة (قال علیه السلام ذلک و لَمْ تُحْمَلُ بموسی اُمُّهُ) “Indeed, for God has a sanctuary, and it is Mecca; for His Messenger, there is a sanctuary, and it is Medina; for the Commander of the Faithful, there is a sanctuary, and it is Kufa; and for us, the Ahl Al Bayt, there is a sanctuary, and it is Qom. A woman from my descendants, named Fatima, will be buried there. Whoever visits her will enter Paradise.”
This saying of the Imam was made 45 years before the birth of Lady Masoumeh, when the mother of Imam Musa al-Kadhim had not yet conceived him.
The Secret of the Scholars’ Deep Affection for Lady Masoumeh (as)
In Quranic culture, unlike what some other religions believe, when role models are introduced, alongside great men like Prophet Ibrahim (as) and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), exemplary women are also presented to the community and believers. In our religious sources, in addition to Lady Fatima Zahra (as) and Lady Maryam (as) being introduced as role models, the wife of Pharaoh is also introduced as a model woman. Despite living in the worst environment, Pharaoh’s palace, she displayed the most magnificent faith, steadfastness, and sacrifice. The Quran says about her: “And God sets forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Pharaoh, when she said, ‘My Lord, build for me near You a house in Paradise, and save me from Pharaoh and his deeds, and save me from the wrongdoing people!'”
The significant point in this verse is that the wife of Pharaoh, like Mary (as), is not just a role model for women but for the whole society. This shows that Islam gives such value to women that they are allowed to become role models in spiritual progress and moral virtues, even for men. Throughout its history, Islam has provided numerous examples in this regard.
One of the most remarkable examples that has attracted the serious attention of scholars, mystics, philosophers, and great Shia jurists is the noble presence of Lady Fatima Masoumeh (as). Her moral and spiritual characteristics, as well as her exalted status, are so significant that not only did great Islamic jurists and scholars praise her, but the Infallible Imams (as) also extolled her virtues.
According to a narration reported by Allama Majlisi from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (as), which we mentioned earlier, Shia believers will enter Paradise through the intercession of Lady Masoumeh (as). The promise of Paradise for those who visit her indicates that she is a means of divine mercy not only in this world but also in the Hereafter. Those who love and show devotion to her will benefit from her intercession.
The Infallible Imams have repeatedly encouraged the followers of Ahl Al Bayt to visit this noble lady and seek her intercession. This act of visitation is not only a religious practice but also a symbol of respect and love for the high status of Lady Masoumeh, who will intercede for them in the Hereafter.
Imam Ali al-Ridha (as) said: “Whoever visits Lady Masoumeh in Qom is like one who has visited me.” This saying beautifully highlights her esteemed position in the eyes of God and the Ah Al Bayt. Additionally, it is narrated from Imam Muhammad al-Jawad (as) that he said: مَنْ زارَ عَمَّتی بِقُمْ فَلَهُ الجَنَّهُ» “Whoever visits my aunt in Qom, Paradise is his.”
Among the scholars and religious leaders, we have witnessed extraordinary actions and words of reverence toward this great lady, which invite us to reflect deeply on her grandeur and majesty.
Mulla Sadra, the great Islamic philosopher and founder of Transcendent Philosophy, who wrote his important work Asfar al-Arba’a in the village of Kahak near Qom, said: “Whenever a philosophical doubt arose in my mind, I would go to the tomb of Lady Masoumeh (as) in Qom and seek her assistance, and my philosophical doubt would be resolved.”[2]
Allama Tabatabai, the great philosopher and mystic, would visit the sacred shrine of Lady Masoumeh (as) before breaking his fast during Ramadan and would break his fast by kissing the shrine[3].
Ayatollah Seyed Muhammad Reza Golpayegani was so devoted to her that whenever he was ill and unable to visit her shrine, he would weep.
Ayatollah Mar’ashi Najafi, in his will, said: “After my death, place my body in front of the holy tomb of Lady Masoumeh, tie one end of my turban to the shrine and the other end to my coffin, and at that moment, recite the tragedy of my master, Imam Hussain, and his family.”
All these examples demonstrate the greatness of this noble lady, whose outstanding qualities such as knowledge, piety, sacrifice, and defence of the Imamate and guardianship have made her an unparalleled role model for all Muslims across the world.
[1] . Mustadrak Safinat Al Bihar
[2] . Fava’id Al Radhaviya, Sheikh Abbas Qummi, P379.
[3] . Bargahe Fatimeh Ma’sumeh, Seyed Jafar Mir Adhimi, V1 , P 119.