The Path of Fatima is a Guiding Light for All: Second Fatimiyya at the Islamic Centre of England- 2024

On the first night of the mourning ceremonies for the martyrdom of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her) at the Islamic Centre of England, the Fatimi lifestyle was introduced and elaborated on as a guiding light for all.
The second Fatimiyya mourning ceremony, held over three nights from December 5 to December 7, 2024, was conducted in both Arabic and Persian languages, with speakers highlighting the virtues of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her).
On the first night, HIWM Seyed Hashem Moosavi, the leading scholar of the Islamic Centre of England, spoke in Persian about the Fatimi lifestyle. He emphasized that Lady Fatima’s short but impactful life is filled with wisdom, making every moment a source of enlightenment.
The Seyed explained that the Fatimi lifestyle is derived from the sermon, actions, and demeanour of Lady Fatima (peace be upon her). This way of life encompasses all dimensions—personal, family, and social—where Lady Fatima’s actions guide humanity toward a life rooted in divine values and Islamic ethics, facilitating happiness in both this world and the hereafter.
HIWM Seyed Hashem Moosavi, began by emphasizing Lady Fatima’s absolute monotheism and devotion to God. He said:
“The first significant principle in analysing Lady Fatima’s lifestyle is her God-centred life. Her entire existence was based on servitude to the Almighty, with God’s satisfaction as her foremost priority. Allama Tabatabai once told his students: ‘If you wish for your hearts to draw close to God, live simply like Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her), detached from worldly desires, with hearts filled with divine love.’”
The Imam cited examples of Lady Fatima’s God-centred actions as mentioned by the Infallible Imams:
1. In Supplication:
Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (peace be upon him) narrates:
“I saw my mother, Fatima, standing in prayer all night until dawn, constantly supplicating for others but not for herself. I asked, ‘Mother, why do you not pray for yourself as you do for others?’ She replied, ‘My son, the neighbour first, then ourselves.’”
2. In Worship:
Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him) said:
“My mother, Fatima (peace be upon her), stood in prayer for so long that her blessed feet swelled and were wounded.”
3. In Charity and Sacrifice:
When a new Muslim asked for assistance in the Mosque of Medina, Salman al-Farsi sought help but returned empty-handed. He approached Lady Fatima’s door. She replied:
“By God, it has been three days since we last ate, and my sons Hasan and Husayn are asleep from hunger. But I will not turn away someone in need.”
She gave her garment to Salman to be pawned for dates and barley, refusing to keep any for her family, saying: “This was done purely for God’s sake.”
4. At Her Wedding:
On her wedding night, Lady Fatima gifted her best dress to a beggar. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked why, she recited the Qur’anic verse: “You will not attain righteousness until you spend from what you love most.”
5. In Teaching Religion:
A woman once asked Lady Fatima numerous religious questions until she felt embarrassed. Lady Fatima reassured her:
“Ask as much as you like… for I heard my father say: ‘The scholars among our followers will receive robes of honor according to their knowledge and efforts in guiding God’s servants.’”
6. In Marital Life:
When Imam Ali (peace be upon him) noticed that they had been without food for days, Lady Fatima had given what little they had to Hasan and Husayn. Imam Ali asked why she hadn’t informed him. Lady Fatima replied:
“I feel shy before God to ask you for something that might burden you.”
On the subsequent nights, the Imam of the Islamic Centre emphasized Islamic ethics as a cornerstone of the Fatimi lifestyle. He highlighted:
•Respect and affection for one’s father and spouse
•Raising children with virtue
•Simplicity and modesty
•Helping the needy and taking social responsibility
•Defending truth and supporting the Imam of the time
•Devotion to worship and nightly prayers
•Chastity and modesty
These virtues reflect Lady Fatima’s deep understanding of a woman’s position in society, the path to a fulfilled life, and the value of honourable freedoms.
In a separate Arabic-language program, HIWM Seyyed Qasem Jalali addressed the concept of Hayat Tayyiba—a pure and wholesome life inspired by Lady Fatima (peace be upon her). He explained:
“The pure life consists of a God-fearing existence, spiritual connection with God, and righteous conduct with others. Lady Fatima’s life embodies these principles.”
On the following nights, he explored further aspects of the Fatimi approach to resolving conflicts among believers and attaining closeness to God.
The ceremonies concluded with Arabic and Persian maddahs (eulogists) reciting elegies and poems in honour of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her).