Second of the Fourteen Infallibles

Fatima al-Zahra (a)

Mistress of the Women of the Worlds

Livedc. 615–632 CE (8 BH–11 AH)

Resting placeMedina — burial place kept secret

FatherThe Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

MotherKhadija bint Khuwaylid

PassingPassed away months after the Prophet — Shia sources: from injuries and grief

At the hands ofShia tradition: the assault on her home in the succession dispute

Birth & Lineage

Fatima was the beloved daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and Khadija, born in Mecca. The Prophet called her al-Zahra, “the radiant,” and said that she was a part of him — whoever angered her angered him.

Life & Virtues

She married Imam Ali and their home became the model of faith and simplicity. She was the mother of Hasan, Husayn, Zaynab and Umm Kulthum, and one of the five beneath the cloak (Ahl al-Kisa) for whom the verse of purification was revealed.

Passing & Legacy

After her father’s death she defended Ali’s right of succession and her inheritance of Fadak. Shia tradition holds that she was wronged in those days, and passed away within months of the Prophet — the only one of his children to follow him so soon. By her own wish she was buried at night, her grave kept hidden to this day.

Further readingRead al-Qazwini’s From the Cradle to the Grave on Al-Islam.org ← All Fourteen Infallibles

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ←→ Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (a)