THE SITE OF FATIMA’S (RUA) GRAVE

Fatima (RUA), the daughter of the Prophet (SAS), died in a Hujrah adjacent to the Hujrah of Aisha (RUA). Some people erroneously state that she is also buried in her Hujrah. She is in fact, buried in Baqee as proved by many historical facts.

1.Fatima (RUA) used to say, “My modesty is injured by the following thought. After my death, my body will be put on a plank just like bodies of men. It will be covered by a piece of cloth and then carried on shoulders to the graveyard. In this way the shape of my body may become visible to others.” As mentioned in History of Madina, Fatima (RUA) expressed her above concern to Asma bint Omais (RUA). Asma (RUA) said to her, “ Should I not show you what I observed in Habsha?” Fatima (RUA) said, “Why not. Please do demonstrate it to me.” Asma (RUA) ordered a few green branches of palm tree. She bent each one of them into an arc. Then she spread a piece of cloth over these arcs. Fatima (RUA) said, “Fantastic.” This will show the distinction between the janaza of a man and a woman. It will also hide the body of a woman.” Fatima  (RUA) added, “Listen Asma, after my death, you and Ali (RU) give me a bath. Nobody else should come near me. Please place the branches of tree on me in the same manner you demonstrated to me.” When Fatima (RUA) died, Asma (RUA) covered a plank of wood in the above manner and said, “This was the will of Fatima (RUA).” It is further explained in History of Madina that Fatima (RUA) was the first Muslim woman to be buried with a cover on her body in the above manner. After that Zainab bint Jahsh (RUA) was buried in the same manner. Consequently, all Muslim women were buried in this fashion.

It is clear that Fatima (RUA) knew that her body would be taken from her Hujrah to Baqee. That’s why she expressed her concern and fear to Asma (RUA). If she was to be buried in her Hujrah, she did not need to make above will to Asma (RUA). It is also mentioned in History of Madina that according to some historians, there was a house situated just north of Baqee. It was called Dar Aqeel. The house was adjacent to Baqee and its one door opened into Baqee. Fatima (RUA) was buried in one corner of this very house.

2.  It is mention in Vafa-ul-Vafa that Masoudi visited Madina during 302 Hijrah. He saw a stone fixed on certain graves with following inscription on it.

In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful. All praise is for Allah (SWT) who has the power to destroy the nations and has also power to put life in rotten and fragile bones. Here is the grave of Fatima (RUA) daughter of the Prophet (SAS) who is the most distinguished lady of the world. Also are the graves of Hasan (RU) bin Ali (RU), Ali bin Husain bin Ali (RU), Mohammad bin Ali and Jaafar bin Mohammad (RU).

3. It is also mentioned in Vafa-ul-Vafa that Hasan (RU) made the following will to his brother Hussain (RU): “When I die, my body should first be brought near the grave of the Prophet (SAS). It should then be transferred to Baqee and buried near the grave of my mother.” He was buried in Baqee near the grave of Fatima (RUA) as desired in his will.

It is very clear from these facts that Fatima (RUA) was not buried in her Hujrah. She was, in fact, buried in Baqee.

The arguments of historians with contrary thinking has no weight against above proofs. Samhoudi has written in Vafa-ul-Vafa that such contrary narrations are false and are far from the truth.