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How Old Was Lady Fatima (s.a) When She Was Martyred? Intro There are two main theories regarding the Lady’s age; one suggests that she was 18 and is supported by Shiites, and the other one, which is advocated by Sunnites, claims her to be 28 when she set to meet her beloved father in the next life. The source of disagreement is because the exact time of Fatima’s (s.a) birthday is a place of debate. If the Lady was 18 then she must have been born after Hijra and if she was 28, there’s no choice but to say she was born before Bi’tha. Let's take a brief look at the narratives and evidence provided by both sides. The Sunnite’s theory Although the said age for the Lady from the Sunnite is not the only theory among them, it is more accepted than others. For example, there’s a narrative in which the birthday is on the 41st year of the noble prophet’s life. To support that Fatima (s.a) was 28, certain narrations were presented by them: 1) Ibn Is’haaq[1] says ALL Rasulullah’s children were born before Bi’tha except Ibrahim[2] 2) Ibn Jawzi[3] says Fatima (s.a) was born around 5 years before Bi’tha during the rebuilding of Ka’ba. 3) Al-Waqidi[4] claims that She was born when Ka’ba was being built, and Rasulullah (s.a.w.s) was 35 years old. Contradiction of the narrative with authentic hadiths from the Sunnite sources All these famous scholars have said the same thing regarding the Lady’s birthday but seems like they were oblivious to their hadiths! There are some hadiths with the same context in which the birthday of Lady Fatima (s.a) was after Rasulullah’s Meraj.[5]. These hadiths are accepted by Sunnite as well:[6] 1. As-Suyuti[7] narrates in his book, called “ad-Durar al-Manthur”, under Ayah al-Miraj that Lady Khadija conceived Lady Fatima (s.a) after Rasulullah (s.a.w.s) returned from his divine ascension (Miraj) 2. A similar narrative is transmitted in Mustadrak as-Sahihayn from Sa’d ibn Malik. It is also added to the end that whenever Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) longed for paradise, he’d go to Lady Fatima (s.a) 3. Dhakha’ir al-Uqba and Tarikh Baghdad, in two spots, also narrate a similar version of the narration. The authenticity of the mentioned hadith, which is narrated in various sources with valid chains according to the Sunnite perspective, clearly establishes that the theory suggesting the Lady was born before Bi'tha is firmly unacceptable. The Shiite Theory Unlike Sunnites, Shiites mostly believe that the Lady was born after Bi’tha, with a 5-year difference. This theory not only aligns with the aforementioned hadith but is also firmly supported by additional hadiths: 1. Kashf al-Qumma, vol. 1, p. 449 à Imam al-Baqir (a.s): "Fatima was born five years after Allah revealed His prophethood to His Prophet and sent down revelation upon him, while Quraysh was building the Kaaba. She passed away at the age of eighteen." 2. Usoul al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 457à also from Imam al-Baqir: "Fatima, the daughter of Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family, was born five years after the Prophet's mission and passed away at the age of eighteen years and seventy-five days." Conclusion Rasulullah’s divine ascension (Miraj) is widely acknowledged to have occurred after his Bi’tha. Consequently, the hadiths indicating that Lady Fatima was born after the Miraj contradict the Sunni perspective. In contrast, the Shia viewpoint aligns with these hadiths and is supported by additional exclusive traditions. Ultimately, we can confidently assert that the Shia theory is more accurate and closer to the truth. [1] The famous Sunnite historian and biographer from Medina. [2] The infant son of Rasulullah (s.a.w.s) who died very young, before reaching 2 years of age. [3] The famous Sunnite jurist and historian of the sixth century. [4] The famous Sunnite historian and biographer of the third century. [5] The event of Rasulullah’s ascension to heaven, which is referred to in Sura al-Isra. [6] Al-FiruzAbadi, Faza’il al-Khamsa min as-Sihah as-Sitta, vol. 2, pp 152-153 [7] Jalal ad-Deen as-Suyuti, the famous Sunnite scholar of the 9th century.

Why is the Exact Date of Lady Fatimah's (SA) Martyrdom Uncertain? The precise date of Hazrat Fatimah (SA), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and the wife of Imam Ali (AS), has been a subject of considerable debate among Shia Muslims. Various factors contribute to this historical uncertainty. 1. Lack of Precise Historical Records: One of the main reasons for the discrepancy lies in the absence of a precise historical recording system during that time. Most significant events were transmitted orally and were rarely documented in writing. This limitation applies not only to Lady Fatimah’s martyrdom but also to other events related to the Ahl al-Bayt (AS).[1] 2. Challenges in Ancient Writing Systems: Additionally, the style of calligraphy and script prevalent during that period played a crucial role. [2] Kufic script, which lacked diacritical marks (such as dots), was common. This led to potential misreadings of similar words, such as “خمسة و سبعون” (75) and “خمسة و تسعون” (95). Such errors in oral transmission of narrations and in handwritten copies contributed to differing opinions regarding the precise date of Lady Fatimah’s martyrdom. Now, let’s explore the different viewpoints regarding the date of her martyrdom: • 75 Days After the Prophet's Demise: Some narrations, including those attributed to Imam Sadiq (AS) and Imam Baqir (AS), suggest that Hazrat Fatimah (SA) passed away 75 days after the Prophet's (SAW) death. Al-Kulayni has narrated a hadith from Imam Sadiq (AS) in this regard in his book "Al-Kafi";[3] Allama Majlisi also quotes a hadith from Imam Baqir (AS) confirming this duration in "Bihar al-Anwar".[4] Some historians have also stated that Hazrat Fatimah (SA) passed away 75 days after the Prophet's (SAW) demise. For instance, Ibn Abi Tha'lab Baghdadi writes in his book "Tarikh al-A'imah" that Hazrat Fatimah (SA) lived for 75 days after the Prophet's (SAW) demise. [5] 95 Days After the Prophet’s Demise: Other narrations suggest that Lady Fatimah’s martyrdom occurred 95 days after the Prophet’s passing. For instance, a narration from Jabir ibn Abdullah Ansari mentions that she lived for 95 days after the Prophet’s demise. [6] Prominent scholars, including Sheikh Mufid, [7] Sayyid ibn Tawus, [8] Kaf’ami in “Al-Misbah,” [9] and Allameh Tabarsi in "Alam Al-Wara"[10] assert that Lady Fatimah (SA) passed away on the third of Jumada al-Akhir in the eleventh year after the Hijra. According to this view, she lived for 95 days after her father’s departure. In conclusion, due to the reasons mentioned above and the diversity of narrations, we cannot definitively determine the exact date of Lady Fatimah’s martyrdom. However, what truly matters is our respect for all valid narrations and the observance of mourning ceremonies on both proposed dates. Such reverence is commendable and draws us closer to the Almighty. [1] . For example: Regarding the birth of Imam Hussain (as), it is stated as follows: He was born on the 3rd of Sha'ban in the 4th year of Hijri in Medina, and according to some, he was born on the 5th of Sha'ban in the 4th year of Hijri. Arabization of Muntaha al-Amal in the History of the Prophet and his Family: Al-Milani, Al-Sayyid Hashim, vol. 1, p. 523. [2] To learn more about the calligraphy of that era, you can refer to the article "History of Quranic Calligraphy and Its Evolution" written by Seyyed Mehdi Saif. [3] . Al-Kafi: Sheikh Al-Kulayni, vol. 1, p. 241. [4] . Bihar al-Anwar: Allamah al-Majlisi, Vol. 43, p. 7. [5] . A Precious Collection in the History of the Imams: a Collection of Scholars, Vol. 1, p. 12. [6] . Kifayat al-Athar fi al-Nass ala al-A'immah al-Ashar: Ali ibn Muhammad al-Khazzaz, Page: 65. [7] . Masar al-Shi'a: Al-Sheikh Al-Mufid, vol. 1, p. 31. [8] . Al-Iqbal al-Amaal al-Hasna: Al-Sayyid bin Tawus, vol. 3, p. 161. [9] . Al-Masbah - Jannah al-Aman al-Waqiyyah and Jannah al-Iman al-Baqiyyah: Al-Sheikh Ebrahim Al-Kafami Al-Amili, vol. 1, p. 511. [10] . The life of the Fourteen Infallible Ones (as): translation of "Alam Al-Wara" by Attardi, Azizullah, p. 226.