ATTACK ON THE HOUSE OF LADY FATIMAH (SA)

[Taqavi]

Is there any evidence in Sunni sources regarding an attack on the house of Lady Fatimah (SA)?

 

regarding the events related to the attack on the house of Lady Fatimah (SA) in Sunni narrations, there are two main categories of accounts concerning this incident:

1.        First Category (Majority of Sunni Narrations):

Musa ibn Uqba describes a conflict between the supporters of Ahl al-Bayt (AS) and the pro-caliphate faction. They had surrounded Lady Fatimah's house to force Ali (AS) to pledge allegiance. The narration states: "Umar ibn al-Khattab came to the house of Fatimah along with a group of Muhajireen and Ansar, including Asid ibn Hudayr, Salama ibn Salaama, and Thabit ibn Qays. They confronted Imam Ali (AS) and Lady Fatimah (SA), and one of them even took Zubeir's sword and broke it."[1]

Ibn Abi Shaybah also reports that Umar threatened to burn down Lady Fatimah’s house. He said: “O daughter of the Messenger of Allah, by Allah, no one is dearer to us than your father, and no one is dearer to us after your father than you. But by Allah, if these people gather around you, I will order them to burn down your house.”[2]

Additionally, Al-Baladhuri recounts an incident where Umar forcefully entered Lady Fatimah’s house. She confronted him at the door, saying: “O son of al-Khattab, do you intend to burn my house?” Umar replied: “Yes, and this is stronger than what your father brought.”[3]

Tabari also reports that Umar came to Ali’s house, where Talha, Zubeir, and some of the Muhajireen were. Umar declared: “By Allah, I will either burn down your house or force you to come out for the pledge of allegiance.” [4]

Other scholars, such as Ibn Abd Rabbih,[5] Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti,[6] and Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi,[7] have also documented similar accounts.

These narrations mention the attack on Lady Fatimah's house and her threat to set it on fire. However, they do not explicitly describe any action to respond to this threat. Some even state that Imam Ali (AS) went to Abu Bakr and pledged allegiance to him after this incident.

2.        Second Category (Narrations Describing Violence):

Ibn Qutaybah, Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Muslim Dinawari (213-276 AH), recounts the following incident: Abu Bakr sent Umar to confront those who had not pledged allegiance and had taken refuge in Imam Ali’s house. Umar arrived at Ali’s house and called out, but no one came out.  Umar asked for firewood and said: By the One in Whose hand is Umar's life, either you should come out and pledge allegiance or I will burn the house down on the heads of those who are in it. They informed him that Fatimah (SA) was inside. Umar replied, “Even if Fatimah is inside…” When Fatimah (SA) heard their voices, she cried out loudly, “O father” and “O Messenger of Allah.” What injustices we have seen from Umar ibn al-Khattab and Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah after you! The attackers, upon hearing Fatimah’s cries, were moved and left, except for Umar and a few others. They forcibly brought Ali outside and demanded that he pledge allegiance. Ali asked, “What will you do if I refuse to pledge allegiance?” They replied, “By Allah, we will strike your neck.”[8]

Additionally, Abū Isḥāq Ibrāhīm ibn Sayyār ibn Hāni‘ an-Naẓẓām (185-230 AH), refers to the violation of the sanctity of Lady Fatimah (SA) by Umar. He describes how Umar struck her abdomen during the incident of allegiance, causing her to miscarry.[9]

Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Husayn Mas’udi (280-345 AH), regarded by some as a Sunni scholar, recounts a similar incident. He states: “They approached Ali’s house, attacked it, and set it on fire. They pressed Lady Fatimah (SA) against the door until she miscarried Mohsen.”[10]

These narrations go beyond threats. They assert that Umar forcibly entered Lady Fatimah's house, leading to the tragic events that resulted in the death of her son, Mohsen.

Additional Evidence: 

1.    Abu Bakr’s Regret Over the Attack on Lady Fatimah’s House:

It is important to mention that one of the most compelling pieces of evidence regarding the attack on Lady Fatimah's house comes from Abu Bakr's own words as he lay on his deathbed. He expressed regret for some actions he had taken, one of which involved the incident of the attack on Lady Fatimah’s house. This account was narrated by Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf, a reputable figure in the Sunni tradition, and many prominent Sunni scholars have included it in their writings.[11]

Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf stated: “I visited Abu Bakr during his illness, the same illness from which he eventually passed away. I greeted him and inquired about his well-being. After conveying some words to him, I said, ‘By Allah, we recognized you as a righteous man.’”

Abu Bakr replied: “However, I have no hope except for three things. I wish I had not done these three things....”

He continued: “As for those three actions that I regret: I wish I hadn't broken the privacy of Fatimah's (SA) house and attacked it and I would have left her alone, even if a war had broken out because of this.”

In this narration, the first caliph explicitly acknowledges that he regrets attacking Lady Fatimah’s house and breaking its sanctity. This account strongly supports the historical reality of the attack, especially considering its context within the struggle for leadership.

2.    Imam Juwayni’s Narration from Prophet Muhammad (SAW):

Another piece of evidence supporting the occurrence of this attack and emphasizing the oppression faced by Fatimah al-Zahra (SA) can be found in a narration attributed to the respected Sunni scholar Imam Juwayni. He reported that on one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sitting when Hasan ibn Ali entered. The Prophet's eyes filled with tears upon seeing Hasan. Then, when Hussain ibn Ali entered, the Prophet wept once more. Following them, Fatimah and Ali (AS) arrived, and the Prophet’s tears flowed again. When asked about the reason for his tears regarding Fatimah (SA), the Prophet replied:

“When I saw her, I remembered what would happen to her after my demise. It was as if I could see humiliation entering her house, her sanctity being violated, her rights being usurped, her inheritance denied, and her side being struck (causing her to miscarry). She would cry out, ‘O Muhammad!’ But no one would answer her call for help. She would seek assistance, but no one would come to her aid. She would be the first from my household to join me, appearing before me as a grieving, oppressed, sorrowful, and martyred. At that moment, I would say, ‘O Allah, curse those who wronged her, punish those who seized her rights, humiliate those who oppressed her, and eternally condemn those who struck her side until she lost her child.’ And the angels would respond, ‘Ameen.’”[12]

Conclusion:

Numerous narrations from credible Sunni sources provide clear evidence about the invasion of Lady Fatima's (SA) house and the inappropriate treatment she endured. These accounts have been documented by many Sunni historians and hadith scholars, including Tabari, Musa ibn Uqbah, Baladhari, Ibn Abi Shaybah, and Suyuti. They confirm that this historical event is an undeniable fact. Furthermore, some Sunni historians, such as Ibn Qutaybah Dinawari and Nizzam, have explicitly mentioned the beating of Lady Fatima (SA) and the resultant miscarriage of her fetus.

 

 

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[1] . Al-Iktifā’ bimā taḍmunuhu min maġāzī Rasūl Allāh (SAW) wal-thalāthatu al-khulafā’(Sufficiency with what it contains the battles of the Messenger of God - may God bless him and grant him peace - and the three caliphs): Abū al-Rabīʿ al-Kalāʿī, vol:2, p: 57. «فجاءهما عمر بن الخطاب فى عصابة من المهاجرين والأنصار فيهم أسيد بن حضير وسلمة بن سلامة بن وقش الأشهليان وثابت بن قيس بن شماس الخزرجى فكلموهما حتى أخذ أحد القوم سيف الزبير فضرب به الحجر حتى كسره.»

[2] . Al-Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah: Ibn Abī Shaybah, Abū Bakr, vol: 7, p: 432. «فلما بلغ ذلك عمر بن الخطاب خرج حتى دخل على فاطمة فقال: «يا بنت رسول الله (ص) والله ما من أحد أحب إلينا من أبيك, وما من أحد أحب إلينا بعد أبيك منك, وايم الله ما ذاك بمانعي إن اجتمع هؤلاء النفر عندك; أن أمرتهم أن يحرق عليهم البيت.»

[3] . Anṣāb al-Ashrāf: al-Balādhurī, vol: 1, p: 586. «فتلقته فاطمة على الباب، فقالت فاطمة: يا ابن الْخَطَّابِ، أَتُرَاكَ مُحَرِّقًا عَلَيَّ بَابِي؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، وَذَلِكَ أَقْوَى فِيمَا جَاءَ بِهِ أَبُوك.»

[4] . Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī (Tārīkh al-Rusul wal-Mulūk, waṣlah Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī): Abū Jaʿfar al-Ṭabarī, vol: 3, p: 202. «أَتَى عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ مَنْزِلَ عَلِيٍّ وَفِيهِ طَلْحَةُ وَالزُّبَيْرُ وَرِجَالٌ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ، فَقَالَ: وَاللَّهِ لأَحْرِقَنَّ عَلَيْكُمْ أَوْ لَتَخْرُجُنَّ إِلَى الْبَيْعَةِ.»

[5] . Al-ʿUqd al-Farīd: Ibn ʿAbd Rabbih al-Andalusī, vol: 5, p: 13 / Al-Istiʿāb: Ibn ʿAbd al-Barr, vol: 3, p: 975.

[6] . Jāmiʿ al-Aḥādīth: Jalāl al-Dīn al-Suyūṭī, vol: 26, p: 395.

[7] . Kanz al-ʿUmmāl fī Sunan al-Aqwāl wal-Afʿāl: Al-Muttaqī al-Hindī, vol: 5, p: 651.

[8] . Al-Imāmah wal-Siyāsah: al-Dīnawarī, Ibn Qutaybah, vol: 1, p: 30. «فبعث إليهم عمر ، فجاء فناداهم وهم في دار علي ، فأبوا أن يخرجوا فدعا بالحطب وقال : والذي نفسه عمر بيده . لتخرجن أو لأحرقنها على من فيها ، فقيل له : يا أبا حفص ، إن فيها فاطمة ؟ فقال : وإن ، ...... فلما سمعت أصواتهم نادت بأعلى صوتها : يا أبت يا رسول الله ، ماذا لقينا بعدك من ابن الخطاب وابن أبي قحافة ، فلما سمع القوم صوتها وبكاءها ، انصرفوا باكين ، وكادت قلوبهم تنصدع ، وأكبادهم تنفطر ، وبقي عمر ومعه قوم ، فأخرجوا عليا ، فمضوا به إلى أبي بكر ، فقالوا له : بايع ، فقال : إن أنا لم أفعل فمه ؟ قالوا : إذا والله الذي لا إله إلا هو نضرب عنقك»

[9] . Al-Milal wal-Niḥal: al-Shahrastānī, vol: 1, p: 57 / Al-Wāfī bi al-Wafayāt: al-Ṣafadī, vol: 6, p: 15. «إن عمر ضرب بطن فاطمة يوم البيعة حتى ألقت الجنين من بطنها.»

[10] . Ithbāt al-Waṣīyah: Masʿūdī, p: 146. :«فَوَجهُوا اِلی مَنْزلِهِ فَهَجَمُوا عَلَیْهِ وَ اَحْرَقُوابابَهُ وَ ضَغَطُوا سَیدَةَ النساءِ بِالْبابِ حَتی اَسْقَطَتْ مُحْسِنا»

[11] . Kanz al-ʿUmmāl: Al-Muttaqī al-Hindī, vol: 5, p: 631 / Tārīkh al-Ṭabarī: al-Ṭabarī, Ibn Jarīr, vol: 2, p: 619 / Sāqifah wa Fadak: Abī Bakr Aḥmad ibn ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Jawharī Baghdādī, p: 70.

[12] . Furāʾid al-Samtayn: al-Ḥamawī al-Juwaynī, Ibrāhīm, vol: 2, p: 35. «وَ اَنِّی لَمَّا رَاَیْتُهَا ذَکَرْتُ مَا یُصْنَعُ بِهَا بَعْدِی کَاَنِّی بِهَا وَ قَدْ دَخَلَ الذُّلُّ فی بَیْتَهَا وَ انْتُهِکَتْ حُرْمَتُهَا وَ غُصِبَتْ حَقَّهَا وَ مُنِعَتْ اِرْثَهَا وَ کُسِرَ جَنْبُهَا (وَ کُسِرَتْ جَنْبَتُهَا) وَ اَسْقَطَتْ جَنِینَهَا وَ هِیَ تُنَادِی یَا مُحَمَّدَاهْ فَلَا تُجَابُ وَ تَسْتَغِیثُ فَلَا تُغَاثُ... فَتَکُونُ اَوَّلَ مَنْ یَلْحَقُنِی مِنْ اهل‌بیتی فَتَقْدَمُ عَلَیَّ مَحْزُونَةً مَکْرُوبَةً مَغْمُومَةً مَغْصُوبَةً مَقْتُولَة. فَاَقُولُ عِنْدَ ذَلِکَ اللَّهُمَّ الْعَنْ مَنْ ظَلَمَهَا وَ عَاقِبْ مَنْ غَصَبَهَا وَ ذَلِّلْ مَنْ اَذَلَّهَا وَ خَلِّدْ فِی نَارِکَ مَنْ ضَرَبَ جَنْبَهَا حَتَّی اَلْقَتْ وَلَدَهَا فَتَقُولُ الْمَلَائِکَةُ عِنْدَ ذَلِکَ آمِین.»