
House of Sorrows is the first ever book in English to detail the last six months of the life of the only daughter of Prophet Muhammad, Fatimah az-Zahra. This book focuses on the status of Lady Fatimah from Qur’anic verses and traditions and delves into the events immediately preceding the death of Prophet Muhammad. There are a number of events discussed in this text such as saqifah, the taking of Fadak, and then, in vivid words, goes through the last months of her life. Be prepared to shed tears as you read the heart-wrenching events of what happened to az-Zahra as recounted and narrated in the major books of the Ahlul Sunnah and the Shi’a.
- House of Sorrows, The life of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra and her grief
- Excerpts from Ziyaratul Jami’atul Kabirah
- Transliteration Table
- Publisher’s Preface
- Biography of the Author
- Translator’s Foreword
- Author’s Preface
- Chapter 1: The Birth of Sayyidah Fatimah az-Zahra
- Chapter 2: Some Virtues of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra
- Friendship for the Sake of Allah
- The Book of Fatimah
- The Status of Fatimah in Paradise
- Words of Fatimah - A Delight for the Prophet’s Heart
- Hunger of Sayyidah Fatimah and the Prophet’s Prayer
- Her Modesty Towards her Husband
- Division of Labour in the House and Outside
- Angels in the Service of Sayyidah Zahra
- The Prophet Assists Fatimah
- Affluence of the Food of Fatimah
- Her Worship
- Service in Her Husband’s House and Request for a Maid
- The Knowledge and Excellence of Fidhdhah - Her Maid
- Fatimah’s Virtues and Status in Paradise and Her Followers
- Reply to a Question from Salman
- Her Abstinence and Piety
- Devoutness of Sayyidah Zahra and of the Prophet
- Veneration of Zahra Towards Remembrance of the Prophet
- Prophet’s Praise of Fatimah and Predictions Regarding Her
- The Marriage of Sayyidah Zahra
- Night of the Marriage
- The Prophet Blesses the Bride and Groom
- Recommendations of the Prophet to Fatimah
- Recommendations of the Prophet to Imam ‘Ali
- Request for a Maid & a Lesson for Better than a Maid
- Chapter 3: State of Affairs in Saqifah after the Death of the Prophet
- Gathering of the Ansar
- Disappearence of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar and the Discourse of Abu Bakr
- Discourse of the Friends and Companions
- The Command of Abu Bakr and Allegiance to Him
- Stern Words of Sa’ad with ‘Umar and His Refusal to Swear Allegiance
- The Forged Tale of Assassination of Sa’ad by a Group of the Jinn
- Narration of Ibn Abil Hadid Regarding the Saqifah
- Another Angle and Groundwork of Saqifah: Absence of Imam ‘Ali and the Bani Hashim
- The Discourse of Imam ‘Ali
- Rejection of Abu Sufyan’s Proposal
- The Intrigues of Vicious Men
- An Astonishing Report of Abu Dhuaib al-Hudhali
- Verses of Poetry Regarding Saqifah
- The Ansar Side with Imam ‘Ali and Verses of Poetry of Hisan
- Verses of Poetry of Umme Ayman
- A Letter from Abu Bakr to Usamah and his Reply
- Scrutiny of the Incident of Saqifah: Absence of a Majority of Muslims in the Burial of the Prophet
- Saqifah in the Eyes of Bura’ b. Azib
- Circumstances of the Allegiance by Bani Hashim
- Assault at the House of Imam ‘Ali and the speech of Sayyidah Zahra
- The Incident of Forcing the Allegiance From Imam ‘Ali in the Words of the Scholars of Ahlus Sunnah
- Abu Bakr’s Discourse with Fatimah
- The Discourse of Ibn ‘Abd al-Rabbah al-Andalusi
- A Discourse of al-Mas’udi - the Renowned Historian
- Discourse of Some of the Eminent Shi’a Scholars
- An Astonishing Event
- The Sermon of Shaqshaqiyya
- The Period of the Caliphate of Imam ‘Ali
- Discourse of Jalib, the Tutor of Ibn Abil Hadid
- The Heart-Ache of Imam ‘Ali Expressed to Ibn ‘Abbas
- Decision by Twelve Men to Protest Against Abu Bakr
- Seeking an Opinion from Imam ‘Ali and his Reply
- Skirmishes of the Fourth Day
- Discourse of Salman and his Intense Involvement
- Discourse of Imam ‘Ali
- Trial of Friends and their Lack of Acceptance
- ‘Ali’s Request for Aid from the Muhajirin and Ansar and the Scoffing by Mu’awiyah
- Strong Protest of Malik b. Nuwayrah
- Assasination of Malik by Khalid b. al-Walid
- Elegy of Imam ‘Ali Mourning Malik
- Complaint of Abu Qutadah and the Silence of Abu Bakr and ‘Umar
- Compilation and Arrangement of the Qur’an
- Testimony of the Prophet and its Denial by ‘Umar
- Visiting the Brother
- Messages of Abu Bakr to Imam ‘Ali and his Reply
- Kindling Fire at the Door of the House of Zahra
- Cry of Fatimah and her Decision to Pray Against the Attackers
- An Account of Ibn Abil Hadid on the Skirmishes to Extract the Pledge of Allegiance from Imam ‘Ali
- Fatimah Crushed Between the Door and the Wall
- Thanking Qunfudh
- Imam Hasan’s Reply to Mughirah b. Shu’bah
- Another Viewpoint on the Circumstances to Extract the Pledge of Allegiance from Imam ‘Ali and the Support of Sayyidah Fatimah
- How the Hand of Abu Bakr was Placed on the Hand of Imam ‘Ali
- An Account from ‘Umar on Burning the House of Zahra
- An Account of Fatimah
- The Prophet was Informed Regarding the Oppression on Fatimah on the Night of Ascension (Me’raj)
- Punishment for Those who Hurt Fatimah
- The Property of Imam ‘Ali on the Resurrection
- Discourse of al-Nazzam - a Tutor and Scholar of the Ahlus Sunnah
- The Prophet’s Order Permitting the Killing of Hubar
- Sorrow of the Imams Over the Sufferings of Fatimah
- An Account From al-Mas’udi Regarding the Episode of the Allegiance
- Similitude of the Duties of Imam ‘Ali with Five Prophets
- Two Shocking Miracles
- Usurpation of Fadak
- Protest of Sayyidah Fatimah and the Testimony of Witnesses
- Logical Reasoning of Imam ‘Ali with Abu Bakr
- A Drafted Conspiracy to Kill ‘Ali
- Reply by the Tutor of Ibn Abil Hadid to his Questions
- A Pounding Letter from Imam ‘Ali to Abu Bakr
- Reaction of Abu Bakr upon the Letter of Imam ‘Ali
- Strong Protest of ‘Umar Against Abu Bakr
- Three Reasons for our Success
- Glance at the Sermon of Fatimah
- Lamentation of those Present
- Praise and Eulogy for the Lord and Witness of the Unity of Allah and the Prophethood of Muhammad
- Focus upon Memorizing the Qur’an, an Exalted Trust of Allah
- Concentration upon the Philosophy and Aim of Divine Ordinances
- The Decisiveness of the Prophet in Strengthening the Path of Guidance
- Role of Imam ‘Ali in the Defense of Islam
- Criticism Against the Treachery of Men
- Reasoning of Fatimah for Fadak
- Verses of Poetry of Shaykh Azari
- Reply of Abu Bakr to Fatimah
- Fatimah’s Reply to Abu Bakr
- Abu Bakr’s Reply
- Fatimah Criticizes the Deceit of the People Present
- Poetry of Fatimah Zahra Addressing the Prophet
- A Heart-Rendering Discussion Between Fatimah and ‘Ali
- ‘Ali Consoles Zahra
- Audacious Speech of Abu Bakr after the Sermon of Fatimah
- Umme Salama Defends Fatimah
- Conversation Between Fatimah and Abu Bakr
- A Precise Statement of al-Jahiz Regarding the Matters of Inheritance
- An Exact Question
- An Answer to the Above
- An Interesting Reply of ‘Uthman to ‘Ayeshah
- First False Testimony (given) in Islam
- Testimony of Imam ‘Ali and Umme Ayman
- Tearing the Document of Fadak in Disapproval
- Returning the Ransom Back to Zaynab
- Beautiful Verses by Sayyed Jazu’i
- Chapter 4: Intense Grief and Lamentation of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra in Separation of her Father
- Heart-Rendering Sigh of Fatimah by the Grave of her Father
- Lamentation of Zahra During the Day and Night and the Complaining of the People of Madinah
- Touching Verses of Poetry by Fatimah Beside her Father’s Grave
- Call to Prayer by Bilal al-Habashi and the Lamentation of Fatimah
- Fatimah Beside the Grave of the Martyrs of Uhud
- Prayer of Fatimah and Her Will
- Last Days of Fatimah, Her Age and Her Speeches and the Discourse Between Fatimah, Abu Bakr and ‘Umar
- A Concealing Bier
- Visit of the Women of the Muhajirin and Ansar to Fatimah and Her Speech
- Conveying the Message of Zahra via the Women of the Muhajirin and Ansar
- Reply from Fatimah Upon the Enquiry of Umme Salama
- The Testimony of Fatimah to ‘Ali
- Suggestion of ‘Abbas - Uncle of the Prophet
- Martyrdom of Zahra and Her Burial
- The Will of Zahra
- People in Intense Mourning over Fatimah
- Ceremonial Washing of the Body, Shrouding, and the Prayer upon Her Sacred Corpse
- Hasan and Husayn in a Last Embrace with their Mother
- Shrouding of Zahra
- Prayer and Burial of Fatimah
- ‘Ali Greets the Prophet after the Burial of Fatimah
- Imam ‘Ali’s Words Beside the Grave of Fatimah
- Strong Presence of Imam ‘Ali Against Exhuming the Grave of Fatimah
- ‘Ali’s Explanation to Abu Bakr and ‘Umar
- Verses of Poetry by Qadhi Abu Bakr
- Testimony of Fatimah from Imam Ja’far as-Sadiq
- Fatimah after the Death of the Prophet
- End note
- Ziyarah for Lady Fatimah al-Zahra