SMFNews: American Shia Muslims Mourn the Death of Sayeda Fatima

SMF

3 hours ago

4 min read

A golden minaret against a pale sky with a black banner carrying white Arabic calligraphy hanging from its balcony, under the headline American Shia Muslims Mourn the Death of Sayeda Fatima — The golden minaret of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, with a black mourning banner hanging from its balcony. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

WASHINGTON — American Shia Muslims are mourning the martyrdom of Sayeda Fatima al-Zahra (SA), the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, at gatherings in mosques and community centers across the United States this weekend. In Najaf, Iraq, the shrine of her husband, Imam Ali, has been draped in black, according to the shrine's website. The commemoration is known as Ayyam-e-Fatimiyyah, or the Days of Fatima.

How American communities commemorate

In the United States, mosques and community centers mark the days with majalis, or gatherings, usually held in the evening, that bring together Quran recitation, sermons and elegies. Programs commonly include salam and marsiya (salutations and elegies), an English-language speech, matam and noha (communal mourning and laments), and ziyarat, a prayer of greeting. Some end with niaz, a shared meal.

Programs differ from center to center, so anyone who wishes to attend should check a local center's schedule.

Why she matters to American Muslims

For many Shia families in the United States, Fatima is a model for believers to follow as well as a figure of grief. Oxford Bibliographies in Islamic Studies says Shia tradition presents her as an exemplary model for believers to imitate, and the Encyclopaedia of Islam notes the veneration given to her across the Muslim world.

Farhana Kassamali offered this reflection. "For me, Sayeda Fatima is a model of quiet strength. These days of remembrance are a chance for American Muslims to pause, reflect and care for one another," said Farhana Kassamali, communications director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.

Quote card: For me, Sayeda Fatima is a model of quiet strength. These days of remembrance are a chance for American Muslims to pause, reflect and care for one another. — Farhana Kassamali, Communications Director, Shia Muslim Foundation — — Farhana Kassamali, communications director of the Shia Muslim Foundation

Rahat Husain also offered a reflection. "Sayeda Fatima is the daughter of the Prophet, and every Muslim in America, whatever their background, holds her in love and respect. These days of mourning remind us of her patience, her faith and her devotion to her family," said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation.

Quote card: Sayeda Fatima is the daughter of the Prophet, and every Muslim in America, whatever their background, holds her in love and respect. These days of mourning remind us of her patience, her faith and her devotion to her family. — Rahat Husain, Executive Director, Shia Muslim Foundation — — Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation

The sections below explain who she was, why she is mourned, and how the Shrine of Imam Ali is preparing.

Who was Sayeda Fatima al-Zahra?

Fatima, also called al-Zahra, Arabic for "the Shining One," was the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad and his first wife, Khadija. She married Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin, and was the mother of Hasan and Husain, according to Britannica. Together with her husband, her sons and their descendants, she belongs to the Ahl al-Bayt, "the People of the House," the Prophet's family, Britannica explains.

Britannica says she is especially important to Shia Muslims because they regard Ali as the Prophet's rightful heir and the first of their Imams, and her sons Hasan and Husain as the next inheritors of the Prophet's tradition. She is honored well beyond the Shia community. The Encyclopaedia of Islam describes her as the object of "great veneration by all Muslims," while noting that Shia Muslims have given her particular prominence.

Why Shia Muslims mourn her

Shia Muslims believe that Sayeda Fatima died as a martyr from injuries she suffered after the Prophet's passing, and they observe the anniversary of her martyrdom each year in commemorations called Fatimiyya or Ayyam-e-Fatimiyyah. They mark the days with grief and remembrance. Fatima died in Medina months after her father, according to Britannica.

How the Shrine of Imam Ali is preparing

In Najaf, the shrine of Imam Ali has been draped in black. In a report titled "Installation of Fatimi Mourning Banners at the Holy Alawi Shrine," the Imam Ali Holy Shrine's English-language website said on Oct. 23 that the shrine "has been draped in black on the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Lady Fatimah."

Golden shrine façade and two golden minarets with a green flag, seen through a dark tiled archway, with closed umbrellas in the courtyard — The golden façade and two minarets of the Imam Ali Shrine in Najaf, seen through a tiled archway. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Photographs published with the report show workers on mechanical lifts hanging black banners with white Arabic calligraphy across the tiled, arched walls of the shrine's courtyard, including above a gate marked Al-Qiblah Gate. One long vertical banner carries the name Fatima in red Arabic lettering.

A worker on a yellow lift beside long vertical and horizontal black banners with white calligraphy on a tiled wall of arches — Workers on a lift hang black banners on the tiled, arched walls of the shrine. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Looking up at a tiled arched wall hung with black banners with white calligraphy, with a lift arm at the top and a sign reading Al-Qiblah Gate; one vertical banner shows the Arabic name Fatima in red — Black banners hang above the Al-Qiblah Gate. One vertical banner carries the name Fatima in red Arabic lettering. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

A black banner also hangs from the balcony of a golden minaret, as seen in the photo at the top of this story. Other pictures show a column wrapped in black cloth with calligraphy panels, and a banner at the foot of an arched balcony where two men stand.

A worker on a red scissor lift next to a column wrapped in black cloth with calligraphy, with black banners on the tiled wall behind — A worker on a scissor lift beside a column draped in black cloth with calligraphy panels. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Two men stand on an arched balcony above a black banner with white calligraphy and a red border — A black banner with white calligraphy below an arched balcony where two men stand. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

In another image, workers hoist a large black banner with a red border beneath the tiled arches. Close-ups show the white calligraphy and the red-and-white medallions on the banners, trimmed in green.

Workers lifting a large black banner with white calligraphy and a red border below tiled arches, with two men on a balcony above — Workers hoist a large black banner with a red border beneath the tiled arches. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Close-up of a large black banner with white Arabic calligraphy in a red-bordered medallion and green trim along a marble ledge, with men in robes on a red carpet beyond — A close-up of a black banner with a red-and-white calligraphic medallion, trimmed in green. Photo: Imam Ali Holy Shrine (imamali.net)

Long black banners also run along the courtyard wall above the shrine's red carpets. The report gives no details on the shrine's program, how long the banners will stay up, or what ceremonies are planned, and SMF has not independently verified more than the shrine's report and photographs.