In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

A Glimpse into the Fatimi Lifestyle (Part One)

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

In this article, I aim to embark on a journey into the depths of the moral teachings of the life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) and examine the lifestyle of a personality who stands as a unique model of ethics, faith, patience, and love for God. Her short yet fruitful life is so full of wisdom that every moment of it can serve as a guiding light for all of us.

The Fatimi lifestyle is derived from the words, actions, and character of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) and encompasses all dimensions of individual, familial, and social life. This lifestyle guides people toward the kind of life that Almighty God expects from humans, as attaining human happiness depends on following it.

Before delving into the discussion of Lady Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) lifestyle, I find it necessary and beneficial to provide an introduction.

Introduction:
Throughout history, humans have constantly sought to understand their place in the world. This pursuit has given rise to two primary approaches in human thought: human-centeredness and God-centeredness.

Human Centred:

In this perspective, humans are the point of focus and as the ultimate purpose of the world. Human reason, abilities, and needs become the criteria for evaluating all matters. This viewpoint gained prominence during the modern era, where humans were presented as the sole determining factor in life and nature. In this framework, promoted by humanist and materialist ideologies, values and truth are defined, based on human desires and understanding, with little attention paid to unseen or divine factors.

God Centred:

God-centred is an approach in which God is regarded at the pivotal point and axis of existence. In this perspective, God is the absolute Creator, ruler of the universe, and the ultimate guide for humanity. According to God centred thought, the creation of humans and the world is not without purpose. Humans, as the noblest of creations, have a divine responsibility and move toward a transcendent goal – proximity to God.

This God-centred worldview is based on values established by God through divine wisdom. In such a perspective, good and evil are not determined by human desires but by divine standards. Worldly life is seen as a prelude to eternal life in the hereafter, and the lifestyle of a God-centred person is such that their worldly affairs serve as a means to achieve spiritual perfection and divine satisfaction.

Thus, considering the characteristics of these two methodologies, one could argue that while human centred approach may lead to scientific progress and individual autonomy, without the God centred approach, humans will face spiritual emptiness and existential confusion. Therefore, self-awareness grounded in the God centred approach can guide humans toward a sustainable balance and the true meaning of life.

With this introduction and through examining the character and life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), one can clearly observe the God-centred approach in her thoughts and actions. Her life exemplifies a distinct lifestyle rooted in this divine-centric perspective.

Based on this, the first and most vital teaching in analysing Lady Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) lifestyle is the centrality of God and the pure divine essence reflected in every aspect of her life.

1. The Centrality of Monotheism and Absolute Devotion to God

The life of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) was entirely centred on monotheism, servitude to God, and seeking His pleasure. The will and satisfaction of Almighty God were her highest priorities at every stage of her life. In this regard, Allama Tabatabai once told his students: “If you want your hearts to draw near to God, you must live like Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her): simple, free from worldly attachments, and with hearts full of divine love.”

This centrality of God and absolute devotion was not confined to specific aspects of her life. It is clearly evident across various dimensions of her words and actions.

Here are a few examples:

• In the Realm of Supplication

In the supplications of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her), sincerity and absolute devotion to God hold a special place. She saw God as present and watchful in every aspect of her life, and her prayers-whether for herself or others-were offered with pure intention, solely for the pleasure of the Almighty. In one of her prayers, she supplicates:

یا حَیُّ یا قَیُّومُ بِرَحمَتِکَ أَستَغِیثُ فَأَصلِح لی شَأنی کُلَّهُ وَ لا تَکِلنی إلی نَفسی طَرفَةَ عَینٍ أَبَداً

“O Ever-Living, O Self-Subsisting, I seek Your help through Your mercy; therefore, set my affairs right and do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye.”

A profound narration from Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (peace be upon him) beautifully portrays Lady Fatimah’s sincerity and the absolute God-centred approach in her prayers. Imam Hasan (peace be upon him) recounts:

“I saw my mother Fatimah (peace be upon her) standing in her prayer niche on a Friday night. She continued bowing and prostrating in worship until the dawn broke. I heard her praying extensively for the believing men and women, mentioning them by name, but she did not pray for herself. I asked her: ‘Mother, why do you not pray for yourself as you pray for others?’ She replied: ‘My son, the neighbour first, then the household.’”

This response demonstrates her unparalleled selflessness and her deep connection to God, prioritizing the needs of others before her own. Such prayers reflect the essence of absolute devotion and servitude, with her heart turned wholly toward God.

• During Prayer and Worship

The sincerity and centrality of God in Lady Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) worship are so profound that even God Himself bears witness to it. It is clear that such worship has the potential to elevate the human soul to spiritual heights.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) beautifully describes this scene:

“As for my daughter Fatimah… whenever she stands in her prayer niche before her Lord, exalted and glorified, the light of her worship shines to the angels in the heavens just as the light of the stars shines to the people of the earth. And God, the Almighty and Majestic, says to His angels: ‘O My angels, look at My servant Fatimah, the mistress of My maidservants, standing before Me. Every part of her trembles out of My fear, and she has turned her entire heart toward My worship. Bear witness that I have secured her followers from the fire.’”

Expressions like “standing in My presence, trembling with fear of Me” emphasize not merely the act of worship itself but the centrality of God within her worship.

In this portrayal, Lady Fatimah’s fear and trembling do not stem from a mere dread of punishment, but rather from her profound awareness of God’s majesty and grandeur. Such worship reflects absolute dependence of the servant upon their Creator, coupled with a deep understanding of His greatness. It is the kind of worship in which the servant stands before God in complete humility, awe, and devotion.

This perspective illustrates that worship is not merely an outward, physical act; rather, the heart and soul of the servant must be centred on God. In this state, worship transcends a dry and lifeless form to reach the lofty level of heartfelt submission and pure devotion to God. It becomes a worship where God is recognized not only as the object of worship but as the central axis and purpose of existence.

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (peace be upon him) narrates: “My mother, Fatimah (peace be upon her), stood in prayer for so long that her blessed feet became swollen and bruised.”

Similarly, Zamakhshari, a renowned scholar of the Sunni tradition, quotes a narration from Hasan al-Basri regarding Lady Fatimah’s (peace be upon her) devotion. Hasan al-Basri states:

 مَا كَانَ فِي هَذِهِ الْأُمَّةِ أَعْبَدُ مِنْ فَاطِمَةَ كَانَتْ تَقُومُ حَتَّى تَوَرَّمَ قَدَمَاهَا

“There was no one in this nation more devoted to worship than Fatimah. She would stand for so long in prayer that her feet would become swollen.”

Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) was not only deeply passionate about pure and sincere worship, but, as testified by Imam Ali (peace be upon him), she was also the best partner and supporter in obeying and serving God. On the morning following their wedding night, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) asked Imam Ali (peace be upon him):

کیف وجدت اهلک؟ فقال نعم العون علی طاعة اللَّه

“How did you find your wife? “He, (Imam Ali – peace be upon him) replied: “An excellent support in obeying Allah.”