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Why did Lady Fatima (as) stand behind the door even though Imam Ali (as) was present in the house?

The argument usually put forward:

How can we believe that with the presence of Imam Ali (as) inside the house, his wife Fatima (as) will go and open the door? Why didn’t Imam Ali (as) go and open the door himself?

Answer:

First: From some narrations, we understand that Fatima (as) was sitting close to the entrance door of the house, and by seeing Umar and his followers, she (as) closed the door on them.

Al-Ayyashi and al-Mufid have narrated like many others:

“Umar said: ‘Lets us go to him (Ali (AS))’, so then Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Khalid ibn Al-Walid, Mughira ibn Shu’ba, Abu Ubaida ibn al-Jarrah, Salim Mawla Abu-Hudhayfa and Qunfudh stood up and I stood up with them. As we approached the door Fatima (AS) saw them and she closed the door in their faces and had no doubt they would not enter (the house) without her permission. Umar then kicked and broke down the door with his leg, which was made of date (tree) branches. Then they entered the house, and brought Ali (as) out while holding him by his neck...” [1] Al-Ayyashi, Tafsir al-Ayyashi, vol. 2, p. 67 Al-Mufid, al-Ikhtisas, p. 186 Al-Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 28, p. 227

Sulaim ibn Qays narrates that:

“Then Umar reached the house of Ali (as), and Fatima (as) was sitting behind the door. She had tied a piece of cloth to her head and had lost much weight due to the tragic loss of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH&HF). Umar came forward and knocked on the door and cried ‘Oh Son of Abu Talib (as) [open the door]’. Fatima (as) replied: ‘O Umar! What do you want from us? Leave us with the tragedy which has fallen upon us.’ Umar said: ‘Open the door else I will set it on fire on to you!’ Fatima (as) said: ’Oh Omar, do you not fear Allah the Almighty? You want to enter my house and attack my home?” Umar declined to back off, instead he asked for fire then set the door alight till it burnt down.” [2] Sulaim ibn Qays, Kitab Sulaim ibn Qays, p.864

Second: Fatima (AS) had no doubt that they wouldn’t enter the house without permission because this is the order of Allah in the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe: Do not enter houses other than your own houses until you have asked permission and said hello (Salam) to the household, that is better for you so you may remember. But if you do not find any one therein, then do not enter them until permission is given to you, and if it is said to you: ‘Go back’, then go back for this is purer for you, and Allah is aware of what you do.” Quran 24:27-28

خلوا ل ءامنوا الذين يأيها» تأ نسوا حتى ب يوتكم غير ب يوتا تد لها على تسلموا و تس تذكرون لعلكم لكم خير ذالكم أى خلوها فل أحدا فيها جتدوام لم فإن ذن حت تدم ملون با الله و لكمم أزمكى هو فارمجعوام ارمجعوام لكم قيل إن و لكم ي ؤم و 72/ النور «عليم ت عم72

On the other hand the houses of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) have a special rank, and no one is allowed in them without asking permission:

“O you who believe! Do not enter the houses of the Prophet unless permission is given to you...” Quran 33:53

خلوا ل آمنوا الذين أي ها يا» ذن أن إل النبي ب يوت تد 35 الحزاب «لكم ي ؤ There is no doubt that the house of Fatima (as) is regarded as one of the houses of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF). This fact has been mentioned in many different Sunni Tafsir books under the commentary of the following Holy Verse:

“In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised and His name be mentioned in them, they glorify Him therein in the mornings and the evenings.” Quran 24:36

مو فيها يذ كر و ت ر فع أن اللو أذن ب يوت فى» صال بال غدو فيها لو يسبح اس 63/النور «وال

Suyuti and others have narrated on from the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) that the house of Imam Ali and Fatima (as) is one of the greatest house of the Prophets:

Ibn Mardawayh has narrated from Anas ibn Malik and Buraida that:

“Allah’s Messenger (PBUH&HF) recited this verse ‘In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised…’ and someone asked ‘Which houses are those, Oh Messenger of Allah?’ He (PBUH&HF) said: ‘The houses of the Holy Prophets (PBUT)’. Abu-Bakr then said: ‘Is this house one of them?’, (pointing to) the house of Ali and Fatima (as). To which the Prophet (PBUH) replied: ‘Yes, it is amongst the greatest of them.’” [3] Al-Suyuti, al-Dur Al-Manthoor, vol. 6, p. 203 Al-Tha’labi al-Nisaburi, al-Kashf Wal-Bayan, vol.7, p.107 Al-Tha’alibi, Tafsir al-Jawahir al-Hisan, vol. 7, p. 107 Al-Aloosi, Tafsir Rooh al-Ma’ani, vol. 18, p.174

Furthermore, it was thought that by acknowledging the stature and position of Fatima (as) and the respect for the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF), people would be ashamed to face Fatima (as) and would stop their aggression, just like some people who retreated after hearing the voice of Fatima (as):

“Umar came towards the house of Fatima (as) and a group of men were accompanying him. They then knocked on the door. Upon hearing their voices, Fatima (as) cried with tears and said with a loud voice ‘Ya Rasul Allah (O Messenger of Allah)! (How difficult) are the oppressions we face from the son of Khattab (Umar) and the son of Abu-Quhaafa (Abu-Bakr) after you passed away’. In hearing Fatima’s (as) grief stricken cries, some changed their minds and left with tears whilst their -hearts were about to be broken and their livers be cut in half*-, however Umar remained with a group of people.” [4] Al-Dinawari, al-Imama Wal-Siyasa, vol. 1, p. 16

*This is used by Arabs to show a state of extreme emotional pain and grief

Therefore, by seeing Umar and his followers, Fatima (as) closed the door and stood behind it. She (as) never thought that they would enter without permission and with her presence. It was these attackers who disgracefully and shamelessly disrespected the House and those inside it.

The wives of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) and opening the door for non -

mahrams (غیر ذی محرم):

The best way to refute the arguments put forward regarding the topic being discussed, is by seeing the actions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF). It has been mentioned in many Shia and Sunni sources, that sometimes the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) would allow His wives to open the door for non-mahrams.

Umme Salma:

According to Alqama, Umme Salma opened the door for Imam Ali (as):

“Allah’s Messenger left the house of Zainab bint Jahsh and entered the house of Umm Salma, as that day was her turn. After a short while, Ali (as) arrived and slowly knocked on the door. Hearing this, Allah’s Messenger (PBUH&HF) woke up but Umme Salma hadn’t noticed (the knock on the door).The Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) then said to her: ‘Go and open the door for him.’” [5] Ibn Asakir, Tarikh Madinat al-Dimashq, vol. 42, p.470 Al-Raafi’i al-Qazwini, Al-Tadwin Fi Akhbar Qazwin, vol. 1, p.89

Aisha:

It has been narrated that Aisha opened the door for Imam Ali (as) by the order of the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF). Imam al-Sadiq (as) narrates from his father who narrated from his fathers that Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (as) said:

“I was with the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the mosque after we had prayed the morning prayers. He rose to leave so I left with him. If He was to go somewhere He would inform me and if he came back late, I would go look for him as my heart could not bear to be away from Him, even for an hour. He said to me: ‘I will go to the house of Aisha’, and I went to Fatima’s house and we were happy alongside Hassan and Hussein (as). I then went to the house of Aisha and knocked on the door. She said: ‘Who are you?’ I answered: ‘Ali (as).’ She said: ‘The Prophet (PBUH&HF) is asleep.’ I went away. After a while I thought to myself (how can) the Prophet (PBUH&UF) be asleep while Aisha is present in the house. So I returned and knocked on the door again. She asked again: ‘Who are you?’ I said: ‘Ali’. She said: ‘The Prophet (PBUH&HF) is busy’. I hesitated because I was embarrassed* to knock on the door again but I felt I couldn’t bear being away from Him (PBUH&HF), so I returned and knocked hard on the door. Aisha Said: ‘Who are you?’ I answered: ‘Ali’. Then I heard the voice of Allah’s Messenger (PBUH&HF) saying: ‘Oh Aisha, open the door for him’. She opened the door and I went in…” [6] Al-Tabresi, al-Ihtijaj, vol. 1, p. 292-293 Al-Majlesi, Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 38, p. 348

*The word مستحییا has been used.

The above narrations from both Shia and Sunni books were presented as examples. In these narrations although the Holy Prophet (PBUH&HF) himself was in the house he allowed his wives to open the door for non-mahram men. This attitude shows that doing so does not have a problem if it is performed in accordance with Islamic laws.

Thus we can conclude that Fatimah (as) didn’t go behind the door to open it. Rather, she was already standing beside it and when she saw Umar and his followers approaching, she went inside the house and closed the door. Even if we ‘assume’ that Fatima (as) did indeed go to open the door, there will be no problem with her doing this because the Prophet (PBUH&HF) himself had ordered his wives to do the same thing in some occasions.

References

[1] Back

Al-Ayyashi, Abi Al-Nadr Muhammad ibn Mas’ood ibn Ayyash Al-Sulami (d. 320 H), Tafsir al-Ayyashi (The Interpretation of al-Ayyashi), vol. 2, p. 67, study, authentication and commentary: al-Sayyid Hashim al-Rasooli al-Mahallati, publisher: al-Maktabat al-Ilmiyya al-Islamiya – Tehran

Al-Mufid, Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn al-Nu’man ibn al-Muallim Abi Abdullah al-Ekbari al-Baghdadi (d. 413 H), al-Ikhtisas (The Specification), p. 186, investigation/study: Ali Akbar Al-Ghaffari and al-Sayyid Mahmood al-Zarandi, publisher: Dar al-Mufid Littaba’ati Wal-Nashr Wal-Towzi’ (al-Mufid Foundation for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution) – Beirut, 2nd edition, 1414 H/1993 AD

Al-Majlesi, Muhammad Baqir (d. 1111 H), Bihar al-Anwar (Seas of Lights), vol. 28, p. 227, investigation/study: Muhammad al-Baqir al-Behboodi, publisher: Muassisato al-Wafa (al-Wafa Foundation) – Beirut, Lebanon, 2

nd edition (with corrections), 1403 H / 1983 AD

حتقيق : ، حتقيق76، ص2، تفسري العياشي، ج(ه 323متوفاي)السمرقندى ادلعروف بالعياشي، أىب النضر حممد بن مسعود بن عياش السلمى .طهران –ادلكتبة العلمية اإلسلمية : السيد هاشم الرسويل احملليت، ناشر: ليقوتصحيح وتع

علي أكرب : ، حتقيق187االختصاص ص ( ه 413متوفاي)الشيخ ادلفيد، حممد بن حممد بن النعمان ابن ادلعلم أيب عبد اهلل العكربي، البغدادي .م 3991 -ه 1414الثانية، : بريوت، الطبعة -دار ادلفيد للطباعة والنشر والتوزيع : الغفاري، السيد حممود الزرندي، ناشر

لبنان، -بريوت -مؤسسة الوفاء : حممد الباقر البهبودي، ناشر: ، حتقيق226، ص 28، حبار األنوار، ج (ه 1111متوفاي )اجمللسي، حممد باقر .م 1883 - 1433الثانية ادلصححة، : الطبعة

عمر قوموا بنا إليو فقام أبو بكر وعمر وعثمان وخالد بن الوليد و المغيرة بن شعبة وأبو عبيدة بن الجراح وسالم مولى أبي حذيفة قال : قال»وقنفذ وقمت معهم فلما انتهينا إلى الباب فرأتهم فاطمة صلوات اهلل عليها أغلقت الباب في وجوىهم وىي ل تشك أن ل يدخل عليها إل

«....ملببا( عليو السالم ) عمر الباب برجلو فكسره، وكان من سعف، ثم دخلوا فأخرجوا عليا باذنها، فضرب

[2] Back

Al-Hilali, Sulaim ibn Qays (d. 80 H), Kitab Sulaim ibn Qays (The Book of Sulaim ibn Qays), p. 864, investigation/study: Muhammad Baqir al-Ansari, publisher: Intisharat al-Hadi (al-Hadi Distributions) – Qum, 1st edition, 1405 H

الطبعة قم انتشارات هادى: ، حتقيق حممد باقر األنصاري، ناشر068كتاب سليم بن قيس، ص (ه 08متوفاي)اذلليل، سليم بن قيس ، .ه 3881األويل،

بل حتى ان ت هى مها في وفاة ثم أق رسول اللو صلي اهلل إلى باب علي وفاطمة عليهما السالم قاعدة خل ف ال باب قد عصبت رأ سها ونحل جس بل عمر حتى ضرب ال باب ثم نادى يا اب ن أبي طالب تح ال باب ]عليو وآلو فأق ن فيو قال [ اف ف قالت فاطمة يا عمر ما لنا ولك ل تدعنا وما نح

خل على ناه علي كم ف قالت يا عمر أما ت تقي اللو عز وجل تد رق تحي ال باب وإل أح جم على داري فأبى اف أن ي ن صرف ثم دعا عمر ب ي تي وت ه رق ال باب رمها في ال باب فأح .بالنار فأض

[3] Back

Al-Suyuti, Jalal al-Din Abdul-Rahman ibn Abi-Bakr (d. 911 H), al-Dur Al-Manthoor (The Scattered Pearls), vol. 6, p. 203, publisher: Dar al-Fikr (House of Thought), Beirut – 1993 AD;

Al-Tha’labi al-Nisaburi, Abu Is-haq Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (died 427 H), al-Kashf Wal-Bayan, (d. 427 H – 1035 AD), vol. 7, p. 107, investigation/study: Al-Imam Abi-Muhammad ibn Ashoor, review and audit: Nazir al-Sa’idi, publisher: Dar Ihyaa’ al-Turath al-Araby, Beirut, 1st edition, 1422 H/2002 AD

Al-Tha’alibi, Abdul-Rahman ibn Muhammad ibn Makhloof (died 875 H), al-Jawahir al-Hisan Fi Tafsir al-Quran (The Fine Jewels of the Interpretation of the Quran), vol. 7, p. 107, publisher: Muassisato al-A’lami Lil-Matbu’at (al-A’lami Foundation for Publications) – Beirut

Al-Aloosi al-Baghdadi, al-Allama Abi al-Fadil Shihab al-Din al-Sayyid Mahmood (d. 1270 H), Rooh al-Ma’ani Fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim Wal- Sab’ al-Mathaani, vol. 18, p. 174, publisher: Dar Ihyaa’ al-Turath al-Araby, Beirut

،م؛ 3991 – بريوت - الفكر دار: ناشر ،381 ص ،6 ج ،ادلنثور الدر ،(ه 933متوفاي) الدين جلل الكمال بن الرمحن عبد السيوطي

ص ،4 ج ،(م3811 - ه 834 متوفاي) ،والبيان الكشف( ه 834متوفاي) إبراهيم بن حممد بن أمحد إسحاق أبو النيسابوري الثعليب األوىل،: الطبعة بريوت، - العريب الرتاث إحياء دار: ناشر الساعدي، نظري األستاذ وتدقيق مراجعة عاشور، بن حممد أيب اإلمام: حتقيق ،384 م؛3883-ه 3833

،األعلمي مؤسسة: ناشر ،384 ص ،4 ج ،القرآن تفسري يف احلسان اجلواهر ،(ه 041متوفاي) خملوف بن حممد بن الرمحن عبد الثعاليب وعات .بريوت – للمطب

ج ،ادلثاين والسبع العظيم القرآن تفسري يف ادلعاين روح ،(ه 3348متوفاي) حممود السيد الدين شهاب الفضل أيب العلمة البغدادي، اآللوسي .بريوت – العريب الرتاث إحياء دار: ناشر ،348 ص ،30

فقام اليو ) في بيوت أذن اهلل أن ترفع ( قرأ رسول اهلل صلى اهلل عليو وسلم ىذه اآلية : وأخرج ابن مردويو عن أنس بن مالك وبريدة قال»: ول اهلل ىذا البيت منها البيت علي وفاطمة قاليا رس: فقام اليو أبو بكر فقال. بيوت النبياء: أي بيوت ىذه يا رسول اهلل قال: رجل فقال

«نعم من أفاضلو

[4] Back

Al-Dinawari, Abu Muhammad Abdullah ibn Muslim Bin Qutaybah (d. 276 H), al-Imama Wal-Siyasa (The Imamate/rule and politics), vol. 1, p. 16, investigation / study: Khalil al-Mansoor, publisher: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, Beirut, 1418 H / 1997 AD. With the investigation of Sheeri: vol. 1, page 37, and Zaini, vol. 1, p. 24

،الكتب دار: ناشر ادلنصور، خليل: حتقيق ،36 ص ،3 ج ،والسياسة اإلمامة ،(ه 346متوفاي) قتيبة ابن مسلم بن اهلل عبد حممد أبو الدينوري .38ص ،3ج زيين، حتقيق، با و ،14ص ،3ج شريي، حتقيق با م،1997 - ه 3830 - بريوت - العلمية

لقينا ذا ما اهلل رسول يا: باكية صوتها بأعلى نادت أصواتهم سمعت فلما الباب، فدقوا فاطمة باب أتوا حتى جماعة ومعو فمشى عمر قام» وبقي تنفطر، وأكبادىم تتصدع قلوبهم فكادت باكين، انصرفوا وبكاءىا صوتها القوم سمع فلما! قحافة أبي وابن الخطاب ابن من أبي بعد

.«قوم معو عمر

[5] Back

Ibn Asakir al-Dimashqi al-Shaafi’i, Abil-Qasim Ali Ibn al-Hassan Ibn Hibatullah ibn Abdullah (d. 571 H), Tarikh Madinat al-Dimashq Wa Dhikr Fadliha Wa Tasmiyatu Man Hallaha Min al-Amthal (History of Damascus), vol. 42, p. 470, investigation / study: Muhib al-Din Abi Saeed Umar ibn Gharama al-Umari, publisher: Dar al-Fikr (al-Fikr Foundation) – Beirut, 1995 AD

Al-Raafi’i al-Qazwini, Abdul-Karim ibn Muhammad (d. 623 H), Al-Tadwin Fi Akhbar Qazwin (Writings on the events of Qazwin), vol. 1, p. 89, publisher: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya – Beirut, investigation: Azizullah al-Attari, 1987 AD

وتسمية فضلها وذكر دمشق مدينة تاريخ ،(ه 143متوفاي)اهلل، عبد بن اهلل هبة إبن احلسن بن علي القاسم أيب الشافعي، الدمشقي عساكر ابن 3991 - بريوت - الفكر دار: ناشر العمري، غرامة بن عمر سعيد أيب الدين حمب: حتقيق ،848 ص ،83 ج ،األماثل من حلها من

حتقيق بريوت - العلمية الكتب دار: ناشر ،09 ص ،3 ج ،قزوين أخبار يف التدوين ،(ه 631متوفاي) حممد بن الكرمي عبد القزويين، الرافعي : .م3904 العطاري، اهلل عزيز

رسول من يومها فكان سلمة أم بيت وأتى جحش بنت زينب بيت من( وسلم عليو اهلل صلى) اهلل رسول خرج قال اهلل عبد عن علقمة عن» فقال سلمة أم وأنكرتو للدق( وسلم عليو اهلل صلى) النبي فانتبو خفيفا دقا الباب فدق علي جاء أن يلبث فلم( وسلم عليو اهلل صلى) اهلل

«لو فافتحي قومي( وسلم عليو اهلل صلى) اهلل رسول

[6] Back

Al-Tabresi, Abi-Mansoor Ahmad ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib (d. 548 H), al-Ihtijaj, vol. 1, p. 292-293, investigation, commentary, and notes: al-Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Khersan, publisher: Dar al-Nu’man Littaba’ati Wal-Nashr (al-Nu’man Foundation for Printing and Publishing) – Najaf, 1386 H / 1966 AD

Al-Majlesi, Muhammad Baqir (d. 1111 H), Bihar al-Anwar (Seas of Lights), vol. 38, p. 348, investigation/study: Muhammad al-Baqir al-Behboodi, publisher: Muassisato al-Wafa (al-Wafa Foundation) – Beirut, Lebanon, 2nd edition (with corrections), 1403 H / 1983 AD

،السيد: وملحظات تعليق: حتقيق ،391 و 393 ص ،3ج ،االحتجاج ،(ه 180 متوفاي) طالب أيب بن علي بن أمحد منصور أيب الطربسي .م 3966 - 3106 األشرف، النجف - والنشر للطباعة النعمان دار :ناشر اخلرسان، باقر حممد

،وفاء مؤسسة: ناشر البهبودي، الباقر حممد: حتقيق ،180 ص 10 ج ،األنوار حبار ،(ه 3333 متوفاي) باقر حممد اجمللسي - بريوت - ال .م 3901 - 3881 ادلصححة، الثانية: الطبعة لبنان،

في وآلو عليو اهلل صلى اهلل ورسول أنا كنت: قال السالم عليو علي عن آبائو عن أبيو عن السالم عليو الصادق محمد بن جعفر وعن» وكان بذلك، أعلمني موضع إلى يتجو أن أراد إذا وآلو عليو اهلل صلى اهلل رسول وكان معو، ونهضت نهض ثم الفجر، صلى أن بعد المسجد

فمضى عائشة، بيت إلى متجو أنا: لي فقال واحدة ساعة فراقو على قلبي يتصابر ل لنو خبره، لعرف إليو صرت الموضع ذلك في أبطأ إذا نهضت إني ثم بهما، مسروران وىي فأنا والحسين الحسن مع أزل فلم السالم عليها الزىراء فاطمة بيت إلى ومضيت وآلو عليو اهلل صلى

وعائشة راقد النبي: قلت ثم فانصرفت، راقد، النبي إن: فقالت علي أنا: لها فقلت ىذا؟ من: فقالت الباب فطرقت عائشة، باب إلى وسرت حاجة على وآلو عليو اهلل صلى النبي إن: فقالت علي أنا: لها فقلت ىذا؟ من: عائشة لي فقالت الباب وطرقت فرجعت الدار، في

من: عائشة لي فقالت عنيفا، دقا الباب فدققت مسرعا فرجعت صبرا، عليو أستطيع ل ما صدري في ووجدت الباب، دق من فانثنيتمستحييا «....ودخلت ففتحت ، الباب لو افتحي عائشة يا: يقول وآلو عليو اهلل صلى اهلل رسول فسمعت علي أنا: فقلت ىذا؟