Advanced search
Visit
8440
Last Updated: 2009/09/23
Summary of question
Why is Lady Fatimah’s (as) grave still concealed, while Imam Ali's (as) grave was discovered?
question
Keeping in mind that both Imam Ali (as) and Lady Fatimah (as) had enemies, why was Imam Ali's (as) grave eventually discovered, while Lady Fatimah’s (as) remains concealed?
Concise answer
This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer.
Detailed Answer

One very important matter that must be noted is that the reasons for the concealment of the graves of Imam Ali (as) and Lady Fatimah (as) differ.

The reason for Imam Ali's (as) grave being concealed was that at that time, ignorant and scurrilous individuals held the hate and enmity of Ali (as) in their hearts; there were chances they would show disrespect to his grave. But as time went on they perished one after another, in addition to the strengthening of the school of thought of the Ahlul-Bayt, and the chances of anything like that happening decreased dramatically. At the same time, since his grave was located in the desert amongst reed beds, the people had no clue where it was even approximately located in order to visit that area and benefit from its blessings. All of this gave rise to the imams informing their sincere companions of its exact location, and later on, as the Shia took root and strengthened, its location was disclosed to all.

As for the reason behind the concealment of Lady Fatimah’s (as) grave which was done by her own command and will, it was a form of protest to the movement that had begun after the prophet’s (pbuh) death regarding the caliphate, and the trampling of rights and the truth.[1] Therefore, until the time when the Muslim ummah doesn’t believe in this truth and don’t renounce the caliphate that took place then that caused many to be deprived of many Islamic secrets and truths, the reason for her grave’s concealment will remain, hence the concealment of her grave.

Another point that must be made is that her grave is a barrier that doesn’t allow the alteration of the history of the advent of Islam and prevents from some claiming that she didn’t have any objection to the circumstances then regarding the caliphate. This issue itself is a sign for those who are thirsty for the truth, guiding them to the shore of salvation and blowing away the dust that covers the truth, leaving no excuses for anyone.

At the same time, although no one knows the exact location of her grave, the approximate area that she is buried has been mentioned[2] and the people can go there in order to benefit spiritually.

Anyway, what was mentioned here were points that are backed by clues and evidence, but doesn’t meant that the reasons for their concealment is limited to such; it is possible for there to be other secrets and reasons that will be discovered and unveiled in the future.



[1] See: Ibn Abil-Hadid, Sharh Nahjil-Balaghah, vol. 16; Sheikh Abdullah Naser, Mihnatu Fatimah ba’da Wafati Rasulillah (s) (Nusus Tarikhiyyah Min Masadiril-Sunnatil-Mu’tamadah), pp. 197-206.

[2] According to hadiths, the places where Lady Fatimah (as) might be buried is between the pulpit and altar of the mosque of the prophet (pbuh), her home or the graveyard of Baqi’.

Comments
Number of comments 0
Please enter the value
Example : Yourname@YourDomane.ext
Please enter the value
Please enter the value

Thematic Category

Random questions

  • Is infallibility based on predestination or free will?
    9774 Philosophy of Religion 2010/05/26
    This question doesn’t have a brief answer. Please click on the detailed answer. ...
  • I would like to know the methods of religious thought.
    9742 Traditional 2006/07/15
    There are three methods of religious thought in Islam. The Holy Quran in its teachings points to three paths for Muslims to follow in order to comprehend the purposes of religion and the Islamic sciences: (1) the path of the external and formal aspect of religion (the ...
  • Is it possible for Imam Zaman to ever commit a sin, no matter how small?
    7896 Traditional 2011/04/20
    According to the Ahlul-Bayt’s school of thought, Imam Zaman holds the high rank of infallibility (‘ismah) and is an infallible (ma’sum). The ma’sum is one who through Allah's (swt) grace is free from all impurity, sin, forgetfulness and error.For further information, ...
  • Can a person borrow money to go to hajj?
    11231 Laws and Jurisprudence 2011/06/07
    This question can be answered in two parts:A) Hajj is one of the greatest worships that one can borrow money for, and there are hadiths by the infallibles regarding the permissibility of borrowing for it in hadith sources.[1]B) Another issue that arises here is that since ...
  • One who has repeatedly repented and broken his repentance and now doubts frequently about Allah and the imams, has Allah forsaken such a person? What is the way to gain proximity to Allah?
    10247 Practical 2011/05/08
    Sin and disobedience brings about one’s destruction, while repentance and a resolution to refrain from sin is movement towards salvation. Shaytan is man's enemy and all of his efforts go into creating temptations and suggestions in human beings, and creating a distance between them and ...
  • Does God, the Exalted, forgive an adulterer?
    7465 Practical 2012/09/25
    Dear User, God, the Compassionate and the Merciful, has promised to forgive all the sins of the penitent, even the sin of associating with Him a partner.[1] It is necessary to note that repentance from adultery or fornication is not ...
  • Is Abu Hamzah Thumali (Somali) from the country of Somalia?
    8011 تاريخ بزرگان 2012/08/21
    Thabit bin Dinar better known as “Abu Hamzah Thumali” is one of the great Shia narrators and a contemporary of several infallible Imams (A.S.). His title “Thumali” is pronounced somehow like “Somali” but there is no connection between this narrator and Somalia and there are different reasons ...
  • Is it right to limit women?
    7900 Practical 2009/10/22
    The spiritual and moral health of a society depends on that of its individuals; men and women, and the spiritual health of individuals is only reachable through training and raising them correctly.  Islam has provided its followers with many instructions and guidelines regarding raising children (the first stage ...
  • Is it haram to consume industrial alcohol? What is ruling on taking narcotics?
    8832 مواد مخدر 2012/04/17
    The responses of the grand maraji’ to your question are as follows: The office of the Grand Ayatullah Sistani (may Allah prolong his life): 1. Alcohol is intoxicating and its consumption impermissible. 2. It is haram. 3. If it ...
  • Can a major sin be forgiven?
    13848 Practical 2010/12/21
    A major sin is one that being punished in hell is promised to its committer in the Quran or ahadith. (There are also other criteria for a sin being a major one). Also minor sins turn into major sins when committed repeatedly (when insisted on ...

Popular