Fāṭimah bint Muhammad

Fāṭimah bint Muhammad, born sometime between 605 and 615 CE in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, was the youngest daughter of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and his first wife Khadīja bint Khuwaylid. The only child of the Prophet to survive into adulthood and continue their familial lineage, she is revered by Muslims, particularly by Shiʿah Muslims. The Prophet’s family, continued by Fāṭimah, is commonly referred to as Ahl al-Bayt by Muslims. 

After her mother’s death in 619, Fāṭimah emigrated from Mecca to Medina alongside Muhammad in 622. She became the strongest supporter of his mission; and though women did not participate in the battles, she was known for treating wounded soldiers on the battlefield until a peace treaty was established in March 628.

In 624, Fāṭimah married Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet’s cousin. Together, they had five children: Hassan and Hussayn, who were the only two to survive into adulthood and later became imams; Zainab bint Ali; Umm Kulthum bint Ali; and Muhsin. Fāṭimah continued to support and care for her father leading up to his final months of illness after his pilgrimage to Mecca with his followers in March 632. He died on June 8, 632. Most of her poems are dedicated to Muhammad, whom she refers to as “Ahmad.” 

The few months after the Prophet’s death were full of betrayal and strife for Fāṭimah, who dealt with one of his followers, Abu Bakr, becoming Caliph against her and Ali’s approval and resisting her rights to her father’s property and inheritance. 

Fāṭimah died a few months after her father, around 632 or 633.