Islam
Prophet Muhammad
Migration
Imams
Red Sea
Muslims of Colour
Ahlulbayt
Hazrat Bilal
African Heritage
Female Companions
Abyssinian
Bibi Fizzah
Jafar
Abu Talib
Ali
Muslim Refugees
Abyssinia
Religion of Islam
Converts
Muslims of colour became some of the most unrivalled companions of Prophet Muhammad (ص) and devotees of Ahlulbayt, notably Hazrat Bilal (ع) and several of the Imams whose mothers were of African heritage— I'd like to highlight a female companion, an Abyssinian, Bibi Fizzah (ع).
Muhammad (ص) had great faith in Jafar the son of Abu Talib (ع) and brother of Ali (ع). A handful of Muslim refugees including men and women under the light and leadership of Jafar (ع) and his wife Asma bint Umays, crossed the Red Sea and settled in Abyssinia— land of Fizzah (ع).
This is known to be the first migration in the history of Islam, which then turned into establishing the great movement towards the religion of Islam. Some con/reverts from Abyssinia decided to migrate to Medina, of which was a young woman named Fizzah (ع).
Bibi Fizzah (ع) was freed by the Holy Prophet (ص), and then was directed to serve as the maidservant for Bibi Fatima-e-Zahra (ع); nevertheless, there is extensive evidence that Bibi Fatima (ع) divided the days and chores in equal measure between her and Bibi Fizzah (ع).
Bibi Fizzah (ع) is a personality associated with patience and the servitude of Ahlulbayt (ع), utmost devotion towards Allah (س), as well as miracles— "nazr" (vow) to and "tawassul" of Bibi Fizzah (ع) is known to be a gift for humankind.
When Imam Hasan (ع) and Imam Hussain (ع) contracted a disease, and Imam Ali (ع) and Bibi Fatima (ع) vowed to fast for three days after their recovery, Fizzah accompanied them and made a similar vow. However, on each of the three days, when they were about to break their fast-
-a hungry person called at their door; and each time, the benevolent members of the House, including Bibi Fizzah (ع), gave away their food and broke their fast with water. In praise of this selfless action, Allah (س) revealed Verses 7 and 8 of the 76th chapter of Qur'ān. [1]
Also according to traditions: Bibi Fizzah (ع) invited the holy household [Ahlulbayt] to dinner, while making Dua to Allah (س) to be able to serve hearty food to them; owing to the prayer she made and Allah (س)'s command and mercy, the food was sent from the heavens, miraculously.
Bibi Fizzah ع's childhood and adolescence were spent in the blessed and holy house of the Prophet Muhammad ص; thus, she was predestined to reflect the light of Ahlulbayt; It is because of her deep integration, as well as integral and significant connection with Ahlulbayt that-
-when Imam Ali (ع) called his children to say goodbye to the corpse of their mother, Fatima (ع), he addressed Fizzah (ع) as well: "O Umm Kulthum, O Zaynab, O Sukayna, O Fidda, O Hasan, O Husayn, come on and say goodbye to your mother"
There is a long hadith in which Fizzah (ع) elaborates the condition of Fatima (ع) from the demise of the Prophet (ص) until her martyrdom; she was a firsthand witness of Fatimiyyah. [2]
Bibi Fizzah ع remained in service to Ahlulbayt ع after the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad ص and Bibi Fatima-e-Zahra ع, wherein Imam Ali ع famously said about her: "O Allah! Bring us prosperity with our Fidda". [3]
The depth of Bibi Fizzah ع's relation to Ahlulbayt can be felt in the "oral tradition" wherein after a Kharijite, Ibn Muljam ل, struck Imam Ali ع's head with a sword, Fizzah ع, out of devotion, drew up valour and picked up a spear to attack him; though Imam Hassan ع stopped her.
Bibi Fizzah (ع) grasped and mastered the Qur'ān to such a degree, that she could answer any question, simply by reciting an ayah from the Holy scripture. It's been narrated that for a period of twenty years, she spoke and held conversations exclusively using the Qur'ān.
Though there are only 14 infallibles, there are many personalities associated with and also within the Ahlulbayt that were paragons of worldly and philosophical wisdom, altruism and loyalty, divine power and valor; though Bibi Fizzah (ع) is noted as a "maidservant" of Ahlulbayt-
-she achieved near perfection, and her relationship and abidance of the Qur'ān is indicative of that. Prophet Muhammad ص narrates:
"The Qur'ān is a guidance from error, an elucidation from blindness, a release from stumbling, a light in the darkness, an illumination from events,
"The Qur'ān is a guidance from error, an elucidation from blindness, a release from stumbling, a light in the darkness, an illumination from events,
a protection from destruction, a guidance against temptations, clarity from trials, and a conveyor from this world unto the next. In it is your complete religion, no-one strays from the Qur'ān but into the fire." [4]
There are traditions that say Bibi Fizzah (ع) lived a long life, where she got to see six of the fourteen infallibles (from the Prophet ص up until Imam Baqir ع), and that she lived to experience the event of Karbala— as a captive and part of the caravan of Imam Hussain (ع).
There's a place in the sub-alleys of al-Abbas Street, in Karbala, known as Maqam Asad wa Fidda— it stands to affirm the presence of Bibi Fizzah (ع) in Karbala, as well as that of a Lion, Abu al-Harith.
The story goes as follows (though it should be noted that some people question its reliability): the lion protected the bodies of the martyred companions and members of Bani Hashim. [[5] attached narration]
Bibi Fizzah (ع) continued to serve and take care of the surviving members of the Ahlulbayt, in the direct aftermath of the event of Karbala; some "oral traditions" relate that in the courts of Shaam, Yazid (ل) was behaving disrespectfully towards the caravan of-
-Imam Hussain (ع), wherein Bibi Fizzah (ع) - an aged woman - stood in front of Bibi Zainab (ع) as a shield.
Yazid (ل) ordered Bibi Fizzah (ع) to be whipped, after which she addressed the African slaves who served as Yazid's bodyguards in an eloquent yet daring speech;
Yazid (ل) ordered Bibi Fizzah (ع) to be whipped, after which she addressed the African slaves who served as Yazid's bodyguards in an eloquent yet daring speech;
she said it was a shame that Yazid (ل) dared to whip her right in front of them; the slaves were greatly moved by her speech and immediately turned towards Yazid (ل) and told him that, if Bibi Fizzah (ع) were to be whipped, they would attack with their swords already drawn.
May we get to align our priorities and serve those who are in the shade and service of Ahlulbayt ع, Bibi Fizzah ع— for she isn't a mere maidservant, but integral and significant to the household of Prophet Muhammad ص. May Allah س send infinite salams on Bibi Fizzah ع, Ameen🤍🤍
It has been an honor and blessing for me to have a friend like @peyjalebi14, who wrote a couplet, giving as a glimpse of the life of Bibi Fizzah (ع), and the importance of renewing and reigniting our remembrance of and devotion for her, every Muharram and Safar.
Sources:
[1] Ḥasūn, Muḥammad al-. Aʿlām al-nisāʾ al-muʾmināt. Beirut: Muʾassisat al-Aʿlamī, 1419 AH.
[2] Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 43, p. 174-180.
[3] Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 43, p. 179.
[4] Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.600.
[1] Ḥasūn, Muḥammad al-. Aʿlām al-nisāʾ al-muʾmināt. Beirut: Muʾassisat al-Aʿlamī, 1419 AH.
[2] Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 43, p. 174-180.
[3] Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 43, p. 179.
[4] Usul al-Kafi: vol.2, p.600.
The quote is supported by the second source listed— [2]: Majlisī, Biḥār al-anwār, vol. 43, p. 179.
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