Shaykh Abbas Qummi - House of Sorrows, The life of Sayyidah Fatimah al-Zahra and her grief (A Translation of Baytul Ahzan)

House of Sorrows is the first ever book in English to detail the last six months of the life of the only daughter of Prophet Muhammad, Fatimah az-Zahra. This book focuses on the status of Lady Fatimah from Quranic verses and traditions and delves into the events immediately preceding the death of Prophet Muhammad. There are a number of events discussed in this text such as saqifah, the taking of Fadak, and then, in vivid words, goes through the last months of her life. Be prepared to shed tears as you read the heart-wrenching events of what happened to az-Zahra as recounted and narrated in the major books of the Ahlul Sunnah and the Shia.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

When we were first given the opportunity to undertake the publishing of the seminal work authored by Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi, on a very tragic and lesser-known aspect of Islamic history, entitled Baytul Ahzan - House of Sorrows, our immediate response was a resounding yes!

Already having published a book on the last and greatest Prophet for all of mankind, Muhammad b. Abdullah authored by Allamah Muhammad Husayn al-Tabatabai, and translated into English by Shaykh Tahir-Ridha Jaffer entitled Sunan an-Nabi; and following up that project with a comprehensive book on the last Imam and saviour of humanity, Imam al-Hujjat b. al-Hasan al-Askari al-Mahdi entitled, The Last Luminary and Ways to Delve into the Light authored by Sayyid Ridha Husayni Mutlaq and translated by Saleem Bhimji [both books are available for review and purchase at www.al-mubin.org [9] or www.iph.ca] [10] - it was only fitting for our third major publication to be a magnum opus on the greatest woman to ever walk this Earth - a woman whom the Prophet of Islam described as being The chief mistress of women of the entire universe - from the first to the last, lady Fatimah al-Zahra.

The author of this work, the late Shaykh Abbas al-Qummi took tremendous pains to write this book and quoted extensively from the most authentic narrations of Islamic history and sahih (reliable) traditions from both the Shia and non-Shia sources to ensure fair and balanced treatment of the topic at hand.

Thus, as you begin to read this work, one needs to first clear ones thoughts of all personal biases and blind love for influential and leading figures in Islamic history, and be prepared to open the mind and heart to permit the painfully tragic events, which began just hours after the Prophet of Islam left this world and continue until this day in various ways and forms, to permeate ones heart and soul.

If this is not done, then the blood-stained pages of grief which recount the history of the family of the Prophet and his noble and loyal companions will remain as mere historical anecdotes, rather than serving their ultimate purpose of an inner change in ones life and character.

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Within the circle of Islamic ideology, it is a known fact that the Prophet of Allah was always extremely careful in what he said and how he said it, and that his words were never due to personal sentiment or emotions nor due to family or cultural ties, and thus it should come to no surprise for Muslims to read how the Prophet elevated the status of his only daughter and subsequently through her, women in general - and this is important to remember when we reflect on the time in which the Quran was being revealed in which women were mere commodities that were bought and sold, with infanticide of baby girls practiced on a regular basis by numerous Arab tribes and many other cultural perversions.

Indeed it is only through studying the life of noble women such as the Prophets first and most beloved wife, Khadijah b. Khuwaylid; the cherished daughter of the Prophet, Fatimah al-Zahra; and other notable women from amongst the family of the Prophet and his illustrious companions and the lofty rank that Islam has endowed upon them, that we see the power and forward-thinking nature of the teachings of Islam.

Since the translator has already done a comprehensive review of the status of women in various societies and dispensations throughout the world in his foreword, in our preface, we will focus our words on Fatimah al-Zahra and the legacy which she left for humanity.

Every year, millions of Muslims cry for Fatimah al-Zahra. There are a multitude of gatherings both commemorations and mourning ceremonies in her memory. There are observances of praise, joy, and honour for her in which her noble characteristics are remembered, while Muslims also hold rituals of lamentation where they recount - in vivid detail - the painful events of Islamic history which led to her intense grief and eventual martyrdom. The faithful even go to the extent of invoking Almighty Allah to deprive those who hurt her from His Mercy and Blessings!

Despite everything which is recalled on the pulpits throughout the world and the articles and booklets which have been published so far about this great woman, the true history of her short life and the salient features of her personality are still unknown; however still, with the little that the Muslims know about her, they still accept Fatimah - her majesty and greatness - whole-heartedly.Despite everything which is recalled on the pulpits throughout the world and the articles and booklets which have been published so far about this great woman, the true history of her short life and the salient features of her personality are still unknown; however still, with the little that the Muslims know about her, they still accept Fatimah - her majesty and greatness - whole-heartedly.