Our Lady Fāṭima al-Zahrā (رضي الله عنها)

This beautiful biography is about the life and virtues of the eminent lady Sayyidatunā Fāṭima al-Zahra (رضي الله عنها). Through her, with Sayyidunā ‘Alī (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ), the blessed lineage of her father, the Messenger of God ﷺ, was preserved. She resembled him in every way, and of all people she was the dearest to his heart. She stood with him ﷺ and strove always to serve and aid him, taking care of him after the death of her mother, Sayyidatunā Khadīja (رضي الله عنها). Sayyidatunā Fāṭima (رضي الله عنها) was brave, strong, forbearing, dutiful, gracious, and protective. She was a loving mother and an inspiring example to her sons, Imams Ḥasan (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ) and Ḥusayn (رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ).

The biography tells the life story of Fāṭima al-Zahrā (رضي الله عنها) in a vivid, straightforward manner, linking it to the history of Islam from the early times of tribulation to the establishment of the Dīn and the Community based in al-Madīna. Its style and approach are very suitable for children, as well as for older readers.

The author, Dr Muhammad Abdu Yamani (1359-1431/1940-2010) was a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and had a deep affection for the Holy Prophet ﷺ and his family. Born in Makka, he received his early education there at al-Masjid al-Ḥarām, the Sacred Mosque. After gaining a doctorate in geology at Cornell University in the US he returned to Saudi Arabia, teaching at various universities before being appointed to various high-ranking official positions.

He served for several years as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Information, was a distinguished educationalist, author and businessman, notable also for his piety and philanthropy. He authored almost forty books, mainly on Islamic subjects. A few have appeared in English translation, such as Teach your Children to Love the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

He also authored:

خديجة بنت خويلد.. سيدة في قلب المصطفى
"Khadijah Bint Khuwaylid…..A noble lady in the heart of the chosen one ﷺ"

السيدة عائشة و أمانة الرواية
“Sayyida Aisha and the reliability of Narration”

Translated by Khalid Williams and edited by Dr Muhammad Isa Waley.

Khalid Williams studied Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Leeds, graduating in 2005, and then moved to Morocco to continue his study of traditional Islamic sciences and spirituality in Salé, Fes, Oujda and Nador. He began working in translation in 2009, with an emphasis on Islamic Studies and Sufism. His previous translations include Our Master Muhammad by Imam Abdallah Siraj al-Din, Muhammad the Perfect Man by Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki, Treatises of Imam al-Ghazālī by Imam al-Ghazali, and The Qur’an and the Prophet in the Writings of Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi.

Dr Muhammad Isa Waley is an editor, researcher, and translator. He worked for 45 years as curator for Persian and Turkish, initially at the British Museum and then at the British Library, London. Among the many works edited by Dr. Waley are the English translation of Tafsīr al-Jalālayn; the Kitāb al-Adhkār of Imam al-Nawawī; and numerous articles for Encyclopaedia Islamica and the Integrated Encyclopedia of Qur'an. His published translations include the Chihil Kalima (Forty Hadiths) of 'Abd al-Raḥmān Jāmī, The Book of Contemplation (Kitaāb al-Tafakkur), Book 39 of Imam al-Ghazālī's Iḥyā' 'ulūm al-dīn and the Mawlid of Imam al-Barzanjī.