'Lady Fatima Stands as Proof of Islam’s Appreciation for Women'
Lady Fatima Hazrat Fatemeh (SA) stands as the absolute proof of how Islam appreciates the position of womanhood.
This is according to Monica Witt, American scholar and a recent convert to Shia Islam, speaking to IQNA about the great character of the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) daughter (SA).
IQNA: Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA) is known for her merits, noble traits, and accomplishments. She upheld the roles of being a considerate daughter, a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, and a concerned educator for the community of Muslim women. As her father, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was the best exemplar for the human race, she was the ideal woman as she served as the perfect example for Muslim women. What’s your view on that?
Monica Witt: I absolutely agree with this view of Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (SA). Prior to becoming a Muslim, I held such different views about how a woman should act and behave in order to be successful. I focused on things that did not matter, such as money, clothes, appearances, etc. It wasn’t until I learned about Fatima that I realized how wrong I had been. A woman should look up to Fatima and emulate her life completely. In being a loving wife, daughter, mother, and educator, she showed me that I had been striving for the wrong things in life. For me, it is so great to have such a role model, as there are very few female role models that exist in the West. Lady Fatima stands as the absolute proof of how Islam appreciates the position of womanhood.
IQNA: How can we promote the two important Islamic tenets Hijab and Ifaf (chastity) among women across the globe getting help from Lady Fatima’s attributes and merits?
Monica Witt: I believe that more than having people believe they must wear hijab, etc., it is important to simply show them the life and character of Lady Fatima. By simply observing her character and merits, peoples’ decisions and lifestyle will be impacted in a positive way by this. Having to live in a country when there are times that I cannot wear Hijab by law, I have learned to look past the outside, remember the inner character of Lady Fatima, and focus on emulating the other positive sides of her character.
IQNA: Another essential factor in elevating Lady Fatima’s (s) prominence amongst Shias is the Prophet’s (PBUH) praise of her. How do you see this? Why did Holy Prophet pay such compliment to her?
Monica Witt: One of the things that struck me was to learn how the Prophet (PBUH) would kiss the hands of his daughter, which at the time was unprecedented behavior. What this showed was how at the time, even those who held high power, etc, could bow their heads to a woman and show respect. If the Prophet (PBUH) could show such compliment to his daughter, it teaches a woman not to feel inferior, but rather that they are respected and loved in Islam. Lady Fatima, from a very young age, was the one who stood by her father the Prophet (PBUH) and even tossed aside the stones thrown at him when he prostrated in prayer. She was the loving, virtuous daughter, which is why the Prophet (PBUH) said whosoever loves my daughter loves me.
IQNA: As a newly converted Muslim, kindly explain how much you are familiar with Lady Fatima’s (PBUH) virtues and character.
Monica Witt: As I was researching Islam, I happened to stumble upon Ali Shariati’s Fatima is Fatima. Up until reading this, I was not familiar at all with Fatima (PBUH) or that such a woman existed as a role model for Muslim women. I must say that this has been one of the biggest influences for me as a new convert. One thing the West likes to portray is how Islam is very discriminating towards women and does not respect their rights. However, learning about the life of Fatima demonstrated to me how important women are in Islam and how I can emulate her life. Her virtues and character inspire me to be exactly like her, strong, educated, loving, mother, daughter, and everything. In fact, I believe that more women who are interested in becoming a Muslim or learning about Islam should read about the life of Lady Fatima.
IQNA: What approach can be adopted in order to introduce the character of the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the world?
Monica Witt: Unfortunately, many people are not familiar with the life and character of Lady Fatima (PBUH). In fact, many religions in general lack a good female role model for women to look up to and emulate. However, this is not the case in Islam. We have a fantastic role model in Lady Fatima and I wish that there was more being done to propagate her story and amazing character. I have seen throughout the world how popular the Iranian television series about the prophet Joseph has been and I think a similar series about Lady Fatima would be equally as popular and may inspire more people to learn about Islam. Further, I have often wanted to write a book, discussing some of the issues women face in life today and then comparing that to the life and struggles of Fatima. These are more of the things we need to help introduce this wonderful role model in Lady Fatima to the world.
IQNA: Hazrat Fatima Zahra (SA) is known for her merits, noble traits, and accomplishments. She upheld the roles of being a considerate daughter, a devoted wife, an affectionate mother, and a concerned educator for the community of Muslim women. As her father, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was the best exemplar for the human race, she was the ideal woman as she served as the perfect example for Muslim women. What’s your view on that?
Monica Witt: I absolutely agree with this view of Hazrat Fatima al-Zahra (SA). Prior to becoming a Muslim, I held such different views about how a woman should act and behave in order to be successful. I focused on things that did not matter, such as money, clothes, appearances, etc. It wasn’t until I learned about Fatima that I realized how wrong I had been. A woman should look up to Fatima and emulate her life completely. In being a loving wife, daughter, mother, and educator, she showed me that I had been striving for the wrong things in life. For me, it is so great to have such a role model, as there are very few female role models that exist in the West. Lady Fatima stands as the absolute proof of how Islam appreciates the position of womanhood.
IQNA: How can we promote the two important Islamic tenets Hijab and Ifaf (chastity) among women across the globe getting help from Lady Fatima’s attributes and merits?
Monica Witt: I believe that more than having people believe they must wear hijab, etc., it is important to simply show them the life and character of Lady Fatima. By simply observing her character and merits, peoples’ decisions and lifestyle will be impacted in a positive way by this. Having to live in a country when there are times that I cannot wear Hijab by law, I have learned to look past the outside, remember the inner character of Lady Fatima, and focus on emulating the other positive sides of her character.
IQNA: Another essential factor in elevating Lady Fatima’s (s) prominence amongst Shias is the Prophet’s (PBUH) praise of her. How do you see this? Why did Holy Prophet pay such compliment to her?
Monica Witt: One of the things that struck me was to learn how the Prophet (PBUH) would kiss the hands of his daughter, which at the time was unprecedented behavior. What this showed was how at the time, even those who held high power, etc, could bow their heads to a woman and show respect. If the Prophet (PBUH) could show such compliment to his daughter, it teaches a woman not to feel inferior, but rather that they are respected and loved in Islam. Lady Fatima, from a very young age, was the one who stood by her father the Prophet (PBUH) and even tossed aside the stones thrown at him when he prostrated in prayer. She was the loving, virtuous daughter, which is why the Prophet (PBUH) said whosoever loves my daughter loves me.
IQNA: As a newly converted Muslim, kindly explain how much you are familiar with Lady Fatima’s (PBUH) virtues and character.
Monica Witt: As I was researching Islam, I happened to stumble upon Ali Shariati’s Fatima is Fatima. Up until reading this, I was not familiar at all with Fatima (PBUH) or that such a woman existed as a role model for Muslim women. I must say that this has been one of the biggest influences for me as a new convert. One thing the West likes to portray is how Islam is very discriminating towards women and does not respect their rights. However, learning about the life of Fatima demonstrated to me how important women are in Islam and how I can emulate her life. Her virtues and character inspire me to be exactly like her, strong, educated, loving, mother, daughter, and everything. In fact, I believe that more women who are interested in becoming a Muslim or learning about Islam should read about the life of Lady Fatima.
IQNA: What approach can be adopted in order to introduce the character of the beloved daughter of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the world?
Monica Witt: Unfortunately, many people are not familiar with the life and character of Lady Fatima (PBUH). In fact, many religions in general lack a good female role model for women to look up to and emulate. However, this is not the case in Islam. We have a fantastic role model in Lady Fatima and I wish that there was more being done to propagate her story and amazing character. I have seen throughout the world how popular the Iranian television series about the prophet Joseph has been and I think a similar series about Lady Fatima would be equally as popular and may inspire more people to learn about Islam. Further, I have often wanted to write a book, discussing some of the issues women face in life today and then comparing that to the life and struggles of Fatima. These are more of the things we need to help introduce this wonderful role model in Lady Fatima to the world.
