Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati – Part 5/5

I do not know what to say about her or how to say it? I wanted to imitate the French writer who was speaking one day in a conference about the Virgin Mary. He said, “For 1700 years all of the speakers have spoken of Mary. For 1700 years, all philosophers and thinkers of various nations of the East and West have spoken of the value of Mary. For 1700 years, the poets of the world have spent all of their creative efforts and power in their praise of Mary. For 1700 years, all of the painters and artists have created wonderful works of art showing the face and form of Mary. But the totality of all that has been said and the efforts of all the artists and thinkers throughout these many centuries have not been able to better describe the greatness of Mary than the simple words, ‘Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ.”‘

And I wanted to begin in this manner with Fatima. I got stuck. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the daughter of the great Khadija,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the daughter of Mohammad,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the wife of Ali,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the mother of Hassan and Hussein,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima is the mother of Zaynab,’ but I still sensed this would not fully describe Fatima.

No, these are all true, and none of them is Fatima.

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati – Part 4/5

CHAPTER TEN

The Confinement
The black and difficult years of hunger began in the valley of Abu Talib. The Hashimi and Abd al-Muttalib families were imprisoned-with the exception of Abu Lahab who has joined the enemies. Men, women and children were placed in this hot, dry valley. A notice was written by Abu Jahl, in the name of all the wealthy people of the Quraysh, and it was placed on the Kabah wall: aNo one should have any contact with the Hashimi tribe. All relationships with them are cut-off. Do not buy anything from them. Do not sell anything to them. Do not marry any of them.”

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati – Part 3/5

CHAPTER SIX

What Role Did Women Play In The Attack?
Women in Islamic countries held a power whereby they could have changed the traditions, social relationships, ethics, spiritual values and, most important of all, the pattern of consumption in the same way that they held a power to preserve all this. Why? Because of the sensitive spirit of the East. It tends to accept the luxuries of civilized life and new products quickly more easily. This is especially true when confronted by bright, new, eye-catching things of beauty especially when opposed to these, they find nothing but ugliness.

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati – Part 2/5

CHAPTER FOUR

What should be done?
Islam distributes freedom. People are in love with Islam and yet, the young intellectuals realize the weakness and decline of Islam’s followers. The main reason for this contradiction is ‘not having come to know’. It is coming to know which has value. Love and faith have no value if they precede coming to know and precede chose or commitment. If the Quran is read but not understood, it is no different from a blank book. The Prophet gave his followers awareness, greatness, chastity and freedom when they came to know who he was. When one reads a book miss understating the Prophet’s character or when a book of his sayings is not given to his longing people, what effect can loving him, praising and eulogizing him have?

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