God’s forgiveness for her till the Day of
Resurrection.23
The Holy Prophet’s actions in the burial service and funeral procession
of Lady Fatima is enlightening, giving us insight into her high status.
As reported by both Shi‘a and Sunni hadith narrators, the Messenger of
God (s) took part in her burial service by carrying the coffin and
digging her grave. Then, he entered the grave and lay in it. Afterward,
he took off his garment and had Lady Fatima covered in it as a burial
shroud before she was placed into the grave.24 As narrated by Imam
Ali (a):
After Fatima Bint Asad ibn Hashim had passed away,
the Messenger of God (s) enshrouded her in his
garment and performed the funeral prayer. In the
prayer, he said the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) seventy
times. Next, he entered her grave, extending and
strengthening it. Then, he came out of the grave,
shedding tears and casting soil on the Lahad (internal
grave) stone.25
On the other hand, at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (s)’s birth,
Lady Fatima rushed to help his mother, Amina (a). Once the Prophet
Muhammad (s) was born, some light appeared, extending between the
east and the west, startling both of them. Fatima Bint Asad (a) talked
happily to Abu Talib (a) of the light she had seen.26 This indicates at
least two points: