September
2001 Feature
CELEBRATION
OF THE HOLY BIRTH OF HAZRAT FATIMAH
BIRTH:
9 September 2001
20 Jamadi' Al-Thani Rajab
CELEBRATION:
8 September 2001
19 Jamadi' Al-Thani Rajab
Northern
California
On
the 8th of September 2001, members of the Uwaiysi Tarighat gathered
to celebrate the birth of the model of belief, the birth of the
beloved daughter of the Messenger of Islam, the birth of Hazrat
Fatimah. We gathered and listened to moving, sincere speeches
from men and women in our community, who discussed the necessity
of cultivating the characteristics of Hazrat Fatimah in our own
personalities. Taneen, a Sufi Music Ensemble, presented an inspirational
zikr commemorating the occassion. The celebration continued with
a traditional dinner in the Northern California khaneghah, where
hearty food and frienship was abundant.
Following
is a speech presented by Arife Ellen Hammerle, which captures
the spirit of the celebration. This is one of many reflective
presentations that truly touched attendees. Transcripts and audio
tapes from the evening are available. Please contact the tarighat
at 415.382.7934 for more information.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Praise
be to Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, the Compassionate;
the Beginning and the End, the Apparent and the Hidden, who has
created human being in the best form, and Love as the essence
of all creation, and entrusted this splendid essence into the
heart of the chosen human being.
It
is an honor to be gathered here tonight to celebrate the inspiring
life of Hazrat Fatimah. She is the example sent for each of us
to model our lives and personalities on. She will always be for
all time the model of a perfect student, daughter, woman, mother
and Divine Teacher whose guidance is like a rare treasure. Her
guiding light has endured thousands of years and continues to
this day. Her light is kindled within the heart of ever human
being.
I
find that as my longing for knowledge expands and deepens I seek
knowledge and strive to mirror my personality on those Saints
and Teachers, Prophets and Holy examples who provide light so
that we may see and wisdom so that we may understand. With reverence
and deep humility I confess I do not know, indeed I know nothing
and seek to receive the glorious knowledge of those who can show
me the straight way. Hazrat Fatimah is such a Teacher. To me she
is more then a figurehead or a person in a book. When I pray and
meditate I find that I can speak with her; seeking guidance and
receive her truth. I believe each of us is blessed with her light
if we can receive it and as it is so beautifully seen in our Holy
Teacher, who sits before us tonight, Seyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha.
Our Holy Teachers, Seyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha and Shah Nazar Seyed
Dr. Ali Kianfar together with their daughters, are most precious jewels who shine for us to
receive and witness the glory of God. They connect in unity with
Hazrat Fatimah's light and wisdom. Witnessing their light is an
opportunity for us to become united with the Divine illumination.
On such a day as this we submit with humility to this most precious
splendor and seek with reverence any insight and guidance from
their lives. Hazrat Fatimah and Seyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha speak
out against the ignorance of their times. They are heroines whose
teachings and wisdom remain responsible for the progress in the
Right of humanity. This Right is a Truth and way of life that
forges beyond ignorance and into the realm of wisdom. It is the
alignment of justice, a means of balance and inner stability that
is Hazrat Fatimah's right.
Hazrat
Fatimah was born in the beginning of the 7th century into the
beautiful and Holy family of the Prophet Mohammad (swa). She was
so much like her father that she was called the "Mirror of
the Prophet." Hazrat Fatimah was well educated and knowledgeable
about intellectual matters and spirituality. She was the first
woman who believed in Islam and so she was called the "Mother
of the Believers." Hazrat Fastimah married Imam Ali and had
four children. Her life represents her wisdom. Let us search for
understanding in this most precious mirror to reflect light upon
ourselves if we can receive such light. Her personality reveals
one who is abundant in generosity (sadaqah), did charity (khayraat)
and exhibited great sacrifices. Her character was exemplary. She
revered her father always and forever while never exploiting this
relationship for her own benefits and receiving in her life much
pain and suffering. She sought forgiveness in all her actions
even with humble devotion to her father, husband, family and service
to humanity.
Her
personality inspires us because she stood for her rights- In her
way of being and adab of worship she established a chain or direct
link between the Earth and the Sky; from within her heart. She
was indeed the owner of deep intellect who lived her piety in
the purity of her action. Her bravery was seen in her power of
compassion as exhibited by a force of mind in union with heart.
A bravery seen in her powerful speech and in the perilous battlefields
when she declared truth before tyrants. Hazrat Fatimah stepped
into the battlefield upon th passing of her Father when the Caliph
sought to take away her inheritance. She came to the court to
prove her rights through her speech which moved the hearts of
those present. In her Sermon of Fadak she praises Allah for his
rewards and inspiration then she says:
O!
People, know well that I am Fatimeh, and my father Mohammad
Mustafa (swa), this is what I say in the beginning and in th
end, and neither I am saying wrong nor am I incoherent- he came
to you as a messenger, your difficulties on him were hard, your
well wisher, a merciful kindness for the owners of faith- Why
do I not inherit from my father, are you still following the
laws of ignorance? You reveal your hidden enmity as soon as
the Prophet is gone. You clothed your religion with your old
and worn out beliefs. As soon as the Devil finds his chance,
he calls upon you and you will greet him. You are so delighted
to greet him, he puts you on the fire and you are burning in
that fire/ You have forgotten the Book of the Prophet and the
prophets before him. It is unfortunate when swords are weak
instead of sharp After triumph. Break that sword. Do not decide
wrongly and be followed by ill wishes to your grave. Such are
the worst kind of assets to hold. Do not become like those who
changed the essence of Prophecy and unbalanced the l laws of
harmony.
(See, Seyedeh Hamaseh Kianfar, p. 30, Sufism Journal, Vol II,
No. 3).
Hazrat
Fatimah speaks with the language of the heart in unity with her
Father's teachings aligned with the light of Truth. With Hazrat
Fatimah as our model, we learn to fight injustice and search within
our hearts to stand for the right way, to stand for justice, to
be in balance so that we may follow her Teachings. We turn within
our hearts to surrender to the mercy of God and then we turn from
ourselves to others. We then become actively involved in society's
problems in service to God because as Hazrat Fatimah truly was,
she remains our model, a symbol of a true heroine who lived for
her right in the honor of faith and belief, in the service of
humanity. Her spiritual presence and essence still touches each
of us and strengthens our commitment to God. In spite of her life
of struggle and hardship, poverty and torment, she won justice
and freedom for all humanity. This is indeed a treasure which
we appreciate from the depths of our hearts.
I
would ask each of us to affirm our commitment to turn to each
other with reverence and love so that we may learn to honor each
other with the piety of Hazrat Fatimah. We are blessed with the
Holy Teachers who sit with us tonight, they are perfect examples
for us. Let us each reflect and collectively unite by walking
together with reverence and love, as examples of worthiness to
receive the Divine illumination of our Holy Teachers and Hazrat
Fatimah. Let each of us open our hearts to cultivate our personalities
based on her Divine qualities within the embrace of unity, La
illaha illal-lah.
It
is written of her beauty:
Sun
must hide its face, as Her face (Fatimah) is more illuminated.
Flower must hide itself behind its leaves, as Her beauty is
beyond competition.
Her
light radiates into every heart for freedom and justice because
of Hazrat Fatimah's struggle, courage, bravery, devotion and dedication
to her rights in belief and faith. She is a rare gem of magnificent
brilliance. Thank you for allowing me to speak this evening; it
is an honor. Amen.
O, Sweet Wine Bearer, those past
Rest in the heart of dust.
Listen as you drink your wine:
Every word spoken in truth
Flies, lost in the wind.
Ecstasy,
page 37.
Poem by Hakim Omar Khayam
Translated by Seyedeh Dr. Nahid Angha
Photographs
and pictures are of various shrines, mosques, and prayer rooms
dedicated to Hazrat Fatimah.
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