Numerous honorific titles are mentioned for Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) in the Islamic sources. In a narration reported from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), it is stated:
“Indeed, Fatimah has nine names with Allah, the Almighty: Fatimah, al-Siddiqah, al-Mubarakah, al-Tahirah, al-Radiyah, al-Mardiyyah, al-Muhaddithah, and al-Zahra.”
The Reason for Naming Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) “Fatimah”
Al-Juwayni, a prominent Sunni scholar, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) said:
“I named my daughter Fatimah because Allah, the Exalted, has safeguarded her and those who love her from the Fire.”
This narration has also been cited by Allamah al-Majlisi in Bihar al-Anwar and by Shaikh al-Tusi in al-Amali.
The Meaning of the Name “Fatimah”
The word “Fatimah” is an active participle derived from the Arabic root fa-ta-ma, which in the Arabic language conveys the meanings of cutting off, separating, and detaching.
Lady Fatimah Al-Zahra (peace be upon her) Uttering the Testimony at Birth
The late Shaikh al-Saduq narrates, on the authority of al-Mufaddal ibn Umar from Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), a tradition concerning the birth of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her), in which it is reported that she spoke at the moment of her birth and declared:
“I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, that my father is the Messenger of Allah and the leader of the prophets, that my husband is the leader of the divinely appointed successors, and that my children are the leaders of the grandsons of the prophets.”
The Superiority of the House of Lady Fatimah (peace be upon her) and Amir Al-Muminin (peace be upon him)
Al-Alusi, one of the eminent Sunni exegetes and scholars, narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) recited verse 36 of Surah al-Nur:
“In houses which Allah has permitted to be raised and wherein His Name is remembered.”
A man asked, “Which houses are these?” The Prophet replied, “The houses of the prophets.” Abu Bakr then asked, “Is the house of Ali and Fatima among them?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family) answered, “Yes, and it is among the most excellent of them.”
