For most of us who have siblings (or friend-siblings), we will realize the importance they play in our family. Even though we argue, we hit, we fight, our brothers and sisters are OUR brothers and sisters. If any one even tries to cause them any harm, instantly we stand up for them! We all share this bond with our siblings and a similar bond is shown in this story below!
The story began on the first day of Dhil Qa’d in 173 AH in the holy city of Medina. A beautiful baby girl was born to Najma and Imam Musa Kazim (AS). This was an exciting day for everyone in this household including her elder brother, Imam Ali ar Ridha(AS). At that time Imam Ali ar Ridha was 25 years old.
Imam Musa Kazim (AS) named this beautiful girl Fatema after the name of his grandmother, Bibi Fatema (AS). She was brought up in a house where her father was the Imam, her brother was an imam and her mother was a woman who had been taught in the school of the wife of Imam Ja’far As Sadiq. So one can imagine the piety, knowledge, patience and purity in this young girl.
This household was the household of the Ahlul Bayt and therefore the accursed enemies’ targets. Imam Musa Al Kazim (AS) suffered a great amount of ordeals and hardships. She was less than 10 years old when the 7th Imam was put into prison. After which she never was able to see him until he passed away. When the 7th Imam passed away she was 10 years old and as a child would, she sat on the doorstep expecting her father to come home one day. At this point our thoughts go directly to Karbala when we think of the parting of Bibi Sakinah from her father, Imam Hussain (AS). May Allah never show a daughter such separations from their fathers.
In this hard time, her only companion and guardian was our 8th imam, who took care of her and brought her up lovingly. During the time of Ma’mun, the 8th Imam was called to Merv (now called Mashhad), he bid farewell to his family and friends! This was a really harsh time for Bibi Ma’sumah because after her father, her brother was her only support.
After a year of the 8th Imam’s departure, Bibi Ma’sumah yearned to see her brother. In the meantime, the 8th Imam sent a letter to Bibi Ma’sumah after which her desire to see her brother only increased. She then left for Toos with her brothers and her slaves. She was extremely excited just as any sister would be to meet her brother after being separated for a long time! The caravan didn’t stop except for prayers, meals and rest as they passed through the hills, mountains, desserts, etc. The journey became harder as they grew closer to Iran however, Bibi Ma’sumah was ready to bear this pain a hundred times for her brother. However, close to Iran (approximately 10 miles from Qum) Bibi Ma’sumah fell ill after hearing the news of the passing away of her brother. The people of Qum had a strong love for the Ahlul Bayt and found it an honour to host the sister of the 8th Imam. A man named Musa ibn Khazraj went from Qum to convince the lady to take rest in Qum to which she agreed. He also offered her his place to stay. She chose a place for herself where she prayed to god about her health and the problems she faced. This place currently exists called Bait an Noor.
The people of Qum tried their level best to treat Bibi Ma’sumah but her illness had spread throughout her body leaving her weak and pale. Within a few days on the 4th of Rabi ul Awwal at the age of 22, Bibi Ma’sumah left this world to join her brother Imam Ali ar Redha. She was buried in Qum by her lovers.
She was given Ghusl by her followers and according to some traditions, had 2 veiled people on horses come to bury her. She was buried in a garden called Babulan donated by Musa ibn Khazraj.
After the burial, the people of Qum decided to make a mausoleum of straw around the grave of the noble woman. And after 50 years, the daughter of the 9th Imam called Zainab ordered for a dome to be built. And since then, her lovers started to build the shrine that stands proudly in Qum today.
Imam Radha (A.S.) said: One who visits her will be granted Heaven.
References:
http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/masuma.asp
http://www.rafed.net/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2623&catid=304&Itemid=965
Youth article by Sajeda Canani
