Fiddah was the servant of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' ('a) the daughter of the Prophet of God (S). The Prophet (S) chose her to help Fatimah ('a). She married Abu Tha'labah al-Habashi and they had a son together. After his death she married Abu Malik al-Ghatafani.

Her Merits

Fiddah was of the highest degree from the point of view of faith, piety, purity, and chastity. Her kindness to the Household of the Prophet (S) is well known, and her clear way of speaking and eloquence are not hidden from anyone. Her role was not just helping with the chores in the house. Rather, she was Fatimah's student in training, and accompanied her at all times.

Ibn al-Athir based on his documents quotes from Mujahid from Ibn 'Abbas that he said about the verse:

يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيرًا

“They fulfill (their) vows and fear a Day, the chastisement of which is widespread.” (Surah Al-Insan, 76:7).

Al-Hasan and al-Husayn ('a) were ill. The Prophet (S) and all of the Arabs were praying for their health, and they asked Amir al­Mu'minin ('a) to make a vow to God. Imam 'Ali ('a) made a vow to fast for three days for Allah. Fatimah ('a) made the same vow, and so did Fiddah their maidservant.

So, all three of them fasted. On the first day at the time for the fast breaking a homeless person came to them asking for food. These noble people gave their bread and food to this person and broke their fast with just water. On the second day an orphan, and on the third day a prisoner of war came to them, and each time the members of the household did the same as the first time. (This event is reported in detail in the Shi'ah books.) The Messenger of God (S) came upon them, and witnessed their weakened state. Surah al-Insan was revealed about them.

Ibn Hajar relates from Imam al-Sadiq ('a) from his father 'Ali ('a) as saying, "The Messenger of God (S) hired a maidservant for Fatimah ('a). Her name was Fiddah and she cooked bread. The Messenger of God (S) taught her a prayer to read when she was tired and that prayer is as follows, "O One Who has no equal. You cause everything to die, while you alone are everlasting on your throne. And, slumber does not overtake him nor sleep.1

Amir al-Mu'minin ('a) said about her, "May Allah give His blessings to our Fiddah."2 Fiddah was so loyal to Imam 'Ali ('a) that she would be hungry whenever he was hungry, thirsty when he was thirsty, would fast when he fasted, and wouldn't sleep when he didn't sleep.

She was constantly looking after Lady Fatimah al-Zahra' ('a), and when 'Umar Ibn al-Khattab came to the door of Fatimah ('a), she was the first to answer. As 'Umar stated in his letter to Mu'awiyah, "When I came to 'Ali's door his servant Fiddah came out first and argued with me. Then, I kicked the door open hitting Fatimah ('a), and she moaned in such a way that I thought all of al-Madinah let out a shrill. Next, she called out to Fiddah saying, 'Fiddah, help me. I swear to God that whatever was in my stomach (my child) has been killed.'"3

Being Fatimah's servant, helping her, benefiting from her presence, and being trusted by her were Fiddah's most important merits.

Based on the tradition which al-Kulayni relates from her as to the words of Idris Ibn 'Abdullah based on his documents about the situation after the martyrdom of Imam al-Husayn ('a),4 it may be concluded that Fiddah was present in Karbala'. She didn't abandon the children of Fatimah ('a) due to her fondness for their forefathers.

Al-Majlisi relates from Waraqah Ibn 'Abdullah al-Azdi as saying, "When I was circumambulating the house of God I saw a servant with a beautiful face and a beautiful speech. She was saying with eloquence, 'O owner of Bayt al-Haram and honored angels and the well of Zamzam and the station of Ibrahim, cause me to arise with my master."' Waraqah relates, "I said, 'O maid, I think you must be one of the servants of the Messenger of God (S).' She said, 'Better than that.' I asked, 'Which one are you?' She answered, 'I am Fiddah the servant of Fatimah ('a)."'5

Al-Majlisi quotes from Ibn Shahr'ashub's book of al-Manaqib that Abu'l­Qasim al-Qushayri has written in his book, "One day I stayed behind from my caravan in the desert and I saw a woman. I asked her, 'Who are you?' She said, 'Salute and then learn..." And so al-Qushayri continues to the end. During this meeting whatever al-Qushayri asks this woman she replies with a verse from the Qur'an till he sees her sons and asks them, 'Who is this woman?' They tell him, 'This is our mother, Fiddah, the servant of Fatimah ('a). It is twenty years now that she only speaks with Qur'an.'6

Zaynab Fawwaz said, "She was a wise and truthful woman." Fiddah has related traditions from Fatimah ('a), and Waraqah Ibn 'Abdullah al-Azdi.7

Al-Majlisi has related from Waraqah Ibn 'Abdullah al-Azdi as saying, "I asked Fiddah to tell me about Fatimah's condition after the death of her father. She started to cry and said, 'Know that when the Prophet's spirit left his body, everyone whether small or big was saddened. They cried much and lost their patience and forbearance. The sorrow, grief, and sadness were great for his close family, companions, the foremost, friends, strangers, and relatives. Whoever could be seen was crying and moaning. Among all the people on the earth, among his friends, family, and helpers there was no one who was more sorrowful, tearful, and worried than my mistress Fatimah al-Zahra' ('a). Her sorrow and grief kept increasing along with her crying.

So, she sat for seven days. Each day that came her crying was more than the day before. When the eighth day arrived, she revealed her hidden sorrow and grief. She had no more patience or forbearance. All of a sudden, she came out and yelled. It was as if she spoke from the tongue of the Messenger of God (S). The women appeared and the children came out (of their houses). People were wailing and yelling and they came from every direction. The lights went out so that the women's shapes could not be seen, and the women imagined the Prophet (S) had risen from his grave. When the news reached the people, they became amazed and perplexed. She ('a) was calling her father with crying and wailing and said, "O father! O chosen one! O Muhammad! O Abu 'l-Qasim! O the happiness of those without a guardian and the orphans! Who can be appropriate for the direction and altar for prayer? Who can calm this bereaved, distressed daughter?"8

Waraqah Ibn 'Abdullah al-Azdi quotes from Fiddah in a lengthy tradition which she relates from Fatimah ('a) about the moment when that honorable woman's spirit left her body. She said, "Lady Fatimah ('a) told Imam 'Ali ('a), 'Know that after you have read Surah Yasin I have passed away. At that time wash me without removing my clothes."9

• 1. Al-Isabah, vol. 4. P. 376; Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 2, p. 322.
• 2. Rayahin al-Shari'ah, vol. 2, p. 325, 326; and vol. 3, p. 161.
• 3. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 8, p. 23.
• 4. Al-Kafi, vol. 1, p. 465.
• 5. Al-Kafi, vol. 43, p. 174.
• 6. Al-Kafi, vol. 43, p. 86.
• 7. Al-Durr al-Manthur fi Tabaqat Rabbat al-Khudur, p. 439.
• 8. Bihar al-Anwar, vol. 43, p. 175.
• 9. Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, vol. 2, p. 137.