Fatimah bint Muhammad (; Arabic: fTm@ Fatimah; born c. 609 (or 20 Jumada al-Thani 5 BH [(609-07-27)27 July 609 AD] ?) - died 28 August 632 [disputed]) was the youngest daughter and according to Shia Muslims, the only child of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and Khadijah who lived to adulthood, and therefore part of Muhammad's household. She was a wife of Ali and mother of Hasan and Husayn. She is the object of love and respect of Muslims, as she was the child closest to her father and supported him in his difficulties, was the supporter and loving caretaker of her own husband and children, and was the only child of Muhammad to have male children live beyond childhood, whose descendants are spread throughout the Islamic world and are known as Sayyids. The 11th century dynasty ruling Egypt at the time of the Crusades, the Fatimids, claimed descent from her. '

Fatimah, regarded as "the Mother of the Imams", plays a special role in the Shia sect. She has a unique status as Muhammad's only surviving child, the wife of Ali, their first Imam, and the mother of Hasan and Husayn. The chapter of Quran on abundance (Surat al-Kawthar) mentions the significance of her birth and recognises her as the only surviving child of Muhammad. The Fatimid Caliphate/ Imamate is named for her. She is believed to have been immaculate, sinless, and a model for Muslim women. Although leading a life of poverty, the Shia tradition emphasises her compassion and sharing of whatever she had with others.  Shias greatly respect her, and her character shines as one of the bravest and most courageous in the Islamic history. Fatimah stood as the lone defender of Muhammad's declaration of Ghadeer. She put forward her arguments to prove Fadak as her right and undisputed property amongst those who had killed her unborn child Mohsin.  According to Mahmoud Ayoud, the two main images of Fatimah within the Shia tradition are those of the "Eternal Weeper" and "the Judge in the hereafter". According to Shia tradition, the suffering and death of Fatimah was the first tragedy of Islam. She spent her last days mourning the death of her father. Fatimah eternally weeps at the death of her two sons, who were murdered by the Umayyads. Shias believe they share in Fatimah's suffering by weeping for her sorrows. It is believed that the tears of the faithful console Fatimah. Shias hold that Fatimah will play a redemptive role as the mistress of the day of judgment in the hereafter, as a reward for her suffering in this world.

Ask a question about this article.
What is the Shia veiw?