Saturday, October 16, 2010

Book of Fatimah

The Book of Fatimah, Mushaf of Fatimah or Fatimah's Mushaf is according to Shi'as tradition, a book written by Fatimah, the daughter of Muhammad.

Contents

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[edit]Shi'a view

There are Shi'a Muslim tradition that can be found in Usul al-Kafi about a book called "Mushaf of Fatimah", which speaks of Fatimah upon the passing of her father, Muhammad. There are several versions of this tradition, but common to all are that the angel Gabriel appeared to her and consoled her by telling her things (including future events regarding her offspring) [1] that she wrote in a book. During these revelations, Ali acted as the scribe for Fatima [2]. According to one tradition [3] they were prophecies. The book, if it was ever physical, did not survive, and was seen to be something that the Mahdi would reveal in the last days.[4]

[edit]Mushaf (book) of Fatimah and Qur'an

There is no single verse of Quran in the Book of Fatimah.[5] Also, it was three times longer than Quran in length.[4]

[edit]Bahá'í view

Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith wrote Kalimát-i-Maknúnih or The Hidden Words around 1857. Bahá'u'lláh originally named the book The Book of Fatimah,[6] though he later referred to it in its modern appellation[7], and Bahá'ís believe that The Hidden Words is the symbolic fulfillment of the Islamic prophecy.[8]

Aqidah

Islamic holy books

The Islamic holy books are the records which most Muslims believe were dictated by God to various Islamic prophets. They include the Tawrat (Torah), the Zabur (commonly the Psalms), the Injil (the original Gospel of Jesus Christ), and the Qur'an.

The words Tawrat and Injil are mentioned several times in the Qur'an itself. For example, following ayah has these words with kitab, meaning book:

He has revealed to you the Book with truth, verifying that which is before it, and He revealed the Tavrat and the Injeel aforetime, a guidance for the people, and He sent the Furqan. (3:3).

He has sent down upon thee the Book with the truth, confirming what was before it, and He sent down the Torah and the Gospel aforetime, as guidance to the people, and He sent down the Salvation.
Arthur Arberry translation, Sura 3 (Al-i-Imran), ayah 3

Other scriptures and books of prophets

The Qur'an does mention additional Holy Books sent to prophets, but one book with all prophets is mentioned in the Qur'an, For example: Mankind was one single nation, and Allah sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed;(2:213).

Moreover, in one passage, various Islamic prophets are mentioned with one Book, taught to all of them: And We bestowed upon him Isaac and Jacob; each of them We guided; and Noah did We guide aforetime; and of his seed (We guided) David and Solomon and Job and Joseph and Moses and Aaron. Thus do We reward the good. And Zachariah and John and Jesus and Elijah. Each one (of them) was of the righteous. And Ishmael andElisha and Jonah and Lot. Each one (of them) did We prefer above (Our) creatures, (To them) and to their fathers, and progeny and brethren: We chose them, and we guided them to a straight way. This is the guidance of Allah: He giveth that guidance to whom He pleaseth, of His worshippers. If they were to join other gods with Him, all that they did would be vain for them. These were the men to whom We gave the Book, and authority, and prophethood: if these (their descendants) reject them, Behold! We shall entrust their charge to a new people who reject them not. (6:84-89)