Mystical and Ontological Analysis of the Wilayat of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (Peace Be Upon Her)

Introduction

The concept of the wilayat (guardianship) of Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) is among the most profound and intricate in Shia teachings. It has been extensively explored in mystical, ontological, and theological domains. This concept highlights her unparalleled status among divine saints. It also emphasizes her central role in the system of creation and the realization of divine unity (tawhid). Authentic narrations, such as the sacred hadith “Were it not for you, I would not have created the heavens” and the Rajabiyya supplication, serve as key sources for elucidating this exalted station. This article aims to provide a mystical and ontological analysis of Hazrat Fatima’s wilayat. It examines her role as the essence of creation, the hidden divine secret, and the axis of existence. Additionally, it critiques inadequate philosophical approaches, such as the theory of the universal soul. It seeks to offer an authentic interpretation grounded in religious texts. This study is derived from the book Awareness and the Divine Human by Sadeq Khademi.

Theoretical Framework: Wilayat and Divine Manifestation

The Concept of Wilayat in Shia Culture

In Shia tradition, wilayat denotes spiritual guardianship, divine guidance, and mediation of God’s grace to creation. This concept manifests in divine saints, particularly the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them). Wilayat encompasses not only external and social aspects, such as leadership and governance, but also an esoteric dimension. This dimension involves a direct connection with the divine essence and the realization of God’s will in the universe. Among the Ahl al-Bayt, Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) holds a central position. Her station transcends the ranks of prophethood, messengership, and imamate.

Distinction Between Inherent and Acquired Saints

Divine saints are categorized into two groups: inherent saints and acquired saints. Inherent saints, such as the Ahl al-Bayt, are intrinsically beloved by God. They directly represent the divine essence. Each possesses a unique manifestation. Acquired saints attain their station through proximity to inherent saints. They reflect the light of an inherent saint. In this hierarchy, Hazrat Fatima Zahra is presented as the supreme divine manifestation. She has no equal, even among the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Imam Ali (peace be upon him). She is neither an imam nor a prophet, as these ranks are insufficient to encompass her radiant essence.

Hazrat Fatima Zahra as the Hidden Divine Secret

In Shia mystical texts, Hazrat Fatima Zahra is described as the “hidden divine secret” and the “Fatimid truth.” This implies that she is the axis of existential unity between the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali. She embodies all divine perfections as their manifestation. The Rajabiyya supplication emphasizes, “There is no difference between You and them, except that they are Your servants and creation.” This indicates an unmediated connection between her and the divine essence.

Analysis of Narrations Related to Hazrat Fatima’s Wilayat

Hadith: “Were It Not for You, I Would Not Have Created the Heavens”

The sacred hadith, recorded in Sheikh Saduq’s Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’ma, is a pivotal text in elucidating the ontological status of the Ahl al-Bayt. The full text states: “O Ahmad! Were it not for you, I would not have created the heavens; were it not for Ali, I would not have created you; and were it not for Fatima, I would not have created both of you.” This hadith establishes that the Prophet’s existence is the condition for the creation of the heavens. Imam Ali’s existence is the condition for the Prophet’s creation. Hazrat Fatima’s existence is the condition for the creation of both. Thus, she is the axis and essence of the system of creation.

Ontologically, this hadith reveals that Hazrat Fatima is not merely part of the material and spiritual causes of creation. As the luminous origin, she connects the entire system of existence to the divine essence. Her station surpasses conventional concepts of prophethood and imamate. It points to her role as the secret of creation.

Rajabiyya Supplication and the Station of the Ahl al-Bayt

The Rajabiyya supplication, attributed to Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his return) and recorded in Sheikh Tusi’s Misbah al-Mutahajjid, is a key text in explaining the wilayat of the Ahl al-Bayt. Phrases such as “I ask You by the meanings of all that Your guardians invoke You with” and “There is no difference between You and them, except that they are Your servants and creation” underscore their unparalleled station. The Ahl al-Bayt are described as the mines of divine words, pillars of tawhid, and manifestations of God’s greatest name. This supplication highlights that Hazrat Fatima, as the axis of this group, plays a central role in realizing tawhid and guiding creation.

The phrase “There is no difference between You and them” signifies an existential unity between God and the Ahl al-Bayt. The only distinction is their servanthood and created nature. This unity is particularly pronounced in Hazrat Fatima’s case. As the condition for the creation of the Prophet and Imam Ali, she is the axis of this luminous hierarchy.

Hadith of Luminous Knowledge and Divine Recognition

The hadith of recognizing Imam Ali through his luminosity, recorded in volume 26 of Allama Majlisi’s Bihar al-Anwar, emphasizes the importance of luminous knowledge of divine saints. In this hadith, Imam Ali states: “Knowing me through luminosity is knowing God, the Mighty and Exalted.” This luminous knowledge, applicable to Hazrat Fatima, reflects the profound connection between recognizing divine saints and recognizing God. As the axis of creation and a manifestation of the divine essence, Hazrat Fatima holds an unparalleled position in this luminous knowledge.

The hadith also highlights the difficulty of accepting wilayat: “Upholding my wilayat is arduous and challenging, unbearable except by a proximate angel, a sent prophet, or a believing servant whose heart God has tested for faith.” This difficulty underscores the grandeur of wilayat and Hazrat Fatima’s central role in this hierarchy.

Critique of the Universal Soul Theory in Explaining Hazrat Fatima’s Station

Origins of the Universal Soul Theory

The universal soul theory originates in Peripatetic philosophy and Ptolemaic cosmology. According to this theory, the universal soul mediates divine grace between the universal intellect and the realm of imagination. It serves as the source of individual souls, such as human and plant souls. Some have attempted to explain Hazrat Fatima’s station using this concept, equating it with the Preserved Tablet or the Clear Book and attributing it to her.

Challenges of the Universal Soul Theory

This interpretation faces several challenges:

• Lack of Scientific Validity in Ptolemaic Cosmology: The universal soul theory relies on Ptolemaic cosmology, which attributes the movement of celestial spheres to universal and particular souls. This cosmology has been rendered obsolete by scientific advancements, particularly Newton’s laws of mechanics and gravity. Planetary and celestial movements are now explained by natural laws, eliminating the need for universal or particular souls.
• Absence of Narration-Based Support: No authentic Quranic verse or hadith confirms the existence of a universal soul. Concepts like the Preserved Tablet and Clear Book are presented as manifestations of divine knowledge in the Quran and narrations. However, they do not refer to a universal soul as an independent entity.
• Reduction of Hazrat Fatima’s Station: Attributing Hazrat Fatima’s station to the universal soul diminishes her unparalleled status. As the essence of creation and the hidden divine secret, she transcends such theoretical concepts defined within an obsolete cosmology.
• Incompatibility with Shia Teachings: Shia teachings, particularly in narrations like the “Were it not for you” hadith and the Rajabiyya supplication, present Hazrat Fatima as the axis of creation and a manifestation of the divine essence. This station is incompatible with the universal soul, defined in Peripatetic philosophy as an intermediary entity.

More Authentic Alternatives

Instead of the universal soul theory, Shia teachings emphasize concepts such as the “Muhammadan Reality” and the “Fatimid Light.” These concepts are rooted in authentic narrations. They present Hazrat Fatima as the supreme manifestation of the divine essence and the axis of existential unity among the Ahl al-Bayt. This interpretation aligns with religious texts. It prevents the reduction of her station to limited philosophical concepts.

Mystical and Ontological Station of Hazrat Fatima Zahra

Axis of Existential Unity

In Shia mystical texts, Hazrat Fatima is described as the axis of existential unity between the Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali. The hadith “Were it not for Fatima, I would not have created both of you” indicates that her existence is the condition for their creation. This central role signifies that she holds an unparalleled position not only in the hierarchy of wilayat but also in the entire system of creation.

Manifestation of God’s Greatest Name

The Rajabiyya supplication describes the Ahl al-Bayt as the “mines of divine words” and “pillars of tawhid.” As the axis of this group, Hazrat Fatima is the manifestation of God’s greatest name. She embodies all divine perfections as their manifestation. However, these perfections lack any independent existence. In other words, she serves as a perfect mirror of the divine essence, reflecting God without mediation.

Mediator of Divine Grace

Hazrat Fatima, as the mediator of divine grace, connects the entire system of creation to God. This mediation applies to both spiritual and material realms. The “Were it not for you” hadith indicates that the creation of the heavens, symbolizing the material and spiritual universe, depends on her existence. This dependency underscores her central role in realizing God’s will in the universe.

Relationship Between Fatimid Wilayat and Tawhid

The wilayat of Hazrat Fatima has an inseparable connection with tawhid. The Rajabiyya supplication states that the Ahl al-Bayt are the “pillars of tawhid.” Recognizing them leads to recognizing God. The hadith of luminosity also emphasizes that knowing divine saints, particularly through luminous knowledge, is knowing God. Within this framework, Hazrat Fatima’s wilayat, as the axis of this knowledge, paves the way for pure tawhid.

Methodology for Evaluating Narrations of Fatimid Wilayat

Content-Based Critique Over Chain-Based Critique

In evaluating narrations related to Hazrat Fatima’s wilayat, content-based critique takes precedence over chain-based critique. Many narrations, such as the “Were it not for you” hadith or the hadith of luminosity, may have weaknesses in their chains of transmission. However, their content aligns with definitive Shia teachings, such as Quranic verses and widely accepted narrations. This alignment, particularly for narrations addressing the ontological status of the Ahl al-Bayt, is the primary criterion for their authenticity.

Role of Sacred Intellect and Luminous Wisdom

Evaluating narrations of Fatimid wilayat requires the use of sacred intellect and luminous wisdom. Sacred intellect, accompanied by divine inspiration and inner purity, can comprehend the profound meanings of narrations. Unlike conventional intellect, it transcends the limitations of traditional jurisprudential methods. It facilitates the interpretation of esoteric teachings. Luminous wisdom, attained through proximity to divine saints, plays a key role in understanding the hidden secrets of these narrations.

Conclusion

Hazrat Fatima Zahra (peace be upon her) holds an ontological and mystical station in Shia teachings that transcends the ranks of prophethood, messengership, and imamate. She is the luminous essence of creation, the hidden divine secret, and the axis of existence. She plays an unparalleled role in the system of being. Narrations such as the “Were it not for you” hadith, the Rajabiyya supplication, and the hadith of luminosity clearly elucidate this exalted station. The critique of the universal soul theory demonstrates that philosophical interpretations based on obsolete cosmology cannot reflect her grandeur. In contrast, concepts like the Muhammadan Reality and Fatimid Light, rooted in religious texts, offer a more authentic interpretation.

Knowledge of Hazrat Fatima’s wilayat is not only the path to recognizing God but also the way to attain perfect faith and pure tawhid. This knowledge, described in the hadith of luminosity as a condition for perfect faith, requires inner purity, sacred intellect, and luminous wisdom. Future research could focus on lesser-known mystical texts, such as the works of sadegh khademi to further illuminate new dimensions of her station.

References

• Sheikh Saduq. (2016). Kamal al-Din wa Tamam al-Ni’ma. Qom: Dar al-Hadith.
• Sheikh Tusi. (2006). Misbah al-Mutahajjid. Qom: Mu’assasat Fiqh al-Shi’a.
• Allama Majlisi. (1983). Bihar al-Anwar. Beirut: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al-Arabi.
• Khademi, Sadeq. (2021). Awareness and the Divine Human. Shiraz: Sobh-e Entezar Publications.
• The Holy Quran.
• Ibn Arabi. (1999). Fusus al-Hikam. Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya.
• Sabzawari, Mulla Hadi. (2011). Sharh al-Manzuma. Qom: Nashr-e Hikmat-e Islami.