She (s.a.) started her speech[174] saying, "Praise be to Allah (s.w.t.) for His bounties (upon us) and thanks to Him for all that He
[174] This is the renowned sermon of Sayyedah Fatemah al Zahra (s.a.). The words of Ma’sumeen (a.s.) are far beyond the comprehension of anyone except their Creator, who created them as an epitome of infallibility and embodiment of perfection. Their words are replete with lucidity, insight & perfection, while pearls of wisdom & eloquence flow through their tongues. Therefore I have mainly relied upon the book “Khutbae Hazrat Fatemah” of the present Marja’, Ayatullah al Uzma Shaikh Husain Ali al Muntazari, wherein he explains each of her statements in detail. And instead of translating the literal meanings, I have sufficed upon quoting their explaination. For further study, readers are requested to refer to this informative work.
inspired, and commended be is His name for all the bounties He created before our own creation, for all the common bounties that He bestowed (upon us) from His Ownself without even (our) asking for it, and abundant bounties, and complete bounties[175], such plenteous and unlimited bounties whose numbers cannot be computed,[176] and thanks cannot be offered for the duration and commencement (of the bounties), and whose perpetuity is beyond comprehension. He invited (His servants) to offer praise thus resulting in their (bounty's) increase and eternity.[177] And in lieu of this abundance (of bounties) Allah (s.w.t.) desired that His creatures may praise Him, again He invited you (to perform good deeds) resulting in bounties of this world as well as the hereafter. And I bear witness that there is no other Diety except Allah (s.w.t.), He is Unique and Unparalleled, certainly
explaination. For further study, readers are requested to refer to this informative work.
[175] Refer the Qur’anic Verse : “This day have I perfected for you, your Religion, and have completed my favour on you, and chosen for you Islam (to be) the Religion”. Surah al Maedah : 3. This verse was revealed on the day of Ghadir al Khum wherein the Authority of Imam Ali (a.s.) was established by the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) while returning from the farewell pilgrimage. Thus the ‘complete bounties' in this case refers to the bounty of the Wilayah of Imam Ali (a.s.) by whose means the bounty of guidance is completed.
[176[ Refer the Qur’anic Verse : “And if you reckon Allah's bounties, you will not be able to compute them”. Surah al Ibrahim : 34.
[177]Refer the Qur’anic Verse : “And when declared your Lord : If you be grateful I will increase (My favours) unto you, and if you be ungrateful, verily My torment is indeed severe”. Surah al Ibrahim : 7.
interpretation (and result) of this witness (of Monotheism) is sincerity, and it's comprehension has been placed in the hearts, and the mind is illuminated by its (profound) understanding. He (Allah) cannot be seen with the eyes nor can He be described with the tongues, or His state cannot be perceived. He is the One Who created all things without any past paradigms, and originated it without having any past image and equals. Rather He created them with His Might and dispersed them according to His Will, not for a need did He create them, nor for a benefit (for Himself) did He shape them, but to establish His Wisdom, and bring their (the creature's) attention to His obedience, and manifest His Might, and (so that) His creatures may thus venerate Him, and (He created to) strengthen His invitation by dispatching His Prophets and Friends. Thus He provided recompense for His obedience and granted punishment for His disobedience, (He stopped) His slaves from performing such acts that invite His wrath, and thus gather them in His Paradise".
"And I bear witness that my Father Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), is His slave and His Messenger, while Allah (s.w.t.) the Almighty chose him and selected him before bestowing Prophethood upon him, and named him before selecting him, and chose him before sending him (for the mission of Islam), when the whole of creation was concealed in the hidden world, and they were in awe, and were in the extinction of nothingness. Almighty Allah (s.w.t.) was certainly aware of the consequences of all the tasks, and was acquainted with the occurances of the ages, and conscious of the position of the destined. Allah (s.w.t.) sent His Prophet (s.a.w.s.) so as to complete His commands, to execute His rulings, to deliver His decisive ordinances. He saw the nation divided into various religions, addicted to their places of worship, worshipping their idols, denying Allah (s.w.t.) despite their knowledge of Him. Then Allah (s.w.t.) illuminated their darkness (misguidance)
through the medium of my father Muhammad (s.a.w.s.), and lifted off the veils of obscurity from their hearts, and removed ignorance from their eyes. He (the Prophet) stood up among them for their guidance, he delivered them from misguidance and enlightened their eyes from blindness, and he guided them towards the 'Straight Path' and invited them towards 'the Right Path’. Then Allah (s.w.t.) took away his soul with affection and his choice, and willingness and submission, thus Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) was relieved of the toils of this world and entered (the world of) comfort, then he lives in ease among the Righteous Angels, and in the Paradise of the forgiving Lord, and the neigbourhood of the Mighty King. May Allah (s.w.t.)'s Mercy be upon my father, His Messenger (s.a.w.s.) and the Trustworthy One with regards to His Revelation, His friend, the best among His creations, His favourite one. And peace upon him and Allah (s.w.t.)'s Mercy and Blessings".