Severe demonstration of Imam Ali (a.s.) Against Exhuming the Grave of Fatemah (s.a.)

 
It is related, that on the night when Fatemah (s.a.) was buried, forty graves were made in the graveyard of Al Baqi'. And when people were informed of the death of Fatemah (s.a.), they hastened to Al Baqi' and found forty fresh graves thereat. They did not findthe grave of Fatemah (s.a.) and started weeping & wailing and reproached one another. They said to one another, "The Prophet (s.a.w.s.) did not leave among you except one daughter, but she passed away from the world and was buried, but you could not participate in her burial and funeral, nor can you recognize her grave". The elders of the community said, "Go and bring alongwith some believer women that they may come and desecrate these graves so that we may find the grave of Fatemah (s.a.). Then we may pray upon her and visit her grave". When Imam Ali (a.s.) was informed of this decision, he came out of his house in a rage. He was in such rage that his eyes had turned red and the vein of his neck had swollen with blood and he had worn a yellow cloak that he would wear during straightened circumstances. He was leaning upon his sword Zulfiqar until he entered the graveyard of Al Baqi' and warned people from exhuming the grave. People said to one another, "This is Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.), who has come in a state that he swears that if even one stone is turned from upon these graves, he shall kill you all". At that moment Umar, accompanied by a group of his adherents, met Ali (a.s.) and said, "O Abal Hasan ! What is this that you have done, certainly we shall desecrate the grave of Zahra (s.a.) and pray upon her". Imam Ali (a.s.) caught hold of his collar and knotted it and threw him upon the ground. Umar fell upon the ground and Ali (a.s.) told him, "O son of the black Abyssinian ! I left my right due to fear that men may leave the Religion. But in case of the desecration of the grave of Fatemah (s.a.), I swear by Allah (s.w.t.), in Whose Hands lies my life, if you do so, I shall quench the thirst of the earth with your blood, do not do it and thus save yourself". Abu Bakr came forward and said, "I request you due to the right of the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w.s.) and by the right of the One who is upon the High Heavens, leave Umar, we shall not do that which displeases you". Hearing this, Ali (a.s.) released Umar and people scattered away and desisted from desecrating the grave.