Louis Massignon Louis Massignon Louis Massignon Louis Massignon: The Gnostic Cultus of Fatima in Shiite Islam : The

Gnostic Cultus of Fatima in Shiite Islam : The Gnostic Cultus of Fatima in Shiite Islam : The Gnostic Cultus of Fatima in Shiite Islam
(1938)
!e" gnostische #ult $e" Fatima in shiitischen Islam % (1938)& Opera Minora ('ei"ut: Dar Al-
Maaref Li(an) 19*3)) I) +1,-../
(T"ans/) Mit"a 0a1ini an$ 2a"on Chea3/ (4$/) 5ahi$ 21al (.667)/
"In the Presence of the Lord, the meaning (al-murad) of the Saath is !atima the "esplendent (al-
f8tima al-#ahra$), ecause She is the Da% of the &oo' (%a(m al-'it8)) *eril% the +odhead hath caused
all created things ('ullu-sha%$) to appear through ,er)))"
-- -ssence of the Se.en Letters, /afs0r S1rat2ul /afs0r S1rat2ul /afs0r S1rat2ul /afs0r S1rat2ul- -- -&a3ara &a3ara &a3ara &a3ara (4omm) the Surah of the 4o( 4omm) the Surah of the 4o( 4omm) the Surah of the 4o( 4omm) the Surah of the 4o()
!es9ite the fact that inte"national la: has acce9te$ t:o o" th"ee s9ecificall; Islamic nations
as its mem(e"s) it is still inc"easingl; $ifficult fo" the mo$e"n ci<ili1e$ :o"l$ to acce9t Islam
as an e=ual among the othe" ma>o" monotheistic "eligions/ ?et thei" Go$ is the Go$ of
2("aham) >ust as it is fo" the Ch"istians an$ @e:s) an$ cont"a"; to the $eman$s of the
eAt"eme Bionists) Islam too has >ust as much "ight to eAist in Calestine/ This (ecomes e<en
mo"e e<i$ent :hen one consi$e"s the "esults of the latest genealogical "esea"ch) fo" Moslem
(loo$ has miAe$ :ith Ch"istian (loo$ o<e" the 9ast thi"teen centu"ies an$ has 9enet"ate$
into man; 4u"o9ean lan$s/ In a manne" of s9ea3ing) the Moslem famil;) in :hich the :ife is
a(le to "emain Ch"istian o" @e:ish) has (een D3e9t o9en f"om one si$e/E 5e ma; also
mention a f"e=uentl; $ange"ous inclination to:a"$s eAoticism among F"ench stu$ent
ci"cles) :he"e(; ;oung Ch"istian gi"ls a"e entice$ into ma"";ing fo"eign Moslem stu$ents
$ue to a sense of sentimental com9ensation fo" the a(use of 9o:e" that occu""e$ on Islamic
soil $u"ing F"ench coloni1ation/
Fo:) it might seem unusual fo" an Islamic schola" to 9a"tici9ate in a se"ies of lectu"es
$ealing :ith "eligio-histo"ical 9"o(lems 9e"taining to the cultus of the 0ol; Mothe") fo") in
gene"al) the 9osition of :omen in Islam is theo"eticall; "athe" su(o"$inate/ 0e" legal
testimon;) fo" instance) is :o"th onl; half that of a mans/ 4<en so) a softening of the
9osition is also 3no:n& although she can (e $i<o"ce$ :ithout he" 9e"mission) an$ :hile the
"eci9"ocal "ight $oes not a99l;) the last fe: ;ea"s ha<e actuall; succee$e$ in im9"o<ing he"
essential legal status/ 2s to the 2"a(ic lite"a"; t"a$ition) it $oes not "ega"$ a :oman sim9l;
as a sla<e to the $esi"es of a man& it also cele("ates :omen of cou"age) 3no:le$ge an$
no(ilit;/ Fu"the"mo"e) it :as in Islamic lan$s that that high fo"m of Minne eme"ge$ :hich
eAtols a Clatonic <ene"ation of the (elo<e$ 'eat"ice (Leila) 'othenia)/
Finall;Gan$ this is also the >ustification fo" m; lectu"eGthe"e a"e some Islamic sects :ho
"aise the cultus of Fatima) the (elo<e$ $aughte" of the C"o9het :ho is "e<e"e$ (; almost all
Moslem 9eo9le) to a fo"m of $i<ine a$o"ation/ She :as fi"st <ene"ate$ un$e" the name al-
at5l) Dthe <i"gin)E fo" it :as as a <i"gin :hen she ma""ie$ he" cousin H2li an$ (o"e him sons)
t:o of :hom :oul$ (ecome the legitimate lea$e"s of the ShIites an$ claimants to the
highest 9o:e" as H2lis successo"s/
To this $a; one can still "ecogni1e) he"e an$ the"e) a $istincti<e featu"e among the ShIite
sects of the Ismailis :ho a:ait the coming of the Mah$i: a <i"gin :ho comes to (e calle$ al-
ra(da) D9a"a$ise)E to :hom the; see3 to offe" the lea$e"shi9 of thei" sect (ecause the; ho9e
she :ill ("ing the Mah$i into the :o"l$/ In the ninth centu"; a ;oung :i$o: :as hel$ un$e"
su9e"<ision fo" se<en ;ea"s (ecause it :as su99ose$ that she might (e ca"";ing the long-
a:aite$ Mah$i un$e" he" (osom/
0isto"icall; :e 3no: <e"; little a(out the sho"t life of Fatima) as Lammens fa" too c;nical
an$ $is9a"aging stu$; misinfo"ms us/ The Islamic t"a$itions $o not ena(le the "elationshi9
(et:een Fatima an$ he" fathe" to (e clea"l; asce"taine$/ 'esi$es) she ha$ a 9a"ticula"l; ill-
$is9ose$ "i<al: 2;isha) he" Fathe"s fa<o"ite :ife/
5e 3no: that he" fathe" ga<e he" a:a; in ma""iage to he" cousin H2li) an$ that she :as the
onl; $aughte" of the 9"o9het :ho ga<e him g"an$sons that su"<i<e$/ The"e is) mo"eo<e")
no in$ication that she :as $enie$ an; sign of hea"tfelt affection f"om he" fathe")
9a"ticula"l; $u"ing the last ;ea" of the 9"o9hets life/
In$ee$) afte" the chil$hoo$ $eath of I("ahim) the son of his Co9tic concu(ine Ma"ia) the
9"o9het ha$ no othe" ho9e fo" the continuation of his lineage othe" than th"ough the
chil$"en of Fatima/
Fo: :hen) $u"ing a festi<e cele("ation) the 9"o9het :as negotiating a t"eat; :ith the
Ch"istian autho"ities of Fa>"Jn (f"om the t"i(e of H2($el Ma$Jn)Ga t"eat; :hich "e9"esents
the fi"st Dca9itulationE (et:een Ch"istians an$ MoslemsGa $i<e"gence of o9inion a"ose
(et:een the 9"o9het an$ the Ch"istian en<o;) an$ thei" negotiations g"oun$ to a $ea$ halt
on the issue of the inca"nation/ The 9"o9het :ante$ to ha<e the =uestion "esol<e$ th"ough
o"$eals an$ "efe""e$ his o99onent to the <e"$ict of $i<ine >u$gement/ The #o"an ma3es an
allusion to these o"$eals o" moahala) to :hich the angst-"i$$en Ch"istians ultimatel;
ca9itulate$/ 2cco"$ing to such "itual of $i<ine >ustice Ko" eAec"ationL) each 9a"t; is
su99ose$ to summon hostages f"om thei" o:n "an3s to offe" in 9le$ge of thei" con<ictions/
2cco"$ing to gene"al Islamic t"a$ition) the 9"o9hets hostages :e"e com9ose$ of his
$aughte" Fatima) his son in la:) an$ his t:o g"an$sons) 0assan an$ 0ossein/ 5ith the
9"o9het himself) fi<e 9eo9le a"e thusl; $esignate$ (; this singula" in<estitu"e) :hich) as the
Muslim 0in$us eA9"essl; em9hasi1e) :as "e9"esente$ th"ough the fi<e finge"s of a single
talismanic han$Gthe D,and of !atima/E 0e"e the eA9lanation familia" in Fo"th 2f"ica)
acco"$ing to :hich the talisman is sim9l; $ismisse$ as a <estige of Ca"thaginian magic) is
in<ali$ate$/
5hen the 9"o9het $ie$) his son-in-la: H2li ha"$l; $a"e$ :"est 9o:e" fo" himself) (ut he
also "efuse$ fo" months the"eafte" to 9le$ge an oath of allegiance to 2(u(a3") 2;ishas
fathe") :hom Fatima too ne<e" "ecogni1e$ as cali9h/ This "o((e$ he" of he" 9ate"nal
inhe"itance) an$ 2(u(a3" :ith$"e: he" o:ne"shi9 "ights o<e" the oasis of !adah/ 0e e<en
ha$ a house-sea"ch 9e"fo"me$ $u"ing :hich she :as so (a$l; mist"eate$ that she
9"ematu"el; $eli<e"e$ a still(o"n son) Mohsin/
2 fe: months afte" he" fathe"s $eath) Fatima also $ie$) an$ H2li ha$ to $eci$e :hethe" o"
not to 9le$ge his oath of allegiance to 2(u(a3"/
In all genuine) that is to sa; ShIite) Islamic ci"cles) Fatima stan$s at the cent"e of a
collecti<e Islamic legitimi1ation 9"o(lem/ This is $ue not onl; to the fact that th"ough he"
hus(an$ she is the mothe" of the H2li$sG hence all the $escen$ants of the 9"o9het :ho a"e
entitle$ to :ea" the g"een tu"(an) :ho in 2f"ica a"e calle$ the DShof"aE (9lu"al of Sha"if)G
(ut also (ecause she fo"ms the 9oint of contact (et:een the t:o male lineages: that of he"
fathe" Mohamme$ an$ that of he" hus(an$ H2li/
The fact "emainsGfo" those :ho (elie<e that the $i<ine co<enant :hich ele<ates the
9"o9het o<e" his o:n 3in$ :as not :ith$"a:n f"om the communit; u9on his $eath (ut
"athe" (ecame t"ansfe""e$ fi"st to his son-in-la: H2li an$ then to his $escen$ants (acco"$ing
to "ules :hich not e<en the ShIites themsel<es a"e in com9lete acco"$ "ega"$ing)) a ma>o"
$ifficult; a"ises: the 9o:e" :ill (e 9asse$ on th"ough the male lineage) an$ ;et H2li is not
the son (; (loo$) (ut onl; the son-in-la: of the 9"o9het/ 4A9lanations ha<e (een sought to
suggest that he coul$ ha<e (een the a$o9ti<e ("othe" of the 9"o9het) follo:ing the ancient
(i(lical 9"ece$ent of 2a"on) :ho (ecame the successo" of Moses/ Some ha<e also claime$
that H2lis fathe" 2(u Tale( :as simila"l; electe$ (; $i<ine g"ace) li3e his ("othe" 2($allah)
the fathe" of the 9"o9het/ 'ut all these a"guments a"e clea"l; ma3eshift) an$ ShIite
"e<e"enceGfo"ce$ to ("i$ge the lacunaGultimatel; ma$e a <i"tue out of necessit; an$
the"e(; int"o$uce$ the cultus of Fatima/
2n$ so she (ecomes the (in$ing lin3 (et:een the t:o masculine ("anches: that of he"
fathe" an$ that of he" hus(an$/ Li3e f"uit s9"ung f"om a t"ee in 9a"a$ise) she is in t"uth
neithe" gi"l) :oman no" mothe" in flesh/ Mathe") she is the 9henomenal fo"m of a $i<ine
i$ea/ Th"ough he") the Dfi<eE of the moahala no: fo"m a Ks%#%gicL unit;/ In essence she is
the initiation) the Dshimme"ing colo" of 9"e$estination)E not the initiat"iA o" the
em(o$iment of ins9i"ation) as one fin$s in othe" cults (the n;m9h of Fuma& 4nnoia)/ In a
<e"; "ema"3a(le manifestation that a"ises in the me$itation of these sects) she a99ea"s as a
<eile$ light-fo"m sitting :ith a c"o:n on he" hea$) :ea"ing t:o ea" o"naments an$ hol$ing
a s:o"$ in he" han$: the c"o:n is he" fathe") the t:o ea""ings he" sons) the s:o"$ he"
hus(an$/
The g"eeting (; :hich she is a$$"esse$ in 9"a;e" is 9eculia" enough: D5elcome a"t thou) N
Mothe" of ;ou" Fathe"/E The 2"a(ic fo"m (umm aiha) is an ol$ t"i(al g"eeting :hich :as
use$ :hen the son (o"e the name of the fathe" of his mothe"/ 0e"e the use of the fo"mula
signifies that it is f"om he" that the secon$ $i<ine 9"inci9le emanates) the m6m) :hich
manifeste$ in he" fathe" in o"$e" to (e manifest ane: in he" sons/ In a simila" <ein of
thought) she a99ea"s as the Dsou"ce of the sunE (the "e$ 9oint on the :este"n s3;)) f"om
:hence the sic3le of the moon is (o"n at the (eginning of each month) the luna" c"escent
:hich) fo" the ShIites) s;m(oli1es the DImJmat/E
In a Sunni teAt of H2(ul Fa$l 2hma$i (O 9,. of 0e$>"a)) it is :"itten that H2li must (e
"ega"$e$ as the t"ue Tu(a-t"ee of Ca"a$ise) fo" he se"<es as the <eil th"ough :hich the light
of Fatima manifests itself/ The 9"oof that this ShIite gnostic cultus of Fatima is not (ase$ on
he" human fe"tilit; (ut "athe" on he" (eneficent g"ace is $emonst"ate$ (; the sec"et name
that she ca""ies afte" the initiation: instea$ of he" female name) Fatima) she is 3no:n onl;
(; the name Fati"/ 'ut Fati" is a masculine $i<ine e9ithet/ It al"ea$; featu"es in the #o"an)
:he"e it signifies DC"eato")E o" mo"e 9"ecisel;) Dhe :ho lets a99ea"/E 5hat she :ill let
a99ea") ho:e<e") is the human fo"m in :hich) at ce"tain tem9o"al inte"<als) the Go$hea$
manifests itself in o"$e" to test human3in$) to $eman$ f"om it time an$ again the highest
oath of allegiance/ In 9oint of fact) histo"; al"ea$; eAists fo" the ShIites as a "e9eate$
"e(ellion of the misle$ ma>o"it; in out"age against the highest 9e"sonifie$ $i<init;Pin the
fo"m of the H2li$s/
5hat follo:s is one of the essential teAts/ Su"facing in the fou"teenth centu";) it 9"o(a(l;
stems f"om the ShIite sect of Fusa;"is (although it o"iginall; $e"i<es f"om an enti"e
s9ect"um of fa" ol$e" com9ositions)/ 4ffecti<el;) it functions as a long litan; enume"ating
all the s;m(ols in the #o"an that "e9"esent Fatima/
2 7ASIDA NF I'M20IM TQSI (O c/ 7+6R13+6)
KFote: 2 3asida is an 2"a(ic o" Ce"sian elegiac 9oem :ith a t"i9a"tite <e"se st"uctu"eG(2C)L/
Seemingl; a f"ee ta'hm6s (ase$ on a 3asida of his maste") H2li-(-MansS" Su:a;"i (fl/ c/
71,R131,):
I/ 0o: :ell $o ;ou 3no: this m;ste"ious Fit"aT 2n$ :he"e $oth he" magnificent cla"it;
come f"omT !oes she (elong to the highest 9"e-ete"nal essence) $oes she manifest the
att"i(utes of the name) o" is she the 9henomenal fo"m of the <eilT
II/ Is she the sac"e$ flame of the to"chT N" the glass lante"n of the glo:ing lightT N" the
"e<ealing cla"it; of the "a$iating sta" :hose glitte"ing scintillas ignite the oli<e t"eeT
III/ !oth the oil ignite itself in he" s9len$o"T N" $oes he" s9len$o" come f"om a 9"e-eAistent
fi"eT ?eaU It :as he" :ill :hich "ose (efo"e the :ell-gui$e$ (8ohlgeleiteten) to $i"ect them
(; the cla"it; of he" Mohamme$ean lightGthose :ho ha$ come to 9o:e" in he" houses/
IV/ 0e" houses a"e t"ue tem9les :hich s9ea3 of the Fame :hich is "ecogni1e$ (eneath the
essential <eils/ F"om he" a"ises the confoun$ing of the Fame :ith the 'a() a sec"et an$
sac"e$ 9henomena/
V/ F"om he" a"ose sha$o:s) the s9i"itual fo"ms of futu"e man3in$) an$ the $a; of Mitha3
:he"e s9i"its nestle$ togethe" to hea" the $i<ine lecto" 9"oclaim to the elect the "e<elation
of ou" luminous maste"s/
VI/ Th"ough he" :e ha<e eA9e"ience$ the 9henomenon of life) th"ough he" 2$am :as
<ene"ate$ ((; the 2ngels): an$ th"ough he" the"e :as the 9actGthe $i<ine (on$Galong
:ith the su(lime an$ magnanimous :itnesses :ho 9"oclaime$ the uni=ueness of the
Go$hea$ :hen the; sa: him (H2li)) those (ig-(ellie$ an$ the (al$/
VII/ She is the image (efo"e :hich one 9"ost"ates oneself& she is the highest 9"oof an$
touchstone fo" the un(elie<e" :ho "e<olts) :ho $enies Go$ (; sa;ing I (DI am mo"e
:o"th;UE)G (efo"e (eing cast $o:n (; his co:a"$ice into the "an3s of the $amne$/
VIII/ This su(lime a99ea"ance :oul$ not (e "ecogni1e$ (; the igno"ant) :ho "emain shut
off/ 'ut those :ho o(e; he" shall (e "e$eeme$ an$ hono"e$ in the 9a"a$ise of $elights
among the lo"$s of all c"eation/
IW/ She is the st"ong g"i9) the :o"$ that cuts& f"om he" comes the ("ightness :hich
se9a"ates light f"om $a"3nessGfo" she has $i<i$e$ an$ s9lit the :o"l$Ghe"e the "e$eeme$)
the"e the <an=uishe$Gan$ ne<e" the t:ain shall meet/
W/ She is the t"ee :ith t:el<e ("anches :hose f"uits ha<e (een culti<ate$ in sec"et since the
(eginning of time) 9"ese"<e$ fo" the elect in measu"e$ sha"e) those lea$e"s of see3e"s an$
lo<e"s/
WI/ She is the sanctua"; of 9a"a$ise :ith the Tu(a t"ee) she is the sou"ce of Salsal) that
eA=uisite $"in3 of :hich ne<e" satiates) :hich heals hea"ts an$ g"ants e<e"; :ish to the
lea"ne$ an$ the :ise/
WII/ She is thei" "esi$ence (uilt since ete"nit;) thei" ma>esticall; to:e"ing shelte"/ She is the
"aging sea) the light of the Fame) the (oo3 :hich conceals :ithin itself all :is$om) of :hich
the teAt of the #o"an is (ut an oute" co<e") a $istant echo/
WIII/ She is the 2=sa Mos=ue of @e"usalem :he"e the elect an$ the sac"e$ ha<e ascen$e$ to
hono" the Qni=ue an$ the Me"ciful) the situs i""a$iate$ (; the st"eaming cla"it; :hich
9ou"s fo"th f"om the luminous sta"s/
WIV/ She is the one :ho nu"tu"es all c"eatu"es at he" ("east :ithout e<e" :eaning he"
chil$"en o" $iminishing the a(un$ance of he" (osom/ She (esto:s he" gifts u9on all :ho
see3 the t"uth an$ the genuinel; essential) an$ u9on those :ho a"e "a$iant maste"s/
WV/ It :as th"ough he" that Cain a(an$one$ the "ight 9ath& she :as 2(els fi"e sac"ifice) a
$i<ine s;m(ol ensh"ou$e$ in flame to testif; against the :ic3e$/
WVI/ She is the "oc3 f"om :hich the t:el<e s9"ings ha<e thei" sou"ce) the im9ecca(le
9ea"lsGImJms of 9u"e 3no:le$geG9"ese"<e$ fo" those inflame$ :ith lo<e fo" he") an$ :ho
$"in3 out of he" chalice/
WVII/ She is the ("e$$ish) co: of the :hite 93ir) than3s to :hich the innocent :e"e
"e$eeme$ f"om $eath/ Q9on (eing "e9"oache$ the; sai$: DThis is :hat 3ille$ me) I "ecogni1e
it/E T"uth a99ea"e$ to Moses) :ho o9enl; 9"oclaime$ it/
WVIII/ She is the night of 9o:e" :hich en>o;s glo"ious "eno:n) he" en$u"ance is longe" than
a thousan$ moons& he"e the angels an$ s9i"its clim( $o:n to ea"th) an$) fo"sooth) $i<i$e
the fate of men acco"$ing to thei" angelic $i"ecti<e/
WIW/ 0e" light $a"3ens the suns gifts :hen he" full moon comes to te"m) occulte$ (; th"ee
<eils) th"ee silent <eils& an$ Mohamme$ lea$s them :ith :o"$s an$ $i"ections/
WW/ She is the su(stance of he" nameGDthe hol;EGthe Dc"eat"iA of inca"nationEGhe" <eil
in$icates $i<ine am(iguit;) an$ its (o""o:e$ light shines fo" the elect (; night/
WWI/ 2n$ on the $a; that the 9"o9het <anishe$ (i/e/ as he $ie$)) he a99ea"e$ af"esh :ithin
he"& suffuse$ :ith elo=uence) she (ecame the <eil :hich en"a9tu"es those of :is$om an$
"eason) an$ (; the sou"ce of the maste" of "e<elation (H2li)) she (ecame the singula" an$
highest ontological essence/
WWII/ She is the one :hose m;ste"ies (ecame <isi(le to us on the $a; of fada'& castles an$
fo"t"esses t"em(le$ as she o99ose$ the :ic3e$) an$ all su""en$e"e$ thei" hea<ing scou"ges
to ma3e 9eace :ith H2li/
WWIII/ 'ut H2li 9acifie$ them :hen he sa: them tea"ing thei" souls/ 2n$ he sai$: DStea$;U 'e
calmU ?ou" fate is as nea" as the ("ea3ing $a:n) an$ li3e the $a;) the >u$ge :ill a99oint
them to a99ea" (efo"e him/
WWIV/ 2n$ she "etu"ne$) smiling) (ac3 to he" house) (oth 0assans follo:ing he"/ 0e"
enemies) unsus9ecting) :ill soon (e 9lummeting into the (u"ning fi"es of hell/
KThe co""es9on$ing :oranic <e"ses a"e: I X 36/.9& II-III X .,/3+& V-VII X 7/16& WII X+./,-*& WIII X
17/1& WVI X 7/1*6& Fum(e"s 33/ .9& WVII X ./*3-*9& P com9a"e the co: of 2;isha/ WVIII X 97&
WIW: the th"ee <eils a"e H2li) 0asan an$ 0osein/L
(WWV-CWIW "efe" to the succession of the imams an$ the 'a(/)
In "efe"ence to this 3asida) it shoul$ (e note$ that Fati" Kc"eat"iAL) the m;ste"ious name of
Fatima) :as 9"o(a(l; chosen (ecause the nume"ical <alue of the lette"s :hich fo"m the
name 9"o$uce the same total as the nume"ical <alue of the name of Ma"; (Ma";am)/ Fo"
these gnostic ci"cles the"e is a fo"m of "ea99ea"ance (the "einca"nation of one i$entical)
unchanging a"chet;9e f"om one c;cle to the neAt)/ Thus) Fatima is sim9l; the "eoccu""ence
of Ma";am/ The nume"ical <alue of (oth names is .96/ F"om this i$entification it follo:s
that ce"tain "eci9"ocal "eactions in Islamic intellectual ci"clesGin :hich a t"a$itional
Fatima-t;9e is o99ose$ to a t"a$itional Ma"ia-t;9eGshoul$ (e $ete"mine$ :ith mo"e
9"ecision/ So too the 9"oclamation scene (:hich is $esc"i(e$ (; @alal-a$$in Mumi in his
Mathna(i in such an i$ios;nc"atic manne") an$ the theo"ies su""oun$ing the conce9tion
an$ (i"th of the ImJms/
The :omen a"oun$ Mohamme$ 9la;e$ a "ole in his famil; life as :ell as in his 9olitical life/
5hile the ShIites "emem(e" the C"o9hets fi"st :ife #ha$i>a <e"; fon$l;Gthe DQmm
SalamaEGthis is in no :a; the case :ith 2;isha an$ 0afsa) $aughte"s of the t:o initial
successo"s of Mohamme$/ Fo" ShIites the; a"e the D:ic3e$ :omenE of the 9"o9het) :ho
a"e) mo"eo<e") 9ointe$ out in one of the <e"ses of the #o"an as the $iso(e$ient ones/ Nn the
othe" han$) the"e is a s9ecial a$o"ation to:a"$s 2;isah an$ 0afsa amongst Sunnis :ho a"e
hostile to:a"$s ShIites/
In the no"th :este"n 9a"t of #ashmi") in the a"ea of 'altistan) :he"e the"e a"e mainl;
Ismailis (hence ShIites) li<ing) the"e is an anti-ShIite encla<e of #elun-shah :ho 9"actice a
cult $e<ote$ (latantl; to 2;isha an$ 0afsa/ 2s F"anc3e o(se"<es (Moslem 8orld) 19.9) 139))
this must (e a su"<i<ing mino"it; of the 'u$$hist cult of the t:o Ta"as/
The"efo"e) if :e :ant to com9a"e the "ole of this female inte"cesso"; 9o:e" in Islam :ith
that of Ch"istianit; an$ @u$aism) :e :ill notice that in Islam :e a"e in no :a; $ealing :ith
the 9e"sonification of the To"ah as in Is"ael (:hich $eals :ith a ma""iage of the communit;
to the 9o:e" of Go$)& no" a"e :e $ealing :ith the Ch"istian Panagia to $istinguish a chosen
one th"ough the inte"cession of the 0ol; S9i"it/ The ShIite t"a$itions a"e <e"; clea" on this:
Fatima) :ho is hol$ing a s:o"$ in he" han$ an$ is also name$ -l ;ahr9) Dthe
("illiantReffulgent)E has an essential eschatological "ole to 9la;Gshe :ill "esto"e >ustice
th"ough i""econcila(le <engeance/ She :ill a99ea" at the final >u$gment :ith flo:ing hai"
to $eman$ >ustice fo" the mu"$e" of he" chil$"en& she :ill a99ea" against those "es9onsi(le
fo" the 9"ematu"e $eli<e"; of he" last son) Mohsin) :hose (loo$ $"enche$ (o$; she ca""ies
in he" a"ms& she :ill a99ea" against those :ho 9oisone$ he" el$est son 0assan an$ sle: he"
secon$ son 0ossein in #a"(ala/ In this image) then) she is essentiall; the em(o$iment of
$i<ine "et"i(ution) >ust as she :as the em(o$iment of selecti<it; at the (eginning of time&
fo" those :ho lo<e he" an$ he" successo"s) :ho a"e al"ea$; the"e(; assu"e$ of 9a"a$ise) She
is the s9d) the lette" :hich s;m(oli1es the 9"e-ete"nal 9u"it; of the elect/
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