Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha's) Tasbih

Hadhrat Ali (Radhiyallaho anho) once said to one of his pupils:

"Shall I tell you the story of Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyaliaho anha), the dearest and the most loved daughter
of the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)?"

When the pupil replied in the affirmative,
he said: "Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha) used to grind the grain herself, which caused corns on her hands. She carried water for the house in a leather bag, which left a mark on her breast. She cleaned the house herself, which made her clothes dirty. Once some war captives were brought to Madinah. I said to her, 'Go to the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and request him for an assistant to help you in your house-work.'



She went to him, but found many people round him. As she was very modest, she could not be bold enough
to request the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) in the presence of other people. Next day the Prophet
(Sallalaho alaihe wasallam) came to our house and said, "Fatimah! what made you come to me yesterday?''
She felt shy and kept quiet.

I said, "0, Prophet of Allah! Fatimah has developed callusses on both her hands and breast, on account of grinding and carrying water. She is constantly busy in cleaning the house and in other domestic jobs, causing her clothes to remain dirty. I informed her about the captives and advised her to go to you and make a request for a servant.' It has also been reported that Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha) made a request, 'I and Ali own only one bedding and that also is a skin of a goat. We use it in the morning to put the feed of the camel.' The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Fatimah! Be patient. The Prophet Moses (Alayhis Salam) and his wife owned only one bedding, which was the cloak of Moses. Fear Allah; acquire Taqwa and keep doing your service to Allah and attend to your domestic jobs.
When you go to bed, recite Subhanallah 33 times, Alhamdulillah 33 times and Allahoakbar 34 times. You
will find this more helpful than an assistant.' Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha) remarked, 'I am happy
with what Allah and His Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) would be pleased with."

Look! This is the life of the Prophet's dear daughter. In moderately rich families of our times, the ladies think it
below their dignity to attend to domestic work. They need assistance in each and every thing, even in their bathroom!What a difference!

In this Hadith, the prescribed Zikr is before sleep. In other Ahadith, the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is
reported to have advised Hadhrat Fatimah (Radhiyallaho anha) to recite after every Salaat. Subhanallah 33 times. Alhamdulillah 33 times, Allahoakbar 33 times and Lailaha-illallaho wahdahu-lasharikalahu-lahulmulku walahulhamduwahuwa- 'ala-kulli-sha-in-Qadir, once.