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The Prophet's illness steadily grew worse. He asked his wives
to agree to let him remain inTlishals home. F; ýJ-mah tended him
constantly. The' pain became worse until he dies. F; timah was
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heart broken by her father's death. The historical sources recount
that from the moment of her father's death, she was never seen
except%sad, in tears. It is no wonder that she should mourn the loss
of her father so deeply, for she had also lost her only source
of warmth and demonstrative' affection.
The Prophet's relationship with his fourth daughter was-the
prime example of the way a father should treat a daughter. The
high regard in which he held her, although she was the youngest of
his daughters, served to change the attitude of society towards
female offspring, teaching Muslims to relate to their daughters in
a similar way. OnceTlisha was asked, "Who was the dearest person
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%. o the Prophet ? ". She said, Iliatimah,
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" and she was asked,
"And amongst the men? " She said, "Her husband. "
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The ultimate example of the Prophet's compassion for his daughter
is when she complained every now and again, and he consoled her and
he said, "How does one find you, daughter ?" She said, "I am ill, "
and she added, "What does make me feel worse is that I, have no food
to eat. " Peace upon Him said, "Girl are you not grateful in being
the first lady of the Universe.?
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One day. he visited her while she was milling flour. She was
wearing a garment made of camel fur, he wept and said, 17aýimah, you
swallow the bitterness of this world for the comforts of the here after. " 3
1. Ibn al-AtOr, op. cit.. Vol. 7. P. 158
2. See al-! AqqZd. op. cit., P. 46
3. Ibid
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